If you’re looking for a clever way to sneak more veggies into your toddler’s diet, these Hidden Veggie Pizza Muffins for toddlers are a game-changer! Packed with grated zucchini and carrots, these soft, pizza-flavored treats are perfect for even the pickiest eaters.
My 2-year-old loves them for lunch, but so do my husband and I. They’re great for the whole family! And the best part? You can serve them warm or cold, making them an ideal addition to lunch boxes. These muffins are not only super delicious but also a fun and easy way to get those greens in without any fuss. Give them a try, and watch your little one gobble them up!
Ingredients Needed for Hidden Veggie Pizza Muffins for Toddlers
Grated Carrots: The easiest to shred are the large full-sized carrots. I like to use the smallest size possible on my grater so that they blend in really well with the dough. The larger size is totally fine though if that’s all you have!
Grated Zucchini: One small or half a large one. I like to shred a large one and freeze half of it for the next batch. As with the carrots, I like to use the smallest size possible on my grater so that they blend in really well with the dough. The larger size is totally fine though if that’s all you have!
All-purpose Flour: I use all-purpose flour for this recipe to keep them super light and fluffy. I use whole wheat in a lot of my recipes, but I like to give and take and have a variety. Whole wheat flour is an option here, but they will be denser, and in my opinion, not nearly as mouth wateringly delicious. Up to you!
Baking Powder: Helps the muffins be lighter and fluffier.
Baking Soda: Works as a leavening agent in the healthy yogurt blueberry muffins.
Salt: Just a little enhances the flavors and softens the muffins.
Large Eggs: Adds a bit of protein!
Whole Milk: I prefer using organic whole milk, since toddlers need lots of full fats for brain development. But if you prefer lower fat cow’s milk, or a milk alternative like almond or oat milk, then that works too.
Olive Oil (or other oil like avocado oil or coconut oil): You can either use olive oil or another healthy oil option like avocado or coconut oil. I typically rotate and mix up the one I use for variety in her diet.
Tomato Sauce: Helps make these muffins really taste like a pizza in a cup! You can use pizza sauce or marinara sauce here.
Shredded Mozzarella Cheese: Pre-shredded is totally fine. Feel free to go heavy on the cheese if you love things extra cheesy like we do!
Shredded Parmesan Cheese: This is optional, and you can just use extra mozzarella if you prefer. Or if you only have grated parmesan that works perfectly fine too!
Chopped Pepperoni: Just take regular pepperoni and cut it up into about 9 little pieces!
How to Make Hidden Veggie Pizza Muffins for Toddlers
- Start by getting the kitchen set up for these hidden veggie pizza muffins. Preheat your oven to 350℉.
- Then, spray a 12 cup muffin tin with oil. Be sure to thoroughly coat each cup so they have no trouble coming out at the end. It’s super important that you use canola oil or vegetable oil. Olive oil does not do the trick here, I have learned this the hard way. Alternatively, you can use muffin liners if you prefer. I love these reusable silicone ones!
- Using either a paper towel or kitchen towel, squeeze out as much water as possible from the carrots and zucchini. This will make sure your muffins don’t have too much moisture in them. Note: When grating the vegetables, I like to use the smallest size possible on my grater so that they blend in really well with the dough. The larger size is totally fine though if that’s all you have! Also, If you have leftover zucchini or carrots to use, they freeze super well! So pop them in a ziploc in the freezer and save them for another hidden veggie recipe like these hidden veggie blueberry banana muffins!
- In a small mixing bowl, whisk to combine flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Set aside. This is to make sure the baking powder and baking soda mix in with the flour super evenly.
- In a large mixing bowl, add in the grated veggies, eggs, milk, oil and tomato sauce. Whisk to combine. Then, stir in the flour mixture, cheese and pepperoni.
- Divide the batter among the 12 muffin cups, they will be almost full! Top with extra cheese and pepperoni if you wish!
- Bake for 19-22 minutes or until they are golden on top and a toothpick comes out clean. Note: You can make these as mini muffins instead, just bake for about 13-15 minutes!
Baby-Led Weaning for Hidden Veggie Pizza Muffins for Toddlers
These hidden veggie pizza muffins are perfect for babies and toddlers of all stages and ages. Of course when you first start feeding your baby you will want to slowly rule out all major allergens before giving them these muffins. The ones included in this hidden veggie muffin recipe are egg, dairy and wheat.
You also may want to start by making these in mini-muffin size with babies under a year old. That’s what I did for my daughter and it worked out great. They are the perfect size to be held in little hands!
Storage for Hidden Veggie Pizza Muffins for Toddlers
Store these hidden veggie pizza muffins in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. Or freeze them for up to three months. I like to keep half in the fridge and half I freeze for the following week.
Tools Needed to make this Hidden Veggie Pizza Muffins for Toddlers Recipe
Hidden Veggie Pizza Muffins
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 350℉. Spray a 12 cup muffin tin with oil. Be sure to thoroughly coat each cup!
- Using a paper towel, squeeze out as much water as possible from the carrots and zucchini.
- In a small mixing bowl, whisk to combine flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk to combine veggies, eggs, milk, oil and sauce. Stir in the flour mixture, cheese and pepperoni.
- Divide batter among the 12 muffin cups, they will be almost full! Top with extra cheese and pepperoni if you wish!
- Bake for 19-22 minutes or until they are golden on top and a toothpick comes out clean.
