My Friday night routine lately involves schoolwork and baking. Lately, the treat of choice is muffins, and these vegan zucchini date muffins are my current favorite.
These muffins are everything a muffin should be: sweet, moist, and totally snackworthy. Yet they’re also packed with some zucchini, which means that they don’t demand too much fat for moisture or a good crumb. They’re also studded with pieces of tender, sweet Medjool dates, which add a lot of natural sweetness and fiber to the dish. Cinnamon and ginger add flavor and an undeniably tempting aroma.
I like to a combination of all purpose and white whole wheat for this recipe, but an all purpose gluten free blend will also work well. If you don’t have dates at home, you can substitute raisins or chopped prunes, which will also add nutrition and fiber!
1 1/2cups (145 g) grated zucchini, pressed gently with paper towels or cloth to remove some moisture
2/3cup(105 g) pitted, chopped Medjool dates
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350F and lightly oil or line a muffin baking pan.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flours, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, and salt.
In another mixing bowl, whisk together the non-dairy milk and vinegar or lemon juice. Add the yogurt, oil, and sugar. Stir well to combine.
Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and fold together until they're almost mixed. Add the grated zucchini and chopped dates. Continue folding until the batter is evenly mixed. A few little lumps here and there are ok.
Use an ice cream scoop or a 1/3 cup measuring spoon to fill the muffin pan with the batter. Bake for 22-28 minutes, or until the tops of the muffins are round and firm to touch and they're just becoming golden brown. Allow the muffins to cool for about 10 minutes, then remove them from the baking pan and transfer them to a cooling wrack. Allow them to cool for an additional 10 minutes before enjoying.
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These muffins are especially fabulous with some Earth Balance or jam, but a touch of nut butter would be a good topper, too. With that said, the dates add so much flavor and sweetness that the muffins don’t need much dressing up. They’re really delicious as they are, either for part of breakfast or for a tasty afternoon snack. Hope you enjoy them!
On that note, a new week begins. Tune in tomorrow for a special NEDA week post!
Just made these today with some zucchini we got in our csa share this week & we all loved them! Our two-year old downed hers so quickly, I actually checked under the table to see if she had lost it ๐ Thanks so much!
Mine were sooo dry I had to add more milk! They’re baking now and seem kinda off. I know they won’t really rise much since there is no egg/flax egg but they’re very sponge-y. If they taste good, that’s all that matters! *fingers crossed*
I made these for the protestors staying overnight across from my office for Occupy Wall Street (occupywallst.org/)! Good nutrition to keep them going all day long.
I made these for a brunch yesterday because we have some vegan friends and wanted them to have more than fruit (also made vegan waffle mix). As it turned out my vegan friends couldn’t make the brunch but everyone was happy to goggle up the muffins. Only 1 was left.
These look so good, I’m making these very soon,I love dates I use them alot to sweeten things especially smoothies I love bitting down on the sweet bits of dates throughout my smoothies.Do I use the same amount of gluten free flour as the whole wheat?
These look amazing! I love baking with dates! I’m currently living in Melbourne and have yet to see sucanat anywhere! Organic coconut sugar is readily available, which is a good alternative so perhaps i’ll use that instead. Definitely making these babies soon! Thanks, Gena.
Mmm these look delicious! I’m sure M appreciates freshly baked goods after a long journey ๐ I have been craving muffins lately, and I just acquired a set of muffin tins. I will have to try these.
I used to love muffins, though truth be told I don’t remember the last time i ate one. I do however sneak vegetables into baked goods and raw desserts all the time. I love zucchini in particular for its mild taste.
Another girl here who loves to bake for her boyfriend, but I need a few healthier recipes so I can indulge too- these look like the ticket! I might try making them with date sugar. Hope you had a lovely weekend:)
I love a good muffin too. So does Chris. I bet he’d love these. I like the idea of dates instead of raisins in muffins. And cute thought of muffin munchin at midnight. ๐
I had to read the recipe about 4 times before seeing how much zucchini was needed. I’ll need to make a supply of these and keep them in my freezer for late night study sessions (like this one is shaping up to be).
Mmmm, these sound right up my alley– sweet, veggie packed, and whole- grain! I totally approve and love all the ingredients, too!
Could you sub spelt flour instead of WW?
Wow these look delicious. I think I’m going to have to finally buy a muffin tin.
Baking a bunch of muffins for the week is a really good idea, usually the only time I have a good breakfast for 4 or 5 days in a row is when I make quiche.
The muffins look fabulous! It’s ironic that you just linked your post to carrot raisin muffins. I just made No Bake Oatmeal Raisin Carrot Cake bites. I totally forgot about your carrot raisin bran muffins. I have to say, the zuke muffins are really stealing the show! They look wonderful…moist, delish, and flavorful.
Great job, Gena!
And it’s very cool that you and M have an every other weekend arrangement so that it’s equal on both of you for commuting to the other’s city and you rotate like that.
I hope you enjoy your Sunday night. And those muffins ๐
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These muffins taste delicious. I added chia seeds and replace the cane sugar with mapple syrup ๐
Just made these today with some zucchini we got in our csa share this week & we all loved them! Our two-year old downed hers so quickly, I actually checked under the table to see if she had lost it ๐ Thanks so much!
