Zucchini Bread

This Zucchini Bread is super moist, spiced with the warm flavors of cinnamon and nutmeg, and studded with chopped pecans is sure to be a new favorite. It’s easy to make and absolutely delicious.

Sliced zucchini bread loaf on a dark oval platter on a dark surface.

Why You’ll Love This

This zucchini bread recipe is super easy quick bread to make. It freezes beautifully and makes great gifts for the neighbors!

This batter can be made by hand you won’t need a stand mixer or electric hand mixer. It comes together in less than 15 minutes.

Adding shredded fresh zucchini to bake goods makes them extra moist! So sneak those veggies in on those family members who turn their noses to vegetables!

Most recipes use all granulated sugar but I like the added depth of flavor that dark brown sugar adds to this bread.

This bread is even more delicious the next day! The flavors are well combined and the moist tender crumb texture is divine.

Some of our other favorite sweet treat recipes to make are Apple Butter Bread, Banana Bread, Fig Bread Recipe, Apple Cider Donut Loaf Cake, and Carrot Coffee Cake.

Zucchini bread recipe ingredients on a dark surface.

Please see the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients, measurements, and instructions.

How to Make Zucchini Bread

  • Preheat the oven to 325ºF. Grease an 8 1/2 x 4 1/2 inch or 9×5 inch loaf pan with nonstick baking spray. Or line the pan with parchment paper.
  • Whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in a medium bowl. In a large bowl whisk together the eggs, granulated sugar, and dark brown sugar.
Dry ingredients whisked together in a metal bowl for the zucchini bread recipe.
Eggs and sugars whisked in a glass bowl for zucchini bread recipe.
  • Stir in the grated zucchini, oil, and vanilla extract. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir just until a small amount of flour remains. Fold in the chopped pecans.
Dry ingredients added to the wet ingredients in a glass bowl for zucchini bread.
Chopped pecans added to the zucchini bread batter in a glass bowl.
  • Pour the bread batter evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for 55 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs. Move the pan to a wire rack to cool for about 10 minutes then turn the loaves out onto the rack to cool completely.
Zucchini bread batter in a greased loaf pan.
Zucchini bread loaf on a dark oval platter on a dark surface.

Tips

  • Use room temperature eggs for better incorporation.
  • Use small to medium zucchini. If using an extra larger-size zucchini the skin can be tough and you will want to peel some of the skin before shredding. You will also want to remove the seeds from an extra large zucchini. Remember the nutrients are in the skin!
  • You can shred the zucchini in the large holes of a box grater or use a food processor.
  • The zucchini bread batter is thick. The center will be the last part to finish cooking, insert the tester in the very center of the dome of the bread to check for doneness.
  • If the bread seems to be browning too fast loosely tent it with aluminum foil until the center is cooked.
  • DO NOT squeeze the moisture out of the shredded zucchini. This adds extra moisture to the bread.
  • You can replace the neutral oil (vegetable oil or canola oil) with melted butter. But do note I have tried this and it does not produce the moist zucchini bread I desire. It tends to be somewhat drier bread.
  • DO NOT OVERMIX the batter! This can cause the bread to be dense.
  • DO NOT OVERBAKE. Start checking the bread about 10 minutes before the allotted time. Ovens vary.

Optional Add-Ins

You can add other chopped nuts, such as walnuts or almonds, chocolate chips, raisins, or dried cranberries.

You can sprinkle the top with turbinado or raw sugar for a crispy crunchy top.

FAQ

Why did my zucchini bread crack on top?

Quick breads crack as steam from the bread escapes from the center. The other reason is that the edges of the bread set faster than the center. A crack is a sign of a well-baked loaf because the bread has risen properly. The center will be fluffy and tender instead of dense.

Can you taste the zucchini in zucchini bread?

No. Zucchini has a very mild flavor but it adds moisture to the recipe. You will taste the warm spices of cinnamon and freshly grated nutmeg.

Storing

To store the homemade zucchini bread let it cool completely. Then wrap it in plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.

Can you freeze zucchini bread?

Absolutely! Let the bread cool completely, wrap it in two layers of plastic wrap, place it in a freezer-safe bag, and freeze for up to 3 months. Or wrap individual pieces and freeze them the same way. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight.

More Quick Bread Recipes

Are you on Pinterest? Click the button below to add this recipe to one of your boards!
Sliced zucchini bread loaf on a dark oval platter on a dark surface.

Zucchini Bread Recipe

This easy zucchini bread recipe is perfectly sweet, moist, tender, and scented with cinnamon and nutmeg.
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate
Course: Bread, Breakfast, Brunch, Snack
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Servings: 8
Calories: 506kcal
Author: Leigh Harris

Ingredients
 

  • 2 cups All-purpose flour
  • 1/2 tsp Baking powder
  • 3/4 tsp Baking soda
  • 2 1/2 tsp Ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp Ground nutmeg fresh grated is best
  • 1/2 tsp Kosher salt
  • 2 large Eggs room temperature
  • 1/2 cup Granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup packed Dark brown sugar
  • 2 cups shredded, packed Zucchini not squeezed dry
  • 2/3 cup Neutral oil (vegetable, canola, or safflower)
  • 1 1/2 tsp Vanilla extract
  • 1 cup chopped Pecans toasted if desired

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 325ºF. Spray an 8 1/2 x 4 1/2 inch or 9×5 inch loaf pan with nonstick baking spray.
  • Whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in a medium bowl. In a large bowl whisk together the eggs and sugars.
    2 cups All-purpose flour, 1/2 tsp Baking powder, 3/4 tsp Baking soda, 2 1/2 tsp Ground cinnamon, 1/2 tsp Ground nutmeg, 1/2 tsp Kosher salt, 2 large Eggs, 1/2 cup Granulated sugar, 1/2 cup packed Dark brown sugar
  • Stir in the grated zucchini, oil, and vanilla extra. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir until a small amount of flour remains. Fold in the chopped pecans.
    2 cups shredded, packed Zucchini, 2/3 cup Neutral oil, 1 1/2 tsp Vanilla extract, 1 cup chopped Pecans
  • Pour the bread batter evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for 55 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs. Move the pan to a wire rack to cool for about 10 minutes then turn the loaves out onto the rack to cool completely.

Notes

Butter – If you would like to use butter instead of oil just know that in my experience the bread is not as moist.
DO NOT squeeze the moisture out of the shredded zucchini. This adds extra moisture to the bread.
DO NOT OVERBAKE. Start checking the bread about 10 minutes before the allotted time. Ovens vary.
Store completely cooled bread in plastic wrap at room temperature for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Calories: 506kcal | Carbohydrates: 54g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 30g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 9g | Monounsaturated Fat: 18g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 47mg | Sodium: 275mg | Potassium: 309mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 28g | Vitamin A: 195IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 60mg | Iron: 2mg

Share With Your Friends And Family!

5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *