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Chocolate Chip Zucchini Muffins (Paleo, gluten-free)

Jul 18, 2020 · 20 Comments

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almond flour zucchini muffins with chocolate chips on a green towel
almond flour zucchini muffins with chocolate chips on a green towel

These Paleo Chocolate Chip Zucchini Muffins are a healthy snack or breakfast!

These healthy zucchini muffins are still gluten-free, grain-free, dairy-free and refined sugar-free. They just happen to have a veggie AND chocolate.

So they’re basically the perfect treat.

coconut flour zucchini muffins with chocolate chips on a green towel on a cutting board and wooden table

(As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Some of the links on this page may be affiliate links. If you purchase a product through an affiliate link, I’ll automatically receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.)

Why this recipe works

The funny thing about zucchini muffins is…you can’t really taste the zucchini.

It’s not exactly a strongly flavored vegetable.

But by shredding them and adding to a muffin, you get to feel good about eating a vegetable while, you know, actually eating a muffin.

And these are some muffins. Not tiny little pucks but big, beautiful, “normal”-sized muffins.

I was able to adapt the Blueberry Muffins in Paleo Perfected by America’s Test Kitchen to get their size and perfect texture. I tweaked the process to make it faster and easier and added my own special touches.

These Paleo zucchini muffins are light, fluffy and subtly flavored from lemon, cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla.

That might seem like there’s too much going on but it all comes together for a perfectly moist, healthy zucchini muffin.

Zucchini, almond flour, coconut flour, eggs, cinnamon – all natural, healthful ingredients.

And while they do contain some coconut sugar, they’re not overly sweet. After all, as Nigella Lawson says, “Nor should a muffin be merely an un-iced cupcake.” She’s the queen for a reason, folks.

But to make it a little fun, let’s throw some chocolate chips in there!

(Side question: is a single zucchini technically a zucchino? Something to think about while you stuff your face with a muffin.)

 

What you need

Ingredients:

  • 1 pound zucchini
  • 3 cups superfine blanched almond flour (do not use almond meal)
  • 1 cup tapioca flour/starch or arrowroot flour/starch
  • 3 tablespoons coconut flour
  • 2 teaspoons cinnamon
  • 1.5 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
  • 2/3 cup coconut sugar
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 3 eggs
  • 3 tablespoons avocado oil or olive oil
  • 1 tablespoons vanilla extract
  • 2 lemons
  • 1/2 cup chocolate chips (I like Enjoy Life! since they’re free of dairy, soy, corn, etc., although they do contain a small amount of cane sugar; if you want to use a Paleo chocolate that’s refined sugar-free, try Hu Chocolate)
  • avocado oil spray (if you don’t use muffin cups)

Equipment:

  • a box grater
  • cheesecloth or flour sack towels for squeezing out the zucchini (or you can use paper towels but they rip easily)
  • a stand mixer with a whisk attachment and/or mixing bowls and whisk
  • a spatula
  • measuring spoons (these are my favorite because they fit inside spice jars!)
  • measuring cups
  • a muffin pan
  • muffins cups
  • a microplane grater/zester

Want to learn more about the ingredients I use? Check out my Paleo pantry.

healthy zucchini muffins with chocolate chips in a muffin pan on a cooling rack

How to make these Paleo chocolate chip zucchini muffins

It’s a pretty straightforward baking recipe: mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, fold in your fillings and bake!

Step 1: Heat the oven to 325°.

Step 2: Grease a 12-cup muffin pan or line it with muffin cups.

Step 3: Trim off the ends and grate the zucchini. Wrap up the shredded zucchini in cheesecloth or a flour sack towel (you can try paper towels but they might rip) and wring and squeeze out as much water as possible. When you think you’re done, twist and squeeze a bit more.

Step 4: In a medium bowl, whisk the almond flour, tapioca or arrowroot, coconut flour, cinnamon, baking soda, salt, nutmeg and cream of tartar.

Step 5: In a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, whisk the coconut sugar, water, eggs, avocado oil, vanilla, lemon zest and juice until blended.

Step 6: If using a stand mixer with a whisk, with the mixer on low speed, slowly add the dry ingredients then increase the speed to medium until everything is blended. Stop the mixer and scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl with a spatula. If whisking by hand, whisk in the dry ingredients in 4 or 5 additions.

Step 7: Give the zucchini one last squeeze and add to the batter along with the chocolate chips. Stir in with a spatula, breaking up the clumps of zucchini, until evenly distributed.

Step 8: Portion the batter into the muffin pan, filling each cup to to the top. Each cup will probably need 4-6 tablespoons of batter. Sprinkle a few more chocolate chips on top of each one, if desired.

