Blender Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Zucchini Muffins Recipe
I’ve got a delicious surprise for you today: my Blender Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Zucchini Muffins Recipe! These muffins strike the perfect balance between healthy and indulgent, thanks to the wholesome oats and zucchini paired with melty dark chocolate chips. I love whipping them up when I need a quick breakfast or a snack that feels like a treat but gives me real energy.
What makes this Blender Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Zucchini Muffins Recipe truly special is how effortless it is—pop everything in the blender, and you’re done with the batter in minutes. Plus, the zucchini keeps the muffins wonderfully moist, so they stay fresh for days, making them great for busy mornings or to pack in lunchboxes.
Why This Recipe Works
- Speedy Prep: Using a blender to combine everything saves you time and limits cleanup.
- Moisture Boost: Fresh zucchini adds natural moisture so your muffins never dry out.
- Wholesome Ingredients: Oats and whole wheat flour provide fiber for a satisfying, nourishing snack.
- Chocolatey Goodness: Dark chocolate chips bring the perfect touch of sweetness without being overpowering.
Ingredients & Why They Work
This Blender Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Zucchini Muffins Recipe uses simple, wholesome ingredients that come together beautifully. Each plays a role in giving the muffins their texture, flavor, and nutrition — and the best part? Most are easy to keep on hand or find fresh at your grocery store.
- Shredded zucchini: The secret moistener! Use young, fresh zucchini for mild flavor and tender bite.
- Old fashioned oats: Oats add heartiness and fiber, making these muffins satisfying and filling.
- Whole wheat flour: Provides structure and adds a subtle nuttiness to balance the sweetness.
- Shelled hemp seeds: Optional, but I love them for a boost of protein and a slight crunch.
- Pitted Medjool dates: Natural sweetener with caramel notes — soak them a bit if your blender struggles.
- Pure maple syrup: Adds liquid sweetness and depth of flavor.
- Salted butter: Melted butter enriches the batter and keeps muffins tender.
- Eggs: Bind everything together perfectly for a cohesive muffin.
- Vanilla extract: Elevates all flavors with warm, sweet aroma.
- Baking soda: Leavens for rise and fluffiness.
- Sea salt: Enhances sweetness and balances flavors — plus a sprinkle on top is divine.
- Dark chocolate chips: For that ooey-gooey chocolate magic in every bite.
Tweak to Your Taste
This recipe is a fantastic base — I often play around with add-ins and flavors to keep it exciting. You should definitely make it your own by swapping in your favorite nuts or spices.
- Variation: Sometimes I swap the chocolate chips for chopped walnuts or shredded coconut, which adds a nice texture.
- Dietary Modification: Use flax eggs and coconut oil to make these muffins vegan-friendly without losing moisture.
- Spice It Up: Adding cinnamon or nutmeg gives the muffins a cozy warmth I adore, especially in fall.
- Sweetness Level: Adjust maple syrup up or down depending on how sweet you want your muffins to be.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Blender Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Zucchini Muffins Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Muffin Tin
First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F and line a muffin tin with paper liners. This helps the muffins release easily and prevents sticking. If you’re using a non-stick pan, you can skip the liners, but I’ve found that liners make cleanup a breeze.
Step 2: Blend It All Together (Except Chocolate)
Grab your blender and add shredded zucchini, oats, whole wheat flour, hemp seeds if you’re using them, pitted dates, maple syrup, melted butter, eggs, vanilla extract, baking soda, and sea salt. Blend on high until everything is smooth and well combined. If your dates are a little dry, soak them in warm water beforehand for 5-10 minutes to avoid any chunks.
Step 3: Add Chocolate Chips & Scoop
After blending, fold in the dark chocolate chips gently with a spatula or wooden spoon. Then, evenly divide the batter into the lined muffin cups. I usually fill them about three-quarters full for a perfect dome on top.
Step 4: Bake and Cool
Bake for 18-22 minutes — the edges should be set and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs. Don’t overbake or the muffins can become dry. Optionally, sprinkle a little flaked sea salt on top right after they come out of the oven for a lovely sweet-salty contrast.
After baking, let them cool in the pan for about 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. This step helps prevent soggy bottoms.
Pro Tips for Making Blender Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Zucchini Muffins Recipe
- Don’t Overblend: Blend just until smooth—overblending can make the batter too thin, resulting in flat muffins.
- Grate Zucchini Finer: Use the fine side of your grater or a food processor for the zucchini so it blends seamlessly into the batter.
- Room Temp Eggs & Butter: Make sure eggs and butter aren’t cold, which helps them incorporate better.
- Watch Baking Time Closely: Start checking at 18 minutes to avoid overbaking, especially if your oven runs hot.
