Mini carrot zucchini muffins are made without sugar or dairy and are gluten free! These are perfect little muffins for putting in lunchboxes when the children get Back to School!
We start back to school in one week!! I don't know about you but I'm ready to get back into a better routine as far as having the kids go to bed at a reasonable time. I'm not looking forward to all the work required as I am a home school momma, but I do like a more consistent schedule by the time the last week of summer gets here. Even though we home school we are a very much on- the- go type family. We often have two days filled with activities and at our local co op, which of course requires a packed lunch.
I always try to get creative with getting in some veggies in some way in their lunch and these mini muffins are just the thing. My teen is a hater of carrots and zucchini for that matter, yet when I add those veggies into a small bite, it wins him over every time. He would never eat raw carrots with ranch or cooked zucchini on it's own with dinner, yet in these muffins he at least is getting in some, which in my opinion is better than none.
Making just 12 mini muffins would be enough for my 3 kids to have two packed into their lunch container for 2 days in a row. If they saw them any longer than that in their lunch, they would complain as they like variety as I do. Feel free to double the recipe and even freeze them then thaw the night before for busy school mornings or a snack after school as well.
Funny story here though is these were not originally made for my kids! I made them for some girlfriends coming over one night for a party. I had made them that afternoon and my kids saw them on the counter. They each wanted to try one and then another and I actually had to stop them from eating my entire batch before my girlfriends arrived! Shocked I was because I wasn't expecting them to even try them, knowing full well carrots and zucchini were in them. And now they always ask when I will be making these again, so that to me is a super win!
My girlfriends and I all love little mini finger type foods when we get together so I knew this would be a winner. Some mentioned they even tasted a bit like a spice muffins and they loved the texture.
Whether or not you have children needing something healthy packed in their lunch or you, yourself, are looking for an easy grab and go breakfast, these will work for either and just might surprise even the pickiest hater of carrots and zucchini!
Brenda's Notes:
- If you don't use erythritol you can certainly change it honey or maple syrup. You could also substitute 2 tablespoons of powdered stevia if you prefer.
- You could sub the olive oil for coconut oil or butter if you prefer.
- You could double this recipe and make 24 mini muffins or 6 -8 regular sized muffins.
- I used Bobs' Red Mill 1 to 1 gluten free flour which contains xanthan gum. You could use another but if it doesn't contain xanthan I would suggest adding ¼ teaspoon.
Sugar Free & Dairy Free Mini Carrot Zucchini Muffins
Ingredients
- ½ cup plus 2 tablespoons gluten free flour I used Bob's Red Mill
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup erythritol
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened applesauce
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 egg room temperature
- ½ teaspoon vanilla liquid stevia
- ¼ cup grated carrot
- ¼ cup grated zucchini
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line 12 mini muffin cups with silicone or paper liners.
- In a bowl, whisk the first 6 ingredients together.
- In a separate bowl, whisk the applesauce, oil, egg and liquid stevia.
- Add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients and stir until just combined.
- Mix in the carrot and zucchini.
- Fill the muffin cups with batter and bake 15 minutes until light golden brown.
- Cool 5 minutes in pan then transfer to a wire rack to finish cooling completely.
Notes
Nutrition
About Brenda
Brenda Bennett is a certified Nutritional Therapy Practitioner, certified Sugar Detox Coach, certified Keto Coach and certified Life Coach. She has been Sugar Free & Refined carb free for 17 years and has written 2 cookbooks, Sugar-Free Mom, and Naturally Keto and her 3rd book The 30-Day Sugar Elimination Diet, is a four part program to help you detox from sugar, eliminate cravings, balance blood sugar and lose weight all while eating a delicious, nutrient dense whole foods. Meal plan offers two tracks to follow, low carb or keto. She is the founder of the Sugar Free Fresh Start course and Sugar Free Tribe weight loss membership. Learn more.
Emily
If I substitute honey for the erythritol, should I still use 1/4 cup? Thank you!
Brenda
Yes that would work.
Melissa from HungryFoodLove.com
i've had zucchini bread but I can totally see how great they will be in muffin tins too 🙂
Nutmeg Nanny
What a delicious looking muffin!
valmg @ From Val's Kitchen
My hubby enjoys zucchini. I think he'd enjoy these to bring to work.
Connie | URBAN BAKES
This looks tasty! Making me want to go get some zucchinis and start baking!
Elizabeth
You perfectly hide portion of vegetables from children who don't want to eat them. It's extremly important for every mum who wants to nourish their kids healthy but still give them some sweet desserts. What do you think about adding some walnuts to muffins? I'm trying to give my child every day some portion of omega 3 and walnuts hidden in muffin seems to be great option. I check them on http://happyforks.com/nuts/walnuts/3870, portion of 50g gives 327 kcal it's a lot but I think it's worth it. What is your opinion Brenda?
Brenda
I love the idea of adding walnuts but unfortunately my youngest has a tree nut and peanut allergy which prevents me from doing so.
Angie
I love that these are sugar and dairy free! And all those healthy veggies, yum!
Sarah Walker Caron (Sarah's Cucina Bella)
Hard to believe it's almost time for school! These sound like a good breakfast option for those busy school mornings.
christine
I was going to say my kids would love these, but I think I would not want to share them w/ the kids 🙂
Angela {Mind Over Batter}
Soo cute!! So ... Since these are sugar free, dairy free, and mini - This means they're calorie free and I can eat a whole batch, right?
claire @ the realistic nutritionist
Oh i love zucchini muffins!!
Ashley @ Wishes and Dishes
These are so cute!! Love small versions of food 😉
Mildred Matthews
The recipe looks great. However, what can I use instead of Applesauce? I am on an acid free diet.
I look forward to receiving all your recipes as I have never used sugar for the last forty years!
Keep up the good work.
Mildred
Brenda
Maybe you could sub pumpkin or pear? Thanks!
Lauren Kelly Nutrition
I have so much zucchini and I can't wait to make these! I love anything mini 🙂
Amanda @The Kitcheneer
These are adorable!!! I am in love! I am so packing these in our "big kid" lunches aka my husband and I lol
Brenda
Hahaha thanks Amanda!
Rebecca {foodie with family}
Mmmmm. I love muffins to start the day. I like the carrot zucchini combo here!
Brenda
I was so surprised the kids liked it too!
Kim (Feed Me, Seymour)
Totally making these for back to school!
Brenda
Hope you all like them!