Step 9: Bake for 30-35 minutes, rotating the pan 180° halfway through, until the muffins are golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean (unless it pierces a chocolate chip). Let the pan cool on a rack for at least 15 minutes.

And boom! You’ve got gorgeously golden, flavor-packed healthy zucchini muffins for breakfast, brunch, a snack or even dessert!

Eat them while they’re still warm with a smear of ghee or butter or maybe with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

gluten free zucchini muffins with chocolate chips piled on a white plate on a wooden table

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I make substitutions?

I haven’t tried a lot of variations with the basic components of the recipe (almond flour, coconut flour, etc.), but there are some ways you can switch it up:

Leave out the lemon zest (but not the lemon juice, that has to stay to help them rise).

Add ground ginger or ground cardamom or leave out the spices entirely.

Use raisins instead of chocolate chips. I know, that sounds like a real downgrade but I’ve tried it both ways and they’re both delicious.

You can also halve the recipe. See the notes after the recipe for instructions.

Can I make Paleo chocolate chip zucchini muffins ahead of time?

These can be kept in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. They can also be kept in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Can I freeze Paleo chocolate chip zucchini muffins ahead of time?

To freeze, wrap them individually in plastic wrap and freeze in a baggie or container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge.

To reheat, nuke them in the microwave for 20-30 seconds or in a 300° oven for 10-15 minutes.

Other Paleo and gluten-free baked goods

If you’re looking for other healthy but delicious treats, you can try:

  1. Paleo double chocolate zucchini bread
  2. Paleo strawberry rhubarb muffins
  3. Paleo chocolate chunk cookies
  4. Paleo apple bread
  5. Paleo Blackberry Muffins
gluten free zucchini muffins with chocolate chips piled on a white plate on a wooden table

Chocolate Chip Zucchini Muffins (Paleo, gluten-free)

Don Baiocchi
These Chocolate Chip Zucchini Muffins are big, light, fluffy and perfectly moist. They're made with healthy ingredients but also have chocolate chips for a fun, nutritious treat. Plus they're Paleo, gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free and refined sugar-free!
5 from 9 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 35 minutes mins
Total Time 50 minutes mins
Course Snack
Cuisine American
Servings 12 muffins
Calories 330 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb. zucchini
  • 3 cups superfine blanched almond flour
  • 1 cup tapioca flour/starch or arrowroot flour/starch
  • 3 tablespoons coconut flour
  • 2 teaspoons cinnamon
  • 1½ teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • ½ teaspoon nutmeg
  • ¼ teaspoon cream of tartar
  • ⅔ cup coconut sugar
  • ½ cup water
  • 3 eggs
  • 3 tablespoons avocado oil or olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 2 lemons, zested, plus 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • ½ cup chocolate chips (dairy-free, if necessary), plus more for the tops if desired

Instructions
 

  • Heat the oven to 325°.
  • Grease a 12-cup muffin pan or line it with muffin cups.
  • Trim off the ends and grate the zucchini. Wrap up the shredded zucchini in cheesecloth or a flour sack towel (you can try paper towels but they might rip) and wring and squeeze out as much water as possible. When you think you're done, twist and squeeze a bit more.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk the almond flour, tapioca or arrowroot, coconut flour, cinnamon, baking soda, salt, nutmeg and cream of tartar.
  • In a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, whisk the coconut sugar, water, eggs, avocado oil, vanilla, lemon zest and juice until blended.
  • If using a stand mixer with a whisk, with the mixer on low speed, slowly add the dry ingredients then increase the speed to medium until everything is blended. Stop the mixer and scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl with a spatula. If whisking by hand, whisk in the dry ingredients in 4 or 5 additions.
  • Give the zucchini one last squeeze and add to the batter along with the chocolate chips. Stir in with a spatula, breaking up the clumps of zucchini, until evenly distributed.
  • Portion the batter into the muffin pan, filling each cup to to the top. Each cup will probably need 4-6 tablespoons of batter. Sprinkle a few more chocolate chips on top of each one, if desired.
  • Bake for 30-35 minutes, rotating the pan 180° halfway through, until the muffins are golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean (unless it pierces a chocolate chip). Let the pan cool on a rack for at least 15 minutes.

Notes

To halve the recipe: use half the amount of ingredients. For the eggs, add one egg to the wet ingredients. Crack a second egg into a small bowl. Whisk until fully blended, then add half the mixture to the wet ingredients. Save the other half for scrambled eggs or a smoothie (if you’re okay to consume raw eggs).
These can be kept in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
They can also be kept in the fridge for up to 5 days.
To freeze, wrap them individually in plastic wrap and freeze in a baggie or container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge.
To reheat, nuke them in the microwave for 20-30 seconds or in a 300° oven for 10-15 minutes.

