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    Home » Recipes » Savoury Breads & Muffins » Healthy Ham, Cheese & Zucchini Muffins

    Healthy Ham, Cheese & Zucchini Muffins

    Published: Apr 29, 2020 by Lucy · This post may contain affiliate links · 52 Comments

    Jump to Recipe
    Our zucchini muffins with ham and cheese are a delicious savoury snack or lunch box treat... plus they're 100% kid-approved and super easy to make! #healthy #zucchini #muffins #ham #cheese #thermomix #conventional #recipe #easy #lunchbox #snack #savoury

    Our zucchini muffins with ham and cheese are a delicious savoury snack or lunch box treat... plus they're 100% kid-approved and super easy to make!

    Savoury muffins made with zucchini, ham and cheese.

    When it comes to savoury muffins, it doesn't get any better than these classic ham, cheese and zucchini muffins! Whether they're filling up hungry kids lunch boxes, being dipped into a bowl of healthy soup, or simply being served as a yummy savoury snack... these are the muffins you need in your life!

    A pile of savoury muffins.

    Basic Zucchini Muffin Recipe

    Zucchini muffins make the perfect lunchbox alternative to a sandwich, a yummy side to a bowl of soup or an easy savoury afternoon snack.

    The ingredients for savoury muffins made with zucchini, ham and cheese.

    Our zucchini muffins are made from basic budget-friendly ingredients:

    • self-raising flour - or make your own using 2 teaspoons baking powder sifted through every 1 cup of plain flour
    • cheese - grated tasty or cheddar cheese
    • zucchini - I recommend using 2 medium-sized zucchinis which are approximately 200g each (so 400g total)
    • ham - any sliced or shaved ham from the deli can be used. Alternatively you can use cooked bacon pieces
    • buttermilk - I highly recommend using buttermilk for savoury muffins as they keep them deliciously moist and fluffy. If you don't have any buttermilk, you can make your own by mixing 1 tbs white vinegar or lemon juice through room temperature full fat milk. The milk will almost immediately start to curdle when stirred which is when it's ready to use. Alternatively you can use plain full fat milk in place of buttermilk
    • eggs
    • vegetable oil
    • salt and pepper - to season

    * Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom for ingredient quantities. 

     

    One Bowl Zucchini Muffins

    You're going to LOVE our easy zucchini muffins... and here's why:

    • you don't need any fancy equipment - just a bowl and whisk will do!
    • it costs just a couple of dollars to make a whole batch of 12 large muffins
    • in less than 30 minutes, you'll have a batch of muffins ready!

    .... but most of all, they're just SO easy to make in just 3 simple steps (scroll to the recipe card at the bottom for the detailed method):

    Whisk

    Whisk the buttermilk, oil and eggs together.

    Eggs, oil and buttermilk in a bowl.

    Fold

    Fold through the self-raising flour, zucchini, ham, cheese, salt and pepper.

    Cheese, ham and zucchini in a bowl.

    Chunks of ham and zucchini in a bowl of muffin mixture.

    Bake

    Bake the muffins for 15 minutes or until lightly golden and cooked through.

    Savoury muffin mixture in a muffin tray.

    Tips For Making Zucchini Muffins

    Zucchini muffins are so easy to make... but I've got a few cheeky tips for getting them just right!

    MY NUMBER ONE TIP

    • Squeeze ALL of the liquid from the grated zucchini - this is my absolute number 1 tip and if you don't follow it, your muffins will be too liquidy, moist and squishy! We want light and fluffy... not wet! To drain the liquid, place the grated zucchini into a fine strainer and press down firmly with paper towel. Continue to do so until virtually all of the liquid has been soaked up. 

    OTHER HANDY TIPS

    • Use buttermilk - if you don't have buttermilk, you can make your own by mixing 1 tbs white vinegar or lemon juice through room temperature full fat milk. The milk will almost immediately start to curdle when stirred which is when it's ready to use. Alternatively you can use plain full fat milk in place of buttermilk.
    • Use room temperature ingredients - for the best muffins, make sure all of your ingredients are at room temperature before using.
    • Don't over-mix the ingredients - over-mixed muffins will be dense and tough. Once you've added the dry ingredients, it's important just to very gently fold the mixture through.
    • Add rice to the bottom of the muffin tin holes - this stops the paper cases from getting greasy.
    • Ham alternatives - you can replace the deli ham with cooked bacon pieces. Alternatively, you can completely omit the ham for a vegetarian option.

    A savoury muffin on a white cake plate with more muffins in the background.

