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September 11, 2018 25 Comments

Zucchini Bread

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This mouth-watering zucchini bread recipe is one you’ll want to use over and over again!

This zucchini bread recipe is quick, simple, foolproof, and insanely tasty! I’ve included a variation below to make chocolate chip zucchini bread with this recipe, and if you’re craving more variations, you’ll have to try this lemon zucchini bread or this chocolate zucchini bread. If you’re looking for a healthier option, check out this healthy zucchini bread.

Up close photo of zucchini bread. Three slices of this easy zucchini bread are stacked on top of each other.

It’s taken me a while to post a zucchini bread recipe on my blog. And for good reason too – there are literally hundreds of zucchini bread recipes already online, and I didn’t feel I had a recipe that stood out from the rest. Until now.

After much trial and error, I can confidently say this is the best zucchini bread recipe I’ve ever tasted, and I’m so excited to share it with you today!

Process shots of grating zucchini and showing the grated zucchini for the zucchini bread muffins or zucchini bread

How to make zucchini bread

Zucchini bread is not a difficult bread to make but the results speak for themselves. Here’s a quick overview of the process, with more detail in the recipe card below.

  1. Lightly grease and flour two bread pans and set aside.
  2. Beat the wet ingredients together: the sugar, eggs, and oil and mix well.
  3. In a separate bowl combine the dry ingredients: flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and cinnamon.
  4. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and beat until just combined. Over mixing will result in a denser bread.
  5. Stir in the shredded zucchini and vanilla. Pour the batter into the prepared bread pans.
  6. Bake for 55-60 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean when inserted into the center.

Variation Ideas

Chocolate chip zucchini bread

  • Simply add 1 cup semisweet or milk chocolate chips (we like milk chocolate best!) to the batter. Make sure to toss the chips in the dry ingredients first to get an even dispersion in the bread. No other modifications to the recipe needed!

Zucchini muffins

  • Spray and lightly flour a muffin tin.
  • Fill the cavities slightly higher than half-way.
  • Bake at 350 degrees F on the middle rack until muffins are lightly golden brown and the top of the muffins bounce back when you press on them. (About 18-24 minutes.)
  • Test with a toothpick to make sure the center of the muffins are done (if it comes out clean or with moist crumbs, the muffins are done; if it comes out wet they need a few extra minutes).

Process shots of making this zucchini bread recipe -- mixing batter and filling up loaf pans

Zucchini Bread Recipe FAQs

Do you have to peel zucchini for zucchini bread?

No, you do not need to peel the zucchini! The skin adds to the texture of the bread, and once cooked into the zucchini bread, you won’t be able to taste it. The skin also adds nutrition to this bread!

How do I cut zucchini for bread?

Cut off both ends of the zucchini. If using a large zucchini, first cut the zucchini in half horizontally. Take each half (or 1 small zucchini) and grate it for this bread.

How can I freeze zucchini bread?

  • Let the bread cool completely.
  • Wrap the uncut loaf with plastic wrap and place into a freezer bag.
  • Make sure to enjoy the bread within 2 months.

You can also freeze shredded zucchini in a freezer bag so you have zucchini on hand whenever you want to make this easy bread recipe!

How long does zucchini bread last?

Stored at room temperature, zucchini bread should stay fresh for 1-2 days. Stored in the fridge, it should remain good for up to a week. When stored in the freezer, it can remain fresh for up to two months.

Up close shot of a slice of easy zucchini bread

More zucchini recipes

  • ONE PAN Parmesan Garlic Chicken with Zucchini
  • Healthy Zucchini Muffins
  • Corn & Zucchini Pasta Salad
  • 32 Quick & Easy Zucchini Recipes
5 from 2 votes
Print
Zucchini Bread
Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
1 hr
Total Time
1 hr 20 mins
 

This mouth-watering zucchini bread recipe is one you'll want to use over and over again!

Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: zucchini bread, zucchini bread recipe
Servings: 2 loaves
Calories: 187 kcal
Author: Chelsea
Ingredients
  • 2 (7 and 1/2 x 3 and 1/2) bread pans
Zucchini Bread
  • 2 cups white sugar
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 cup vegetable oil
  • 3 cups flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2-3 teaspoons cinnamon
  • 2 cups shredded zucchini (shredded on the small side of the grater)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
  1. Lightly grease and flour two bread pans and set aside.

  2. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Beat the sugar and eggs until well incorporated. Add in the oil and mix well.

  3. In a separate bowl combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and cinnamon. Add cinnamon to taste preference - if you really like cinnamon do 3 teaspoons and less if you like it less.

  4. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and beat until just combined. Over-beating or over stirring will result in a denser bread.

  5. Stir in the shredded zucchini and vanilla. Add mixture to the bread pans - both should be about 3/4ths the way full.

  6. Bake for 55-60 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean when inserted into the center.

  7. Allow to cool for about 5-10 minutes and then remove from the pan and allow to continue to cool or eat it while it's hot! See post for freezing/storing instructions.

Nutrition Facts for zucchini bread recipe

This zucchini bread was catered at my wedding and it was the FIRST treat to go with dozens of people asking for the recipe! Truly the best and so simple! via chelseasmessyapron.com #zucchini #bread #easy #quick #quickbread #dessert #treat #summer #garden
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Filed Under: Breakfast Tagged With: dairy free, Stove/Oven, Vegetarian

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Medeja says

    August 11, 2014 at 5:20 am

    It looks amazing. Especially that swirl!

    Reply
  2. Taylor @ Food Faith Fitness says

    August 11, 2014 at 6:33 am

    I love anything with cream cheese swirl. I also happen to want to eat ALL the zucchini…so, together? I am drooling! Pinned!

