The $6 Freezer Find That’s Helping Me Eat More Veggies

You might have noticed the zucchini currently piling up at farmers markets and commandeering neighborhood gardens. But it doesn’t stop there! It’s also taking over the freezer cases in the grocery store, and not just in the form of the usual suspects like tots, fries, sticks, hash browns, and even pizza crusts. (Cauliflower paved the way for these veggie-made variations years ago.) You’ll also find it listed as the first ingredient in one of my favorite frozen breakfasts: Veggies Made Great Banana and Chocolate Chip Muffins. I’ve been buying them on repeat ever since I discovered them.

I’ve written about Veggies Made Great before. The brand sells a variety of muffins in fruity, chocolatey, and cinnamon-y flavors. Costco regularly stocks different flavors and, a few months ago, the double chocolate ones made their way into my cart. On a recent trip to my local grocery store, I spotted these Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins in the frozen-food aisle. Being a fan of the brand, I had to try this new-to-me flavor. The next morning I pulled out an individually wrapped muffin from my freezer and heated it in the microwave for 35 seconds. Moments later, I took my first bite.

Buy: Veggies Made Great Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins, $6.19 for 12 ounces at Target

And in that moment, I found my new favorite flavor. The muffin is moist from the zucchini, and has just the right amount of banana flavor (sometimes banana flavoring can be overwhelming, but this one is spot-on). I also like that each one has a handful of chocolate chips, so I get that chocolatey sweetness I sometimes want in the mornings. Bonus: None of the ingredients are artificial or genetically modified.

I often eat these muffins as part of an on-the-go breakfast with a cup of Greek yogurt. At night, I’ll thaw one for a few minutes and have it for dessert. (Try topping it with freshly sliced banana pieces and your favorite nut butter!) You can even use them as a fun alternative to bread for peanut butter and banana sandwiches.

Have you tried these frozen muffins? Tell us in the comments.