For me, the beginning of January is all about scrumptious and healthful recipes that make meal prep really feel easy. As a part of my gut-health journey, I’m at present eliminating grains and it’s made a extremely optimistic distinction in how I really feel. Though I’ve discovered cooking grain-free to be comparatively easy and intuitive, grain-free baking positively requires some experimentation. Via trial-and-error, I’m slowly honing in on my favourite recipes that use grain-free alternate options like almond flour, coconut flour, and cassava flour. And these grain-free zucchini muffins with chocolate chunks are my favourite baking experiment to this point! In case you’re on a grain-free or paleo food plan or just on the lookout for a nutritious and attractive breakfast thought, you’re going to like these muffins.
These grain-free zucchini muffins make a satisfying breakfast (and a wholesome lunchbox addition for my children’ faculty lunches.) Learn on for why you would possibly contemplate slicing again on grains, what you have to make these deliciously satisfying muffins, and optionally available ingredient swaps to attempt.
Why I Eradicated Grains From These Muffins
I’m engaged on a publish that deep dives into why I’m at present following a grain-free food plan (it’s basically cured the intestine well being points which have affected me for years!) Whereas grains are definitely not “unhealthy” and may even be a extremely wholesome a part of some individuals’s diets, there are a number of the reason why somebody might select to eradicate or in the reduction of on grains.
- Decrease Carb Content material: Conventional muffins usually include wheat, which is excessive in carbohydrates. Our grain-free model cuts down on carbs, making it an incredible selection for these following a low-carb or ketogenic food plan.
- Gluten-Free: Going grain-free means avoiding gluten, making these muffins appropriate for people with gluten sensitivities or celiac illness.
- Nutrient-Wealthy Substances: Our recipe options nutrient-dense components like seeds, nuts, zucchini, and coconut, offering important nutritional vitamins, minerals, and wholesome fat.
- Enhance digestive well being: Eliminating grains can scale back digestive discomfort and irritation for some individuals (hand raised!)
- Improve vitality ranges: A grain-free or paleo food plan might assist stabilize blood sugar ranges, resulting in sustained vitality all through the day.
- Assist weight administration: Reducing grain consumption typically correlates with higher weight management because of diminished carb consumption.
- Cut back irritation: Some discover that avoiding grains can alleviate continual irritation and associated well being points.
Now that you just’re inquisitive about giving grain-free baking a attempt, let’s dive into our Grain-Free Zucchini Muffin recipe.
What You Want for Grain-Free Zucchini Muffins
- eggs
- entire milk (or non-dairy milk)
- brown sugar (I used the pure sugar substitute Swerve to keep away from elevating blood sugar ranges)
- orange juice
- melted butter (or melted coconut oil for a dairy-free choice)
- vanilla extract
- kosher salt
- unsweetened shredded coconut
- sunflower seeds
- almond flour
- coconut flour
- baking powder
- zucchini
- walnuts
- darkish chocolate chunks (you should utilize Hu chocolate for a paleo-friendly choice)
How one can Make Grain-Free Zucchini Muffins
This can be a easy recipe that takes about 20 minutes start-to-finish. First, you’re going to mix collectively the moist components: eggs, milk, brown sugar or Swerve, orange juice, melted butter, and vanilla.
Then, you’re going to grind up your coconut and sunflower seeds in a blender or food-processor. These kind a nutrient-packed “flour” and likewise add actually scrumptious texture to those muffins.
Lastly, you add all of your dry components to the mixer, mix it up, after which stir within the grated zucchini, walnuts and chocolate. Spoon them into muffin cups, add your toppings, and bake!
Elective Substances Swaps
Be happy to customise this recipe to your preferences and dietary wants. Listed below are some optionally available ingredient swaps that work effectively on this recipe:
- Use your favourite nut milk instead of the entire milk for a dairy-free and paleo-friendly model.
- Substitute brown sugar with a pure sugar substitute like Swerve for a decrease sugar choice. That is what I do, and I swear my children don’t have any clue that these are freed from added sugars.
- Select your favourite nuts or seeds for added texture and taste. Attempt including toasted pecans as a substitute of walnuts, omit the chocolate for those who like, and you should utilize pumpkin seeds as a substitute of the sunflower seeds.
How one can Retailer and Freeze These Muffins
I make a batch of those on the weekend, after which pop within the freezer in order that they’re prepared for snacks and college lunches all week. To maintain your Grain-Free Zucchini Muffins contemporary and prepared for a fast meal, comply with these storage ideas:
- Retailer in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 4 days.
- When reheating, heat them within the oven or halve and toast earlier than serving for that good, crispy texture.
- For longer storage, freeze the muffins in an hermetic container for as much as 2-3 months. Thaw them within the fridge or reheat from frozen. Right here’s precisely learn how to freeze muffins for greatest outcomes.
My Grain-Free Zucchini Muffins are usually not solely scrumptious but additionally full of healthful vitamins for all-morning vitality that gained’t go away you crashing by 11am. Whether or not you’re following a paleo food plan or just on the lookout for a grain-free deal with, these muffins will fulfill. Learn on for the recipe…
Description
These wholesome grain-free zucchini muffins are a paleo-friendly breakfast, or a straightforward grab-and-go-snack.
- 2 eggs
- 1/4 cup entire milk (or your favourite non-dairy milk)
- 1/4 cup brown sugar (or pure sugar substitute like Swerve)
- 1/4 cup orange juice
- 1/4 cup melted butter (or melted coconut oil for paleo or dairy-free)
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
- 1 cup sunflower seeds (I exploit roasted and salted seeds)
- 1 cup almond flour
- 1/4 cup coconut flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 2 small zucchini, grated (about 3 cups)
- 1/3 cup toasted walnuts
- 1/3 cup darkish chocolate chunks (use a model like Hu for paleo)
- For garnish: coconut flakes, chopped uncooked walnuts, sunflower seeds
- Preheat oven to 350.
- Within the bowl of a stand mixer, beat collectively eggs, milk, brown sugar, orange juice, melted butter, and vanilla till totally mixed.
- In a high-speed blender (or meals processor), pulse the coconut and sunflower seeds till they’re a flour-like texture. You’ll comprehend it’s prepared when it begins to clump within the corners of the blender–don’t go previous this since you don’t need them to launch their oil.
- Add to the bottom coconut and seeds to the moist components. Add each flours and baking powder, then use a fork to calmly toss the dry components collectively.
- Flip the mixer on low velocity and beat simply till mixed, scraping down the bowl midway via. Add the zucchini, walnuts, and chocolate, and stir with a spatula till simply mixed.
- Spoon into muffin cups and prime with coconut flakes, walnuts, and seeds. Bake 35 minutes, till a toothpick inserted comes out clear. Take away from the oven and let sit within the muffin tin for about 5 minutes earlier than transferring to a cooling rack to chill fully.
- Retailer in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 4 days. Heat within the oven or halve and toast earlier than serving (ideally with just a little melted butter!)
Notes
The components on this recipe had been impressed by the one from Complete Meals Cooking Each Day, by Amy Chaplin. That is one in all my favourite sources for gluten-free and grain-free cooking.
- Prep Time: 20
- Prepare dinner Time: 30
- Class: breakfast
Key phrases: breakfast, grain-free breakfast concepts, grain-free zucchini muffins
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