Weight Watchers-Friendly Zucchini Cheese Muffins

Ingredients (Makes 9 Muffins):

  • 1 medium zucchini, grated (0 points)
  • 1/4 red capsicum, finely diced (optional, 0 points)
  • 1 cup grated reduced-fat cheese (12 points)
  • 2 large eggs (0 points on some plans, check your specific plan)
  • Salt & pepper to taste (0 points)
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour (12 points)
  • 1 tsp baking powder (0 points)
  • Cooking spray or a small amount of butter to grease the muffin tin (1 point for 1/2 tsp butter)

Instructions:

  1. Prepare the Ingredients:
    • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
    • Grate the zucchini without squeezing out the moisture.
    • Finely dice the red capsicum, if using.
    • Grate the reduced-fat cheese.
  2. Mix Wet Ingredients:
    • In a large bowl, beat the eggs. Add the grated zucchini, diced red capsicum, and grated cheese. Mix well to combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  3. Add Dry Ingredients:
    • In a separate bowl, combine the all-purpose flour and baking powder. Gradually add the flour mixture to the zucchini mixture, stirring until just combined.
  4. Prepare the Muffin Tin:
    • Lightly grease a muffin tin with cooking spray or butter. If using butter, use a small amount to keep the points low.
  5. Fill the Muffin Tin:
    • Evenly distribute the batter among the 9 muffin cups.
  6. Bake the Muffins:
    • Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean and the tops are golden brown.
  7. Cool and Serve:
    • Allow the muffins to cool in the tin for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Nutritional Information (Per Muffin):

  • Calories: Approximately 100-110 calories
  • Total Fat: 5-6 grams
  • Saturated Fat: 2-3 grams
  • Cholesterol: 40-50 milligrams
  • Sodium: 150-200 milligrams
  • Total Carbohydrates: 10-12 grams
  • Dietary Fiber: 1-2 grams
  • Sugars: 1-2 grams
  • Protein: 6-7 grams

Weight Watchers Points (Per Muffin):

  • Total points for the recipe: 25 points (cheese: 12, flour: 12, butter: 1)
  • Points per muffin: Approximately 3 points each (for 9 muffins)

Tips to Keep Points Low:

  1. Use reduced-fat or fat-free cheese: This can significantly reduce the points.
  2. Use whole wheat flour: Substitute all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for added fiber and a slight reduction in points.
  3. Add more vegetables: Increase the volume of zucchini or add other low-point vegetables like spinach to bulk up the muffins without adding points.

Enjoy your delicious and lighter Zucchini Cheese Muffins!