Recipes to Make with Kids: Chocolate Chip Muffins
- Jessica Hamby
- Jul 30, 2025
- 2 min read
Updated: Oct 26, 2025
Who doesn't love the taste of chocolate chip muffins? These treats with their sweet, chocolaty goodness are a favorite for both kids and adults alike. However, for health-conscious parents, these muffins often feel like an indulgence.
Fear not! There's a way to enjoy these delicious muffins and make them healthier without compromising taste.
Nutritional Boost
Adding bananas and zucchini to chocolate chip muffins is a smart way to boost nutrition without sacrificing flavor. Bananas add natural sweetness, allowing you to reduce added sugars while contributing to the moist texture of the muffins. Meanwhile, zucchini - a vegetable rich in essential nutrients like vitamin A, C, potassium, and fiber - blends into the batter, enhancing the nutritional profile without compromising taste.
Homemade vs. Store-bought
When it comes to choosing between homemade and store-bought muffins, there's a clear winner for health-conscious families. Store-bought options often contain preservatives, artificial flavors, and excessive sugars. In contrast, making muffins at home allows you to control the ingredients, ensuring a healthier treat for your kids.
Action Shots
Kids can help! Take a look at these photos of kids working on the recipe at our baking camp in Auburn. Little ones were able to measure brown sugar, mash bananas, crack eggs, and more!
Share Your Experience
We hope you and your kids enjoy baking and eating these yummy muffins! We'd love to hear about your experience with the recipe. Feel free to share your thoughts and any creative twists you tried in the comments below.
For more baking inspiration, check out Recipes to Make with Kids on our blog, or consider signing your child up for a baking class in your area. Don't forget to follow us on Instagram @ittybittybakers and tag us in your photos!
Happy baking!
1
Searing the Beef
Sear beef fillets on high heat for 2 minutes per side to form a golden crust. Let the meat cool before proceeding to maintain tenderness.
2
Mushroom Duxelles
Cook the mushrooms until all moisture evaporates to prevent a soggy pastry. Aim for a thick, paste-like consistency.
3
Puff Pastry Handling
Keep the puff pastry cold to maintain flakiness. If it becomes too soft, chill it and score the top lightly without cutting through.
Notes
1
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare two muffin tins by lining them with muffin liners or spraying with cooking spray.
2
In a large mixing bowl, combine the melted butter, mashed bananas, dark brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract. Stir until well combined.
3
Add the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt to the bowl. Stir until well combined.
4
Fold the grated zucchini and chocolate chips into the batter.
5
Scoop the batter into the muffin pans. If desired, sprinkle additional chocolate chips on top.
6
Bake the muffins for 18 to 22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Let the muffins cool before removing them from the tin. Enjoy!
Instructions
8 TBSP butter (melted and cooled)
1 ½ cups mashed ripe bananas (around 3 to 4 bananas)
1 heaping cup grated zucchini (be sure to remove excess water)
1 cup dark brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 ¾ cups all-purpose or gluten-free flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon salt
½ cup chocolate chip morsels (plus extra for topping)
Ingredients
Healthy Chocolate Chip Muffins
Itty Bitty Bakers
Jessica Hamby
Enjoy these delicious muffins with a healthy twist by incorporating bananas and zucchini into the mix.
Servings :
12
Calories:
Prep Time
20 min
Cook Time
20 min
Rest Time
15 min
Total Time
55 min
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