Super moist and packed with zucchini, these Chocolate Chip Zucchini Muffins are great for breakfast or snack. We love them when we have too much zucchini on hand—or when we just need a dose of chocolatey goodness.

chocolate chip zucchini muffins on wire rack

Chocolate Chip Zucchini Muffins

Friends, our garden has exploded with zucchini. And while I tend to think of myself as someone who can handle lots of produce, this has pushed even my abilities.

Enter: Chocolate Chip Zucchini Muffins!

These muffins are super moist, super fluffy, and a great mix of nutrients and flavors. They have a full cup of zucchini, plus whole grains, proteins, and healthy fats.

They’re great on their own or topped with cream cheese, peanut butter, or almond butter. You can make them with chocolate chips or blueberries too. My kids love them as much as I do!

Ingredients You Need

To make this muffin recipe you’ll need:

ingredients in chocolate chip zucchini muffins
  • Whole wheat flour: This flour absorbs moisture well and has fiber and nutrients, so it’s a great option here.
  • Cocoa powder: I use Hershey’s Special Dark usually for flavor that’s not bitter.
  • Baking powder and baking soda: This helps the muffins rise nicely.
  • Zucchini: Any variety of green zucchini works here.
  • Sugar: A modest amount of sugar adds sweetness. You can sub maple syrup or honey if you prefer.
  • Milk: Dairy or nondairy milk works in this recipe.
  • Eggs
  • Melted butter: I use unsalted butter in my baking so I can control the salt. If you only have salted butter, just skip adding the salt in the recipe.
  • Vanilla extract
  • Chocolate chips or blueberries: You can choose one or the other to add, or add some of each.

TIP: I coat my muffin pan with nonstick classic Pam spray. There is not enough fat for these to come out cleanly from paper cupcake liners, so spray them lightly with nonstick spray if you want to use them.

Step by Step Instructions

Here’s a look at the simple process involved in making this recipe.

how to make chocolate chip zucchini muffins step-by-step
  1. Stir together the dry ingredients.
  2. Grate the zucchini.
  3. Squeeze it very, very dry with your hands. Measure it out.
  4. Whisk together the wet ingredients.
  5. Stir the dry ingredients into the wet.
  6. Add to a muffin pan and bake.

TIP: You can make these muffins ahead of time and then store them in the fridge or freezer and serve them on busy mornings.

chocolate chip zucchini muffins cooling

How to Store

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 3 days or in the fridge for up to 5. Freeze cooled muffins in a zip top freezer bag with as much air removed as possible for up to 3 months.

Best Tips for Success

  • Serve at room temperature, warmed slightly, or chilled. (They may firm up a bit if chilled.)
  • If using blueberries, expect the muffins to be super moist.
  • Mini Muffins: Cook for 12-14 minutes in a 24-cup mini muffin pan.
  • Dairy-free: Use melted coconut oil  in place of the butter and plain nondairy milk.
  • Gluten-free: Use cup-for-cup style gluten-free flour in place of the whole wheat.
  • Egg-free: Use a purchased egg replacer or omit the eggs, increase the milk to 1 ½ cups, and increase the baking soda to 1 teaspoon. Bake for 18-22 minutes and check for doneness with a cake tester. (I tested them and it worked well, though they are moister than the regular recipe so they take a little longer to bake.) Let cool fully before eating for the best texture.

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chocolate-chip-zucchini-muffins-on-rack

Chocolate Chip Zucchini Muffins

Super moist and packed with zucchini, these Chocolate Chip Zucchini Muffins are great for breakfast or snack.
5 from 138 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 16 minutes
Total Time 26 minutes
Cuisine American
Course Breakfast
Calories 148kcal
Servings 12

Ingredients

  • cups whole wheat flour
  • ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • ¼ cup sugar (or maple syrup; up the sugar to ½ cup for a more conventionally sweet muffin)
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup grated zucchini, squeezed very dry and packed tightly (measure after grating)
  • 1 cup milk
  • 2 eggs (lightly beaten)
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter (melted, or use canola or avocado oil)
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • ½ cup chocolate chips (or 1 cup blueberries; you can also use up to 1 cup of chocolate chips if you prefer)

