• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Oatmeal with a Fork
  • RECIPES
  • FAVORITES
  • ABOUT ME
  • SUBSCRIBE
menu icon
go to homepage
  • RECIPES
  • FAVORITES
  • ABOUT ME
  • SUBSCRIBE
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • RECIPES
    • FAVORITES
    • ABOUT ME
    • SUBSCRIBE
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Healthy Desserts

    Healthy Chocolate Zucchini Muffins

    Published: Aug 21, 2017 · Modified: Nov 5, 2022 by Lauren · This post may contain affiliate links · 7 Comments

    Jump to Recipe  ↓
    Chocolate Muffin Pinterest

    These chocolate zucchini muffins are delicious, and they're made with less sugar than a typical chocolate muffin. Oat flour, olive oil, and honey all combine to make these scrumptious, chocolate-y treats!

    Chocolate zucchini muffins with oat flour

    As we head out of the dog days of summer and into Fall, I wanted to throw this out there for any of you that have some zucchini to use up (or just want a good, healthy chocolate muffin).

    As always, let me say that if you're used to muffins that taste like cupcakes, you might not dig this recipe.

    I don't say that to undersell my creation, as I love the hell out of it. Rather, I want to spare those of you that might make this and feel like you wasted time or money.

    Dark chocolate lovers, hook on! These are for you!

    How To Make Chocolate Zucchini Muffins

    Ingredients needed

    Oat flour and cocoa powder - This makes up the base of these muffins. If you're not gluten-free, spelt flour also works!

    Baking soda and baking powder - The combination of these two leavening agents helps this recipe to both rise and bake.

    Salt, cinnamon, vanilla - These ingredients add flavor; the cinnamon is optional, though it adds a nice little somethin', somethin'.

    Applesauce - I use a lot of applesauce in my lower sugar recipes, as it adds not only texture to baked goods, but also a natural sweetness.

    Honey and stevia - In addition to applesauce, honey and stevia combine to sweeten the muffins even further. I use just a modest amount of honey here, which doesn't overwhelm the chocolate-y flavor. You can also use maple syrup.

    Eggs - One large egg serves to add both protein, texture, and help hold the muffin together, especially in the absence of gluten. Egg replacers are fairly successful in muffin recipes, if you're allergic.

    Oil/butter - This is the fat source and adds richness. I like coconut oil best, though the kids prefer melted butter or grapeseed oil. I also enjoy olive oil, though the flavor can shine through, which my kids don't like. Be aware that when using coconut oil, it's best to have the other ingredients at room temperature. Coconut oil clumps when cold or mixed with cold ingredients.

    Milk - Choose a milk you like, as always. This adds a touch of moisture. You can even use water.

    Zucchini - This addition helps add moisture and creates a 'fudgy' texture factor. It's works for my Zucchini Brownies as well!

    Vinegar - A touch of apple cider vinegar works with baking soda to create a fluffier texture.

    Chocolate chips - These add sweetness and deliciousness. If you're eating a really low sugar diet, you can use unsweetened chocolate chips.

    Recipe steps

    Chocolate muffins without refined sugar

    Tips and tricks

    If you'd like to avoid the stevia, add in an extra tablespoon of liquid sweetener, and eliminate one tablespoon of milk.

    The finely grated zucchini adds both nutrition and moistness. It also gives the muffins a nearly 'fudgy' texture.

    Though there are only two tablespoons of added sweetener, extra vanilla and a pop of cinnamon both contribute greatly to flavor, and applesauce helps with natural sweetness.

    Honey chocolate muffins

    My kids all hungrily eat these, and I absolutely love them! I hope you do too, if you make them.

