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    Pinch Me Good! » Breakfast » Best Gluten Free Zucchini Muffins – Healthy

    Best Gluten Free Zucchini Muffins – Healthy

    April 14, 2020 by Amy Estes 25 Comments

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    These Gluten Free Zucchini Muffins are the best you will ever make! They turn out perfectly light, fluffy, and wonderfully moist every time!

    Close up of a gluten free zucchini muffin with a bite taken out of it with more muffins next to it sitting on top of a wire rack with a striped kitchen towel underneath it.

    If you are looking for a mouthwatering gluten free zucchini muffins recipe that’s both easy and incredibly delicious, then look no further! I’ve put this zucchini muffins recipe to the test over eight times to ensure it’s absolutely perfect. In this post, I’ll walk you through the simple steps to create flawless healthy zucchini muffins every single time. 

    These delectable gluten-free treats are ideal for zucchini season or whenever you’re in the mood for that irresistible blend of warmth and sweetness found in zucchini bread or zucchini cake. Get ready to satisfy your cravings with these incredible muffins. 

    If you are looking for more gluten-free muffins recipes, try these: Gluten free apple muffins, gluten-free cranberry muffins, pumpkin protein muffins, or these gluten-free chocolate chip muffins. 

    ARE ZUCCHINI MUFFINS HEALTHY?

    Yes! Zucchini muffins can be healthy as long as you don’t load them up with unhealthy ingredients like loads of butter and sugar. Here are a few reasons why this MUFFIN recipe is HEALTHY!

    • These muffins are nutritious and flavorful thanks to all of that zucchini!
    • This recipe contains no refined sugar or refined flour!
    • Instead of white flour, this recipe utilizes almond flour and oats, reducing carb content and making the muffins gluten-free. A win-win situation!
    • Thanks to the shredded zucchini, these muffins stay wonderfully moist without any butter or oil.
    • They offer a wealth of nutrients such as fiber, protein, and vitamin C, making them a wholesome choice.
    Hand grabbing a zucchini muffin with more muffins next to it onto of a wore rack with a striped towel under it and pieces of shredded zucchini around it.

    HOW DO YOU GRATE ZUCCHINI FOR MUFFINS?

    Wondering how to grate zucchini perfectly for those delicious, moist, and fluffy muffins? Here are some handy tips to ensure zucchini grating success:

    1. Embrace the Peel: When grating zucchini, you can leave the peel intact. This not only saves time but also adds a beautiful green-marbled appearance to your muffins. It’s a delightful visual treat!
    2. Retain the Moisture: Resist the urge to squeeze out the water from the zucchini. The natural moisture within the zucchini is the secret ingredient that contributes to the incredibly moist and fluffy texture of these muffins. Trust me, it’s pure magic!
    3. Choose the Right Tools: Opt for a box grater with a larger grate side for quick and easy zucchini grating. It should take you less than a minute to grate the zucchini effortlessly. Alternatively, a food processor can also shred the zucchini with ease.

    *Find the full list of recipe ingredients and instructions in the recipe card located at the bottom of this post. 

    Zucchini muffin recipe ingredients in bowls on a white surface with labels over the top of each ingredient.

    Ingredients and Substitutions

    Let’s dive into the simple list of ingredients needed for this delightful muffin recipe:

    • Zucchini: Approximately 1 medium-sized grated zucchini. Fresh zucchini is the essential star ingredient in this recipe. 
    • Oats: I recommend using gluten-free, organic oats for a wholesome touch.
    • Almond flour: For the best results, opt for fine, blanched almond flour. If needed, you can substitute it with gluten-free all-purpose flour or any suitable gluten-free flour blend.
    • Almond butter: Creamy, organic almond butter adds a luscious nutty flavor. If necessary, you can substitute it with sun butter for a nut-free version.
    • Egg: A single large egg plays a crucial role in binding the ingredients together.
    • Maple syrup: To impart a touch of natural sweetness to the muffins, a dash of maple syrup does the trick.
    • Vanilla extract: Pure vanilla extract enhances the overall flavor profile of the muffins.
    • Cinnamon: Ground cinnamon brings a delightful and aromatic twist to this muffin recipe.
    • Baking powder: Gluten-free baking powder ensures a light and fluffy texture.
    • Kosher salt: A pinch of kosher salt works wonders by enhancing all the other flavors in these delectable muffins.

