If you have more zucchini than you know what to do with, it’s time to start baking! These 25 Best Zucchini Bread Recipes include everything from classic zucchini bread and chocolate zucchini bread to delicious variations made with blueberries, lemon, pineapple, banana and more.
Zucchini is one of my favorite ingredients to add to quick breads because it keeps them incredibly moist and tender. And if you’re worried about your bread tasting like vegetables, don’t be! Zucchini has such a mild flavor that it practically disappears into the bread while adding plenty of moisture.
This collection starts with the classics and moves on to chocolate zucchini breads, fruity variations and a few fun and creative recipes that are definitely worth trying.
So whether your garden is overflowing with zucchini or you picked up a few extras at the farmers’ market, grab your loaf pan and start baking!
Tips for Making the Best Zucchini Bread
Before you get started, here are a few things to know about baking with zucchini.
- You usually don’t need to peel zucchini. The skin is thin and tender, and once it’s grated and baked into bread, you’ll barely notice it.
- Pay attention to what the recipe says about squeezing the zucchini. Some zucchini bread recipes depend on the natural moisture in the zucchini, while others instruct you to squeeze out the excess liquid. Follow the directions for the individual recipe you’re making.
- Don’t overmix the batter. As with most quick breads, mix the dry and wet ingredients just until everything is incorporated. Overmixing can result in a tougher, denser loaf.
- Check for doneness in the center. Insert a toothpick into the thickest part of the loaf. It should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs attached.
- Make an extra loaf for the freezer. Zucchini bread freezes beautifully, and many recipes make two loaves. Enjoy one now and freeze the second for later.
Classic Zucchini Bread Recipes
Sometimes you just want a really good loaf of old-fashioned zucchini bread. These recipes let zucchini take center stage, with cinnamon, warm spices and nuts adding plenty of flavor. Start here if you’re looking for a traditional zucchini bread recipe—or a slightly dressed-up version of the classic.
1. Classic Zucchini Bread
Everyone needs a good Classic Zucchini Bread recipe! This moist, perfectly spiced quick bread is a great way to use fresh summer zucchini. The recipe makes two loaves, so you can enjoy one right away and freeze or share the other.
2. Cinnamon Swirl Zucchini Bread
Cinnamon and zucchini are a natural combination. This Cinnamon Swirl Zucchini Bread is warmly spiced, moist and perfect for breakfast with a cup of coffee or as an afternoon snack.
3. Zucchini Walnut Bread
Add plenty of crunchy walnuts to traditional zucchini bread and you have a classic that’s hard to resist. Walnut Zucchini Bread is especially good sliced and spread with a little softened butter.
4. Gluten Free Classic Zucchini Bread
This easy, quick Classic Zucchini Bread is favorite family recipe made gluten-free and no one knows the difference! It’s soft, moist, not too sweet and has the best flavor!
5. Streusel Zucchini Bread
Everything is better with streusel! Streusel Zucchini Bread is topped with a buttery, crumbly topping that gives a traditional moist zucchini loaf an irresistible bakery-style finish.
Chocolate Zucchini Bread Recipes
Chocolate may be one of the best ways to convince a zucchini skeptic to try zucchini bread! Zucchini adds moisture without adding much flavor, which means chocolate is still the star. From cocoa-packed loaves to breads loaded with chocolate chips and chunks, these are for the chocolate lovers.
6. Chocolate Zucchini Bread
This Chocolate Zucchini Bread is rich, chocolatey and loaded with miniature chocolate chips. The zucchini keeps the bread moist and tender, but you’d never guess there were vegetables hiding inside.
7. Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread
If you love traditional zucchini bread but think everything is better with chocolate chips, this one’s for you. Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread combines a cinnamon-spiced zucchini loaf with plenty of miniature chocolate chips in every slice.
8. Chocolate Chunk Zucchini Bread
Chocolate Chunk Zucchini Bread is a fun variation made with big pieces of dark chocolate. A touch of orange zest adds another layer of flavor that pairs surprisingly well with both the zucchini and chocolate.
