These Chocolate Zucchini Quinoa Muffins are gluten-free and packed with flavor! Your kids will never know they’re made with zucchini, quinoa and Greek yogurt…unless you want them to!
If you read our blog regularly it will come as no surprise that my sister and I each have one “adventurous eater” and one “drastically less adventurous eater.” We often share ideas, tips, and tricks on how to encourage our reluctant eaters to be more confident when it comes to trying new food. Whenever I find myself becoming frustrated, my sister will remind me that a child needs to be offered a new food 10-15 times before they will try it.
For some parents, this can seem like an impossible task. That’s a lot of plates pushed away, that will often be followed with a look of horror that you would even suggest a nibble of broccoli. In order for this 10-15 times to be more manageable for me, I start off by putting a small amount of the new food on a small dish next to their plate. After a few times, I will move it on to their plate. After they are comfortable with it being on their plate, I will ask if they would like to try it.
I believe that children should never be forced to try a food. I feel that eating should be a positive experience and completely stress-free. If you demand out of frustration that your child tries a new food, they will dig their heels in. Children should never feel anxiety over trying a new food. Instead, children should be encouraged and praised when they try new foods. Even the tiniest nibble gets my children a round of applause at the dinner table.
In the meantime, I try my best to make sure my children are eating the healthiest option available of what I have to offer. Before I had children, I never wondered about the importance of protein and nutrients. But now, nutrition has become a daily concern. I often wonder if they are getting enough protein, vitamins, and minerals. Luckily, we have wonderful pediatricians that assure me that my children are doing just fine.
One of my children’s favorite snacks is muffins. So, I make sure I always have a batch of healthy muffins available for breakfast, and after school snack or dinner. I know some parents frown upon “hiding” healthy food inside of another food item, but I don’t. I feel that parents should take what steps they can to make sure their children are eating as healthy as they can. If that means I sneak some zucchini into their quinoa muffins, that’s what I do.
Quinoa is a great source of complete protein and is a nutrient-rich grain, which is why I like to use it in muffins. Seeing that my youngest is quite wary of meat, chicken, and fish, I am always looking for ways to up their protein intake. I adapted this Chocolate Zucchini Quinoa Muffins recipe from Bob’s Sour Cream Fudge Cupcakes. My healthier version includes zucchini and Greek yogurt. If my children happen to see a green fleck in their muffin, I let them know it is without a doubt, zucchini. When blended into a chocolatey muffin, they don’t need me to offer it to them 10-15 times!
CHOCOLATE ZUCCHINI QUINOA MUFFINS
Ingredients:
- 1 cup grated zucchini (1 medium)
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 1/4 cup quinoa flour
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 2 eggs separated
- 1/2 tsp vanilla
- 1/4 cup Greek yogurt
Directions:
Step 1: Grate zucchini and squeeze between paper towels to drain the liquid out.
Step 2: Preheat oven to 375. Place butter and water in a saucepan, bring to a boil. Remove from heat and whisk in cocoa powder. Allow to cool.
Step 3: Sift together sugar, quinoa flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
Step 4: Separate eggs, add egg yolks, vanilla, yogurt and zucchini to the cooled cocoa mixture.
Step 5: Beat egg whites until stiff and shiny.
Step 6: Mix together cocoa mixture and flour mixture. Gently fold in egg whites.
Step 7: Spray muffin pan liberally with cooking spray. Spoon in a muffin pan. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until inserted toothpick comes out clean.
Thanks for reading!
Daniele
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