Healthy Zucchini Bread

This zucchini bread recipe is healthier than most, but that doesn't mean it isn't delicious. It's moist, warmly spiced, and lightly sweet. You'll love it!

healthy zucchini bread recipe

This healthy zucchini bread is a delicious breakfast or summer snack. I should know, because I’ve just finished my [redacted] slice of the season, and I don’t see my healthy zucchini bread consumption slowing down anytime soon. 🙂

Like a traditional recipe, this healthy zucchini bread is moist, tender, and warmly spiced. It’s PACKED with zucchini, of course, but it also features a few other good-for-you ingredients that you wouldn’t find in a regular loaf. Almond flour adds protein and healthy fats, and it gives this loaf an especially moist texture. And instead of melted butter, olive oil brings richness. When it comes to a sweetener, I do use regular cane sugar, but just enough to make this recipe lightly sweet—not more.

This healthy zucchini bread recipe is a staple in my summer rotation. I hope it will be in yours too. Happy baking!

healthy zucchini bread recipe ingredients

Healthy Zucchini Bread Recipe Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make this healthy zucchini bread recipe:

  • Zucchini, of course! You’ll need 2 packed cups of shredded zucchini, about 2 medium, to make this recipe.
  • All-purpose flour and almond flour – I love using this combination of flours in baking recipes, especially muffins and quick breads. They yield baked goods that are super moist and tender—exactly what I want in a zucchini bread recipe. Plus, I love that the almond flour adds extra protein, fiber, and healthy fats!
  • Baking powder, baking soda, and eggs – They help the loaves puff up in the oven.
  • Cinnamon and vanilla extract – They give the bread warm, spiced depth of flavor. A pinch of nutmeg would be a nice addition as well.
  • Cane sugar – It makes the bread lightly sweet. This healthy zucchini bread recipe calls for about half the sugar in traditional zucchini bread recipes, just 1/2 cup per loaf.
  • Almond milkFor extra moisture. If you don’t keep almond milk on hand, feel free to swap in another milk of your choice. My homemade oat milk would be great here too.
  • Olive oil – It adds richness. I know not everyone loves to use olive oil in baking recipes as much as I do. If you prefer, use vegetable oil or melted coconut oil instead.
  • Sea salt – To make all the flavors pop!
  • And chocolate chips – I scatter them on top of the loaves for a rich, decadent finishing touch. Yum!

Find the complete recipe with measurements below.

Grated zucchini on a kitchen towel

How to Make Healthy Zucchini Bread

This healthy zucchini bread recipe is super simple to make! Here’s how it goes:

First, grate the zucchini. No need to peel the zucchini first! Just go ahead and shred it on the large holes of a box grater. Measure 2 packed cups of the grated zucchini, and set it aside on a kitchen towel to drain.

Hand folding wet and dry ingredients together with a wooden spoon

Then, combine the dry ingredients in one bowl and the wet ingredients in another. Gently squeeze any excess moisture from the grated zucchini, and whisk it into the bowl of wet ingredients. Pour the dry ingredients into the zucchini mixture and fold until just combined.

Batter in loaf pans

Next, pour the batter into 2 greased loaf pans. Do your best to put an equal amount in both so that the loaves bake at the same rate.

healthy zucchini bread batter in loaf pans

Scatter the chocolate chips on top…

healthy Zucchini Bread in loaf pans after baking

And bake! Transfer the pans to a 350°F oven and bake for 45 to 50 minutes, or until the loaves are golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Allow the loaves to cool for a few minutes in the pan before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely. Finally, slice and enjoy!

Sliced Healthy Zucchini Bread on a cooling rack

Tips and Variations

  • Don’t overmix. In this recipe, and whenever you’re making baked goods that you want to be light and tender, mix the batter until the wet and dry ingredients are just combined. Stirring the batter more will start to develop the gluten in the flour. If that happens, the zucchini bread will be dense instead of light and cake-y. No, thank you!
  • Make it vegan. Check out the recipe card below to find a vegan version of this recipe made with flax eggs. The vegan loaves aren’t quite as puffy as the regular ones are, but they’re still moist and delicious.
  • Make it dairy-free. This recipe is naturally dairy-free as long as you use dairy-free chocolate chips!
  • Have fun with mix-ins. I scatter chocolate chips on top of my healthy zucchini bread, but if you’re in the mood for a more indulgent treat, you could mix them into the batter, too. Not crazy for chocolate? Fold 1 cup chopped nuts into the batter instead. Walnuts and pecans are both delicious!
  • Freeze the extras. This zucchini bread freezes perfectly, which is super handy, because the recipe makes 2 loaves. I like to slice and eat one right away and stash the other in the freezer for another day. If you like, you can slice it before you freeze it. That way, you can thaw one slice at a time for an easy breakfast or snack! Transfer frozen slices to the fridge to thaw overnight, or pop them in the microwave for about 30 seconds.