    Reply
  3. Liz @ I Heart Vegetables says

    August 11, 2014 at 7:35 am

    Holy yum, that looks amazing! Like zucchini bread but fancy! πŸ™‚

    Reply
  4. amanda @ fake ginger says

    August 11, 2014 at 8:21 am

    Mmm, I love zucchini bread! It’s my husband’s fave so I should probably make some and send it to him! It looks awesome!

    Reply
  5. Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says

    August 11, 2014 at 8:37 am

    I just can’t get enough of all the zucchini recipes I’ve seen this summer. And this bread looks amazing, Chelsea! I absolutely love that you swirled cream cheese in here. Sounds delish! Pinned!

    Reply
  6. Michele @ Two Raspberries says

    August 11, 2014 at 8:47 am

    Chelsea this looks awesome… looks like a perfect breakfast slice πŸ™‚ Pinned!

    Reply
  7. Taylor @ greens & chocolate says

    August 11, 2014 at 9:27 am

    Adding a cream cheese swirl is ALWAYS a good idea! And I’ll be emailing you my address for my slice πŸ˜‰

    Reply
  8. Melanie @ Carmel Moments says

    August 11, 2014 at 9:30 am

    Another delish way to enjoy zucchini bread. Love it! Pinning (of course).
    Happy Monday Chelsea!

    Reply
  9. Ashley | Spoonful of Flavor says

    August 11, 2014 at 10:13 am

    Thanks for sharing a secret family recipe! I can understand why this bread is so popular. That cream cheese swirl is calling my name!

    Reply
  10. Kelly - LEFT SIDE OF THE TABLE says

    August 11, 2014 at 10:20 am

    Ouhhh I love family recipes!! Love what you did with this zucchini bread…cream cheese is always a favorite to many! The swirl adds enough change, but also holds that special taste of the bread I can imagine! I have never made zucchini bread! Clearly I need to change that. Also, the muffins sound great for a breakfast or snack on the go πŸ˜‰ Thanks Chelsea!

    Reply
  11. marcie says

    August 11, 2014 at 1:27 pm

    Great idea swirling cream cheese in zucchini bread to make it extra indulgent! This looks delicious, Chelsea!

    Reply
  12. Laura Dembowski says

    August 11, 2014 at 2:47 pm

    What an awesome way to jazz up zucchini bread!

    Reply
  13. Sharon @ What The Fork Food Blog says

    August 11, 2014 at 3:13 pm

    You can’t go wrong with anything that involves a cream cheese swirl! Yum!

    Reply
  14. CakePants says

    August 11, 2014 at 6:57 pm

    Ooh…this looks SO good! I love the pretty swirl of cream cheese. As it happens, I do not have a go-to zucchini bread recipe, so I’m more than happy to give this a try! Thanks for sharing the recipe πŸ™‚

    Reply
  15. Bri | Bites of Bri says

    August 11, 2014 at 7:46 pm

    I’ve been seeing tons of zucchini bread recipes but none have convinced me to make them like this one! I love cream cheese and cannot wait to try this recipe. Thanks, Chelsea.

    Reply
  16. Jennie @themessybakerblog says

    August 11, 2014 at 10:11 pm

    You’re right, this is no ordinary zucchini bread recipe. Oh nah, this is epic. Love your new digs, girl.

    Reply
  17. Kristi @ Inspiration Kitchen says

    August 11, 2014 at 10:44 pm

    Oh my Chelsea! This is absolutely over the top. I am so loving it! Pinned!

    Reply
  18. Alyssa {Cake, Crust, and Sugar Dust} says

    August 12, 2014 at 12:25 am

    Love a good zucchini bread! And that swirl?? That’s an addition I have yet to try! Pinned!

    Reply
  19. Jess @ On Sugar Mountain says

    August 12, 2014 at 2:07 pm

    I will be waiting very excitedly for my hunk of this zucchini bread in the mail. πŸ˜‰ For reals though, Chelsea, that cream cheese swirl takes this bread to a whole new level! I’m just so excited for fall (even though it’s still august) and the idea of making a nice comforting loaf of this zucchini bread on a cool autumn day has me EXTREMELY excited to try it out!

    Reply
  20. The Chardonnay Kitchen says

    August 12, 2014 at 11:44 pm

    I’m hosting a brunch for some of my husband’s work colleagues later this month – I wanted something sweet and fancy-ish and you have NAILED it. I cannot wait to make this for everyone!!!

    Reply
  21. Katie says

    August 18, 2014 at 9:28 pm

    Absolutely amazing! I bake a lot especially zucchini bread this time of year and this is by far the best bread I have ever had! Made it GF also and it turned out fantastic. Thank you for such a great recipe!

    Reply
  22. Debbie says

    September 29, 2014 at 6:37 pm

    5 stars
    It is delicious but I would like to know if you can freeze it. I would like to make some ahead of time and freeze for the holidays.

    Reply
    • chelseamessyapron says

      September 29, 2014 at 6:38 pm

      Hi Debbie! I actually made tons before my wedding and froze it. It thawed out great! What a great idea for the holidays!

      Reply
  23. Jessica says

    July 18, 2019 at 10:28 pm

    5 stars
    This zucchini bread recipe is our absolute favorite! I’ve tried several over the years and there is no denying this one is the best! If you’re looking for a recipe that everyone will love, this is for you!

    Reply
    • Olivia Mendenhall says

      July 18, 2019 at 10:29 pm

      Thanks so much! I’m sooo happy your family enjoyed this!

      Reply

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