    How To Store/Freeze Savoury Muffins

    Zucchini muffins can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Alternatively, they can be frozen for up to 3 months. Allow to defrost at room temperature before consuming.

    A savoury muffin being opened from a muffin case.

    More Savoury Muffins, Scrolls and Slice Recipes

    If you need some more savoury recipes in your life, then check out these ones (they're my absolute favourites!):

    Vegetable Savoury Muffins Recipe
    Healthy vegetable savoury muffins make a deliciously healthy snack for kids and toddlers. With a moist quiche-like texture, these muffins are great for lunchboxes or served with soup.
    5 from 6 votes
    A picture of half a muffin in a yellow paper case on top of a blue and white plate.
    Zucchini Slice Recipe
    Our quick and easy Zucchini Slice recipe takes just 10 minutes to prepare and is a classic family favourite. This freezer-friendly recipe is perfect for lunch boxes or an easy family dinner.
    5 from 13 votes
    A half-eaten piece of zucchini impossible pie on a blue and white plate.
    Ham and Cheese Scrolls Recipe
    Kid-approved Ham and Cheese Scrolls that will be ready to eat in just 30 minutes and are made from 6 basic ingredients.
    5 from 10 votes
    A white fluffy homemade roll with ham, cheese and mayo.
    Savoury Muffins Recipe - Cheesy Ham & Corn Recipe
    A super easy savoury muffins recipe made with ham, corn, cheese and chives... perfect for lunch boxes, as a side to a bowl of soup, or on their own, warm and buttered!
    5 from 64 votes
    A close up of ham, cheese and corn savoury muffins.

    A fluffy zucchini and ham muffin broken in half.

    WANT EVEN MORE DELICIOUS RECIPES? Subscribe to my newsletter or follow along on Facebook or Instagram. And if you love baking, then please come and join my Facebook cooking club group or subscribe to my YouTube channel. 

    Our zucchini muffins with ham and cheese are a delicious savoury snack or lunch box treat... plus they're 100% kid-approved and super easy to make! #healthy #zucchini #muffins #ham #cheese #thermomix #conventional #recipe #easy #lunchbox #snack #savoury

    Ham & Zucchini Muffins

    Our zucchini muffins with ham and cheese are a delicious savoury snack or lunch box treat... plus they're 100% kid-approved and super easy to make!
    5 from 7 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: lunch box snacks
    Cuisine: Muffins
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 15 minutes
    Total Time: 25 minutes
    Servings: 12 serves
    Calories: 203kcal
    Author: Lucy - Bake Play Smile

    Ingredients

    • 2 cups (300g) self raising flour see notes
    • 1 cup (80g) grated cheese
    • 2 medium (400g) zucchinis grated and excess liquid drained
    • 125 g chopped ham or bacon
    • ¾ cup (185g) buttermilk see notes
    • 2 eggs
    • ¼ cup (65g) vegetable oil
    • sea salt and pepper to season

    Instructions

    Conventional Method

    • Grease and line a standard 12 hole muffin tray with paper muffin cases. Preheat oven to 180 degrees (160 degrees if using fan forced).
    • Whisk together the buttermilk, oil and eggs in a bowl and set aside.
    • Sift the self raising flour into a large bowl. Add the grated cheese, ham, grated zucchini, sea salt and pepper. Mix to combine.
    • Pour the buttermilk mixture over the top of the flour mix and gently fold through.
    • Divide the mixture equally between the muffin cases (filling to ⅔ full).
    • Bake in the oven for approximately 15 minutes or until cooked through (when tested with a skewer there should be just a few moist crumbs).
    • Leave the muffins in the pan to cool for 5 minutes, before placing onto a wire rack to cool completely.

    Thermomix Method

    • Grease and line a standard 12 hole muffin tray with paper muffin cases. Preheat oven to 180 degrees celsius (160 degrees celsius if using fan forced).
    • Grate the cheese on Speed 6 for 10 seconds. Set aside.
    • Grate the zucchini on Speed 6 for 5 seconds (or until finely grated) - remove and squeeze out all of the excess liquid. Place back into the Thermomix.
    • Add all remaining ingredients (including the cheese) and mix for 20 seconds, Speed 3, Reverse. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and mix for a further 20 seconds on Speed 3, Reverse.
    • Divide the mixture equally between the muffin cases (filling to ⅔ full).
    • Bake in the oven for approximately 15 minutes or until cooked through (when tested with a skewer there should be just a few moist crumbs).
    • Leave the muffins in the pan to cool for 5 minutes, before placing onto a wire rack to cool completely.