9. Double Chocolate Zucchini Bread
Calling all chocolate lovers! Double Chocolate Zucchini Bread combines cocoa powder and chocolate chips for a rich loaf that tastes much more like dessert than a bread made with vegetables.
10. Chocolate Peanut Butter Zucchini Bread
Chocolate and peanut butter make just about anything better. Chocolate Peanut Butter Zucchini Bread combines that favorite flavor duo with zucchini for an extra-moist loaf that’s perfect for snacking or dessert.
11. Chocolate Walnut Zucchini Bread
Add crunchy walnuts to a rich chocolate zucchini loaf for a little extra texture. Chocolate Walnut Zucchini Bread is especially good when you want something that’s not quite cake but still satisfies a chocolate craving.
Fruity Zucchini Bread Recipes
Fresh fruit is one of the easiest ways to change up zucchini bread. Blueberries, lemon, pineapple, banana and apples all pair beautifully with zucchini and give these loaves completely different flavors. These are some of my favorite zucchini breads to make during the summer when fresh produce is everywhere.
12. Blueberry Zucchini Bread
Blueberry Zucchini Bread is packed with fresh, juicy blueberries and shredded zucchini. It’s perfectly sweet, wonderfully moist and just as good for breakfast as it is for an afternoon snack.
13. Iced Lemon Zucchini Bread
Bright and fresh Iced Lemon Zucchini Bread is a delicious change from traditional cinnamon-spiced zucchini bread. Fresh lemon zest and juice flavor the tender loaf, and a sweet lemon icing is drizzled over the top.
14. Lemon Blueberry Zucchini Bread
Why choose between lemon and blueberries? Lemon Blueberry Zucchini Bread combines tart citrus with sweet, juicy berries and plenty of zucchini for a loaf that tastes like summer.
15. Pineapple Zucchini Bread
Crushed pineapple makes Pineapple Zucchini Bread extra moist and gives it a subtle tropical sweetness. Even people who claim they don’t like zucchini bread may find themselves reaching for another slice!
16. Banana Zucchini Bread
When you have both overripe bananas and extra zucchini sitting on the counter, Banana Zucchini Bread is the answer. Banana adds natural sweetness and flavor while zucchini helps create an especially moist loaf.
17. Apple Zucchini Bread
Two kinds of fresh produce come together in Apple Zucchini Bread. Apples add sweetness and texture to the zucchini loaf, while warm spices make it especially good for that transition from late summer into fall.
18. Cranberry Orange Zucchini Bread
Cranberry Orange Zucchini Bread gives zucchini bread a bright, sweet-tart makeover. Orange and cranberry make this variation especially nice later in the season and around the holidays.
Creative Zucchini Bread Recipes
Once you’ve made classic zucchini bread a few times, it’s fun to try something completely different. These creative recipes add everything from cereal topping and cream cheese to carrots, coconut and pumpkin. They’re also some of the most fun zucchini breads to share with friends and family.
19. Cinnamon Toast Crunch Zucchini Bread
This Cinnamon Toast Crunch Zucchini Bread has a tender, warmly spiced zucchini bread underneath an amazing crunchy cereal crumb topping. It’s a fun twist on traditional zucchini bread and one the kids will definitely notice!
20. Carrot Zucchini Pineapple Bread
Can’t decide between carrot cake and zucchini bread? Carrot Zucchini Pineapple Bread gives you a little bit of both. Shredded carrots and zucchini create a moist loaf that’s delicious with warm spices, chopped nuts and sweet pineapple.
21. Cream Cheese Swirl Zucchini Bread
A ribbon of sweet cream cheese running through the center turns ordinary zucchini bread into something special. Cream Cheese Swirl Zucchini Bread is part quick bread, part cheesecake and perfect for brunch.
22. Coconut Zucchini Bread
Toasted coconut adds both flavor and texture to Coconut Zucchini Bread. It’s a fun summer variation that’s especially delicious if you add toasted coconut to the top.