Mine were sooo dry I had to add more milk! They’re baking now and seem kinda off. I know they won’t really rise much since there is no egg/flax egg but they’re very sponge-y. If they taste good, that’s all that matters! *fingers crossed*
I made these for the protestors staying overnight across from my office for Occupy Wall Street (occupywallst.org/)! Good nutrition to keep them going all day long.
http://mamaloveshomemadefood.blogspot.com/2011/09/vegan-zucchini-prune-muffins.html
I made these for a brunch yesterday because we have some vegan friends and wanted them to have more than fruit (also made vegan waffle mix). As it turned out my vegan friends couldn’t make the brunch but everyone was happy to goggle up the muffins. Only 1 was left.
very nice, looks delicious. I will try this weekend!
http://www.fourgreensteps.com/community/recipes/dessertsagoodies/sweet-zucchini-cupcakes
I just made these muffins they are amazing! Thanks for sharing the recipe.
These look so good, I’m making these very soon,I love dates I use them alot to sweeten things especially smoothies I love bitting down on the sweet bits of dates throughout my smoothies.Do I use the same amount of gluten free flour as the whole wheat?
These look and sound delicious. They look very moist! And you get your veggies in. I love these. ๐
Wow Gena these look wonderful! Thank you for the inspiration. I’ll be making these for sure!!
What a sweet tradition! I’ll file this away for zucchini season this summer when folks are giving away bags of summer squashes.
PS – if you call them cupcakes, there is a much bigger chance your kids will eat them. It’s all in the marketing!
These are seriously healthy muffins, unlike the huge muffin shaped pieces of cake all over town. I need to make them soon.
These look amazing! I love baking with dates! I’m currently living in Melbourne and have yet to see sucanat anywhere! Organic coconut sugar is readily available, which is a good alternative so perhaps i’ll use that instead. Definitely making these babies soon! Thanks, Gena.
What a wonderful tradition and these muffins look wonderful, I’m curious to try them the unique list of ingredients! Thanks!
What a great (and intriguing)muffin idea! I’ll add those to my “to make” list. Wonderful!
Mmm these look delicious! I’m sure M appreciates freshly baked goods after a long journey ๐ I have been craving muffins lately, and I just acquired a set of muffin tins. I will have to try these.
What a fun tradition! M sure is a lucky guy! ๐
That is a tradition I can definitely get behind! ๐
If the dates add sweetness can the sugar be omitted completely? I have never cooked with dates and am not sure how sweet they really are.
This looks like a good answer to the zucchini in my produce bin and slightly old store of dates! Thanks!
LOVE that baking tradition! It’s all about balance and what a great way to unwind. ๐ These muffins sound so great; can’t wait to try.
Ahh holy yum! These sound amazing. Too bad I don’t have any zucchini on hand. ๐
I really enjoyed this – thanks for all the inspiration.
I used to love muffins, though truth be told I don’t remember the last time i ate one. I do however sneak vegetables into baked goods and raw desserts all the time. I love zucchini in particular for its mild taste.
Another girl here who loves to bake for her boyfriend, but I need a few healthier recipes so I can indulge too- these look like the ticket! I might try making them with date sugar. Hope you had a lovely weekend:)
aw what a nice little tradition :). I love to bake for my boyfriend as well!
These sound wonderful…look great too of course. My boyfriend is definitely a fellow muffin lover so I can’t wait to make these for both of us!
I love a good muffin too. So does Chris. I bet he’d love these. I like the idea of dates instead of raisins in muffins. And cute thought of muffin munchin at midnight. ๐
I had to read the recipe about 4 times before seeing how much zucchini was needed. I’ll need to make a supply of these and keep them in my freezer for late night study sessions (like this one is shaping up to be).
Yum! These sound sooo good and I love that they can easily be GF!
Btw I made my first collard wrap today and your tutorial was superb ๐
wow looks super satisfying and tasty!!!!
Mmmm, these sound right up my alley– sweet, veggie packed, and whole- grain! I totally approve and love all the ingredients, too!
Could you sub spelt flour instead of WW?
SWOOSH! (That was the sound of me high-fiving the air in lieu of you.) Brilliant! I adore dates and spices and muffins. Gotsta make me this soon!
Wow these look delicious. I think I’m going to have to finally buy a muffin tin.
Baking a bunch of muffins for the week is a really good idea, usually the only time I have a good breakfast for 4 or 5 days in a row is when I make quiche.
I love zucchini muffins- the addition of chopped dates is interesting.
The muffins look fabulous! It’s ironic that you just linked your post to carrot raisin muffins. I just made No Bake Oatmeal Raisin Carrot Cake bites. I totally forgot about your carrot raisin bran muffins. I have to say, the zuke muffins are really stealing the show! They look wonderful…moist, delish, and flavorful.
Great job, Gena!
And it’s very cool that you and M have an every other weekend arrangement so that it’s equal on both of you for commuting to the other’s city and you rotate like that.
I hope you enjoy your Sunday night. And those muffins ๐
Love your tradition ๐ Never had dates in zucchini bread or muffins before – sounds delicious!