Aggie's Kitchen

Zucchini Nut Muffins

Zucchini Nut Muffins

I’ve mentioned before that my little guy is a.k.a. “the muffin man” around our house.  I made these for him (and me) the other day after looking at some pitiful leftover zucchini that was screaming “use me!!” in the veggie drawer.  I adapted a zucchini bread recipe that I found in my beloved Magnolia Bakery cookbook into muffins and they turned out perfectly.  I cut down the amount of sugar and oil in the recipe by substituting natural unsweetened applesauce.  My rule of thumb (which is not backed up by any scientific baking data) is to substitute half the oil for the same amount of applesauce, and cut the sugar in just about half when doing so.  If you like more of a sweeter muffin then stick to the original amount of sugar in the recipe, but I like to cut back on the sugar whenever possible.

Zucchini Nut Muffins

Don’t forget to enter your favorite Chili recipe into my Chili Cookoff Contest for a chance to win an awesome gift basket from Bush’s Beans!  Winner will be chosen randomly, contest ends Saturday, April 3 at midnight.

Print Recipe

Zucchini Nut Muffins

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup all purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil (preferably canola)
  • 1/4 cup applesauce
  • 1/3 cup sugar (original recipe calls for 3/4 cup sugar)
  • 2 large eggs, at room temperature
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup shredded zucchini, plus a little extra for optional topping (about 1 medium zucchini, with skin)
  • 3/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a muffin tin with non stick spray.
  2. In a small bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and cinnamon. Set aside.
  3. In a large bowl, n the medium speed of an electric mixer, beat together the oil, sugar, eggs, and vanilla until light and thick, about 3 minutes. Stir in zucchini.
  4. Add dry ingredients and gently mix until just combined. Stir in the chopped nuts.
  5. Pour the batter into muffin tins, filling each tin about 3/4 full. Sprinkle some shredded zucchini on top of each uncooked muffin. Place in preheated oven and bake for about 15-18 minutes or until toothpick inserted into center of muffin comes out clean. Let cool slightly before taking out of muffin pan. Makes a dozen muffins.

Recipe adapted from Zucchini Walnut Bread, The Complete Magnolia Bakery Cookbook

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16 comments on “Zucchini Nut Muffins”

  1. Aggie, I love muffins, but you know that! 🙂

    My mom always cut the sugar in half when I was growing up too and my grandmother always rebelled about it – told mom that she cut it too much. lol. I tend to be in between them!

  2. we love zucchini bread and I make it often love it with coconut and chocolate chips! I put a little amaretto in there too….these are perfect for me to bring to work in the morning and so much healthier man they look awesome!

  3. We are always looking for delicious zucchini recipes Aggie:D

  4. Fabulous! You should submit this to the fruit not fat blog (http://www.fruitnotfat.com/). I’m a huge fan of subbing in pumpkin or applesauce in recipes in place of oil. Keeping my fingers crossed that I win your giveaway- love Bush’s!

  5. My oldest is my “muffin man”, so I know how it is to try to come up with something new for them! This looks like a great way to make the muffin even healthier… I’m going to try your substitution next time!

  6. OK, I’m not gonna lie: this just sounds weird! I love Zucchini though, so I’d be willing to give it a try.

  7. Man, I haven’t had zucchini bread/muffins since I lived at with my parents. I loved it, I’m not sure why I never make it. The muffins look awesome.

  8. Hey there,
    I actually live in the Sanford area. I also, have two little babies that I adore. It is always nice to meet new foodies!!!

    By the way, this looks so so fantastic. I love zucchini bread!! This is a different take on that

  9. This look delicious! I love baking with zuc’s

  10. My wack-job kids dont like muffins! I know…weirdos, right?
    Nut I would probably eat all of them myself!!!

  11. We love Zucchini Muffins. Zucchini anything!

  12. These look so pretty, Aggie! And delicious!

  13. They look so delicious .. I love the pictures can’t wait to try thank you for sharing your recipe :))

    Have a great day !!

  14. What a great muffin Aggie. I love the zucchini in it. Great tip on the applesauce substitution. Give the “muffin man” a hug and kiss from us.

  15. I think these look wonderful. Love the applesauce too!

  16. These are fantastic! Just made them! Perfect amounts of sugar, oil, and applesauce- thank you for posting your recipe!!!