The BEST Zucchini Bread Recipe (2024)

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The BEST Zucchini Bread Recipe (1)The BEST Zucchini Bread Recipe

I’ve tried A LOT of zucchini bread recipes in my day, and I mean A LOT! By far and away, this recipe is the best one I’ve ever made. It’s fantastic! If you’re looking for more ways to use up zucchini, try this deliciousChocolate Zucchini Sheet Cake.

The BEST Zucchini Bread is the kind that gets better with age. The first day it is good, but the second and third day it is AMAZING! (Note: It must be stored in an airtight container or Ziploc bag.) The outside edges become soft, and the moisture from the zucchini has had longer to do its magic. I have no self-control when itgets to that point. I have been known to eat an entire giant loaf myself. Yikes!

**IF YOU END UP MAKING THIS RECIPE AND LOVING IT, PROMISE ME YOU WILL COME BACK AND TRY THIS AMISH BANANA BREAD…IT IS THE SAME LEVEL OF ABSOLUTE DELICIOUSNESS!

More Delicious Bread Recipes

  • Amish Banana Bread
  • The Best Pumpkin Bread
  • Perfect Artisan Bread
  • Mom’s Corn Bread
  • Jalapeno Cheddar Bread
  • Poppy Seed Bread

The BEST Zucchini Bread Recipe (2)I first had this bread at a friend’s house and literally begged for the recipe. I was anxious to see what made it so different from my go-to recipe my mom has made for years. My friend e-mailed me the recipe. When I got it, I was shocked at how similar the recipe was to my mom’s. BUT they tasted so different.

The only differences between this recipe and my mom’s recipe are an extra 1/4 cup of sugar and baking it at 325° instead of 350°.

how to make the best zucchini bread

  • Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
  • Prepare two 8×4 loaf pans with cooking spray. Set aside.
  • In a mixer or with a whisk and a strong arm, combine sugar, oil, eggs and vanilla. Mix until creamy.
  • Add flour, cinnamon, salt, baking powder and baking soda. Mix until almost combined.
  • Add shredded zucchini. Mix until combined.
  • Pour evenly into greased loaf pans no higher than 2/3 full.
  • Bake at 325 degrees for 45-55 minutes, being careful not to over-bake.
  • Remove from oven and cool on cooling racks. See FAQ on when to remove loaves from pans.
  • After completely cooled, store in a Ziploc bag or airtight container.

The BEST Zucchini Bread Recipe (3)I can’t believe those two changes make such a difference. I like my mom’s recipe, but this bread….this delicious bread……I have to be so careful about how often I make The BEST Zucchini Bread. If I were to make it as often as I crave it, I’d be at least three times my size….

There are days thatI think the extra weight would be worth it. 🙂Just wait until you taste it; you’ll feel the same way.

Frequently Asked Questions about making The Best Zucchini Bread

what type of bread pans should I use?

I like to use my 8×4 stone loaf pans from Pampered Chef. I also love these Kitchenaid ones you can order on Amazon.Depending on the size of your pans, you may need a third loaf pan. Never fill a loaf pan higher than 2/3 full. When using a different-sized loaf pan, check the bread after 30-45 minutes and so on, until a toothpick comes out clean in the center.

should I mix the dry ingredients altogether before adding them to the wet mixture?

You can mix them in a separate bowl first if you want…I never do. I don’t see a difference in results either way, and I hate having extra dishes to clean. 🙂

when should i remove the bread from the pans to cool?

Because I use stone loaf pans, I remove the bread from the pan immediately. Stone loaf pans stay hot for quite some time. It can be tricky to get the loaves out without damaging them or half still in the bottom of the pan. Use your judgment on whether or not you want to leave them in the pan to cool or not.

can i use frozen zucchini?

Yes. First, let the frozen zucchini thaw. Then, dump it all in–liquid and all.

why is the top center of the loaf doughy?

Because it’s important not to over-bake this bread, occasionally the very top center section of the loaf is a little under-baked and a tad doughy. If/when this happens, just cut that little section off and carry on with the binge eating… Believe me! It is a small price to pay.

BAKER’S TOOLS:

More Awesome Zucchini Recipes

Chocolate Zucchini MuffinsZucchini Cheese BakeSausage and Zucchini Lasagna Roll-ups


4.8 from 96 reviews

The BEST Zucchini Bread Recipe

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The texture of this zucchini bread is phenomenal! With a hint of cinnamon and with just the right amount of sweetness, it's perfection.

Author: My friend, Melinda

Recipe type: Quick Bread

Cuisine: Breakfast/Snack

Serves: 2 loaves

Ingredients

  • 2¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup canola or vegetable oil
  • 3 eggs
  • 3 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 cups grated zucchini
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp baking powder

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
  2. Prepare two 8x4 loaf pans with cooking spray. Set aside.
  3. In a mixer or with a whisk and a strong arm, combine sugar, oil, eggs and vanilla. Mix until creamy.
  4. Add flour, cinnamon, salt, baking powder and baking soda. Mix until almost combined.
  5. Add shredded zucchini. Mix until combined.
  6. Pour evenly into greased loaf pans. Fill pans no higher than ⅔ full.
  7. Bake at 325 degrees for 45-55 minutes, being careful not to over-bake.
  8. Remove from oven and cool on cooling racks. See FAQ on when to remove loaves from pans.
  9. After completely cooled, store in a Ziploc bag or airtight container.