Nutrition

Serving: 1muffinCalories: 330kcalCarbohydrates: 31gProtein: 9gFat: 21gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.004gCholesterol: 41mgSodium: 369mgPotassium: 351mgFiber: 4gSugar: 13gVitamin A: 136IUVitamin C: 7mgCalcium: 97mgIron: 1mg
Keyword gluten free zucchini muffins, healthy zucchini muffins, paleo zucchini muffins, zucchini muffins
Tried this recipe?Mention @paleoglutenfreeguy or tag #paleoglutenfreeguy!

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Baked Goods, Recipes, Snacks almond flour, arrowroot, chocolate, cinnamon, coconut flour, coconut sugar, lemon, muffins, nutmeg, summer recipe, tapioca flour/starch, zucchini

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Comments

  1. Nicole says

    August 20, 2023 at 7:28 pm

    5 stars
    Another of your recipes that does not disappoint! Perfect balance of spices, great texture! Love love love (as always) the gluten free and refined sugar free. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Paleo Gluten Free Guy says

      August 20, 2023 at 7:36 pm

      Yay! So glad you liked it! Thanks for sharing 🙂

      Reply
  2. Kelly @ A Girl Worth Saving says

    July 27, 2020 at 11:43 am

    I have sooo much zucchini in the garden and have been searching for recipes to use it up. This looks perfect and my kiddos will love this!

    Reply
    • Paleo Gluten Free Guy says

      July 29, 2020 at 11:21 am

      It’s the perfect way to us up zucchini!

      Reply
  3. Jennifer Y Fisher says

    July 25, 2020 at 6:25 am

    5 stars
    As a person who puts chocolate chips in nearly everything (and I’m really not kidding), I had to laugh at the raisin swap comment. Anyway, can’t wait to try these muffins they look so tender and yummy.

    Reply
    • Paleo Gluten Free Guy says

      July 25, 2020 at 10:50 am

      I mean, I actually love these muffins with raisins in them but let’s not pretend they’re equal. 😉

      Reply
  4. Kelly R says

    July 22, 2020 at 1:00 pm

    5 stars
    I could eat the whole pan of these delicious muffins! So moist!

    Reply
    • Paleo Gluten Free Guy says

      July 25, 2020 at 10:49 am

      I may or may not have done that myself. 😉

      Reply
  5. Raia says

    July 22, 2020 at 12:38 pm

    5 stars
    Zucchini in the muffins means they’re safe for lunch, right? 😉

    Reply
    • Paleo Gluten Free Guy says

      July 25, 2020 at 10:49 am

      Ha, totally! You’re basically eating a salad. 😉

      Reply
  6. Ruchik says

    July 22, 2020 at 12:33 pm

    5 stars
    Wow, looking so delicious and mouth-watering! Love the way you write an article!

    Reply
    • Paleo Gluten Free Guy says

      July 25, 2020 at 10:48 am

      Aw, thanks so much!

      Reply
  7. Stacey Crawford says

    July 22, 2020 at 11:41 am

    5 stars
    I’m impressed with how big and fluffy these are and can’t wait to try your technique!

    Reply
    • Paleo Gluten Free Guy says

      July 25, 2020 at 10:48 am

      Thanks!

      Reply
  8. Kelly says

    July 22, 2020 at 12:52 am

    5 stars
    Such a delicious treat! So moist, yummy and full of so much goodness in every bite!

    Reply
    • Paleo Gluten Free Guy says

      July 22, 2020 at 10:42 am

      Thanks!

      Reply
  9. ChihYu says

    July 22, 2020 at 12:21 am

    5 stars
    Who would have thought that zucchini would be the perfect complement to chocolate chips? This muffin is so delicious!

    Reply
    • Paleo Gluten Free Guy says

      July 22, 2020 at 10:41 am

      Ha – I know, right? Sounds weird in theory but works so well in reality. 🙂

      Reply
  10. Jean Choi says

    July 20, 2020 at 6:49 pm

    5 stars
    LOVE adding zucchini to baked goods. The texture always comes out amazing! Can’t wait to try this.

    Reply
    • Paleo Gluten Free Guy says

      July 22, 2020 at 10:41 am

      It’s so true!

      Reply
5 from 9 votes

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Well hello there! I’m Don, the creator behind Paleo Gluten Free Guy. I share fun, vibrant recipes for good health and pure enjoyment. All of my recipes are gluten-free and the majority of them are also Paleo, meaning they’re free of grains, dairy, refined sugar and legumes.

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