23. Pumpkin Zucchini Bread
Pumpkin Zucchini Bread is the perfect recipe for transitioning from summer zucchini season into fall baking. Pumpkin, zucchini and warm spices combine to make an incredibly moist loaf.
24. Snickerdoodle Zucchini Bread
Turn the flavors of a favorite cookie into zucchini bread! Snickerdoodle Zucchini Bread features plenty of cinnamon-sugar flavor and a sweet, slightly crunchy topping.
25. Brown Butter Zucchini Bread
Take zucchini bread in a more decadent direction with Brown Butter Zucchini Bread. The nutty brown butter transforms a simple loaf into something special enough to serve for dessert.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do You Peel Zucchini for Zucchini Bread?
No, there’s usually no reason to peel zucchini before making zucchini bread. Zucchini skin is thin and tender, and it softens as the bread bakes.
You’ll see tiny green flecks in some zucchini breads, but the skin doesn’t negatively affect the texture or flavor. Leaving it on also makes preparation much easier!
Should You Squeeze the Water Out of Zucchini for Bread?
It depends on the recipe.
This is important because zucchini contains a lot of water. Some recipes are developed with that extra moisture in mind and specifically tell you not to squeeze the zucchini. Other recipes require you to remove excess liquid so the finished loaf doesn’t become too wet or gummy.
Don’t automatically squeeze your shredded zucchini. Follow the instructions in the specific zucchini bread recipe you’re using.
What’s the Best Way to Grate Zucchini for Bread?
A standard box grater works perfectly. You can use either the fine or coarse holes depending on the recipe.
Finely grated zucchini tends to disappear more completely into the bread, which can be helpful if you’re serving zucchini bread to someone who isn’t thrilled about seeing pieces of zucchini.
A food processor fitted with a shredding attachment is another quick option if you’re grating a lot of zucchini.
What Size Zucchini is Best for Zucchini Bread?
Small to medium zucchini are ideal because they’re tender and generally have smaller seeds.
That doesn’t mean you can’t use one of those enormous garden zucchini! Larger zucchini can be wonderful for baking. If the seeds have become very large and tough, cut the zucchini in half and scoop them out before grating.
Why is Zucchini Bread So Moist?
Zucchini naturally contains a lot of water. As the shredded zucchini bakes, it releases moisture into the batter, helping create the tender texture that makes zucchini bread so good.
That’s also why it’s important to follow each recipe’s directions regarding whether or not to squeeze the zucchini before adding it to the batter.
Can You Use Frozen Zucchini for Zucchini Bread?
Yes. Frozen shredded zucchini can be used for zucchini bread, making freezing a great way to preserve an abundant summer crop.
Thaw the zucchini before using it. Frozen zucchini releases quite a bit of liquid as it thaws, so follow your recipe’s instructions regarding how much moisture should be included.
Can You Freeze Zucchini Bread?
Yes! Zucchini bread freezes very well.
Let the loaf cool completely, then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap followed by foil or place it in a freezer-safe bag. You can freeze the entire loaf or wrap individual slices so you can pull them out as needed.
Thaw zucchini bread at room temperature before serving.
How Do You Know When Zucchini Bread is Done?
Insert a toothpick or thin knife into the center of the loaf. It should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs attached.
If the top of the loaf is getting too brown but the center isn’t finished baking, loosely cover the top with foil and continue baking.
Be careful not to overbake zucchini bread. You want to preserve all of that wonderful moisture!
Put That Summer Zucchini to Good Use!
If your garden is overflowing with zucchini, that’s a very good excuse to start baking. Begin with a loaf of Classic Zucchini Bread, satisfy a chocolate craving with Chocolate Zucchini Bread, or take advantage of summer berries with Blueberry Zucchini Bread.
And don’t forget that zucchini bread is great for sharing. Bake a few loaves, keep one for yourself, deliver one to a neighbor and stash another in the freezer.
With 25 zucchini bread recipes to choose from, you might even find yourself wishing you had a little more zucchini!