    How to make gluten free zucchini muffins

    Get ready to whip up a batch of delicious and healthy zucchini muffins with these simple steps:

    1. Grate the zucchini: Start by shredding about 1 cup of zucchini. You can use a box grater, hand grater, or food processor for this task as noted above. 
    2. Mix the dry ingredients: Grab a medium-sized mixing bowl and combine all the dry ingredients, ensuring they are well mixed.
    3. Mix the wet ingredients: In a separate mixing bowl, combine the wet ingredients.
    4. Combine it all: Now, add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, stirring well until a smooth batter forms. Fold in the shredded zucchini and oats for that extra touch.
    5. Fill and bake: Prepare a 12-cup muffin tin by lightly spraying 10 cavities. Evenly divide the batter among the 10 cups, filling them approximately ¾ of the way full. Bake at 400 degrees F for 16-18 minutes until the edges and top turn a beautiful golden brown.
    6. Serve and enjoy: Allow the healthy zucchini muffins to cool for a few minutes. Serve them with a delightful pat of butter or almond butter and a drizzle of honey. Pure yumminess awaits!
    Round glass bowl filled with whisked dry muffin ingredients with a metal whisk in the bowl
    Mix dry ingredients
    Round glass mixing bowl with brown batter in it with a hand mixing it with a metal whisk
    Mix wet ingredients
    Round glass bowl with brown batter in it with oats and shredded zucchini on top of it with a white spatula in the bowl.
    Combine and fold in zucchini and oats
    Healthy zucchini muffin batter mixed up in  glass mixing bowl with a white rubber spatula in the batter.
    Mix well
    6 muffin cavities of a muffin pan filled with zucchini muffin batter
    Fill muffin pan with batter
    6 baked healthy zucchini muffins in a metal muffin pan
    Bake

    Recipe Variations

    1. For a nut-free version, substitute the almond butter with sun butter or even a mashed banana. Enjoy the same delightful flavors without any nuts.
    2. Amp up the vibrancy and nutrition by adding ¾ cup of shredded zucchini and ¼ cup of shredded carrots. This combination adds a burst of color and bulk to the recipe. Alternatively, you can incorporate a bit of shredded apple for a delightful twist.
    3. Enhance the texture and flavor by adding chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts. Enjoy the satisfying crunch in every bite.
    4. Treat the kids (and yourself!) by sprinkling in some mini chocolate chips for chocolate chip zucchini muffins. It’s a surefire way to infuse the muffins with a hint of irresistible chocolate goodness.
    5. Replace the egg with a flax egg to make these healthy zucchini muffins vegan. 
    6. If you prefer an alternative to maple syrup, feel free to use coconut sugar or honey as a substitute. Tailor the sweetness to your liking.
    Two rows of healthy zucchini muffins with a bite taken out of one on a wire rack with a striped linen under it with a bottle of milk behind the muffins.

    Do I need to squeeze out the water from the zucchini?

    No, there’s no need to squeeze out the water from the zucchini. In fact, the extra water content in the zucchini helps to keep these muffins incredibly moist, even on the following day.

    Is it necessary to peel the zucchini before shredding it?

    No, there’s no need to peel the zucchini. The zucchini skin not only adds valuable nutrition but also contributes to the lovely color of the muffins.

    Why are my zucchini muffins dry?

    If you follow this recipe, your muffins should not turn out dry at all. However, if you experience dryness, it could be due to squeezing out the water from the zucchini, which is unnecessary. Additionally, overcooking the muffins can also lead to dryness.

    Stack of 3 muffins with a bite taken out of the one on the top with more muffins next to it sitting on a wire rack with a towel with stripes under it and glass of milk behind the muffins.

    Can you freeze gluten-free zucchini muffins?

    Absolutely! Gluten-free zucchini muffins can be frozen to enjoy at a later time. Here’s how you can freeze them:

    1. Allow the muffins to cool completely after baking.
    2. Individually wrap each muffin tightly in plastic wrap or place them in separate airtight freezer bags.
    3. Label the muffins with the date and contents for easy identification.
    4. Place the wrapped or bagged muffins in a freezer-safe container or freezer storage bag.
    5. Ensure the container or bag is sealed properly to prevent freezer burn.
    6. Place the container or bag in the freezer and store for up to 3 months.

