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Our Love Language is Food > Recipes > Breakfast

Published: Feb 20, 2021 · Modified: Aug 24, 2022 by Meredith · This post may contain affiliate links · 4 Comments

Healthier Double Chocolate Zucchini Muffins

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These double chocolate zucchini muffins are a healthier version of a classic double chocolate chip muffin. They’re so delicious you wouldn’t even know there are veggies in them!

Close up of a chocolate zucchini muffin topped with mini chocolate chips, with additional chocolate zucchini muffins in faded in the background

Who else has fond memories of double chocolate muffins from their youth? We would get these on very special occasions or if we were out for breakfast as a family (which was also a treat). While double chocolate muffins are a very nostalgic breakfast treat for me, I like to find healthier ways to start my day as an adult. I also like to create recipes that use ingredients most people will have in their pantry or can find easily at a typical grocery store. This healthier double chocolate zucchini muffin recipe fits the bill AND tastes just as amazing as the muffins from my childhood (maybe even better than I had remembered!).

One of my favorite things about baking with zucchini is that it has such a mild flavor you cannot taste it at all in your final product. In the case of this double chocolate zucchini muffin recipe, you are left with a super moist version of your favorite breakfast muffin.

This double chocolate zucchini muffin recipe is also a great way to get your kiddos (or partner) to eat their vegetables while also giving them a special treat!

If you love baking with zucchini, make sure to try our easy zucchini muffins with applesauce and whole wheat zucchini bread with chocolate chips too! Or go savory and try our zucchini fritters or our crustless zucchini quiche!

Jump to:
  • Why You’ll Love This Chocolate and Zucchini Muffins Recipe
  • Ingredients for Chocolate Muffins with Zucchini
  • Double Chocolate Chip Zucchini Muffins Variations
  • Zucchini Chocolate Muffins Step-By-Step Instructions
  • Time Saving Tip
  • Information on Ground Flax
  • Expert Tips on Grating Zucchini
  • Healthy Chocolate Zucchini Muffins FAQs
  • Love This Recipe? Try One of These Muffin Recipes Next!
  • Healthier Double Chocolate Zucchini Muffins

Why You’ll Love This Chocolate and Zucchini Muffins Recipe

  • Healthier than your average muffin!
    • Less sugar than many standard muffin recipes.
    • Uses whole wheat flour has been incorporated because it has more vitamins, nutrients, protein, and fiber than white flours.
    • Added ground flaxseed because it is packed with all kinds of nutrients, like protein, fiber, omega-3 fatty acids, and a myriad of other vitamins and minerals.
    • Hidden veggies! Zucchini is the magic ingredient in this double chocolate muffin recipe! Not only does it bring vegetables to the table (literally), it helps to create an amazingly moist double chocolate muffin that has you reaching for a second (or third) helping.
  • Super chocolatey. These double chocolate zucchini muffins have a rich, chocolatey flavor. Chocolate batter and chocolate chips make for a nice, chocolatey muffin.
  • Soft, moist texture. The zucchini in these helps create an ultra-moist muffin.
  • Ready in 35 minutes! You can’t beat a quick and easy recipe. 35 minutes includes your prep time, mixing, and baking!
Top down view of a muffin tin filled with double chocolate zucchini muffins with a few of the tins filled with mini chocolate chips

Ingredients for Chocolate Muffins with Zucchini

  • Granulated sugar⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
  • Brown sugar⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
  • Vegetable oil⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
  • Large eggs⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
  • Vanilla extract⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
  • Ground flax⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
  • Zucchini⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
  • Salt⠀⠀⠀
  • Baking soda
  • Cinnamon⠀⠀
  • Cocoa powder⠀⠀⠀⠀
  • All-purpose flour⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
  • Whole wheat flour⠀⠀⠀⠀
  • Chocolate chips⠀
  • Optional: mini-chocolate chips for topping

See recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.