How to Serve Blender Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Zucchini Muffins Recipe
Garnishes
I love sprinkling a pinch of flaked sea salt on top right after baking—it amps up the chocolate flavor beautifully. Sometimes I add a thin spread of butter or almond butter while the muffins are still warm for extra indulgence.
Side Dishes
These muffins pair wonderfully with a simple cup of coffee or a smoothie for breakfast. For a more filling snack, I enjoy them alongside a dollop of Greek yogurt or fresh berries.
Creative Ways to Present
For brunch parties, I like arranging these Blender Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Zucchini Muffins in a rustic basket lined with a pretty cloth napkin. Adding fresh mint leaves or a berry garnish makes the presentation pop and feels extra special.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, store these muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days. I find that keeping them slightly chilled in the fridge extends freshness up to a week, but be sure to bring them to room temp before eating.
Freezing
These muffins freeze beautifully! I wrap them individually in plastic wrap, put them in a freezer bag, and pull them out one at a time when I want a treat. Thaw overnight in the fridge or warm for a few seconds in the microwave.
Reheating
To warm up, I pop a muffin in the microwave for about 15-20 seconds or toast it lightly to revive that fresh-baked feel. You can also heat them briefly in an oven set to 300°F if you want a crispier edge.
FAQs
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Can I use grated carrot instead of zucchini?
Yes! Grated carrot will work well in this recipe and add a lovely natural sweetness. Just keep the quantity the same and shred it finely for the best texture.
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What if I don’t have whole wheat flour?
You can substitute whole wheat flour with additional oats by pulsing oats in the blender until finely ground. This keeps the muffins gluten-free if you use certified gluten-free oats.
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How do I prevent muffins from becoming soggy with zucchini?
Make sure to squeeze out any excess moisture from the shredded zucchini if it feels very wet. Also, bake until just set and avoid overmixing the batter, which helps keep them light and fluffy.
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Can I make these muffins ahead for a crowd?
Absolutely! These muffins store well and can be made a day or two in advance. Just refrigerate and bring to room temperature before serving, or warm slightly for that fresh-baked feel.
Final Thoughts
Honestly, this Blender Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Zucchini Muffins Recipe has become one of my go-to favorites for busy mornings or when I want something a little sweet but still nourishing. The quick blender method means less fuss and more time enjoying those chocolatey, tender morsels. I can’t recommend giving this recipe a try enough — your kitchen will smell amazing, and your taste buds will thank you!
PrintBlender Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Zucchini Muffins Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 22 minutes
- Total Time: 32 minutes
- Yield: 14 muffins
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Blender Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Zucchini Muffins are a delicious and wholesome treat packed with shredded zucchini and oats, sweetened naturally with dates and maple syrup, and studded with rich dark chocolate chips. Made effortlessly in a blender and baked to perfection, these muffins are moist, tender, and perfect for breakfast or a snack.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups shredded zucchini (2 small)
- 1 1/2 cups old fashioned oats
- 1/2 cup whole wheat flour (or additional oats)
- 2 tablespoons shelled hemp seeds (optional)
- 1/2 cup pitted Medjool dates
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
- 1 stick (8 tablespoons) salted butter, melted
- 2 eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 cup dark chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Muffin Tins: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line 14 muffin cups with paper liners to prevent sticking and make removal easy.
- Blend Ingredients: Combine the shredded zucchini, oats, whole wheat flour, hemp seeds (if using), pitted dates, maple syrup, melted salted butter, eggs, vanilla extract, baking soda, and sea salt in a blender. Blend until smooth to create a thick batter.
- Incorporate Chocolate Chips: Pour the blender batter into a bowl and gently fold in the dark chocolate chips to distribute them evenly without breaking them up.
- Fill Muffin Cups and Bake: Divide the batter evenly among the prepared muffin tins. Bake in the preheated oven for 22 minutes, or until the muffins are just set and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
- Cool and Serve: Let the muffins cool slightly before enjoying. Optionally, sprinkle with additional flaked sea salt to enhance the flavor. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- Use well-shredded zucchini and gently squeeze out excess moisture to avoid soggy muffins.
- Medjool dates add natural sweetness and moisture; soak them briefly in warm water if they’re dry before blending.
- Substitute whole wheat flour with all-purpose flour if preferred, or use additional oats for a gluten-free version.
- Shelled hemp seeds are optional but add protein and a nutty flavor.
- Ensure not to overblend to avoid overly dense muffins.
- These muffins freeze well; store in an airtight container for up to a month.
- You can replace dark chocolate chips with dairy-free or vegan chocolate chips to suit dietary needs.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 muffin
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg