Okay, let’s get honest here. Most keto baked goods taste like punishment. Dry. Crumbly. You start chewing and wonder if you accidentally bit into cardboard. But not these. These Keto Lemon Zucchini Muffins? They’re different. Moist. Bright. Soft. A tiny bit tangy, but in the best way.
If you’ve got zucchini rolling around in the fridge and a lemon sitting somewhere looking lonely, you’re halfway there.
These muffins check all the boxes:
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Low in carbs
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No sugar
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Fluffy but filling
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Freezer-friendly
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Sneaky vegetables inside (even picky eaters won’t complain)
Let’s talk about why they work, how to make them better than the average Pinterest fail, and how to store them so you’re not stuck eating six in one day. Unless you want to, of course.
Why Lemon and Zucchini Work So Well Together
If you’ve never tried lemon and zucchini in a dessert, this might sound weird. But hear me out.
Zucchini is basically flavorless. But it’s full of water, which keeps your muffins soft without needing flour or oil. Lemon brings in a fresh, bright pop that cuts through that heaviness you sometimes get with almond flour.
It’s like summer got baked into a muffin tin.
And yes, zucchini in muffins sounds like something your aunt brought to church potlucks. But when it’s shredded fine, it melts into the batter. You don’t taste it. You don’t see it. You just get a soft, light muffin that’s secretly packed with veggies.
What Makes This Recipe Keto?
Simple: there’s no sugar, no wheat flour, no bananas or honey sneaking around in the mix.
Instead, we’re using:
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Almond flour for structure
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Coconut flour for softness
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Erythritol or monk fruit to sweeten without carbs
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Eggs and zucchini to bind everything together
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Lemon juice and zest for that bright flavor
The end result is a muffin that’s low in carbs, high in fiber, and not sad or dry like most keto snacks. You’ll actually want to eat these.
Ingredients You’ll Need (And Why They Matter)
Let’s go over what you’ll need and why you can’t just swap things randomly—because not all flours and sweeteners are created equal.
Dry Ingredients:
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1 ½ cups almond flour
Gives that classic muffin texture. Don’t use almond meal. It’s too coarse. -
2 tbsp coconut flour
Just a bit helps soak up moisture and balances the almond flour. -
½ cup erythritol or monk fruit sweetener
You want one that measures 1:1 like sugar. Not stevia drops. Those don’t bake the same. -
1 ½ tsp baking powder
Helps the muffins rise and stay fluffy. -
¼ tsp salt
Brings out the lemon flavor and balances the sweetness.
Wet Ingredients:
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3 large eggs
These help everything stick together and rise. -
¼ cup melted butter or coconut oil
Your choice. Butter makes it richer. Coconut oil keeps it dairy-free. -
1 tsp vanilla extract
Adds warmth and a soft background note. -
Zest of 1 lemon
Don’t skip this. The zest carries way more lemon flavor than the juice. -
2 tbsp lemon juice (fresh)
Gives that tangy pop. -
¾ cup finely shredded zucchini (no need to peel)
Squeeze out the extra water with your hands or a kitchen towel.
How to Make The Best Keto Lemon Zucchini Muffins
Now let’s go step-by-step so nothing gets missed or messed up.
Step 1: Preheat and Prep
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Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C)
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Line a muffin tin with paper liners or grease it really well
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
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In one bowl, mix almond flour, coconut flour, sweetener, baking powder and salt.
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Give it a good stir so there are no clumps.
Step 3: Mix Wet Ingredients
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In another bowl, whisk eggs, melted butter (or coconut oil), vanilla, lemon juice, and zest.
Step 4: Add Zucchini
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Fold the squeezed zucchini into the wet mix.
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry
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Pour the wet mix into the dry mix.
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Stir gently until it’s just combined. Don’t overmix.
Step 6: Scoop into Muffin Tins
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Divide the batter evenly into 10–12 muffin cups. Fill each about ¾ full.
Step 7: Bake
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Bake for 18–22 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
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Let them cool in the tin for 5 minutes, then transfer to a rack.
Common Muffins Mistakes to Avoid
Let’s just say I’ve made these enough times to learn what not to do.
a. Don’t skip squeezing the zucchini
Yes, it’s annoying. But if you leave the water in, your muffins will sink or come out soggy.
b. Don’t use stevia or pure monk fruit
These are too concentrated. You need a granulated sweetener that behaves like sugar.
c. Don’t overbake
You want them golden, not dry. Start checking at 18 minutes. Every oven’s different.
d. Don’t forget the lemon zest
Seriously, this adds more lemon taste than the juice does.
Add-Ins and Swaps (If You’re Feeling Fancy)
Want to tweak the flavor a bit? Here are some ideas that won’t mess with the carbs too much:
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Add poppy seeds – Makes it like a lemon poppy seed muffin, but low carb.