Double Chocolate Chip Zucchini Muffins Variations

Get rid of the refined sugar. If you would prefer to substitute the refined sugar, you can try using a natural sweetener instead. Please note, I have not tried these substitutions in this specific recipe, so cannot tell you how using one of these natural sweeteners may change the texture or moisture level of your muffins. However, typical substitution ratios for natural sweeteners in baking are:

  • Option 1: Substitute unsweetened applesauce for sugar in a 1-to-1 ratio. This is one of my favorite swaps to use in baking!
    • Note: If doing this swap, you will likely need to decrease the amount of liquid in the recipe by 3-4 Tablespoons.
    • Note: if I were making this swap in my kitchen, I would use unsweetened applesauce in lieu of the granulated sugar and still use the brown sugar.
  • Option 2: Replace 1 cup of granulated sugar with ¾ cup honey.
    • Note: If doing this swap, you will likely need to decrease the amount of liquid in the recipe by 3-4 Tablespoons.
  • Option 3: Replace 1 cup of granulated sugar with ¾ cup maple syrup.
    • Note: If doing this swap, you will likely need to decrease the amount of liquid in the recipe by 3-4 Tablespoons.
  • Option 4: Replace 1 cup of granulated sugar with ⅔ cup agave.
    • Note: If doing this swap, you will likely need to decrease the amount of liquid in the recipe by 3-4 Tablespoons.
A different close up view of a chocolate zucchini muffin topped with mini chocolate chips, with additional chocolate zucchini muffins in faded in the background and foreground

Zucchini Chocolate Muffins Step-By-Step Instructions

Preheat oven & prep your muffin tins: Preheat to 350°F, then spray muffin tins with non-stick cooking spray and set aside.

Make your dough: In a large bowl, mix together sugars, oil, eggs, and vanilla until well combined. Add in grated zucchini and stir to combine. Gradually add in dry-ingredients until just combined, I recommend adding your flour in ½ cup increments. Gently stir in the chocolate chips.⠀⠀

Fill your muffin tins: Fill muffin tins ¾ full and sprinkle tops of double chocolate zucchini muffins with mini chocolate chips if desired.

Bake: Bake 18-22 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Cool: Cool in tin for about 5 minutes, then remove muffins and place on a wire rack to finish cooling.

Store leftovers: Store cooled double chocolate zucchini muffins in an air-tight container. You can store them at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

Time Saving Tip

It can take a little while to grate your zucchini, especially if you’re doing it by hand (which is my preferred method). If you want to shave some time off this recipe, use the grating attachment on a food processor to make quick work of this step.

Flatlay of a muffin tin filled with chocolate zucchini muffins and mini chocolate chips (in an alternating pattern)

Information on Ground Flax

If you’re new to using ground flaxseed, you may be wondering how to store this ingredient properly and other ways you can use it. Here I’ve outlined best practices for storage and other ways I use flax in my house (which is a lot!).

Storing Ground Flaxseed

Ground flax should be stored in an air-tight container in the fridge or freezer. This helps prevent your flaxseed from going rancid.

Flax will stay fresh for up to 6 months when stored in the fridge, and up to 1 year when stored in the freezer. You can simply place your closed package of ground flax in a gallon sized ziplock bag with the air squeezed out, or transfer it to a different container with a lid – whatever is easiest for you!

How Else Can I Use Ground Flax?

You can use ground flax in so many ways to add nutrition to your meals. Below are a few of my favorite ways to use ground flax.

  • Like this double chocolate zucchini muffin recipe, I add ground flax into most of my breakfast bakes. It’s in my whole wheat zucchini bread recipe, and I love adding it into pancakes and waffles too!
  • Add it to smoothies! I always toss a generous scoop into this cherry berry smoothie or this easy green smoothie.
  • Sprinkle on top of oatmeal or cereal.
  • Add them to your homemade no-bake energy bites or homemade granola bars.
  • Create a “flax egg” in baking recipes as an egg substitute (this has come in handy when I’ve been out of eggs!). This is done by using 1 tablespoon of flax to 3 tablespoon of water.

Expert Tips on Grating Zucchini

A few tips for grating zucchini include:

TIP 1: After washing your zucchini, cut off the rounded end and use the stem-end as a handle.

