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Air Fryer Zucchini Muffins

Author: Laurie Fleming
Published: February 3, 2021

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Air Fryer Zucchini Muffins—Summer is in full swing, which means zucchini season is, too! These Zucchini Muffins are a great way to use up all that zucchini. They are delicious, healthy, and easy to make. You will love them!

Air-fryer zucchini Muffins are a fantastic treat at any time of day. Filled with shredded zucchini and shredded cheddar cheese, they make a great start to any morning!

I love a great muffin recipe. I am a massive fan of anything I can bake (air fry) to start the morning easier. And if you haven’t made air fryer muffins yet, they are genuinely amazing, light, and fluffy.

If you are looking for easy Air Fryer Breakfast Recipes, a few of my favorites are Air Fryer Copycat Sausage & Egg Bite Cups, Air Fryer French Toast, and Air Fryer Pancakes, and my favorite Air Fryer Chocolate Chip Scones.

Easy Air Fryer Zucchini Muffin Recipe

Enjoy a delightful and healthier treat with this Easy Air Fryer Zucchini Muffin Recipe! Bursting with freshly grated zucchini, warm spices, and a tender crumb, these muffins are perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a satisfying snack. The air fryer ensures that these muffins come out perfectly cooked with a golden-brown crust in a fraction of the time it takes to bake them in the oven. With simple ingredients and minimal prep, you’ll have delicious homemade muffins ready to enjoy in no time. Get ready to impress your family and friends with these moist and flavorful zucchini muffins made effortlessly in the air fryer!

If you have extra zucchini, make air-fried zucchini fries, healthy muffin recipes, or air-fried zucchini bread.

Why You Will Love This Recipe!

Healthier Option: You’ll love this Air Fryer Zucchini Muffins recipe because it offers a healthier alternative to traditional muffins. Packed with nutritious zucchini and minimal oil, these muffins are a guilt-free treat you can enjoy anytime.
Quick and Convenient: With the air fryer, these zucchini muffins come together in a fraction of the time it takes to bake them in the oven. You can have freshly baked muffins ready to enjoy in minutes, making this recipe perfect for busy mornings or spontaneous cravings.
Versatile and Customizable: This recipe is incredibly versatile, allowing you to customize the muffins to suit your taste preferences. Whether you prefer them sweet or savory, you can easily adjust the spices, add-ins, and sweetness levels to create your perfect batch of muffins.
Moist and Tender Texture: Thanks to adding grated fresh zucchini, these muffins boast a moist and tender texture that’s simply irresistible. Each bite bursts with flavor and freshness, making these muffins stand out for breakfast or snacking.

Ingredients Needed For Air Fryer Zucchini Muffins

Here are the simple ingredients you will need for air fryer zucchini muffins.

Remember the step-by-step directions and detailed ingredient list are below, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post, as well as the nutritional information.

Zucchini: Grated zucchini adds moisture and a subtle flavor to the muffins while sneaking in extra veggies for a healthier treat.
Flour: All-purpose flour forms the base of the muffin batter, providing structure and a tender crumb when combined with the other ingredients.
Eggs: Eggs act as a binding agent, helping to hold the muffins together and giving them a light and fluffy texture when baked.
Sugar: Granulated sugar, or coconut sugar, sweetens the muffins, balancing out the flavors and adding a touch of sweetness to each bite.
Oil: Vegetable oil, olive oil, or melted butter adds moisture to the muffins, keeping them soft and tender even after air frying.
Baking Powder: Baking powder helps the muffins rise and become light and airy during baking, resulting in a perfectly domed muffin top.
Cinnamon: Ground cinnamon adds warmth and a hint of spice to the muffins, complementing the sweet flavor of the zucchini.
Salt: A pinch of salt enhances the muffins’ flavors and balances the sugar’s sweetness.

How To Make Zucchini Muffins In Air Fryer

To make Zucchini Muffins in the air fryer, follow these simple steps:

Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees F (180°C) for a few minutes while you prepare the muffin batter.
Prepare the Batter: In a large mixing bowl, combine the grated zucchini, flour, eggs, sugar, oil or melted butter, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Mix until well combined and the batter is smooth.

Fill Muffin Cups: Line the muffin cups of your air fryer basket with paper liners or silicone liners. Fill each muffin cup about two-thirds full with the batter; use a large spoon or ice cream scoop.
Bake in Air Fryer: Place the filled muffin cups in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook them in batches. Air fry at 350°F (180°C) for 12-15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean.
Cool and Serve: Once the muffins are golden brown, carefully remove them from the air fryer basket and transfer them to a wire rack to cool. Allow them to cool for a few minutes before serving.
Enjoy: Serve the zucchini muffins warm or at room temperature. They are delicious alone or with butter, maple syrup, or cream cheese spread. Enjoy for breakfast, brunch, or as a satisfying snack!

Recipe Variations

Chocolate Chip Zucchini Muffins: Add 1/2 cup of dark chocolate chips, or rich cocoa powder, to the batter for a delightful chocolatey twist—the sweetness of the chocolate pairs perfectly with the moist zucchini.
Lemon Zucchini Muffins: To give the batter a burst of citrus flavor, add the zest of one lemon. Add a tablespoon of lemon juice for an extra tangy kick.
Nutty Zucchini Muffins: Stir 1/2 cup of chopped nuts, such as walnuts or pecans, into the batter for added crunch and nutty flavor. Toast the nuts beforehand for an even richer taste.
Spiced Zucchini Muffins: Increase the amount of cinnamon and add a pinch of nutmeg, ginger, and cloves to the batter for a warm and comforting flavor profile reminiscent of fall spices.
Whole Wheat Zucchini Muffins: Substitute half or all of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for a healthier alternative. This adds a nutty flavor and extra fiber to the muffins.
Gluten-Free Zucchini Muffins: For those with gluten sensitivities or dietary preferences, use gluten-free all-purpose flour instead of regular flour or whole-wheat flour. Ensure that all other ingredients are gluten-free as well.
Dairy-Free Zucchini Muffins: Replace the butter with a dairy-free alternative such as coconut or vegetable oil. Use dairy-free milk (such as almond milk) instead of regular milk.
Savory Zucchini Muffins: For a delicious twist on traditional zucchini muffins, omit the sugar and cinnamon and add savory ingredients like shredded parmesan cheese, diced bell peppers, and chopped herbs such as parsley or chives.

Pro Tips

Here are some pro tips to ensure your Air Fryer Zucchini Muffins turn out perfectly:

Squeeze Out Excess Moisture: After grating the zucchini with a box grater, use a clean kitchen towel or paper towel to squeeze out excess moisture. This helps prevent the muffins from becoming too wet and ensures a tender texture.
Use Parchment Liners: Line the muffin cups with parchment paper or silicone liners to prevent the muffins from sticking to the air fryer basket. This also makes cleanup easier.
Don’t overmix the batter: Mix it until it is combined. Overmixing can lead to dense and tough muffins. It’s okay if there are a few lumps in the batter.
Fill Muffin Cups Properly: Fill the muffin cups about two-thirds with the batter. Avoid overfilling, as the muffins will rise during baking and may spill over the edges.
Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat the air fryer before adding the muffin batter. This helps ensure even cooking and prevents the muffins from becoming soggy on the bottom.
Avoid Overcrowding: If your air fryer has limited space, cook the muffins in batches to avoid overcrowding. This allows for proper air circulation and ensures that the muffins cook evenly.
Check for Doneness: Use a toothpick or cake tester to check for doneness. Insert it into the center of a muffin—if it comes out clean or with a few crumbs clinging to it, the muffins are done.
Cool Completely Before Storing: Allow the muffins to cool completely on a wire rack before storing them. Storing warm muffins can create condensation, making them soggy.

Faq’s

Can I use frozen grated zucchini for the muffins? While fresh grated zucchini is preferred for optimal texture and flavor, you can use thawed frozen grated zucchini if that’s what you have. Just squeeze out any excess moisture before adding it to the batter.

How do I store leftover zucchini muffins? Store leftover zucchini muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. You can also freeze them for longer storage—wrap them individually in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before enjoying.

Can I make these muffins vegan? You can make vegan zucchini muffins by replacing the eggs with a flax egg or a commercial egg replacer and using plant-based milk such as almond or soy milk. You can also use a vegan butter substitute or coconut oil instead of regular butter.

Can I add other mix-ins to the muffins? Absolutely! Get creative with your mix-ins and add-ins. Add chocolate chips, chopped nuts, dried fruit, or shredded coconut for extra flavor and texture. Just be mindful of the total mix-ins to avoid overcrowding the muffins.

Can I make mini muffins instead of regular-sized muffins? Yes, you can make mini zucchini muffins by adjusting the baking time. Bake mini muffins at the same temperature as regular-sized muffins, but reduce the baking time by about half. Keep an eye on them and check for doneness with a toothpick.

Can I use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour? Yes, you can substitute whole wheat flour for all-purpose flour in this recipe. Remember that whole wheat flour may produce a slightly denser texture, so you may need to adjust the amount of liquid in the batter accordingly.

Can I make these muffins in a traditional oven instead of an air fryer? Yes, you can bake these zucchini muffins in a conventional oven. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C) and bake for 18-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean.

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