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.
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!
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.
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Lightly grease and flour two bread pans and set aside.
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Beat the wet ingredients together: the sugar, eggs, and oil and mix well.
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In a separate bowl combine the dry ingredients: flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and cinnamon.
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Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and beat until just combined. Over mixing will result in a denser bread.
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Stir in the shredded zucchini and vanilla. Pour the batter into the prepared bread pans.
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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).
Zucchini Bread Recipe FAQs
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.
More zucchini recipes
- ONE PAN Parmesan Garlic Chicken with Zucchini
- Healthy Zucchini Muffins
- Corn & Zucchini Pasta Salad
- 32 Quick & Easy Zucchini Recipes

This mouth-watering zucchini bread recipe is one you'll want to use over and over again!
- 2 (7 and 1/2 x 3 and 1/2) bread pans
- 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
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Lightly grease and flour two bread pans and set aside.
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Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Beat the sugar and eggs until well incorporated. Add in the oil and mix well.
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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.
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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.
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Stir in the shredded zucchini and vanilla. Add mixture to the bread pans - both should be about 3/4ths the way full.
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Bake for 55-60 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean when inserted into the center.
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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.
Medeja says
August 11, 2014 at 5:20 amIt looks amazing. Especially that swirl!
Taylor @ Food Faith Fitness says
August 11, 2014 at 6:33 amI love anything with cream cheese swirl. I also happen to want to eat ALL the zucchini…so, together? I am drooling! Pinned!
Liz @ I Heart Vegetables says
August 11, 2014 at 7:35 amHoly yum, that looks amazing! Like zucchini bread but fancy! π
amanda @ fake ginger says
August 11, 2014 at 8:21 amMmm, I love zucchini bread! It’s my husband’s fave so I should probably make some and send it to him! It looks awesome!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
August 11, 2014 at 8:37 amI 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!
Michele @ Two Raspberries says
August 11, 2014 at 8:47 amChelsea this looks awesome… looks like a perfect breakfast slice π Pinned!
Taylor @ greens & chocolate says
August 11, 2014 at 9:27 amAdding a cream cheese swirl is ALWAYS a good idea! And I’ll be emailing you my address for my slice π
Melanie @ Carmel Moments says
August 11, 2014 at 9:30 amAnother delish way to enjoy zucchini bread. Love it! Pinning (of course).
Happy Monday Chelsea!
Ashley | Spoonful of Flavor says
August 11, 2014 at 10:13 amThanks for sharing a secret family recipe! I can understand why this bread is so popular. That cream cheese swirl is calling my name!
Kelly - LEFT SIDE OF THE TABLE says
August 11, 2014 at 10:20 amOuhhh 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 π Thanks Chelsea!
marcie says
August 11, 2014 at 1:27 pmGreat idea swirling cream cheese in zucchini bread to make it extra indulgent! This looks delicious, Chelsea!
Laura Dembowski says
August 11, 2014 at 2:47 pmWhat an awesome way to jazz up zucchini bread!
Sharon @ What The Fork Food Blog says
August 11, 2014 at 3:13 pmYou can’t go wrong with anything that involves a cream cheese swirl! Yum!
CakePants says
August 11, 2014 at 6:57 pmOoh…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 π
Bri | Bites of Bri says
August 11, 2014 at 7:46 pmI’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.
Jennie @themessybakerblog says
August 11, 2014 at 10:11 pmYou’re right, this is no ordinary zucchini bread recipe. Oh nah, this is epic. Love your new digs, girl.
Kristi @ Inspiration Kitchen says
August 11, 2014 at 10:44 pmOh my Chelsea! This is absolutely over the top. I am so loving it! Pinned!
Alyssa {Cake, Crust, and Sugar Dust} says
August 12, 2014 at 12:25 amLove a good zucchini bread! And that swirl?? That’s an addition I have yet to try! Pinned!
Jess @ On Sugar Mountain says
August 12, 2014 at 2:07 pmI will be waiting very excitedly for my hunk of this zucchini bread in the mail. π 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!
The Chardonnay Kitchen says
August 12, 2014 at 11:44 pmI’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!!!
Katie says
August 18, 2014 at 9:28 pmAbsolutely 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!
Debbie says
September 29, 2014 at 6:37 pmIt 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.
chelseamessyapron says
September 29, 2014 at 6:38 pmHi Debbie! I actually made tons before my wedding and froze it. It thawed out great! What a great idea for the holidays!
Jessica says
July 18, 2019 at 10:28 pmThis zucchini bread recipe is our absolute favorite! Iβve tried several over the years and there is no denying this one is the best! If youβre looking for a recipe that everyone will love, this is for you!
Olivia Mendenhall says
July 18, 2019 at 10:29 pmThanks so much! I’m sooo happy your family enjoyed this!