    Chocolate zucchini muffins with oat flour
    Print Recipe
    4.43 from 7 votes

    Healthy Chocolate Zucchini Muffins

    Moist and healthy chocolate zucchini muffins made with less sugar.
    Prep Time10 mins
    Cook Time15 mins
    Total Time25 mins
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: Gluten-Free, Low sugar, Nut-free
    Servings: 12 muffins
    Calories: 104kcal

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup oat flour
    • ½ cup cocoa powder
    • 1 teaspoon baking powder
    • ½ teaspoon baking soda
    • ¼ teaspoon sea salt
    • ½ teaspoon cinnamon optional
    • ½ cup applesauce
    • 1 large egg
    • 2 Tablespoons olive oil
    • 2 Tablespoons honey
    • 2 Tablespoons milk of your choice
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
    • 10 drops liquid stevia (see Notes)
    • 1 small zucchini (finely grated, about one cup)
    • ¼ cup chocolate chips (optional, for topping)

    Instructions

    • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
    • In a large bowl, whisk the dry ingredients together (flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon).
    • In a separate bowl, mix the wet ingredients (applesauce, egg, oil, sweetener, milk, vanilla, vinegar, stevia, and zucchini).
    • Make a well in the center of the dry mix, and pour in the wet ingredients.
    • Gently mix together the batter, trying not to mix it more than 15 times.
    • Using an ice cream scoop or small measuring cup, dollop the batter equally among 12 paper muffin cups.
    • Top each with a few chocolate chips, if desired.
    • Bake the muffins for 14-15 minutes (tops should be springy to the touch).
    • Cool 5-10 minutes and enjoy!

    Notes

    Nutrition facts based on using unsweetened almond milk, stevia, and optional chocolate chips.
    WW SmartPoints: 4

    Nutrition

    Sugar: 6.2g | Fiber: 2.3g | Calories: 104kcal | Fat: 4.8g | Protein: 2.6g | Carbohydrates: 14.4g

    If you have a chance to try this recipe, please leave a star rating and a comment below letting me know how you liked it!

    You may also like

    • Healthy Chocolate Banana Muffins (No Sugar!)
      Healthy Chocolate Banana Muffins (No Sugar!)
    • Healthy Oat Flour Chocolate Muffins
      Healthy Oat Flour Chocolate Muffins
    • Healthy Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins (Under 90 Calories!)
      Healthy Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins (Under 90 Calories!)
    • Zucchini Pizza Crust (No Cheese!)
      Zucchini Pizza Crust (No Cheese!)
    « Instant Pot Vegan Charro Beans
    Easy Arroz con Pollo (Chicken and Rice) »
    533 shares
    • Share
    • Yummly

    Filed Under: Healthy Desserts

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Tracy

      May 05, 2018 at 9:22 am

      These are SO delicious ! Do you peel Your zucchini before grating ?
      Thank you for sharing your awesome recipes !

      Reply
      • Lauren

        May 06, 2018 at 9:50 am

        Thanks Tracy! I don't peel it, I just grate the entire thing. 🙂

        Reply
    2. Reem

      March 17, 2018 at 8:58 am

      What ment by Apple sauce??

      Reply
      • Lauren

        March 17, 2018 at 1:41 pm

        It's basically pureed apples. 🙂

        Reply
    3. Linda

      August 28, 2017 at 5:01 pm

      They taste great but took way longer to bake than the time specified in the recipe.

      Reply
    4. Kurt

      August 21, 2017 at 12:55 pm

      These recipe is awesome! My kids love these!!!

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi there, I'm Lauren Goslin, and I've been a food blogger for over ten years. My goal with this blog is to show you healthy, lower sugar recipes that my family and I enjoy.

    More about me →

    Some of our Favorite Breads

    • Homemade Healthy Monkey Bread (NO Bundt Pan!)
    • Our FAVORITE Berry Muffins (Low Sugar!)
    • 4-Ingredient Spelt Flour Tortillas
    • Sugar-Free, Corn-Free Sweet Potato 'Cornbread'

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    AboutContactPrivacy Policy

    COPYRIGHT ©2022, OATMEAL WITH A FORK. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

    533 shares