Chocolate Zucchini Donuts

Published: Jul 22, 2021 by Jocelyn · As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links · 59 Comments

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Chocolate for breakfast? Three kinds of chocolate make these moist and fluffy Chocolate Zucchini Donuts so good. The soft baked chocolate donuts are a delicious and acceptable way to eat your "greens" for breakfast.

If you love chocolate zucchini recipes, you need to try this Choc Zucchini Cake recipe with the rest of your green veggies.

Two glazed baked chocolate donuts stacked on top of each other on a white plate with a bite out of the top one.

Why Make Zucchini Donuts

Do you spell it doughnut or donut??? I always wonder that when I go to write that word. Then I find myself typing the shorter version...probably because I'm too lazy to type the extra letters.

We had an extra zucchini after making dinner the other night, so I decided to turn it into an easy baked donut with lots of chocolate goodness. They were so moist and delicious because of the shredded zucchini and yogurt.

The chocolate zucchini donuts did not last long at all in our house! Our kids ate them for breakfast and snack time.

And I may have even eaten one (or more) for dinner because they have yogurt and zucchini in them. That sounds like a perfectly acceptable dinner to me! Wink, wink.

Overhead picture of glazed chocolate donuts topped with green sprinkles on a wire rack.

Ingredients

Adding shredded zucchini to this chocolate donut recipe gives them a moist and delicious texture. Chocolate chips and a chocolate glaze makes them an extra chocolatey treat to enjoy any time of day.

Butter - Unsalted and softened.
Brown Sugar - Sweetens the donut batter and keeps them soft.
Egg - Adds moisture and binds the ingredients together as they bake.
Greek Yogurt - Gives the baked donuts a soft and fluffy texture.
Zucchini - Adds texture and moisture to baked goods.
Flour - Thickens the batter. Make sure to measure the flour correctly using the spoon and sweep method.
Dark Cocoa Powder - gives the donuts a rich and dark color and taste.
Baking Powder & Baking Soda - adding both provides the lift as the donuts bake.
Cinnamon, Nutmeg, & Salt - adds flavor and spice.
Buttermilk - Makes baked goods bake moist and light.
Miniature Chocolate Chips - added to the batter and on top of the donuts
Semi Sweet Chocolate Chip & Shortening - melted together to make a chocolate glaze
Sprinkles

Two chocolate zucchini donuts topped with chocolate glaze stacked on a white plate.

How to Make Chocolate Zucchini Donuts

These chocolate frosted donuts are so easy to make. If you can make a traditional chocolate donut, you can make this one. The batter comes together in minutes, and using a ziplock bag makes it easy to fill the donut pan quickly!

The extra chocolate on top of these soft fluffy donut gives them a slight crunch when you bite into them.

Step One: Prep

Preheat the oven.
Spray a regular sized donut pan with nonstick baking spray.

Step Two: Chocolate Donut Batter

Beat the butter and sugar in a large bowl until creamy.
Add the egg, yogurt, and shredded zucchini and mix in.
Stir together the dry ingredients. Add them alternately to the butter mixture with the buttermilk.
Gently stir in miniature chocolate chips.
Spoon the donut batter into a large ziplock bag and cut one corner off.
Fill the donut cavities ¾ full and bake.
Place on a wire rack and cool completely.

Step Three: Chocolate Glaze

Heat the chocolate chips and shortening in a microwave safe bowl for 30 seconds.
Stir and heat again if needed.
Dip the tops of the cooled chocolate zucchini donuts in the melted chocolate.
Place on a tray or wire rack and add mini chocolate chips and sprinkles before the chocolate sets.

A stack of four chocolate zucchini donuts on a white plate with another donut leaning against them.

Recipe Tips

Use Baker's Joy or another similar brand to grease and flour the donut pans each time you bake a new batch. This will keep your donuts from sticking to the pan when you remove them.
Spoon the batter into a large ziplock baggie and cut one corner off to "pipe" the batter into the greased pan. It makes it so much easier to fill the donut pan.
Make sure you cut a big enough hole for the mini chocolate chips in the batter to get through.

FAQs

Do you have to peel the zucchini before shredding it?

No you do not. I shred it using the smallest holes in my hand held grater. No one will even know the green veggies are hiding under all that chocolate goodness.

How do you store these baked chocolate donuts?

The chocolate donuts with sprinkles will stay fresh for 2-3 days on the counter if stored in a loosely sealed container. The donuts tend to get moist if kept in a tightly sealed container.

Can you freeze donuts?

You sure can. Place the chocolate cake donuts in a single layer on a wax paper lined tray. Place the tray in the freezer for 1-2 hours or until the donuts are frozen. Remove and place the frozen donuts in a container or bag and place in the freezer for 2-3 months.

To thaw the donuts, open the bag or remove the lid from the container and place on the counter. The donuts should be ready to eat in 30 minutes.

Two frosted baked chocolate donuts on a white plate.

More Easy Donut Recipes

Two chocolate zucchini donuts topped with chocolate glaze and green sprinkles stacked on a white plate.

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