Ok, friend. You have to make these. They are one of my kids’ most popular requests for lunch boxes…and I saved them for the end of our 31 Days of School Lunchbox Ideas. I sent them on their first day of school this week. I had stashed a few in the very back of the freezer, so they would actually make it to the first day of school. I dropped 2 into each lunch box and sent them on their way with some mango, strawberries, potato chips and a granola bar for a snack. I love how you can drop them into a lunchbox frozen
I gave the members of The $5 Meal Plan a sneak peek of this recipe, including it in a recent weekly meal plan…and it’s getting RAVE reviews in our secret Facebook group!
Please note the wide range on the yield for these muffins. I am a ‘7/8 full’ kind of muffin baker, so if you’re more of a 1/2-2/3 full, you’ll get more muffins. I made 2 dozen (part square, part circle) muffins, but many folks are getting 3 dozen out of this batter!
This is the square baking pan that I use. It’s fun to be different.
And one more thing, don’t use paper liners with these. Whole wheat muffins stick badly to paper muffins cups, no matter how much spray you add to the paper cups. Just go without for these. But still spray the pan generously.
These muffins are hearty, filling, yet moist and soft…with just a touch of sweetness from the tiny chocolate chips!
So here they are.
Make them.
Enjoy them.
Make them again.
And again.
Whole Wheat Zucchini Chocolate Chip Muffins
Ingredients
- 2 eggs
- 3 ripe bananas
- 2 tsp vanilla (or use homemade vanilla extract!)
- 1 1/2 cups brown sugar
- 2 cups milk
- 3 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
- 1 Tbsp baking soda
- 1 Tbsp baking powder
- 1 Tbsp cinnamon
- 2 tsp salt
- 3 cups shredded zucchini
- 2 cups mini or regular chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350.
- In a stand mixer, combine the eggs, banana, vanilla & brown sugar.
- Mix in the milk & flour together so it doesnt splatter all over. Add the baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon and salt. Mix together until batter forms.
- Mix in the shredded zucchini and chocolate chips.
- Pour into greased muffin tin, filling 2/3 full. Makes 24 muffins.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 22-24 minutes. Let cool slightly before servings.
- To Freeze: Let cool completely to room temperature before adding to plastic freezer baggie or container.
Elisa says
Can you make this with all purpose flour too?
Erin, The $5 Dinner Mom says
Yes, you certainly can Elisa!
lilybellelocks says
I just made these Gluten Free and they turned out perfect!
All amounts were the same, my only substitutions were all purpose gluten free baking mix (a mix of rice, corn and buckwheat flours) and unsweetened almond milk instead of dairy milk. I baked at 350 for about 30 minutes. I also added 1 cup of whole pecans to the chocolate chips, delicious!
Erin, The $5 Dinner Mom says
Yay…thanks for sharing your GFDF substitutions!
Erin
Billie Grant says
Erin,
Just made this yesterday. So Good they won’t last long!
Enjoy every moment with those rowdy boys. They grow up fast! We just took Seth to Moody Bible institute. Blessings to the family!:)
Erin, The $5 Dinner Mom says
Oh my goodness Billie, that’s unbelievable! Yes, these don’t last long around our house…and I can’t believe Seth is already off and Isaiah is married…you’re way too young for that!!!
Karen says
I have some buttermilk. Can substitute for the milk? These sound yummy.
Erin, The $5 Dinner Mom says
Yup, you sure can!
Sheila says
Hi, what can I substitute for zucchini? Thanks!
Annie says
Made these for my kids lunches today. I followed the recipe exactly, but ended up making 2 loaves instead of muffins. I had to cook mine 30-40 minutes extra before the loaves were cooked all the way through. They turned out DELICIOUS! My kids usually complain about things made with whole wheat flour, but I’d be shocked if they even notice it. I will definitely be adding this to my regulation rotation of recipes.
T says
Just made these. They are good and the kids loved them too! Thanks.