Monster Muffins with Hidden Veggie Power

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Fun, veggie-packed muffins with chocolate chip 'monster eyes' and a naturally sweet carrot-zucchini base that kids devour. This kid friendly-inspired kid friendly ready in about 40 minutes pairs all-purpose flour, teaspoon baking powder, teaspoon baking soda for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 150 calories and feeds 12, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

★ 3.5 (15 ratings) Prep: 20 min Cook: 20 min Serves 12 Kid Friendly cuisine 150 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a muffin tin with paper liners.
  2. Step 2: Whisk 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a large bowl.
  3. Step 3: Stir 1/2 cup grated carrots, 1/2 cup grated zucchini, 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce, 1/4 cup honey, 2 large eggs, and 1/2 cup milk into the dry ingredients until just combined, then fold in 1/4 cup chocolate chips.
  4. Step 4: Divide batter evenly into 12 muffin cups, pressing 2-3 chocolate chips into the top of each to form 'monster eyes', and bake for 18-20 minutes until golden and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Monster Muffins with Hidden Veggie Power take to make?

Total time is about 40 minutes (20 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Monster Muffins with Hidden Veggie Power?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep all-purpose flour from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Monster Muffins with Hidden Veggie Power?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Monster Muffins with Hidden Veggie Power for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 12 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 12). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Monster Muffins with Hidden Veggie Power?

Kid Friendly kid friendly like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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