    Notes

    RECIPE NOTES & TIPS
    Self-raising flour – or make your own using 2 teaspoons baking powder sifted through every 1 cup of plain flour
    Cheese – grated tasty or cheddar cheese is fine
    Zucchini – I recommend using 2 medium-sized zucchinis which are approximately 200g each
    Ham – any sliced or shaved ham from the deli can be used. Alternatively you can use cooked bacon pieces
    Buttermilk – I highly recommend using buttermilk for savoury muffins as they keep them deliciously moist and fluffy. If you don’t have any buttermilk, you can make your own by mixing 1 tbs white vinegar or lemon juice through room temperature full fat milk. The milk will almost immediately start to curdle when stirred which is when it’s ready to use. Alternatively you can use plain full fat milk in place of buttermilk.
    Squeeze ALL of the liquid from the grated zucchini – this is my absolute number 1 tip and if you don’t follow it, your muffins will be too liquidy, moist and squishy! We want light and fluffy… not wet! To drain the liquid, place the grated zucchini into a fine strainer and press down firmly with paper towel. Continue to do so until virtually all of the liquid has been soaked up. 
    Use room temperature ingredients – for the best muffins, make sure all of your ingredients are at room temperature before using.
    Don’t over-mix the ingredients – over-mixed muffins will be dense and tough. Once you’ve added the dry ingredients, it’s important just to very gently fold the mixture through.
    Add rice to the bottom of the muffin tin holes – this stops the paper cases from getting greasy.
    Storing & freezing - zucchini muffins can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Alternatively, they can be frozen for up to 3 months. Allow to defrost at room temperature before consuming.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 203kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 45mg | Sodium: 211mg | Potassium: 175mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 225IU | Vitamin C: 5.9mg | Calcium: 98mg | Iron: 0.6mg
    Did you try this recipe?Mention @BakePlaySmileBlog or tag #BakePlaySmile!
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Jess

      August 09, 2022 at 10:30 am

      5 stars
      Oh my goodness, these are absolutely delicious. Made the homemade buttermilk as per your instructions and made sure to squeeze as much liquid as possible out of the zucchini and they turned out perfectly. I made them for my 21 month old but will have to stop myself from eating them all! Thanks for the great recipe, can’t wait to try some of your others next 🙂

      Reply
      • Lucy

        August 09, 2022 at 7:01 pm

        Fantastic! Thank you so much!

        Reply
    2. Sandee O'Neill

      January 05, 2021 at 12:16 pm

      Is the temp really 180 degrees? I made these and they've been in the oven for almost 30 mins and aren't close to done.

      Reply
      • Lucy

        January 06, 2021 at 5:39 am

        Hi Sandee, 180 degrees celsius (fan-forced) - increase if not using fan-forced. Also, all ovens are different so you may need to increase the temp or change the shelf that your tray is on. 🙂

        Reply
    3. Ange

      November 10, 2019 at 9:37 pm

      Hi
      Lovely taste but i had to cook for double the time and they have turned out too dense? Any ideas what went wrong?

      Reply
      • Lucy

        November 11, 2019 at 6:38 am

        Hi Ange, the two main reasons for denseness in these muffins is over-mixing (the mixture only needs to be folded together until just combined), and excess liquid from the zucchini. Try squeezing the liquid out with paper towel until there's none left before adding to the mixture. xx

        Reply
    4. Tamara

      July 07, 2019 at 8:53 pm

      5 stars
      Have made these 4 times in the last month and they’re amazing. I added goat cheese and used prosciutto and it’s magical. Thanks for sharing!!!

      Reply
      • Lucy

        July 08, 2019 at 6:19 am

        Thank you SO much!!

        Reply
    5. Em

      December 18, 2017 at 7:20 pm

      Can i freeze these? They look so yummy and they would be great if i could take them out of the freezer the night before i need them.

      Reply
      • Lucy Mathieson

        December 19, 2017 at 4:51 am

        Definitely!!

        Reply
      • Renda Schreve

        July 27, 2019 at 3:49 am

        Is oven 180’CELSIUS?

        Reply
        • Lucy

          August 25, 2019 at 6:29 pm

          Yes it is 🙂

          Reply
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    I’m Lucy! A mum, a wife, a food blogger and a lover of all things to do with food! I love creating delicious, no-fuss Thermomix and conventional recipes the whole family will love. Classic baking favourites, lunch box snacks, quick and easy family dinners and more!

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