Healthy Gluten-Free & Vegan Zucchini Muffins

These Gluten-Free And Vegan Zucchini Muffins are naturally sweetened and rich in fiber. They're also easy to make, store well, and are great for meal prep. It's the perfect recipe to use up any extra zucchini, and you'll love how they taste.

These zucchini muffins are nourishing, satisfying, and just indulgent enough to feel like a treat. They're the kind of baked good that makes you feel good, packed with wholesome ingredients, and comes with a soft and fluffy texture. They also have just the right touch of sweetness. Zucchini might seem like an odd addition if you haven't tried it before, but trust me, it's a quiet hero here, adding moisture and nutrients without stealing the spotlight. And similar to my Healthy Pumpkin Muffins, I use a blend of oat and gluten-free flour that is a perfect combo for vegan baking. 

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Jump to:

• Ingredients To Make These Delicious Vegan Zucchini Muffins: 
• How To Make Them: 
• Top Tips: 
• Variations And Substitutions:
• Storage: 
• Equipment Needed: 
• Recipe FAQs: 
• More Amazing Vegan Muffins To Try Next: 
• Healthy Gluten-Free & Vegan Zucchini Muffins
• Related Vegan Zucchini Recipes:
• Reviews

Ingredients To Make These Delicious Vegan Zucchini Muffins: 

Here's what you need to make these wholesome vegan zucchini muffins. 

• Coconut Sugar: This sweetener adds a caramel-like sweetness with a lower glycemic index than brown sugar. So these muffins are not only great as a snack, but can even be enjoyed as a healthy breakfast. 
• Flour: I use a blend of oat and gluten-free flour. It creates structure while keeping the muffins gluten-free with a soft bite. The oat flour adds a nutty flavor while the second flour aids with texture and rise. Make sure to use gluten-free certified oat flour.
• Leavening Agents: Baking soda and baking powder are essential raising agents that give these muffins their fluffy texture.
• Ground Flaxseed: This acts as a binder when mixed with water to form a flax egg, and adds a dose of healthy fat and fiber.
• Vegan Chocolate Chips: They add rich sweetness and melty bites. Try dark chocolate chips for an extra treat. Use any leftovers in my Creamy Chocolate Overnight Oats.
• Crushed Walnuts: These nuts add crunch and extra nutrients, and just pair well with fresh zucchini in baked goods. 
• Shredded Zucchini: You only need a cup to add moisture, fiber, and a sneaky veggie boost, similar to my Healthy Vegan Zucchini Bread.
• Unsweetened Soy Milk: Mixed with apple cider vinegar, it creates a quick vegan buttermilk that helps the muffins rise.
• Apple Cider Vinegar: You only need a little to activate the baking soda, and it helps make a tender crumb.
• Unsweetened Applesauce: It's a natural egg replacer that adds moisture and a touch of natural sweetness.
• Water: I'm using it with ground flaxseed to create a flax egg.

See the recipe card for quantities.

How To Make Them: 

This vegan muffin recipe is so easy to make. It's just prepping, combining, folding, and baking. Let's have a look.

1. Make a Flax Egg: Mix ground flaxseed with water and let it gel.
2. Make the Vegan Buttermilk: Stir apple cider vinegar into soy milk and let it curdle.
3. Mix Wet Ingredients: Combine flax egg, vegan buttermilk, applesauce, and zucchini in a large bowl.
4. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients until sufficiently combined.
5. Combine: Add dry to wet ingredients and stir until just combined. Fold the chocolate chips and walnuts into the muffin batter.
6. Bake: Divide into 6 muffin cups and bake in a preheated oven until a toothpick comes out clean.
7. Cool & Serve: Let the healthy zucchini muffins cool in the pan for at least 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Enjoy!

Top Tips: 

Here are a few of my tips for the best results.

• Finely Grate Zucchini: Finely grate or shred the vegetable if you want it to fully blend into the muffin texture. If preferred, make it coarser for more visible specks and a slightly rustic feel.
• Squeeze the Zucchini Well: Don't skip this! Too much moisture can create gummy muffins. 
• Coat the Zucchini: Coat the shredded veggie in a little flour before folding it into the muffin batter (optional). This prevents them from sinking to the bottom.
• Room Temperature: It's best to have all ingredients ready at room temperature to help the batter mix more evenly.
• Muffin Tin Tip: If you're using a nonstick muffin tin without liners, let the muffins cool completely before removing to avoid sticking.

Variations And Substitutions:

Here are a few options to make these delicious zucchini muffins a little bit different every time.

• Add Spices: Try cinnamon or cocoa powder for extra flavor.
• Make it Nut-Free: Skip the walnuts or sub with sunflower seeds like in my Best Sunflower Seed Cookies.
• Flour Alternative: If gluten isn't a concern, you can use spelt flour or white whole wheat flour.
• Milk Options: Instead of soy milk, you can also try oat milk, almond milk, or any dairy-free milk. Just know that it will create a different flavor and potentially a different texture.
• Sweetener: I prefer coconut sugar or maple crystals, but brown sugar can also work.
• Swap the Mix-Ins: Add chia seeds, mashed banana, or even chopped dates to add different flavors and textures. 

Storage: 

Store the muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2-3 days. Place a paper towel at the bottom of the container to absorb any moisture. For longer storage, wrap each muffin in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature or warm in the oven. 

Equipment Needed: 

Here's what you need to make these vegan muffins.

• Box Grater or Food Processor: To grate the zucchini.
• Muffin Tin or Muffin Pan: To bake the muffins.
• Muffin Liners: Optional, but will make it super easy to remove the muffins from the pan.
• Large and Small Mixing Bowls: To make the flax egg, prepare the ingredients and combine the wet with the dry ingredients.
• Wire Rack or Cooling Rack: To sufficiently cool the muffins.

Recipe FAQs: 

More Amazing Vegan Muffins To Try Next: 

Looking for other vegan muffin recipes like this? Try these:

If you try this Healthy Gluten-Free And Vegan Zucchini Muffins Recipe, I'd really love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. I'd also really appreciate a recipe card rating! Thank you for supporting The All Natural Vegan!

Related Vegan Zucchini Recipes:

Looking for more recipes with zucchini? Make sure to check these out.