TIP 2: I like to use a simple 3D, or box grater, to grate my zucchinis. I place my grater on a dinner plate, and while applying medium pressure, quickly move the zucchini up and down the face of the grater while always keeping the zucchini touching the grater (it grates on the downward motion). The box grater keeps most of the zucchini pieces inside of it, and the plate is a simple surface to transfer your grated zucchini over to a measuring cup on and then to clean afterwards.

TIP 3: Don’t select a super small grating size for zucchinis, they will turn to mush. I use the larger, circular holes on my box grater. Similar to what you might use for a block of cheese.

Healthy Chocolate Zucchini Muffins FAQs

Do you recommend adding the optional mini chocolate chips to the top of these muffins? Since you’re already doubling-down on the chocolate, why stop? The mini chocolate chips on the top really add to the overall double chocolate muffin experience in my opinion, so I would say you should go for it!

Love This Recipe? Try One of These Muffin Recipes Next!

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    Zucchini Muffin Recipe With Applesauce
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    Wheat Germ Muffins (Nutritious & Delicious Muffins)
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    Orange and Poppy Seed Muffins
  • a pumpkin chocolate chip muffin in a white liner sitting on a white coaster. The muffin is surrounded by additional 3 ingredient pumpkin muffins, mini pumpkins, and an orange linen.
    Easy 3-Ingredient Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

Did you make this recipe? Leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating & comment below! You can also tag @ourlovelanguageisfood on Instagram & Facebook. Be sure to subscribe to our weekly newsletter to get free recipes sent directly to your inbox!

a muffin tin filled with alternating double chocolate zucchini muffins and chocolate chips. additional muffins and chocolate chips sit outside of the pan.

Healthier Double Chocolate Zucchini Muffins

Meredith
All the joy of a classic double chocolate muffin, but made healthier using whole wheat flour, less sugar, incorporating flax, and zucchini.
5 from 8 votes
Prevent your screen from going dark
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 13 minutes mins
Cook Time 22 minutes mins
Total Time 35 minutes mins
Course Breakfast
Cuisine American
Servings 18 Muffins
Calories 301 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 C granulated sugar⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
  • ⅔ C brown sugar⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
  • 1 C vegetable oil⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
  • 3 large eggs⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
  • 2 tablespoon ground flax⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
  • 2 C grated zucchini⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
  • 1 teaspoon salt⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
  • ½ C cocoa powder⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
  • 1.5 C all-purpose flour⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
  • 1 C whole wheat flour⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
  • 1 C chocolate chips⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
  • Optional: mini-chocolate chips for topping

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350°F, coat muffin tins with non-stick cooking spray and set aside⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
  • In a large bowl, mix together sugars, oil, eggs, and vanilla until well combined
  • Add in zucchini and stir to combine
  • Gradually add in dry-ingredients until just combined. Gently stir in chocolate chips⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
  • Fill muffin tins ¾ full. Option to sprinkle with mini chocolate chips if desired⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
  • Bake 18-22mins, or until a toothpick comes out clean⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
  • Cool in tin for about 5 minutes, then remove muffins and place on a wire rack to finish cooling
  • Store cooled muffins in an air-tight container*

Notes

*Store double chocolate zucchini muffins in an air-tight container. You can store them at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

Nutrition

Calories: 301kcalCarbohydrates: 39gProtein: 4gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 7gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 29mgSodium: 208mgPotassium: 137mgFiber: 2gSugar: 24gVitamin A: 68IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 23mgIron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

    5 from 8 votes (6 ratings without comment)

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    How many stars would you give this recipe?




  1. Marge says

    July 15, 2024 at 2:03 pm

    5 stars
    Great use of my garden zucchinis! Will definitely make these again.

    Reply
    • Meredith says

      July 21, 2024 at 6:38 pm

      I’m so happy to hear you love these muffins too!

      Reply
  2. David says

    April 18, 2022 at 4:20 pm

    5 stars
    I made these a few weeks back with the intention of sharing them with neighbors we haven’t been able to connect with during Covid……….the neighbors didn’t get any…sooo good.

    Reply
    • ourlovelanguageisfood says

      April 18, 2022 at 4:21 pm

      I’m so glad that you enjoyed them! And your intentions were pure…I’m sure you’ll share with your neighbors when it’s safe to do so!

      Reply

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