Best Zucchini Bread

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This is truly the best zucchini bread recipe! It’s dense and moist with a beautiful crumb, perfectly spiced & sweet and loaded with zucchini! This easy zucchini bread comes together so fast (no mixer required) and will become your favorite way to enjoy the abundance of zucchini in the summer months! 

overhead view of three slices of zucchini bread


Is there a better way to enjoy the abundance of summer zucchini than to make a gorgeous, moist loaf of zucchini bread (or chocolate zucchini bread)? This right here is the best zucchini bread recipe ever!

My mom is famous for her zucchini bread, she always made it when we went on road trips in the summer and it never lasted long. I tweaked her recipe to make it just perfect (had to add some butter, obviously), and I’m certain you will love it. 

This zucchini bread is dense and moist with a beautiful crumb, perfectly spiced & sweet and loaded with zucchini! It’s easy to make  and only takes 5 minutes to put together – no mixer required! 

Front view of 3 slices of zucchini bread

Zucchini Bread: Ingredients & Substitutions

Here are a few notes about the ingredients and possible substitutions in this zucchini bread recipe.

overhead view of the ingredients in this zucchini bread recipe
  • Butter/canola oil. This recipe calls for a total of 1 cup of fat – half butter half canola oil. I truly believe this ratio and combination yields the most delicious results. However, you can use all butter, or all canola oil. Coconut oil and ghee are also acceptable substitutions for both ingredients. You can replace up to 1/2 cup with applesauce. 
  • Granulated sugar. white granulated sugar or organic cane sugar are the best choices for this zucchini bread recipe.
  • Brown Sugar. both light and dark brown sugar work perfectly. 
  • All-purpose flour. You can substitute up to half of the all purpose flour with white whole wheat flour or whole wheat pastry flour. 
  • Sea salt. If you use regular table salt I recommend cutting the amount in half. 
overhead view of 4 slices of zucchini bread

How to make Zucchini Bread. 

Making the best zucchini bread is surprisingly easy! You don’t need a mixer and it comes together in 5 minutes (plus baking time). As always, we’ll walk through it step-by-step, and don’t forget to watch the video.

Combine wet ingredients & sugars

Begin by whisking together melted butter, canola oil, eggs, and vanilla until combined.

Add white and brown sugars and stir until the mixture is smooth. It’s important to add the sugars with the wet ingredients to ensure they are fully incorporated and that there are no lumps. 

two overhead photos showing how to make zucchini bread

Add Dry Ingredients

Combine dry ingredients and then add them to the wet ingredients. You can either do this in a separate bowl, or just right on top of the wet ingredients (to reduce the amount of dishes)! 

two overhead photos showing how to make zucchini bread

Add Zucchini

Next, gently stir in the shredded zucchini until it’s evenly distributed throughout the batter. 

two overhead photos how to make zucchini bread

Bake

Pour the batter into a prepared loaf pan and bake the zucchini bread on the lower rack in a preheated oven for 60-65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

two overhead photos showing how to make zucchini bread

Cool

Let the baked zucchini bread cool completely in the loaf pan for about 6 hours or overnight. 

Serve

Once it’s cooled, remove the zucchini bread from loaf pan, releasing the sides with a sharp knife. Turn it out onto a cutting board, slice and serve with a generous slather of this homemade cinnamon honey butter – yum.

Store

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 5-7 days.

How to freeze zucchini bread:

Cut the zucchini bread into slices. Individually wrap each slice in plastic wrap, then place them in an airtight container. Store in the freezer for up to 2 months.

Overhead view of zucchini bread cooling on a wire rack

FAQs about Zucchini Bread

Here are some commonly asked questions about making this best zucchini bread recipe!

Do you peel zucchini for bread?

Nope! There is no need to peel the zucchini. Many of the nutrients are found in the skin, and it is tasteless. So perfect for adding a pop of color and nutrition! 

How many zucchinis is 2 cups grated?

In my experience, 2 medium/small zucchini equals two cups. But it’s always important to measure the zucchini after it is shredded to ensure you have the correct amount. 

Do you have to dry zucchini before making bread?

No! In this recipe, the moisture from the zucchini is necessary for a moist loaf!

Can you use frozen zucchini in zucchini bread?

Yes! I often shred and freeze the zucchini harvest from our garden so I have it on hand to bake with all winter long. To use frozen zucchini, simply transfer it to a colander and let thaw in the sink. As it thaws, excess moisture will be released. Once it is no longer frozen, use it in the recipe as directed. 

front view of a loaf of zucchini bread with 3 slices cut

More Zucchini Recipes

Here are a few more of our favorite zucchini recipes!

front view of a loaf of zucchini bread with three slices cut

If you make and love our recipes, it would mean so much to me if you would leave a comment and rating! And don’t forget to follow along with us on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, and Youtube – be sure to tag @joyfoodsunshine and use the hashtag #joyfoodsunshine so we can your creations!

Best Zucchini Bread Recipe

Laura
This is truly the best zucchini bread recipe! It's dense and moist with a beautiful crumb, perfectly spiced & sweet and loaded with zucchini! This easy zucchini bread comes together so fast (no mixer required) and will become your favorite way to enjoy the abundance of zucchini in the summer months! 
5 from 7 votes
Course bread, Breakfast, brunch, Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12 Slices
Calories 348
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time1 hour
Cooling time6 hours
Total Time1 hour 15 minutes

Ingredients 
 

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Grease a 9×5” loaf pan, set aside.
  • In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. Set aside.
  • In a large bowl, whisk together melted butter, canola oil, eggs, and vanilla until combined.
  • Add white and brown sugars and stir until the mixture is smooth.
  • Add dry ingredients and stir until combined and there are no lumps or pockets of flour.
  • Gently fold in the grated zucchini.
  • Transfer batter to the prepared loaf pan.
  • Bake on the lower rack in the preheated oven for 60-65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  • Let cool completely in the loaf pan (about 6 hours or overnight).
  • Remove from loaf pan, releasing the sides with a sharp knife. Turn it out onto a cutting board, slice and serve. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Video

Notes

Store

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 5-7 days.

How to freeze zucchini bread:

Cut the zucchini bread into slices. Individually wrap each slice in plastic wrap, then place them in an airtight container. Store in the freezer for up to 2 months.

To use frozen, shredded zucchini:

Place frozen zucchini in a colander. Let it thaw and drain, pressing out some of the water. Use in the recipe as directed.

Ingredient Substitutions:

  • Butter/canola oil. This recipe calls for a total of 1 cup of fat – half butter half canola oil. I truly believe this ratio and combination yields the most delicious results. However, you can use all butter, or all canola oil. Coconut oil and ghee are also acceptable substitutions for both ingredients. You can replace up to 1/2 cup with applesauce. 
  • Granulated sugar. white granulated sugar or organic cane sugar are the best choices for this zucchini bread recipe.
  • Brown Sugar. both light and dark brown sugar work perfectly. 
  • All-purpose flour. You can substitute up to half of the all purpose flour with white whole wheat flour or whole wheat pastry flour. 
  • Sea salt. If you use regular table salt I recommend cutting the amount in half. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1slice (1/12 of the recipe) | Calories: 348kcal | Carbohydrates: 43g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 61mg | Sodium: 492mg | Potassium: 114mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 26g | Vitamin A: 337IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 33mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you enjoy this recipe? Have a question? Leave a comment below!

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4 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I’ve tried many zucchini bread recipes in my life… this one is absolutely the best! Definitely a keeper!