A Cozy, Wholesome Treat from Your Backyard Harvest
There’s a certain kind of joy that comes from using ingredients you’ve grown yourself. And when it’s zucchini season, there always seems to be more than enough to go around. That’s where these garden-fresh zucchini muffins come in—soft, just sweet enough, and bursting with homegrown goodness.
Whether you’re harvesting armfuls of zucchini from your backyard beds or picking them up from the farmers’ market, this easy recipe is the perfect way to use them up. These muffins are moist, tender, lightly spiced, and ideal for breakfast, lunchboxes, or cozy afternoon snacks with tea.
In this post, I’ll walk you through my favorite version of zucchini muffins—plus tips for storage, substitutions, and making them extra family-friendly. If you’re embracing the slow living lifestyle, baking with your garden bounty is a beautiful way to slow down and savor the season.
Why You’ll Love These Zucchini Muffins
- They’re ultra moist thanks to shredded zucchini
- Naturally sweetened with a mix of brown sugar and honey
- Lightly spiced for that warm, cozy flavor
- Kid-approved and freezer-friendly
- A great way to sneak in extra veggies without the fight!
Garden Fresh Zucchini Muffins
Ingredients
- 1.5 cups Grated Zucchini From about 1 medium zucchini
- 1 3/4 cups All-Purpose Flour Or whole wheat flour for a heartier texture
- 1 tsp Baking Soda
- 1/2 tsp Baking Powder
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1 tsp Ground Cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp Ground Nutmeg Optional, but cozy.
- 1/3 cup Brown Sugar
- 2 Tbsp Honey You can also substitute Maple Syrup
- 2 Large Eggs
- 1/3 cup Neutral Oil Avocado, Canola, or melted Coconut Oil
- 1/4 cup Plain Greek Yogurt You can also substitute Sour Cream
- 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
Instructions
Prep the Zucchini
- Wash and grate your zucchini using a box grater. No need topeel. If it’s very watery, lightly squeeze some moisture out with a cleantowel—just don’t dry it out completely.
Mix Dry Ingredients
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda,baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Set aside.
Mix Wet Ingredients
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, brownsugar, honey, oil, yogurt, and vanilla until smooth.
Combine
- Fold the shredded zucchini into the wet mixture. Add the dryingredients and stir just until combined. Don’t overmix—it’s okay if it’s alittle lumpy. Fold in nuts or chocolate chips if using.
Bake
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a muffin tin withpaper liners or grease lightly. Scoop the batter evenly into 12 muffin cups(they’ll be about ¾ full). Optional: sprinkle oats or coarse sugar on top for arustic look.Bake for 20–22 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out cleanfrom the center of a muffin.Let cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wirerack to cool completely.
Notes
- Don’t over-drain your zucchini. A little moisture helps make the muffins tender.
- Want them sweeter? Add 2–3 extra tablespoons of brown sugar or use a mashed ripe banana in place of the yogurt.
- For dairy-free: Use a non-dairy yogurt and substitute coconut oil.
- Add-ins like chocolate chips or chopped walnuts turn these into a treat that even picky eaters love.
- Double the batch and freeze extras—these are fantastic for busy mornings!
- Room Temp: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Fridge: Will keep well for up to a week. Reheat in the microwave for 10–15 seconds for a fresh-from-the-oven feel.
- Freezer: Wrap individually and freeze for up to 3 months. Perfect for grab-and-go breakfasts or lunchboxes.
Why Bake with Garden Zucchini?
Zucchini is one of the most forgiving vegetables to grow—and one of the most abundant. Once your plants start producing, you’ll find yourself Googling “what to do with too much zucchini” more than once.
Baking zucchini muffins is one of the easiest and most satisfying answers. They’re forgiving, flexible, and full of subtle flavor. Best of all, they use up a good amount of grated zucchini without anyone even noticing they’re eating veggies.
This kind of baking is one of the sweetest ways to connect with the rhythm of your garden.
Make It a Family Moment
Baking these easy zucchini muffins can be a gentle and grounding activity with your kids. They’ll love helping with:
- Grating the zucchini
- Stirring the batter
- Lining the muffin tin
- Sprinkling toppings on each muffin
Let them taste the batter (always the best part) and watch through the oven door as they rise. These are the small, slow moments that shape warm memories in the kitchen.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re swimming in zucchini or just craving a cozy, veggie-packed muffin, these garden-fresh zucchini muffins hit the spot. They’re nourishing, comforting, and simple enough to whip up on a quiet afternoon or bake in big batches for the week ahead.
Serve them warm with butter and a cup of tea, pack them in your little one’s lunchbox, or enjoy one in the garden while the bees hum around you.
However you enjoy them, I hope they bring a bit of warmth and intention to your day—and maybe even inspire a little extra love for your garden’s most generous vegetable.
