Combine three types of produce in a batch of Banana Zucchini Muffins with Blueberries. It’s the best of all the baked goods in one convenient (and nutritious) package! P.S. They store well for days!
Banana Zucchini Muffins with Blueberries
When my middle kiddo was one, she struggled with bread—which means she had a hard time chewing sliced bread as well as muffins and pancakes. I worked hard to make her nutritious, moist options to help her practice and these muffins were one of our favorites.
These also happen to be perfect to make in the summer when you have zucchini and blueberries at the ready—and any bananas in the house might turn brown fast due to the heat!
Healthy Zucchini Muffins
These muffins have a base of whole wheat flour and get their moisture and flavor from three types of produce. Combine that with low added sugar and protein from eggs and milk and you have a healthy muffin for kids that’s great any time of the day. (See below to adjust these for food allergies.)
Ingredients in Banana Zucchini Muffins
To make these muffins you’ll need:
- very ripe banana
- zucchini
- milk (dairy or nondairy)
- eggs
- vanilla extract
- butter
- whole wheat flour
- brown sugar
- baking powder
- cinnamon
- fresh or frozen blueberries
How to Make Banana Zucchini Muffins with Blueberries Step by Step
Here’s a look at the process of making these muffins for kids.
- Gather your ingredients. (photo 1)
- Grate the zucchini into a wide bottom plate or bowl. (photo 2)
- Use your hands to squeeze as much liquid out of it as you can. Measure out the zucchini needed, packing it tightly into the measuring cup. (photo 3)
- Mash the banana well and measure out the amount needed. (See the recipe at the bottom of the post for full info!) (photo 4)
- Add the wet ingredients to a medium bowl. (photo 5)
- Stir together. (photo 6)
- Stir in the dry ingredients. (photo 7)
- Fold in the blueberries. (photo 8)
- Portion into a muffin tin. (photo 9)
- Bake! (photo 10)
TIP: Squeeze the zucchini really well to ensure that the batter isn’t too wet. You can even squeeze it with a towel after you get most of the moisture out if you want.
Can I make these Banana Zucchini Muffins gluten-free?
Sure, just use cup for cup gluten-free flour instead of the whole wheat flour.
Can I make these healthy muffins dairy-free?
Yes. Use plain unsweetened nondairy milk instead of dairy milk and melted, slightly cooled coconut milk (or canola oil) instead of butter.
Can I make them egg-free?
Yup! Just omit the eggs and add an additional 1/4 cup milk.
Egg-free banana zucchini muffin with chocolate chips.
Banana Zucchini Muffins with Chocolate Chips
If your family prefers chocolate you can substitute 1/2 cup chocolate chips for the blueberries!
Can I leave out the sugar?
If you’re making these for a baby who’s eating finger foods or just want to reduce added sugars, you can skip the brown sugar. Be sure to use very brown bananas though since they will be the main source of sweetness. With the sugar, each muffin has about 3 grams of added sugar, which is a low amount for a healthy snack.
Can I use frozen blueberries in this recipe?
You can use fresh blueberries or frozen ones, depending on what you have access to and the time of the year. Either way, stir them into the batter gently to avoid breaking them up.
Tips for Making the Best Banana Zucchini Muffins with Blueberries
- To make these gluten-free, use cup for cup gluten-free flour blend.
- To make these dairy-free, use nondairy milk and melted coconut oil instead of butter.
- Use very ripe bananas with brown spots for the best flavor.
- Squeeze the grated zucchini well with your fingers to release as much liquid as you can.
- Use fresh or frozen blueberries. Fold them in gently to the batter.
- These muffins are not very sweet. If you prefer sweeter baked goods, consider using 1/3 cup brown sugar or topping with a drizzle of honey.
I’d love to hear your feedback if you try this recipe, so please comment below with feedback!
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PinDescription
These muffins make for a delicious breakfast, snack, or lunchtime component. This recipe was updated June 2019 to improve the texture and streamline the ingredients.
Ingredients
- 1 cup mashed banana (from 2 very ripe bananas)
- 1 cup grated zucchini, packed and squeezed very dry (about 1 medium zucchini)
- 1/2 cup milk (dairy or nondairy)
- 1/4 cup butter, melted and cooled slightly
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F and grease a standard muffin tin well with nonstick spray.
- Add the mashed banana, grated zucchini, milk, butter, eggs, and vanilla extract to a medium bowl. Stir gently with a spatula.
- Add the flour, sugar, baking powder, and cinnamon. Stir gently to combine.
- Stir in the blueberries gently.
- Divide the batter among the prepared muffin tin. You’ll use about a heaping 1/4 cup in each muffin cup.
- Bake for 22-28 minutes or until a cake tester inserted into the center comes out cleanly and the muffins are golden brown around the edges. Let cool in the pan for a few minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely, running a knife around the edges to loosen if needed.
- Serve at room temperature, warmed slightly, or chilled.
Notes
TIPS
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days or in the freezer in a zip top freezer bag for up to 3 months.
To make these gluten-free, use cup for cup gluten-free flour blend.
To make these dairy-free, use nondairy milk and melted coconut oil instead of butter.
To make these egg-free, omit the eggs and add 1/4 cup additional milk.
Use very ripe bananas with brown spots for the best flavor.
Squeeze the grated zucchini well with your fingers to release as much liquid as you can.
Use fresh or frozen blueberries. Fold them in gently to the batter.
These muffins are not very sweet. If you prefer sweeter baked goods, consider using 1/3 cup brown sugar or topping with a drizzle of honey.
Squeeze the zucchini really well to ensure that the batter isn’t too wet. You can even squeeze it with a towel after you get most of the moisture out if you want.
Can you make this into a loaf instead of muffins?
I haven’t tried that so I can’t say specifically how long the baking would take but in theory I think it should work. It is a fairly wet batter so it would likely be at least an hour in the oven on perhaps 350 or 375.
Do you peel the zucchini before you grate it? Sorry, I’ve never grated zucchini to go in anything before.
No, you can leave the peel on. It softens up nicely
Have you have ever made these then froze them to eat later? Did it work well?
Yes, that works well!
Hi Amy! I really love your recipes:) so happy I found you. By any chance do you have tips on how to prepare muffin from being frozen? I tried reheating the broccoli muffin recipe and I baked straight from freezer and they came out wet in the middle and slightly burnt on edges.. how do you do it? Thank you so much I’m advance 🙏🏻
★★★★★
Hi- You can let them thaw overnight in the fridge and then warm in 15 second increments in the microwave. Or do that from frozen. Or to use the oven, I would thaw in the fridge or at room temperature first, then heat for may 6-8 minutes. You’d want to be sure they were cooked all the way through before you freeze them though. I hope that helps.
Thank you!!
Have you ever used M&Ms instead of chocolate chips..? Also, if there was nothing extra, no blueberries or chocolate chips, would the recipe still be good?
I haven’t used M&Ms and I haven’t made them without the blueberries or chocolate. They wouldn’t be as sweet though.