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Home » Recipes » Breads

Zucchini Apple Spice Muffins {GF, Paleo, Low Cal}

Published: Nov 7, 2020 · Modified: Jun 8, 2023 by Megan

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Healthy Zucchini Apple Spice Muffins are a low calorie muffin recipe made flourless with more protein and lower carbs. An easy snack recipe with warm spices! Low Calorie + Paleo + Gluten Free

Healthy Zucchini Apple Spice Muffins are a low calorie muffin recipe made flourless with more protein and lower carbs. An easy snack recipe with warm spices! Low Calorie + Paleo + Gluten Free

This is an old recipe from December 2014. Wow! That's about the time I started this website so this is one of the very first recipes that started this place, and it holds a dear place in my heart!

I love a good healthy muffin recipe, but this one just has so much warmth and coziness to it. It tastes like all the flavors of winter wrapped in a muffin!

It's a better for you muffin that's made flourless, gluten free, dairy free, low sugar and higher in protein and fiber.

Healthy Zucchini Apple Spice Muffins are a low calorie muffin recipe made flourless with more protein and lower carbs. An easy snack recipe with warm spices! Low Calorie + Paleo + Gluten Free

What Makes These Zucchini Apple Muffins Healthier

What makes this particular muffin recipe healthy? Here's a few reasons why these are a better for you snack...

  • Fewer Calories - Most muffin recipes are 250 and up in calories. This muffin recipe is only 158 calories which is considered low calorie. Now, calories are definitely not everything. What makes up the calories is always what matters most the number!
  • Higher Protein - This recipe uses egg whites to increase the protein of the muffins. Any time you have a sweet treat, it's important to balance it with protein to prevent cravings and overeating.
  • Higher Fiber - Fiber is key to weight loss, hormone balance and keeping hunger and fullness in check. This recipe has 3 grams per muffin while most muffin recipes are very low.
  • Less Fat - This recipe only has 1 gram of saturated fat. The rest of the fat is good for you fat and the fat is replacing flour in this recipe.
  • Low Sugar - This healthy muffin recipe uses 1/4 cup of maple syrup for the entire recipe. That's very low sugar when spread across 12 muffins!
Healthy Zucchini Apple Spice Muffins are a low calorie muffin recipe made flourless with more protein and lower carbs. An easy snack recipe with warm spices! Low Calorie + Paleo + Gluten Free

Ingredients For Low Calorie Zucchini Apple Muffins

  • Almond Butter, creamy with no sugar added
  • Egg Whites
  • Zucchini
  • Apple
  • Maple Syrup
  • Vanilla Extract
  • Baking Powder
  • Cinnamon
  • Nutmeg
  • Ginger
  • Cloves
  • Allspice
Healthy Zucchini Apple Spice Muffins are a low calorie muffin recipe made flourless with more protein and lower carbs. An easy snack recipe with warm spices! Low Calorie + Paleo + Gluten Free

How To Make Healthy Zucchini Apple Muffins

The first step is shredding the zucchini and apple. I recommend keeping the skin on both as this increases the fiber content. You can easily shred them by chopping them roughly and adding to a food processor or blender and pulsing them several times. By the way, this is one of my favorite tricks for dicing vegetables for meals to make it easier.

There should not be a ton of moisture from the zucchini and apple after you shred it. If there is, you may want to place it in a dishtowel and gently squeeze a bit out. I did not find that I needed to do this.

Once the zucchini and apple are shredded, whisk together the egg whites in a large mixing bowl then add the remaining ingredients and mix together.

Transfer the batter to the prepared muffin tin and fill each cavity 3/4 of the way full. Bake 18-20 minutes then remove from the oven and let the muffins hang out in the muffin tin a few minutes before removing and enjoying!

Healthy Zucchini Apple Spice Muffins are a low calorie muffin recipe made flourless with more protein and lower carbs. An easy snack recipe with warm spices! Low Calorie + Paleo + Gluten Free

Can This Healthy Zucchini Apple Muffin Recipe Be Made Into Bread?

For the most part in baking, you can make muffins into breads and breads into muffins. I have not tried it myself with this particular recipe. If you do try it, I recommend baking 45-50 minutes at the same temperature then checking by inserting a toothpick in the center of the bread to see if it comes out clean to determine whether or not it is done baking.

Substitutions For Zucchini Apple Muffins

Here are substitutions you can make for your gluten free zucchini apple spice muffins. If you do make a substitution, please note that it can change the nutritional values of the recipe.

