Meet your new baking obsession: Zucchini Bread Muffins! These golden, fluffy muffins are gloriously moist thanks to a heap of fresh zucchini, just sweet enough with honey, and finished with a spark of lemon zest for the perfect bite. If you love a muffin that’s secretly wholesome but tastes downright indulgent, you’re in for a treat!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ultimate Moist Muffin: Fresh shredded zucchini makes each bite incredibly tender—no dry muffins here!
- Naturally Sweetened: Honey brings a gentle sweetness and beautiful aroma you won’t get from plain sugar.
- Wholesome with a Citrus Twist: Greek yogurt and lemon zest lighten up the muffins and add a pop of flavor.
- Perfect for Any Time: Enjoy these Zucchini Bread Muffins for breakfast, snack, or even dessert. They’re truly irresistible!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of these Zucchini Bread Muffins is how a handful of everyday staples come together to create something special. Each ingredient is chosen for a reason—from the rich olive oil to the warming nutmeg—making the flavors pop and the texture just right.
- Olive oil: Adds moisture and gives a subtle savory depth you’ll love.
- Honey: Naturally sweetens these muffins and gives them a beautiful golden hue.
- Greek yogurt: Keeps the crumb delightfully tender and adds a protein boost.
- Eggs: Bind everything and lend structure to these fluffy little treats.
- Lemon zest: Brightens the flavor and makes the muffins taste fresh and vibrant.
- Zucchini: The star of the show—it melts into the batter, making every bite supremely moist without tasting veggie-heavy.
- Chopped walnuts: Bring crunch, flavor, and extra heartiness to every muffin.
- All-purpose flour: The tried-and-true base for a light yet substantial crumb.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances all the other flavors.
- Ground nutmeg: Adds subtle warmth and coziness—complementing the zucchini perfectly.
- Baking powder & baking soda: These give your muffins lift, so they bake up high, soft, and fluffy.
Variations
Don’t be afraid to make these muffins your own! Zucchini Bread Muffins are like a blank canvas for creativity—so many swaps and additions will still result in deliciously soft, snackable results.
- Chocolate Chip Dream: Swap out the walnuts for chocolate chips, or add a handful for double the fun.
- Gluten-Free Option: Use your favorite 1:1 gluten-free flour blend to accommodate dietary needs.
- Dried Fruit Boost: Throw in some raisins, chopped dates, or cranberries for extra natural sweetness and chew.
- Nut-Free: Skip the walnuts or substitute with pumpkin or sunflower seeds for crunch without nuts.
How to Make Zucchini Bread Muffins
Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Ingredients
Get started by preheating your oven to 350°F and lining a standard muffin tin with paper liners. This ensures the muffins pop right out and makes cleanup a breeze. Shred your zucchini (no need to peel!) and gather the rest of your ingredients—organization is your best friend for easy baking.
Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together the olive oil, honey, and Greek yogurt until completely smooth. Add the eggs and lemon zest, and keep whisking until everything is silky and well combined. Stir in the shredded zucchini and walnuts, folding until evenly distributed.
Step 3: Fold in the Dry Ingredients
Sprinkle in the flour, salt, nutmeg, baking powder, and baking soda over the zucchini mixture. Gently fold the batter together with a spatula just until you don’t see big streaks of flour—don’t over-mix or the muffins may turn dense. A few small lumps are totally fine!
Step 4: Fill, Bake, and Cool
Divide the batter evenly among the prepared muffin cups, leaving about ½ inch of space at the top for the muffins to rise. Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until your kitchen smells amazing and a toothpick comes out clean or with just a couple of crumbs. Let the muffins cool in the pan for at least 15 minutes before devouring.
Pro Tips for Making Zucchini Bread Muffins
- Maximize Zucchini Moisture: If your zucchini seems extra watery after shredding, give it a gentle squeeze in a clean kitchen towel so your muffins don’t become too soggy.
- Don’t Over-mix: Fold just until the flour disappears—overdoing it can make the muffins tough rather than tender.
- Muffin Tin Magic: Fill each muffin cup only about 3/4 full to allow for that gorgeous dome as they rise in the oven.
- Use Fresh Lemon Zest: Grating the lemon zest right before you use it gives the brightest, most impactful citrus flavor.
How to Serve Zucchini Bread Muffins
Garnishes
For an extra-special finish, sprinkle your warm Zucchini Bread Muffins with a dusting of powdered sugar or a few extra chopped walnuts. If you’re feeling zesty, a light drizzle of honey or even a swipe of softened butter is downright dreamy.
Side Dishes
Pair these muffins with a tangy Greek yogurt parfait, fresh fruit salad, or even a steaming mug of chai or coffee. They also play well alongside a plate of scrambled eggs for a breakfast spread that feels oh-so-satisfying.
Creative Ways to Present
Try arranging the muffins on a rustic wooden board with citrus slices and sprigs of mint for brunch, or pack them into a linen-lined basket for a picnic treat. For parties, insert a toothpick flag or a swirl of cream cheese frosting for a bakery-worthy look!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover Zucchini Bread Muffins in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days. They’ll stay moist and delicious, ready for a grab-and-go snack or breakfast all week!
Freezing
These muffins freeze like a dream! Let them cool completely, then wrap individually or stash in a freezer bag for up to two months. Just thaw at room temperature, and you’ll have homemade muffins in minutes.
Reheating
To enjoy a warm muffin, microwave it for 15–20 seconds or reheat in a 300°F oven for about 5 minutes. That fresh-from-the-oven taste comes right back—maybe better than ever!
FAQs
-
Do I need to peel the zucchini before shredding?
No peeling necessary! The skin is tender, adds color and fiber, and melts into the muffins—you won’t even notice it’s there after baking.
-
Can I substitute the honey with another sweetener?
Absolutely! Maple syrup or agave nectar will work beautifully, though the flavor will shift a bit. Granulated sugar can also be used, but you may want to add a splash more yogurt for moisture.
-
What’s the best way to shred zucchini for these muffins?
A box grater, coarse setting, is perfect for shredding zucchini quickly. Press lightly—no need to squeeze out all the moisture unless your zucchini seems exceptionally watery.
-
How do I keep my Zucchini Bread Muffins from being too dense?
The secret is gentle folding—not over-mixing—after you add the dry ingredients. Too much stirring deflates the batter and leads to heavy muffins, so just mix until combined and no more.
Final Thoughts
I hope you’re as excited as I am to bake a batch of these Zucchini Bread Muffins. They’re the kind of treat that brighten up any day—and they never last long in my kitchen! Gather your zucchini and give these a try; just one warm, fragrant muffin and you’ll see why they’re such a beloved favorite. Happy baking!
PrintZucchini Bread Muffins Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 12 muffins
- Category: Breakfast, Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Zucchini Bread Muffins are a delightful twist on traditional zucchini bread. Moist and flavorful, with a hint of lemon zest and crunchy walnuts, these muffins are perfect for breakfast or a snack.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/3 cup Greek yogurt
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoon lemon zest
- 2 cups zucchini, shredded (about one large zucchini)
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
Wet Ingredients:
Dry Ingredients:
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a standard muffin pan with liners.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, honey, and Greek yogurt until smooth. Add eggs and lemon zest, whisk until smooth. Stir in zucchini and walnuts.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Gently fold in flour, salt, nutmeg, baking powder, and baking soda until just combined.
- Fill Muffin Tins: Scoop batter into muffin tins, leaving space at the top.
- Bake: Bake for 20–25 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 15 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Storage: Store leftover muffins in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 muffin
- Calories: 240 kcal
- Sugar: 13g
- Sodium: 205mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Carbohydrates: 27g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 28mg