One Bowl Apple and Zucchini Muffins

These incredibly moist apple and zucchini muffins are the ultimate breakfast game-changer! Packed with fresh fruit and sneaky vegetables, they’re so deliciously sweet that nobody will guess there’s zucchini hiding inside.

Perfect for busy mornings Apple and Zucchini Muffins, these fluffy treats take just 30 minutes from start to finish and are guaranteed to become your family new favorite way to start the day.

What Are Apple and Zucchini Muffins?

Ever wonder why we call them “hidden veggie” muffins? It’s because the zucchini practically disappears into these tender, cake-like treats! You get all the nutritional benefits without any of that “vegetable taste” that might scare off picky eaters.

As they say, the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach – and these muffins prove that healthy can be absolutely irresistible. Ready to become the breakfast hero your family deserves?

Why You’ll Love This Apple and Zucchini Muffins Recipe

Incredibly Moist and Flavorful These muffins are the perfect balance of sweet apples and hidden zucchini that creates an amazingly moist texture. Every bite is bursting with cinnamon-spiced goodness and tender fruit pieces that melt in your mouth.

Budget-Friendly Family Breakfast Making these muffins at home costs a fraction of what you’d pay at a bakery. With simple pantry staples and fresh produce, you can whip up a dozen muffins for under $5 – that’s less than 50 cents per muffin!

Loaded with Wholesome Ingredients Fresh grated zucchini adds moisture and nutrients while diced apples provide natural sweetness. The warm cinnamon and vanilla create that cozy bakery smell that’ll have everyone rushing to the kitchen.

If you love these veggie-packed treats, you’ll also want to try our famous Carrot Cake Muffins that use the same sneaky veggie technique. Why not treat your family to homemade goodness this weekend?

How to Make Apple and Zucchini Muffins

Quick Overview

These apple and zucchini muffins are surprisingly simple to make. The secret is grating your zucchini finely and not overmixing the batter.

You’ll love how the zucchini keeps these muffins incredibly moist while the apples add perfect sweetness. The combination creates a tender crumb that’s absolutely irresistible.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Bake Time: 18-22 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Serves: 12 muffins

Key Ingredients for Apple and Zucchini Muffins

Dry Ingredients:

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed

Wet Ingredients:

1/3 cup vegetable oil
2 large eggs
1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/3 cup buttermilk

Mix-ins:

1 cup zucchini, grated and excess moisture squeezed out
1 medium apple, peeled and diced small
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare Your Kitchen

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or grease with butter. This prevents sticking and makes cleanup easier.

Step 2: Prep the Vegetables and Fruit

Wash and grate the zucchini using a box grater or food processor. Place grated zucchini in a clean kitchen towel and squeeze out excess moisture – this is crucial for preventing soggy muffins. Peel and dice the apple into small 1/4-inch pieces.

Step 3: Mix Dry Ingredients

In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Make sure there are no lumps and everything is evenly distributed.

Step 4: Combine Wet Ingredients

In a separate medium bowl, whisk together oil, eggs, applesauce, vanilla extract, and buttermilk until smooth. The mixture should be well-combined and slightly frothy.

Step 5: Fold Everything Together

Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Add the squeezed zucchini, diced apples, and walnuts if using. Gently fold with a rubber spatula until just combined – don’t overmix or your muffins will be tough.

Step 6: Fill and Bake

Divide batter evenly among muffin cups, filling each about 3/4 full. Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs.

Step 7: Cool and Enjoy

Let muffins cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Serve warm or at room temperature.

What to Serve Apple and Zucchini Muffins With

These versatile muffins pair beautifully with your morning coffee or afternoon tea. Try them with:

Breakfast Pairings:

Fresh Greek yogurt with honey
Scrambled eggs and turkey bacon
A smoothie bowl with berries

Beverages:

Hot coffee or espresso
Chai tea latte
Fresh orange juice
Herbal teas like chamomile or mint

Spreads:

Cream cheese with cinnamon
Butter with a drizzle of maple syrup
Almond butter for extra protein

Top Tips for Perfecting Apple and Zucchini Muffins

Don’t Skip the Moisture Removal

Always squeeze excess water from grated zucchini using a clean kitchen towel. Excess moisture will make your muffins dense and soggy instead of light and fluffy.

Choose the Right Apples

Use firm apples like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Gala. Softer varieties like Red Delicious can turn mushy during baking and affect the texture.

Avoid Overmixing

Mix the batter until ingredients are just combined. Overmixing develops the gluten too much, resulting in tough, dense muffins instead of tender ones.

Check for Doneness Properly

Insert a toothpick in the center – it should come out with a few moist crumbs, not completely clean. Overbaked muffins will be dry.

Ingredient Substitutions

Replace vegetable oil with melted coconut oil or melted butter for richer flavor. Swap buttermilk with regular milk plus 1 teaspoon lemon juice if needed.

Storing and Reheating Tips

Room Temperature Storage: Store cooled muffins in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Place a paper towel in the bottom of the container to absorb excess moisture.

Refrigerator Storage: Muffins will stay fresh in the fridge for up to 1 week. Wrap individually in plastic wrap to prevent them from drying out.

Freezer Storage: Freeze muffins for up to 3 months. Wrap each muffin individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Label with the date for easy tracking.

Reheating Instructions:

Microwave: 20-30 seconds for room temperature muffins, 45-60 seconds for frozen
Oven: 350°F for 5-8 minutes wrapped in foil
Toaster Oven: 3-4 minutes on medium heat

Nutrition Information

Nutrient	Per Muffin
Calories	165
Total Fat	6g
Saturated Fat	1g
Cholesterol	31mg
Sodium	195mg
Total Carbs	26g
Dietary Fiber	2g
Sugars	14g
Protein	4g
Vitamin A	5% DV
Vitamin C	8% DV

Nutritional values are approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients used.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make these muffins gluten-free?

Yes! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend. The texture will be slightly different but still delicious.

Do I have to peel the zucchini?

No, you can leave the peel on for extra nutrients and fiber. The peel is barely noticeable in the finished muffins and adds a lovely green speckle.

Can I use frozen zucchini?

Fresh zucchini works best, but thawed frozen zucchini can work if you squeeze out all excess water thoroughly. The texture may be slightly different.

How do I know when the muffins are done?

Insert a toothpick in the center – it should come out with just a few moist crumbs. The tops should spring back lightly when touched.

Can I reduce the sugar?

You can reduce the granulated sugar by up to 1/4 cup, but this may affect the texture and moisture. The apples provide natural sweetness too.

What’s the best way to grate zucchini?

Use the large holes on a box grater or the grating disc on a food processor. Avoid using the fine holes as they’ll create too much moisture.

Can I add other mix-ins?

Absolutely! Try chocolate chips, dried cranberries, chopped pecans, or even a streusel topping for variety.

Why are my muffins dense?

This usually happens from overmixing the batter or not squeezing enough moisture from the zucchini. Mix gently and always remove excess water.

These apple and zucchini muffins prove that healthy baking doesn’t mean sacrificing flavor. With their incredible moisture from hidden vegetables and natural sweetness from fresh apples, they’re the perfect way to sneak extra nutrition into your family’s day.

Whether you’re meal prepping for busy weekdays or treating guests to a special breakfast, these muffins deliver bakery-quality results every single time. Happy baking!