  • Almond Butter - Any nut butter (peanut, cashew etc.) can be substituted as well as sunflower butter. If you use sunflower butter, it may turn the muffins a funky color though due to the baking powder.
  • Egg Whites - one whole egg can be substituted for the two egg whites; however, this will increase the calories and reduce the protein.
  • Egg Free - You can substitute the eggs with two flax eggs. To make two flax eggs, you combine 4 tablespoons of flax meal with 2 tablespoons of water and let it sit in a bowl until it thickens. Bob's Red Mill also has an egg replacer which I have not tried with this recipe.
  • Spices - Any of the spices can be omitted or substituted in the recipe. The two that are most important are the cinnamon and nutmeg. The others will lift the flavor of the muffins, but are certainly not required.
  • Apple - A pear can be substituted for the apple. Applesauce cannot be used instead of the apple.
  • Zucchini - Summer squash or delicata squash can be substituted.
  • Maple Syrup - You can substitute honey for the maple syrup one-for-one. The amount of maple syrup in the recipe is very small - only 1/4 cup for the entire batch of 12 muffins. I have not tried using a zero calorie sweetener, but if I were to try it would be monk fruit or stevia.
Healthy Zucchini Apple Spice Muffins are a low calorie muffin recipe made flourless with more protein and lower carbs. An easy snack recipe with warm spices! Low Calorie + Paleo + Gluten Free
Healthy Zucchini Apple Spice Muffins are a low calorie muffin recipe made flourless with more protein and lower carbs. An easy snack recipe with warm spices! Low Calorie + Paleo + Gluten Free

Healthy Zucchini Apple Spice Muffins

Megan Olson
Healthy Zucchini Apple Spice Muffins are a low calorie muffin recipe made flourless with more protein and lower carbs. An easy snack recipe with warm spices! Low Calorie + Paleo + Gluten Free
5 from 2 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 20 minutes mins
Cool Time 10 minutes mins
Total Time 40 minutes mins
Course Breakfast, Snack
Cuisine American
Servings 12 muffins
Calories 158 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup zucchini shredded
  • 3/4 cup apple shredded
  • 1 cup almond butter creamy, no sugar added, or nut butter or choice
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup
  • 2 egg whites
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 2 teaspoons cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon allspice
  • 1/4 teaspoon ginger
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350 F. Prepare a muffin tin with muffin liners or spray with cooking spray.
  • Shred the zucchini and apple (with skin on) in a food processor or blender by pulsing several times.
  • Add the egg whites to a large mixing bowl and whisk. Add the remaining ingredients including the shredded zucchini and apple. Mix together. Ensure the almond butter is fully mixed before adding it - the oil separates in jar. Mix this together before measuring and adding to the mixing bowl.
  • Fill 12 muffin cavities 3/4 of the way full.
  • Bake 18-20 minutes or until the a toothpick can be inserted clean in the center.
  • Remove from the oven and cool in the muffin tin before removing.
  • Store the healthy zucchini apple muffins in the refrigerator up to 7 days or in the freezer up to 60 days.

Notes

  • My Amazon shop has more products similar to those used for this recipe and that I recommend to my weight loss clients.
  • If you enjoy this recipe, check out my cookbook for more delicious recipes!

Nutrition

Serving: 1muffinCalories: 158kcalCarbohydrates: 10gProtein: 5gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 12mgPotassium: 235mgFiber: 3gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 25IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 95mgIron: 1mg
Tried this Recipe? Let me know!Let us know how it was!

About Megan

Megan is a certified nutrition practitioner, author, freelance food photographer and fitness instructor living in Phoenix, Arizona. On her blog, Skinny Fitalicious she shares EASY, gluten free recipes for weight loss. Follow Megan on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram for the latest updates.

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    5 from 2 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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  1. Malia @ Small Town Girl says

    January 04, 2015 at 12:06 pm

    I'm always looking for a new way to utilize my over grown abundance of zucchini in the summer! Pinned 🙂

    Reply
    • Megan says

      January 04, 2015 at 3:13 pm

      I wish I had that problem. I need a garden with all the zucchini I use. Hope you like the recipe!

      Reply
  2. Miz Helen says

    January 03, 2015 at 2:31 pm

    Megan,
    These Zucchini Apple Spice Muffins look fantastic! Thanks so much for starting your 2015 with Full Plate Thursday and have a great week!
    Happy New Year!
    Miz Helen

    Reply
  3. jill conyers says

    December 30, 2014 at 6:53 am

    Now I'm craving a muffin and apple spice sounds perfect. Pinning for menu planning!

