Cheddar Zucchini Squash Muffins

These savory muffins combine grated summer squash, sharp cheddar, scallions, and herbs in a tender whole-wheat batter. They are excellent warm with soup, packed for lunch, or served as a make-ahead snack.
Prep: 20 min · Cook: 22 min · Total: 42 min · Serves: 6
Ingredients
- 0.75 cups plain greek yogurt
- 0.25 tsp baking soda
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley (chopped)
- 1 cups sharp cheddar cheese (shredded)
- 0.5 tsp garlic powder
- 2 cups zucchini or yellow summer squash (coarsely grated)
- 0.33 cups scallions (thinly sliced)
- 0.25 cups whole milk
- 0.75 cups whole-wheat flour
- 0.75 tsp kosher salt (divided)
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 large large eggs
- 1 tbsp dijon mustard
- 0.5 tsp black pepper (freshly ground)
- 0.25 cups olive oil
Instructions
- Place an oven rack in the center position, heat the oven to 375°F (190°C), and line a standard 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners or coat the cups with nonstick spray.
- Put the 2 cups coarsely grated zucchini or yellow summer squash in a fine-mesh strainer set over a medium bowl, toss it with 0.25 tsp of the kosher salt, and let it drain at room temperature for 10 minutes until moisture begins to collect in the bowl.
- Press the salted squash firmly with a rubber spatula, then squeeze it in a clean kitchen towel over the sink for 1 to 2 minutes until it feels damp rather than wet and measures about 1 packed cup.
- Whisk the 1 cup all-purpose flour, 0.75 cups whole-wheat flour, 2 tsp baking powder, 0.25 tsp baking soda, remaining 0.5 tsp kosher salt, 0.5 tsp black pepper, and 0.5 tsp garlic powder in a large mixing bowl for 30 seconds until evenly combined.
- Add the 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese, 0.33 cups sliced scallions, and 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley to the flour mixture, and toss with a fork for about 30 seconds until the cheese and herbs are lightly coated with flour.
- In a separate medium bowl, whisk the 2 large eggs, 0.75 cups plain Greek yogurt, 0.25 cups whole milk, 0.25 cups olive oil, and 1 tbsp Dijon mustard for 45 to 60 seconds until the mixture is smooth and no streaks of egg remain.
- Pour the wet mixture into the large bowl with the dry ingredients, then fold with a flexible spatula 8 to 10 strokes just until a few floury streaks remain; the batter should look thick and slightly lumpy, not smooth.
- Add the squeezed squash to the batter and fold 5 to 6 more strokes until evenly distributed, stopping as soon as no dry pockets of flour are visible to keep the muffins tender.
- Divide the batter evenly among the 12 prepared muffin cups, filling each cup about three-quarters full, and smooth the tops lightly with the back of a spoon.
- Bake the muffin pan on the center rack at 375°F (190°C) for 20 to 22 minutes, rotating the pan after 12 minutes, until the tops are golden, the centers spring back when gently pressed, and a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
- Set the muffin pan on a wire rack and let the muffins cool in the pan for 5 minutes so the crumb firms and the liners release cleanly.
- Transfer the muffins from the pan to the wire rack with a small offset spatula and cool for at least 10 minutes before serving warm, or cool completely before storing in an airtight container.
Nutrition (per serving)
- Calories: 317
- Protein: 13 g
- Fat: 18 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 571 mg
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