Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp ground ginger
- 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- 2 cups shredded fresh zucchini (about 1 medium zucchini)
Add-ins
- 1/2 cup coarsely chopped walnuts or pecans
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup standard muffin pan with paper liners or spray it with nonstick baking spray to prevent sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ground ginger, and ground nutmeg until well combined.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the melted and slightly cooled unsalted butter, vanilla extract, and eggs until smooth.
- Make the Batter: Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Stir gently by hand until the mixture is fully moistened but do not overmix to keep the muffins tender.
- Fold in Zucchini and Nuts: Carefully fold in the shredded fresh zucchini and coarsely chopped walnuts or pecans until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
- Fill Muffin Cups: Using an ice cream scoop or spoon, divide the batter evenly among the 12 muffin cups, filling each about three-quarters full to allow room for rising.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 22 to 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean.
- Cool: Allow the muffins to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer them to a cooling rack to cool completely before serving.
- Optional Toasted Nuts: For extra flavor, you can toast the nuts before adding them to the batter. Spread the nuts in a single layer on a sheet pan and toast in the 350°F oven for 6 to 8 minutes. Let cool completely before folding them into the batter. Toasted nuts can be prepared up to 2 days ahead.
Notes
- Do not overmix the batter to keep the muffins light and tender.
- Make sure the melted butter is cooled slightly to prevent cooking the eggs when mixing.
- Using fresh zucchini adds moisture, so avoid squeezing out the zucchini unless you prefer less moisture.
- For a nut-free version, omit walnuts or pecans.
- Store muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for longer storage.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American, Southern