    Reply
    • Megan says

      December 30, 2014 at 2:11 pm

      Enjoy Jill!

      Reply
  4. Tina Muir says

    December 30, 2014 at 4:25 am

    Ooooh love that they are spiced, yum! I love your plan for New years day, that is a good idea! I didnt realize that was a big sales day! Good to know! Thanks for all your recipes in 2014, I can't wait to see what you bring us in 2015!

    Reply
    • Megan says

      December 30, 2014 at 2:10 pm

      Thanks, Tina! I can't wait to see what I come up with either. I have my injuries to thank for expanding my cooking horizon.

      Reply
  5. Chris says

    December 29, 2014 at 12:48 pm

    I used to work at Dillard's. In fact, I was an associate in the women's shoes department. When we had sales... dear lord it was INSANE! Sales definitely bring out the... worst in people. Fights, oh yes. Everything you could imagine and then some. Good luck with your bargain hunting! Behave yourself!

    Reply
    • Megan says

      December 29, 2014 at 7:24 pm

      Haha...I mostly go to watch the chaos & see what outrageous things my Mom finds! I can't believe you survived shoes. That dept is always a disaster during sales. You must have thick skin!

      Reply
  6. Ashley @ A Lady Goes West says

    December 29, 2014 at 10:44 am

    Hi Megan, Because I lived in Florida all the way until a couple of years ago, I know Dillards very well. In fact, Dillards is my favorite store --- I miss it so. They have the BEST sales after Christmas, so I hope you find some good stuff. And I'm in major need of some food photo flare as well, but this little city apartment of mine in San Francisco just doesn't give me enough room to buy even one more thing to store! Happy Monday!

    Reply
    • Megan says

      December 29, 2014 at 7:27 pm

      I used to have a much smaller house. I'm sure no where near SF small! Since I bought my new house that's much bigger, I have almost too much space to collect things. It's a trade off!

      Reply
  7. Katie @ Daily Cup of Kate says

    December 29, 2014 at 8:24 am

    I was just looking for a muffin recipe yesterday but couldn't find any I wanted to make AND one that I had all of the ingredients for already. I have everything for this recipe- I cant wait to make them!

    Reply
    • Megan says

      December 29, 2014 at 9:13 am

      That's perfect. Hope you love them Kate!

      Reply
  8. Renee @ Bendiful Blog says

    December 29, 2014 at 8:07 am

    I just got an apple slicer for Christmas this would be a great way to break it in! Yummm!

    Reply
    • Megan says

      December 29, 2014 at 9:35 am

      You're gonna love the apple slicer. Huge time saver. Hope you like the muffins!

      Reply
  9. Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner says

    December 29, 2014 at 7:23 am

    Those look great and no added sugar either! Thanks for linking up with us again today. Can't wait to see what you come up with in 2015

    Reply
    • Megan says

      December 29, 2014 at 9:31 am

      Thanks to you & Tina for starting meatless Monday! Happy New Year!

      Reply
  10. Michele @ paleorunningmomma says

    December 29, 2014 at 6:40 am

    These look so good. I haven't baked with zucchini much but this is making me want to for sure 🙂

    Reply
    • Megan says

      December 29, 2014 at 9:32 am

      Zucchini is one of my favorite things to bake with. Gotta sneak in the veggies where you can. Hope you get a chance to try them!

      Reply
  11. Jessie says

    December 29, 2014 at 4:46 am

    I wouldn't mind if these were the muffins you sent me. Hahha jk 🙂 How about that Packers game last night?! Such a dirty play from Suh, right?!

    Reply
    • Megan says

      December 29, 2014 at 9:34 am

      I didn't get to see the game because they played ATL & North Carolina instead of the Packers here. Can you believe that? Packers were the game of the week. So frustrating!!! But I am glad they won. If they go to the Super Bowl, I may get to go & it's in Phoenix this year. The stadium is 3 blocks from my house. 🙂

      Reply

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Megan is a nutritionist, author of the Low Calorie Cookbook and podcast host of the Dish On Ditching Diets. Megan helps women over 35 stop dieting, heal their relationship with food and lose weight sustainably. Megan lost 80 pounds herself. Here you get healthy, lower calorie recipes!

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