Hidden Veggie Muffins Recipe (2024)

These hidden veggie muffins are perfect for picky kids. These muffins are vegan, refined sugar free, and nut free so they’re a good option for school lunches. They also freeze well so you can make them ahead of time and defrost them for a quick breakfast or snack.

What to serve with these hidden veggie muffins

If you’re making these muffins for a picky toddler and would like another tasty, nutrient-dense option to add to the meal, try this sweet chocolate hummus served with fresh fruit for dipping. It’s refined sugar free and vegan.

Main ingredients and substitutions

I used kale in these hidden veggie muffins but spinach works too. Either fresh or frozen is fine. Either way, you really can’t taste the vegetables in these muffins.

Instead of using milk as the liquid component in these muffins, I opted for carrot juice which adds an extra boost of nutrients. The carrot juice does give these muffins a subtle hint of carrot flavor, so if you’re feeding them to an extremely picky kid then you can substitute any type of plant-based milk or traditional milk. That will result in a purely chocolate flavored muffin with no hint of veggie taste.

Unsweetened cocoa powder helps hide the veggie colors in these muffins and also masks the vegetable flavor. You can use either natural unsweetened cocoa powder or Dutch process cocoa powder in this recipe.

I used whole wheat flour in these muffins but you can substitute all purpose flour or gluten-free oat flour if you prefer.

I sweetened these muffins with maple syrup. You can substitute other liquid sweeteners such as agave or honey if you prefer.

How to make them

Start by preheating the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, then add the chopped kale, maple syrup, extra virgin olive oil, carrot juice, and salt to a food processor or blender. Blend for two minutes, occasionally scraping down the sides of the food processor or blender to make sure the kale ends up very finely chopped.

Transfer that mixture to a mixing bowl, then add the whole wheat flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, and baking powder. Use a whisk to mix until combined.

Divide the batter evenly into a 12 cup muffin pan lined with paper baking cups.

Bake the muffins at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the middle of a muffin comes out looking clean.

Let the muffins cool off for at least 30 minutes before removing from the pan and serving.

Storage and freezing

Store the muffins in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days or in the freezer for up to six months.

Optional additions

To add an extra layer of flavor and texture to these hidden veggie muffins, stir 1/2 cup each of dark chocolate chips and/or chopped nuts into the batter, if desired.

More muffin recipes to try

• These vegan corn flour muffins are subtly sweet and delicious.
• These gluten-free, vegan applesauce muffins are easy to make, tasty, and filling.
• These vegan buckwheat muffins are hearty and nutrient dense.
• These flaxseed muffins are a nutritious, make-ahead breakfast or snack.
  

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• This vegan apple muffin recipe is quick and easy to make.
• These vegan kale muffins are loaded with nutrients.