    More healthy zucchini recipes

    • Easy Air Fryer Turkey Zucchini Meatballs
    • Best Healthy Shrimp Scampi With Zoodles
    • 15 Minute Air Fryer Zucchini Fries
    • Air Fryer Zucchini
    • Healthy Zucchini Pizza Boats
    • Air Fryer Zucchini Patties

    Other Gluten Free Recipes

    • Air Fryer Mini Bagels
    • Healthy Brownies
    • Gluten Free Sugar Cookies
    • Monster Cookie Energy Balls
    • Gluten Free Berry Crisp
    Brown muffin with specs of zucchini in it with a bite taken out of it on top of another whole muffin with more baked muffins next to it and begin it.

    Did you try this gluten free zucchini muffins recipe? If you did then please leave a rating and comment below. I would love to hear how yours turned out!

    Print
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    Gluten Free Zucchini Muffins


    5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

    4.8 from 6 reviews

    • Author: Amy Estes
    • Total Time: 26 minutes
    • Yield: 10 muffins 1x
    • Diet: Gluten Free
    Print Recipe
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    Description

    These Gluten Free Zucchini Muffins are the best you will ever make! They turn out perfectly light, fluffy, and wonderfully moist every time!


    Ingredients

    Scale
    • 1 cup shredded zucchini – about 1 medium zucchini
    • 1 cup blanched almond flour
    • 1 teaspoon baking powder
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • 1 large egg
    • ⅓ cup maple syrup
    • ⅓ cup creamy almond butter
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • ⅓ cup rolled oats

    Instructions

    1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F and spray 10 cavities of a 12-cup muffin pan with cooking spray.  Set aside. 
    2. Mix dry ingredients. Combine the almond flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt in a mixing bowl and lightly whisk to combine.
    3. Mix wet ingredients. In a separate mixing bowl, combine the egg, maple syrup, almond butter, and vanilla extract.  
    4. Combine. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix to combine into a smooth batter.  Fold in the shredded zucchini and oats.  This is also where you would fold in the nuts and chocolate chips if using. 
    5. Fill and bake. Evenly divide the batter between 10 muffin cavities until about ¾  full and bake in the middle rack of the oven at 400 degrees F for 16-18 minutes, until the tops and edges are nice and golden brown. 
    6. Remove, let cool for a few minutes and enjoy with a soft pat of butter or almond butter. 

    Equipment

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    Notes

    1. You do not need to squeeze the moisture out of the zucchini after your shred it. The extra water in the zucchini helps keep these muffins super moist, even the next day.
    2. Out of zucchini? Use shredded apple or shredded carrots in place of the zucchini in this recipe.
    3. Want to make this recipe vegan? Swap the egg with ⅓ cup unsweetened applesauce or flax egg. 
    4. Out of maple syrup? You could also use honey or coconut sugar in place of the maple syrup.
    5. Add in some extras. You could add in some toasted nuts or chocolate chips for added texture. Just make sure to toast the nuts a bit before folding them in to bring out their flavor.
    6. To store: These muffins can be stored covered at room temperature for up to 2 days and covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. See the post for how to freeze these muffins. 
    • Prep Time: 10
    • Cook Time: 16 minutes
    • Category: Healthy desserts
    • Method: Oven
    • Cuisine: American

    Did you make this recipe?

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    Filed Under: Breakfast, Dairy Free, Favorite Summer Recipes, Gluten-Free, Healthy Spring Recipes, Kid-Friendly, Meal Prep, Most Popular, Oven

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Kathy

      July 30, 2020 at 7:58 pm

      Do you need to refrigerate these after making? THANK YOU

      Reply
      • Amy

        August 2, 2020 at 3:07 pm

        Hi Kathy, you can cover them and store them at room temp for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for 4 days. Thank you for asking. I will add this as a note in the recipe card.

        Reply
        • Kathy Schomburg

          August 13, 2020 at 10:20 am

          Soooooo delicious!!! Thanks so much for replying! I will absolutely be making these again,

          Reply
    2. Kat

      November 14, 2021 at 2:00 pm

      These are amazing! SO good!!

