With four kinds of produce, including two fruits and two veggies, these healthy Zucchini Carrot Muffins are a perfect kids breakfast or snack. They store well in the fridge and freezer so you can make a batch and have it on hand for easy meals!
My kids aren’t super into zucchini…unless it’s tucked into a baked good. So each year when we have too much zucchini (or we get bags of it left by our front door…) I bake it up into muffins.
I love this easy toddler muffin recipe since it has zucchini and carrot, plus simple pantry staples. They’re moist, tender, and easy to make and store.
These are sweetened with ripe banana and maple syrup and taste like classic zucchini bread…only they’re in a really fun-to-eat mini muffin size!
(You may also like Chocolate Chip Zucchini Muffins, Carrot Cake Muffins, and Healthy Zucchini Muffins.)
Table of Contents
Ingredients You Need
Here’s a look at the ingredients that you’ll need to make this Zucchini Carrot Muffin recipe so you know what to pick up at the store:
- Carrot: We’ll grate this so it blends right into the muffin batter.
- Zucchini: This veggie gets grated, then squeezed really dry before adding it to the batter.
- Eggs or an egg substitute.
- Very ripe banana (about 1 large banana): This adds nice flavor and sweetness.
- Melted and slightly cooled butter (or neutral oil like canola)
- Maple syrup (or honey): To add a little more sweetness.
- Whole wheat flour: I use this flour here since it helps absorb moisture from the produce in the recipe so the muffins bake through nicely.
- Raisins or chocolate chips: You can pick one or other, or do a mix of both.
- Cinnamon, baking powder and baking soda to round things out.
TIP: I prefer to grate a whole carrot, rather than buying it already grated, since it tends to have a finer texture that blends more easily into a muffin when you do it at home.
Step-by-Step Instructions
This is a quick look at the steps in this Zucchini Carrot Muffin recipe. Scroll down to the bottom of the post for the full recipe.
- Grate the carrot and zucchini. Mash the banana until very smooth.
- Squeeze the zucchini really well and dry in a towel.
- Add all of the wet ingredients to a medium-size bowl. Stir.
- Stir the ingredients rest of the ingredients to make an even batter.
- Portion into a mini muffin pan.
- Bake and serve or store.
TIP: Be sure to squeeze your zucchini very dry to ensure the best final texture in these muffins.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, they are very easy to make without eggs if there’s an allergy in your house by omitting the eggs and adding a little milk and additional baking soda. See the Notes below the recipe for the specifics.
TIP: You can also make them dairy-free and gluten-free. They are naturally nut-free.
You can trade in applesauce if that works better for your family.
We usually have these healthy muffins with a side of fruit. They’d also pair well with soup, scrambled eggs, or diced cheese. I like them as a quick snack or lunch for myself with coffee or a smoothie.
Other Muffins for Kids You May Like
I love making muffins and I have so many that are chock full of goodness. Here are a few favorites.
- Applesauce Muffins
- Spinach Banana Muffins
- Lemon Blueberry Muffins
- Savory Veggie Muffins
- Vegan Zucchini Muffins
TIP: You can find all of my muffin recipes here.
How to Store
Store Zucchini Carrot Muffins in an airtight container for up to 3 days at room temperature, up to 5 days in the fridge or up to 3 months in the freezer. Warm slightly to serve if desired.
Best Tips for Success
- Egg-Free: Omit the eggs. Add ¼ cup milk and increase the baking soda to 1 teaspoon. Continue with the recipe.
- Dairy-Free: Use oil instead of butter.
- Gluten-Free: Use a GF cup for cup flour instead of the whole wheat.
- You can use all purpose flour instead of whole wheat if desired.
- I prefer to grate my own carrots to ensure that the texture is finer and isn’t very noticeable in the baked muffins.
Related Recipes
If you make these muffins, I’d love to hear your feedback. Please comment and rate the recipe below!
Easy Zucchini Carrot Muffins
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup grated carrot
- 1/2 cup grated zucchini squeezed very, very dry
- 2 eggs lightly beaten
- 1/2 cup mashed very ripe banana about 1 large banana
- 1/4 cup melted and slightly cooled butter or neutral oil like canola
- 1/4 cup maple syrup or honey
- 1 1/4 cups whole wheat flour
- 1/2 cup raisins or chocolate chips
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F and grease a mini muffin pan with nonstick spray. (I use regular Pam as I find it’s very reliable.)
- Add the carrot, zucchini, eggs, banana, butter, and maple syrup to a medium bowl.
- Gently stir in the flour, raisins (or chocolate chips) cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Divide the batter among the prepared pan, using about 1 ½ tablespoons batter in each cup.
- Bake for 14-16 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden brown and a cake tester inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Remove from the oven and let cool in the pan for about 2 minutes. Use a paring knife, if needed, to help remove the muffins to a wire rack. Let cool and serve or store.
Video
Notes
- Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days at room temperature, up to 5 days in the fridge or up to 3 months in the freezer. Warm slightly to serve if desired.
- Egg-Free: Omit the eggs. Add ¼ cup milk and increase the baking soda to 1 teaspoon. Continue with the recipe.
- Dairy-Free: Use oil instead of butter.
- Gluten-Free: Use a GF cup for cup flour instead of the whole wheat.
- Banana-Free: Use applesauce instead.
- You can use all purpose flour instead of whole wheat if desired.
Nutrition
This recipe was originally published July 2020.
Yum! Although ours didn’t come out as dry.
Anyone have recommendations for adding more zucchini and carrot and also maybe oats?
These are a big hit! I added about 1/4 Cup or less of homemade applesauce instead of maple syrup and to add some apple to the recipe and it’s so good and perfectly moist! Both of our toddler girls (and us) love these! Thanks for sharing!
Preaching to choir here but so moist & yummy. Hubby, sitter & I ate them up & 18 mo. ate them too! It’s the reason i bought a mini muffin pan & i’m glad i did. just makes them easier to serve. i grated my veggies day before to make it easier .
Would these be moist enough for my 11th month old? I know it doesn’t specifically mention babies, like the ABC & spinach banana muffins did. But should I try it?
They should be!
Are these moist enough for my 11th month old? I know they didn’t specifically mention serving them to babies (like the ABC or banana spinach muffins) but I’ve got extra of these ingredients. Should I try it?
These are really yummy, not super sweet and my toddler couldn’t stop eating them. Yay for getting some veggies in!
Absolutely delicious and perfect for school snack. These will be in our regular rotation. Thanks, Amy!
I just made this, I added a few TBS of chia seeds and did both chocolate and raisins. They are delicious!
What would be oven setting and time for making this recipe in a regular muffin tray? Thanks
Standard size muffins are usually about 16 minutes. Enjoy!
These came out light and fluffy. I added some ground walnuts, used naturally sweetened dried cranberries instead of raisins, and date syrup instead of maple. 2 year old approved!
Could I use Greek yogurt instead of butter/oil?
I haven’t tried that so I can’t say for sure but it might work. Let me know if you try it!
Hello, Would coconut oil work well here instead of butter? Thank you.
Yes, that works.
Love this recipe! Very forgiving – I’ve forgotten eggs before and they didn’t turn out bad (not great but me and my kid still ate them!). Just made them again doubling the recipe and using pumpkin instead of banana and added pumpkin spices – turned out fluffy and delicious!
These ones are my absolute favourites! The texture comes out soft, and the taste is awesome. You could never tell you are eating a zucchini))
Thanks for sharing your knowledge.
Hi, if I don’t know raisins or chocolate chips on hand, what can I use instead? Can I omit altogether? Or should I use something like blueberries?
You can omit or you can top with a few berries