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Use orange zest instead of lemon – If you don’t have lemons or want a twist.
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Toss in a handful of chopped walnuts – For a little crunch and healthy fats.
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Add a glaze – Mix powdered erythritol and lemon juice to drizzle on top.
How to Store and Freeze These Muffins
Now, here’s the good part: you can make a big batch and not worry about them going bad.
At Room Temp:
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Store in an airtight container for 2–3 days.
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After that, move them to the fridge to avoid them getting too soft.
In the Fridge:
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They last about a week in a sealed container.
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Warm up for 10–15 seconds in the microwave if they feel too firm.
In the Freezer:
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Wrap each muffin in plastic wrap, then throw them in a freezer bag.
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They’ll keep for 2–3 months.
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To thaw: let one sit on the counter or microwave for 30 seconds.
Do Non-Keto People Like Them?
I gave a batch of these to my sister. She’s the type who thinks “keto” is code for “flavorless.” She ate two. Back to back. Then asked if there was flour in them.
That’s the win right there.
These muffins don’t scream “diet.” They just taste good. They’re the kind of thing you keep in your freezer for those mornings when everything else feels too heavy or too sweet. They’re light, refreshing, and they actually fill you up.
A Few Tips for Even Better Muffins
These aren’t must-dos, but they help:
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Use a microplane for zesting
A box grater doesn’t get the good stuff. You want the bright yellow skin, not the bitter white pith. -
Use fresh lemon juice
The stuff in bottles tastes weird in baked goods. Trust me. -
Let them cool completely
The texture improves once they’ve cooled down. Straight from the oven, they’re fragile. -
Use room temp eggs
Helps the batter mix better and rise more evenly.
Nutrition Info (Per Muffin)
Here’s a rough idea based on 12 muffins:
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Calories: 140
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Fat: 12g
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Carbs: 4g net
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Protein: 4g
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Sugar: 0g
Of course, this depends on what brands you use. But it’s safe for most low-carb diets, and gluten-free too.
What to Serve With These Muffins
These can stand on their own, but they’re also great with:
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A cup of black coffee or iced tea
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Some Greek yogurt (if you do dairy)
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A little smear of butter or cream cheese
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Fresh berries on the side
They’re great for breakfast, but I’ve also had one as an afternoon snack or late-night bite when I’m not up for making anything else.
Conclusion
You don’t need to be keto to enjoy these. You don’t need to be a baker. You just need a grater, a bowl, and about 30 minutes.
I’ve made these in a rush before school runs. I’ve made them late at night when I was tired of eggs and cheese. And I’ve made them as a way to use up zucchini when the garden went wild.
Every single time, they’ve worked.
No sad dry muffins. No weird taste. Just soft, bright, satisfying bites of something you actually want to eat again.
Give ‘em a go. And hey, maybe make a double batch, you’ll thank yourself later.
PrintKeto Lemon Zucchini Muffins Recipe
These keto lemon zucchini muffins are soft, moist, and full of fresh lemon flavor without any sugar or gluten. Made with almond flour and shredded zucchini, they’re perfect for anyone on a keto diet or just looking for a healthy treat that doesn’t taste like a diet food. Super easy, one bowl, and freezer friendly.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 10–12 muffins 1x
- Category: Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American, Keto, Low-Carb
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
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1 ½ cups almond flour
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2 tbsp coconut flour
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½ cup erythritol or monk fruit sweetener (granulated)
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1 ½ tsp baking powder
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¼ tsp salt
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3 large eggs
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¼ cup melted butter or coconut oil
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1 tsp vanilla extract
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Zest of 1 lemon
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2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
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¾ cup finely shredded zucchini (squeezed dry)
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350°F and line or grease a 12-cup muffin tin.
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In a large bowl, whisk together almond flour, coconut flour, sweetener, baking powder, and salt.
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In another bowl, mix eggs, melted butter or coconut oil, vanilla extract, lemon zest, and lemon juice.
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Stir in the shredded zucchini.
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Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and stir until just combined.
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Divide the batter evenly into muffin cups, filling each about ¾ full.
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Bake for 18 to 22 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
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Let muffins cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack.
Notes
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Be sure to squeeze out as much water as possible from the zucchini to avoid soggy muffins.
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Use fresh lemon juice and zest for the best flavor.
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Store in the fridge for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
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Great as a snack, breakfast, or light dessert after dinner.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 muffin
- Calories: 140 Sugar: 0g Sodium: 120mg Fat: 12g Saturated Fat: 4g Unsaturated Fat: 7g Trans Fat: 0g Carbohydrates: 5g Fiber: 2g Net Carbs: 3g Protein: 4g Cholesterol: 55mg