      Reply
      • Amy

        November 15, 2021 at 8:41 am

        Thank you Kat!

        Reply
    3. Emily

      August 10, 2022 at 2:46 pm

      Hey there, can I bake this recipe in an 8″ x 4″ loaf pan? Thank you in advance!

      Reply
      • Amy

        August 11, 2022 at 12:19 pm

        Hi Emily, while that may work, this recipe was only tested as a muffin recipe using a muffin pan. I think it should also work as a cake so try it out and let me know!

        Reply
    4. Sylvia

      August 27, 2022 at 6:38 pm

      Hi! Do you mix the rolled oats with the dry ingredients? Thank you!

      Reply
      • Amy

        August 31, 2022 at 11:35 am

        Hi Sylvia, you fold in the oats after you have combined the wet and dry ingredients.

        Reply
    5. Laura

      February 7, 2023 at 10:22 pm

      If I can’t have oats what can I sub ?

      Reply
      • Amy Estes

        February 10, 2023 at 10:49 am

        Hi Laura, Cooked quinoa should work in place of the oats but will change the texture slightly. I haven’t tried this recipe using quinoa but I have replaced oats with cooked quinoa in other recipes and it worked great!

        Reply
    6. Anna

      January 16, 2024 at 3:13 pm

      How would adding pineapple change the recipe? Could I use it in place of the maple syrup?

      Reply
      • Amy Estes

        January 17, 2024 at 7:05 pm

        Hi Anna, I haven’t tested this recipe with that variation. I may be change the recipe a bit since the consistency is different from the maple syrup.

        Reply
    7. Kristie

      July 9, 2024 at 3:48 pm

      Oooohhhh! These are delicious! Loved them so much! And my teens liked them too, which is saying something for a GF muffin. 😉 I packed these for our vacation and they stayed good for 4 days in a cooler bag. Was glad I froze a few to come home to! I’ll be making these many times this summer with the zucchini from my garden. Thank you!

      Reply
      • Amy Estes

        July 13, 2024 at 8:31 pm

        Thank you Kristie! I am so glad everyone liked them.

        Reply
    8. Marybeth

      September 9, 2024 at 4:42 pm

      Can I substitute regular butter for the almond butter?

      Reply
      • Amy Estes

        September 11, 2024 at 7:15 pm

        Hi Marybeth, I don’t believe regular butter will work since this recipe was tested specifically using nut butter. It will work with regular peanut butter in place of the almond butter if that is what you have.

        Reply
    9. Alison

      September 21, 2024 at 10:59 am

      WOW, what a wonderful surprise. These are delicious. I’ve been spending a fortune on gluten free oat bites and decided to look for an alternative. I found this recipe and because I have a lot of zucchini decided to give it a try. These are fabulous. the only issue i had was it only made eight which is why they probably took a bit longer to cook. I may even make these again today! TY for the recipe!!

      Reply
      • Amy Estes

        October 6, 2024 at 4:43 pm

        Hi Alison, I am so happy to hear that! You can make them into mini muffins too, just shorten the cooking time a bit (check them at 15 minutes and continue to cook as needed). Enjoy!

        Reply
    10. Valerie

      September 27, 2024 at 12:53 pm

      I made these exactly as the recipe states with recommended add-ins of carrot and walnuts. So good! I couldn’t stop with just one. This is replacing all my old, unhealthy muffin recipes.

      Reply
      • Amy Estes

        September 30, 2024 at 8:26 pm

        Hi Valerie, I love to hear this! I’m so glad you enjoyed them.

        Reply
    11. Aimee

      October 9, 2024 at 7:56 pm

      Why are mine so mushy?

      Reply
      • Amy Estes

        October 16, 2024 at 3:11 pm

        Hi Aimee, they may be mushy because they are undercooked. Since ovens vary, your cook time may need to be a bit longer than the recipe says.

        Reply
    12. MJ Palmer

      October 12, 2024 at 1:54 pm

      Love, love this recipe! I added carrots to my second batch with the zucchini. Really good. I will be making these muffins often!

      Reply
      • Amy Estes

        October 16, 2024 at 2:34 pm

        Thank you MJ! I am so glad you liked them! What a great combo idea to add carrots.

        Reply

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    6 baked healthy zucchini muffins in a metal muffin pan