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

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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? ›

Yes! I simply squeeze the water out of the zucchini over the sink before using in this recipe. Sometimes, I squeeze the zucchini twice to make sure the excess water is removed. Some zucchini are very wet when grated and others relatively dry; squeezing out the excess water helps to regulate ingredients in the recipe.

Do you leave the skin on zucchini when making bread? ›

Do you peel zucchini before making bread? You do not need to peel zucchini when making zucchini brad. Wash it off well first and then grate it.

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 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.

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.

How many zucchini for 1 cup grated? ›

When sliced, 1 medium zucchiniyielded 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.

Why is my zucchini bread gummy? ›

You can combat this by baking longer, or upping the temp a bit. If the oven temp is not the issue, then start adding a tablespoon or two less liquid to your batters (you may live in a humid climate and your flours may be absorbing moisture; too much moisture can make for a gummy product).

Why is my zucchini bread mushy? ›

It's likely that too much liquid was added to the batter. I've tested dozens of zucchini bread recipes and, depending on the other ingredients involved, it's sometimes necessary to squeeze the excess liquid from the shredded zucchini.

What happens if you put too much baking soda in zucchini bread? ›

Using too much baking soda or baking powder can really mess up a recipe, causing it to rise uncontrollably and taste terrible.

Why does zucchini bread sink in the middle? ›

Adding too much or insufficient leavening agents: Adding too much leaveners will cause your quick bread to sink in the middle. Baking at a high altitude: Adjust the amount of leaveners depending on your location. If you are baking at a high altitude, you need less baking powder or baking soda.

How to grade zucchini for zucchini bread? ›

Grate, don't chop.

Here's how to grate a zucchini: Cut off the ends of the zucchini and rub it against the shredder side of a box grater to make a pile of squash that's perfectly sized for baking zucchini bread. You can also use the shredder blade in your food processor to quickly shred zucchini.

Why do you soak zucchini in salt water? ›

Salt causes zucchini rounds to release excess water. This important extra step helps the zucchini to sauté rather than stew in its own juices.

Does zucchini lower blood pressure? ›

Zucchini contains the water-soluble fiber pectin. Pectin may lower bad cholesterol and lipid levels in a person's blood, promoting good heart health. Furthermore, zucchini is also high in potassium, which can help manage high blood pressure.

Why is my zucchini bread not fluffy? ›

It can look perfect coming out of the oven, but soon starts to deflate… The main issue here is that the bread just isn't cooked through. Zucchini bread batter is thick, and loaf pans are narrow and tall, so there is a lot of batter in a relatively small pan.

Should zucchini be drained before baking? ›

For some recipes, that extra water is not needed and could even ruin what you're trying to make. Adding drained shredded zucchini to baked goods, or even zucchini pancakes will make the dish fluffy and not mushy. To learn the basics, learn how to cook zucchini in three new ways.

Does zucchini need to be drained before baking? ›

Always treat your shredded zucchini gently. 2. If, after shredding, you have water standing in the bottom of the bowl, drain it out before adding it to the batter.

How to remove liquid from zucchini? ›

Sprinkle the grated zucchini with salt, only to season them, not more. Put them to drain in a colander with a dish underneath. Leave for 1 hour, then, using your hands, squeeze out the excess liquid.

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

Instructions
  1. Wash and trim the ends of your zucchini.
  2. Use the medium grate to shred your zucchini.
  3. Line a bowl with a few sheets of paper towels or cheese cloth and scoop 2 cups of shredded zucchini into the bowl. Squeeze out as much of the water as you can. ...
  4. Lay the bags flat in the freezer until frozen.

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