If you make this recipe, I’d love to see your creations! Tag me on Instagram @bloombatterblog or leave a comment below with your favorite zucchini mix-ins.
This is so perfect for me. I actually have a garden full of fresh zucchini right now!
Hi Beth! Thank you for reading! Let me know how they turn out for you. Happy growing!
These were so moist and tender. Absolutely perfect zucchini muffins. I’d give more stars if I could!
Claudia, I’m so glad you enjoyed these!
You can’t get a moister muffin or bread than one that’s made with zucchini. These were delicious!
Colleen, thank you for trying them! I’m glad you liked them!
Love this. Exactly right on healthy ingredients and portions. Can’t wait to try.
Let me know how they turn out, Stacie! Thank you for reading!
These zucchini muffins sound amazing. I love that you included spices. If they’re anything like the zucchini brownies I made recently they will be lovely and moist x
Zucchini brownies sound amazing! Honestly, I would probably put spices in most everything if I could haha. Cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove are just so cozy.
This is the perfect snack for my nephews. I will get the recipe and share it with my sister.
My kiddos love these as well. Perfect way to sneak in veggies. Let me know how they like them, Marie!
These look so good! I love that they’re made with fresh zucchini—such a great way to sneak veggies into a treat. Definitely trying this soon!
Let me know how you like them, Jaishree! Thank you for reading!
I have never baked with zucchini before. But I would love to try out your muffin recipe, they sound really tasty.
Once you try it, let me know how you like them! Baking with zucchini is great.
I’ve never had zucchini muffins. I would love to try this out, it definitely looks delicious.
They are delicious. Thanks for reading, Karen. Let me know how you like them if you do try it!
I grew up on zucchini muffins and bread, so I was eager to try this. I was extremely impressed with the flavor and texture.
Ben! I’m so glad you tried them and enjoyed them! Thank you for reading!
These were so moist and delicious! Thanks for this recipe!
Lex, I’m so glad you enjoyed these!
Your garden-fresh zucchini muffins sound amazing! Thanks for sharing!
You’re welcome, Crysti! Hope you enjoy them!
Great recipe, especially for there is an abundance of zucchini from the garden. These look delicious, and it is nice to have a healthier kind of snack. This would be good to take to work.
Hi Marysa! These are a great snack for work! I hope you enjoy them if you make them!
This looks really yummy! I’m always looking for healthier options.
Thank you for reading, Laurel! Let me know how they turn out if you try them.
I’m loving this zucchini muffin recipe! So delicious! Sharing with my sister as she’s always searching for some new recipes for her home grown garden zucchini each summer!
I need to try this. Looking for healthier options for me and my son.
These are great for kids. Let me know how they turn out!
Thank you, Debbie! I also have a great recipe for chocolate zucchini bread if you or your sister want something else to try when the zucchini starts coming and seemingly never stops haha.
I love zucchini muffins, but ones made from fresh-picked garden zucchini are by far the best. This recipe is a bit different from my usual zucchini muffin recipe, so I will have to give it a try.
Hi Sarah, let me know what you think of these in comparison to your usual recipe!
I always love trying a new muffin recipe, I have not had these before and they do sound nice. I have saved this for my next baking session as we always love to try something new
I’m so glad you want to try these, Samantha! Let me know what you think of them once you do!
I love zucchini and often have lots of them in the house but my kids don’t like them, so this is a great way to get them to eat it
My kids LOVE these and have no idea they are eating vegetables haha. Let me know if your kiddos enjoy them!
There are always so many zucchinis this time of year! The idea of making muffins is so good – thank you for sharing your recipe.
You’re welcome, Jupiter! Let me know what you think of them if you try this recipe!
With summer here, I was looking for some new ways to use zucchini. So glad I found this recipe!
Hi Padma! Thank you for reading! Let me know how your muffins are when you make them!
I love zucchini, although we call them courgettes. This sounds like a great way to use them.
Hi Jenny! Let me know how your muffins turn out if you try the recipe!
I don’t have a garden, but next time I buy zucchini, I’m definitely making these muffins! They sound so cozy and comforting—perfect with a cup of tea. I love the idea of using seasonal produce in simple, homemade recipes like this. Thanks for sharing such a lovely way to slow down and enjoy the season.
Hi Ann! Thank you so much for reading! I hope you like the muffins! I will have plenty more seasonal recipes coming along as the seasons change 🙂
Thank you for reading, Ann! How did your muffins turn out?? You can always add a little extra cinnamon and nutmeg to make them extra cozy. I love them with my coffee in the mornings.
Thank you for sharing the recipe with us. My mom has been wanting to do this recipe.
I am making this recipe this weekend as I have lots of zucchini that I need to use up. They look so delicious too and my husband will love them also! Pinning this one next! Thanks for sharing 😉