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Coat a standard size muffin pan with nonstick spray.
  • In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, cocoa powder, sugar, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
  • Grate the zucchini with a box grater and squeeze as much liquid out as you can with your hands. (I usually place it onto a clean kitchen towel and roll up to remove excess moisture, too.) Measure out 1 cup after this process.
  • To a medium bowl, add the zucchini, milk, eggs, butter, and vanilla. Whisk to combine.
  • Gently stir in the flour mixture. Gently stir in the chocolate chips (or blueberries).
  • Divide batter among the prepared muffin pan, using a heaping ¼ cup in each. Bake for 16-18 minutes, or until a cake tester inserted into the center of each muffin comes out clean.
  • Let cool for a minute or two in the pan, then transfer to a wire rack to cool to room temperature.
  • Serve muffins slightly warmed or at room temperature.

Notes

  • Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 3 days or in the fridge for up to 5. Freeze cooled muffins in a zip top freezer bag with as much air removed as possible for up to 3 months.
  • Serve at room temperature, warmed slightly, or chilled. (They may firm up a bit if chilled.)
  • If using blueberries, expect the muffins to be super moist.
  • Use ½ cup sugar if you prefer your muffins to be sweeter. These are very lightly sweetened as written.
  • Mini Muffins: Cook for 12-14 minutes in a 24-cup mini muffin pan.
  • Dairy-free: Use melted coconut oil  in place of the butter and plain nondairy milk.
  • Gluten-free: Use cup-for-cup style gluten-free flour in place of the whole wheat.
  • Egg-free: Use a purchased egg replacer or omit the eggs, increase the milk to 1 ½ cups, and increase the baking soda to 1 teaspoon. Bake for 18-22 minutes and check for doneness with a cake tester. (I tested them and it worked well, though they are moister than the regular recipe so they take a little longer to bake.) Let cool fully before eating for the best texture.
  • Use the same amount of honey or maple syrup in place of the sugar.
  • Use white whole wheat or all purpose flour if desired.

Nutrition

Serving: 1muffin, Calories: 148kcal, Carbohydrates: 19g, Protein: 4g, Fat: 7g, Saturated Fat: 4g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 2g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 41mg, Sodium: 201mg, Potassium: 140mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 8g, Vitamin A: 213IU, Vitamin C: 2mg, Calcium: 58mg, Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Rate in the comments and tag @yummytoddlerfood on IG!

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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Just made it today with my LO. They loved it!

    Made with over 1/4 cup sugar but under 1/2 cup.

    Used sunflower oil instead of butter

    Used half and half instead of milk because that’s what I had left

    Baked in a mini muffin tray for 13 min

    Leftover batter I put in 1 mini loaf pan that baked for an extra 3-4 min on top of the mini muffins.

  2. “If using blueberries, expect the muffins to be super moist.” would using the toothpick test on the muffins still work or should I expect to see some batter on the toothpick?

  3. 5 stars
    My kids favorite, only way they would eat zucchini! Whole wheat works great with this recipe. Muffins are intentionally on the small side for the kids so I up ingredients by 50% to make a regular muffin size I use the smaller grater holes which releases more water. I have also tried the larger holes for grating but I find it makes the batter is too watery but the recipe still works out either way. Amy, you are one of the few people who mentions pressing the water out of the zucchini and how much you should have for the recipe after this is done. Thanks!!!

  4. 5 stars
    My kids favorite, only way they would eat zucchini! Whole wheat works great with this recipe. Muffins are intentionally on the small side for the kids so I up ingredients by 50% to make a regular muffin size I use the smaller grater holes which releases more water than the larger holes, I find the batter is recipe still works out either way. Amy, you are one of the few people who mentions pressing the water out of the zucchini and how much you should have for the recipe after this is done. Thanks!!!

  5. Hi! Cant wait to try to make these. Can I add greek yogurt to the recipe for more protein? If so how much should I add? Thank you

  6. 5 stars
    Who knew how little grated zucchini one zucchini makes 😳. So I grated up our carrots and also ran out of those so I finished the rest of the cup with applesauce. They’re great and everyone in the house loves them!

  7. 5 stars
    Toddler-approved! Made some mini muffins with what didn’t fit in my muffin tray and he devoured four after not eating his lunch. Felt good knowing he got some veggies in.

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