Zucchini Bread

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Turn your zucchini bounty into tender, sweet zucchini bread—so perfectly delicious, even kids will beg for seconds!

sliced zucchini bread on platter

Looking for a delicious way to use up all that zucchini? I’ve got you covered with over a dozen zucchini recipes, from zucchini muffins and zucchini fritters to wholesome zucchini soup. But the recipe that truly takes the cake—quite literally—is this classic zucchini bread (and its decadent cousin, chocolate zucchini bread). Despite the generous portion of shredded zucchini in the batter, it magically disappears during baking, leaving you with a delicious bread that tastes more like a snack cake. It’s incredibly easy to prepare, and if you have little ones around, it’s a fantastic way to sneak some veggies into their diet. Swap the nuts and currants for chocolate chips, and they’ll be none the wiser while happily asking for seconds!

“I have made zucchini bread for 50 years, using one recipe. Thank goodness I tried this one—we loved it and will never go back!”

Cindy

What You’ll Need To Make Zucchini Bread

zucchini bread ingredients
  • All-purpose flour: Provides structure and forms the base of the bread.
  • Ground cinnamon and nutmeg: Warm, aromatic spice flavors that complement the zucchini.
  • Baking soda and baking powder: Leavening agents that help the bread rise and become fluffy.
  • Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and add moisture and richness.
  • Sugar: Sweetens the bread and adds moisture.
  • Zucchini: Adds moisture and texture (you’ll need two medium zucchinis; do not wring out the liquid).
  • Butter: Adds richness and flavor (should be melted and slightly cooled).
  • Vanilla extract: Enhances the overall flavor of the bread.
  • Walnuts, currants (or raisins), chocolate chips (optional): Add-ins to customize the flavor of the bread. Whatever combination you use, total add-ins should not exceed 1½ cups.
  • Jump to the printable recipe for precise measurements

Step-by-Step Instructions

In a large bowl, combine the flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Whisk to combine.

dry ingredients whisked in bowl

In another large bowl, whisk the eggs with the sugar until well combined.

liquid ingredients whisked in bowl

Add the grated zucchini, melted butter and vanilla extract. Stir to combine.

grated zucchini added to liquid ingredients

Add the dry ingredients to liquid mixture and mix well.

combined zucchini bread batter in bowl

Add the nuts, currants, and/or chocolate chips. Stir just until combined.

zucchini batter in bowl

Divide the batter into two greased 8-1/2 x 4-1/2-in loaf pans.

zucchini bread in pan

Bake for about 1 hour, or until tester comes out clean. Set the pans on wire rack and let cool about 10 minutes, then turn loaves out onto rack to cool completely.

zucchini bread loaves cooling on rack

How To Freeze Zucchini Bread

Zucchini bread can be frozen for up to three months. After it is completely cooled, wrap it securely in aluminum foil, freezer wrap, or place in a freezer bag. Thaw the bread overnight in the refrigerator before serving. Lightly toast individual slices for best results.

Video Tutorial

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sliced zucchini bread on platter

Zucchini Bread

Turn your zucchini bounty into tender, sweet zucchini bread—so perfectly delicious, even kids will beg for seconds!

Servings: Two 8½ x 4½-inch loaves
Prep Time: 30 Minutes
Cook Time: 1 Hour
Total Time: 1 Hour 30 Minutes

Ingredients

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour, spooned into measuring cup and leveled-off
  • 2½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1¾ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 cups grated zucchini (you'll need two medium zucchinis; do not wring out the liquid)
  • 2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 cup chopped walnuts, lightly toasted if desired (optional; see note)
  • ½ cup currants or raisins (optional; see note)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 325°F and set rack in middle position. Generously grease two 8½ x 4½-inch loaf pans with nonstick cooking spray.
  2. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Use a whisk to mix well.
  3. In a large bowl, whisk the eggs with the sugar. Add the grated zucchini, melted butter, and vanilla extract; using a wooden spoon or rubber spatula, stir to combine.
  4. Add the dry ingredients to liquid ingredients and mix until just combined. Add the nuts and currants, then divide the batter evenly into the prepared pans. Bake for 60 to 65 minutes, or until a cake tester comes out clean. Set the pans on a wire rack and let cool for about 10 minutes, then turn the loaves out onto rack to cool completely.
  5. Note: You can also add chocolate chips to this bread. I typically use about 1 cup of chocolate chips instead of nuts and currants. Whatever combination you use, just be sure total add-ins (nuts, currants, chips) do not exceed 1½ cups.
  6. Freezer-Friendly Instructions: The bread can be frozen for up to 3 months. After it is completely cooled, wrap it securely in aluminum foil, freezer wrap or place in a freezer bag. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.

Nutrition Information

Powered by Edamam

  • Per serving (16 servings)
  • Serving size: 1-inch slice
  • Calories: 302
  • Fat: 14g
  • Saturated fat: 8g
  • Carbohydrates: 41g
  • Sugar: 23g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 4g
  • Sodium: 65mg
  • Cholesterol: 252mg

This website is written and produced for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and the nutritional data on this site has not been evaluated or approved by a nutritionist or the Food and Drug Administration. Nutritional information is offered as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. The data is calculated through an online nutritional calculator, Edamam.com. Although I do my best to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures should be considered estimates only. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased, natural fluctuations in fresh produce, and the way ingredients are processed change the effective nutritional information in any given recipe. Furthermore, different online calculators provide different results depending on their own nutrition fact sources and algorithms. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator.

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Comments

  • Best recipe ever for Zucchini bread. Delicious, tasty, and above all moist. I used frozen zucchini, thawed and drained. Perfect. First time I’ve been successful making Zucchini bread. Thank you!

  • Could I add blueberries to this bread?

    • Hi Kayla, Usually blueberries require a little more sugar in baked goods to balance their sourness, but technically it would work.

  • Didn’t add the currants, chocolate chips, or raisins but used walnuts and pecans chopped really fine and it was delicious!!!

  • Forgot to rate! I’m batting a 1000 today!

  • This recipe is identical to mine, except mine just has 2 cups of granulated sugar. I’ll have to try it with a cup of each! I noticed at least one reviewer saying they had to add more liquid because theirs was dry. I just wanted to mention that usually, the zucchini will add the needed moisture. I have let my batter sit for a few minutes (after the zucchini is stirred in), then stirred it several more times, to coax more moisture out of the zucchini. If that’s not enough, just add milk 1 TBS. at a time to get it to the right consistency.

    P.S. I mistakenly sent this comment to you in the form of a “question!” Disregard!

  • Just made your zucchini bread but added 1/4 of crushed pineapple. Came out incredible!!
    Your recipe is basically the same as the one I had but mine is with vegetable oil so I decided to give yours a try but add the crushed pineapple like mine. WOW…loved it. Thanks for sharing your recipe.

  • Hi Jenn. I’ve never baked with zucchini before so I’m looking forward to trying this out. Should I squeeze out the liquid from the grated zucchini before mixing with the other ingredients?

    Thanks!

    • Hi GFE, No, there is no need to wring out the liquid. Hope you enjoy the bread!

  • Hello! Thank you for this recipe! Are you meant to wring the zucchini out to get rid of the excess moisture it it, or keep the water content in the zucchinis?

    • There is no need to wring out the liquid. Enjoy!

  • My favorite zucchini bread recipe. I left out the walnuts and added chocolate chips. 5 stars!!

  • First time making zuchinni bread and it came out perfect! Will be using this recipe time after time! I did use a cheesecloth to drain most of the water out of the zucchini.

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