Enjoy!

don’t forget to pin this awesome recipe to your favorite pinterest board!

More Fabulous Quick Breads

Classic Banana Bread {Mom’s Recipe}Pumpkin Chocolate Chip BreadPoppy Seed Loaf

The BEST Zucchini Bread Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Do you squeeze out the liquid from zucchini for bread? ›

But unless your zucchini is excessively juicy, squeezing the squash could be removing some of the moisture you really do want in the bread. It's up to you, though. Squeeze for lighter, drier bread. Leave it as is for denser, moister bread.

Do you peel zucchini for bread? ›

Do I need to peel the zucchini first? You can if you'd like, but I never do. There's no taste or texture variance either way, but you'll definitely have more flecks of green throughout the loaf if you keep the peel on.

How do you keep zucchini bread from falling in the middle? ›

Be sure there isn't too much liquid in your ingredients. Squeeze excess water from zucchini in several changes of paper towels. Carefully measure rhubarb or bananas to be sure the ratio of wet to dry ingredients is correct. Grease only the bottom of the pans.

Do you grate or shred zucchini for bread? ›

A simple box grater does a much better job at preserving the integrity of your zucchini. This is less of an issue for quick breads, where the zucchini essentially "melts" as it bakes. But for fritters, crusts or tortillas (where texture is important), stick to a box grater.

How many zucchinis does it take to make 2 cups grated? ›

You need 2 cups of grated zucchini for the recipe, so you will need about 3 small zucchini, 2 medium zucchini, or 1 large zucchini.

Why does my zucchini bread fall apart when I cut it? ›

The most common reason for zucchini breadand other quick breads (and cakes) to collapse as they cool is the ingredients are too vigorously or quickly mixed, which incorporates lots of less stable air bubbles into the batter.

How many zucchini is 1 cup shredded? ›

A medium zucchini will result in approximately 1 cup of shredded zucchini. If you happen to be using a larger zucchini and the seeds are large, cut the zucchini lengthwise and use a spoon to scoop out the seeds.

How many zucchini equals 2 cups? ›

When sliced, 1 medium zucchini yielded about 1 to 1.25 cups and if grated, you end up with about 2/3 cup of tamped down zucchini. If you need 1 cup of cooked sliced zucchini, due to shrinkage while heated it will take about 3 medium zucchini, sliced, to hit the mark.

How do you shred zucchini for zucchini bread without a grater? ›

Turn on the food processor and use the food pusher to press the zucchini into the bowl of the food processor. The shredding disc will shred the zucchini in seconds!

Should zucchini bread be cool before removing from pan? ›

Don't leave the loaf in the pan too long – Once you remove the bread from the oven, let it sit for 10 to15 minutes. But after that, it should be turned out onto a cooling rack to finish cooling. Otherwise, the edges can get a little too done in the still-hot pan.

Do you have to refrigerate zucchini bread after baking? ›

Yes, it's advisable to refrigerate zucchini bread to extend its shelf life. Zucchini bread contains moisture from ingredients like zucchini, and moisture can promote the growth of mold and bacteria at room temperature. Refrigeration helps slow down these processes, keeping the bread fresher for a more extended period.

Where is the best place to store zucchini bread? ›

We'll go over this in more detail below, but in short - If you're looking for the safest way to store zucchini bread - just refrigerate it. Seal your bread in a plastic storage container or plastic bag and store it in the refrigerator.

Why doesn't my zucchini bread rise? ›

This freshly-baked zucchini bread rose as it was supposed to. But a common problem bakers face is flat zucchini bread. Food chemist Shirley Corriher suggests making sure the baking powder is fresh -- and using less leavening. There are few things more confounding or vexing in the kitchen than a dish gone wrong.

What if zucchini bread batter is too thick? ›

If it is too thick, add another egg. Add nuts, if desired. Lightly grease and flour your bread pans, or spray them with nonstick cooking spray. Carefully spoon the mixture into bread pans, stopping when the mixture is about 3/4 of the way to the top.

What side of the grater do you use for zucchini bread? ›

Use the fine side of your grater for smaller shredded zucchini. (as you can see in the pictures) If you use the larger side, the coarser pieces will have a slightly more noticeable flavor and texture in a finished cake or bread recipe.

Do you squeeze the water out of zucchini before freezing? ›

Squeeze the water out – Place the shredded zucchini between paper towels or in a tea towel and press as much water out as possible. Freeze – Place shredded zucchini in airtight freezer bags or freezer containers. Pick a freezer container that minimizes air exposure.

What is the liquid coming out of my zucchini? ›

The cut end of your zucchini (courgette) looks like it's exuding some water/sap that was previously in the fruit. The colour is due to the rest of the "stuff" in the sap besides water: e.g., perhaps sugars, starches and other stuff.

Do you squeeze the water out of shredded zucchini before freezing it? ›

How Do You Keep Zucchini From Getting Soggy When Frozen? If you are freezing shredded zucchini then the best way to is REALLY squeeze out as much of the water as you can using a cheesecloth. If you are freezing slices or quarters then make sure you blanch them first and them pat them dry before freezing.

How do you shred zucchini for bread in a food processor? ›

Food processor: You can use a food processor to dice the zucchini into smaller pieces. Using the grating attachment will create shreds. Cut off the ends of the zucchini, slice the zucchini in half lengthwise and then into quarters before putting it in the food processor.

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