healthy zucchini bread

More Healthy Zucchini Recipes

If you love this healthy zucchini bread, try one of these healthy zucchini recipes next:

Want more quick bread recipes? Try my healthy banana bread, gluten-free banana bread, or pumpkin bread next.

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Healthy Zucchini Bread

rate this recipe:
5 from 49 votes
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Serves 16
This healthy zucchini bread recipe is easy and delicious! The loaves will keep in an airtight container at room temperature for 3 days. They also freeze perfectly.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups packed shredded zucchini, about 2 medium zucchini
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup almond flour
  • 2 teaspoons cinnamon
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • 4 large eggs, see note below for vegan option
  • 1 cup cane sugar
  • ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • ½ cup almond milk
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • ½ cup chocolate chips, optional

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease or lightly spray two 8x4” loaf pans.
  • Place the shredded zucchini on paper towels to drain. Set aside.
  • In a medium bowl, combine the flours, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
  • In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, sugar, olive oil, almond milk, and vanilla. Gently squeeze any excess moisture from the zucchini then stir into the egg mixture. Add the dry ingredients to the bowl and stir until just combined. Do not overmix.
  • Pour the batter into the prepared pans and sprinkle the chocolate chips on top, if using. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let cool.

Notes

To make this recipe vegan, follow these 2 steps:
1. In a small bowl whisk together 1/4 cup ground flaxseeds with 1/2 cup water. Set aside for 10 minutes to thicken. Add it to the wet ingredients in place of the eggs.
2. Add 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar to the wet ingredients and 1 additional teaspoon of baking powder to the dry ingredients. This will help the vegan loaves rise a bit. This version is very moist, do not under-bake.

 

 

133 comments

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Rate this recipe (after making it)




  1. Elisa
    07.30.2021

    5 stars
    Best tasting zucchini bread while still being healthy!

  2. Eugenia
    07.10.2021

    Hi my son is allergic to tree nuts including almonds. I saw that it was not an optional ingredient. However can you give me any recommendations to sub?

  3. Donna
    06.27.2021

    5 stars
    We’re backing up with zucchini from the garden so I made this with what I had on hand. I used Lactaid red instead of Almond milk; I used oats in the food processor instead of almond flour; I used vegetable oil instead of EVOO. And I added both 1/2 cup chocolate chips and 1/2 cup chopped walnuts. Even with those changes it came out great. Thank you for the recipe, it’s a keeper!

  4. carrie
    04.03.2021

    I made this recipe today and 4 teaspoons of cinnamon is WAY too much! I should have followed my gut and added half the amount. I like cinnamon, but this kind of burns your tongue. I’m disappointed that I wasted so many high quality ingredients, and one loaf was supposed to be a gift. Ive made other Love and Lemons recipes before that I have liked very much. Had I reduced the cinnamon, I think it would have been great.

  5. caroline
    03.05.2021

    5 stars
    Perfection! I cut the sugar by about half, and used whole milk instead of almond milk… fluffy, moist and delicious! Thank you xx

  6. Beth
    02.07.2021

    I’ve successfully made this recipe a dozen times w Bob’s red mill 1-1 flour. This was our first time w Kind Arthur 1-1 and they are still fantastic. Thx for this family favorite recipe!

    • Jeanine Donofrio
      02.07.2021

      I’m so happy to hear that both types of flours worked well – thank you for sharing!

  7. Brenda
    01.04.2021

    5 stars
    One positive thing to come out of 2020 is my new found love for zucchini. I have been experimenting with this versatile veggie all summer long. However, this was my first attempt at making zucchini bread and it was a success. My dad has to keep his salt and sugar intake to a minimum which is why I only used 1/2 cup of sugar but it was still delicious, moist, and easy to make.

  8. lillian
    10.06.2020

    5 stars
    I nvefanized it and it was so moist and tasty 😋I cut the sugar by a 1/4 cup and it was perfect for my dad. Then I made a tiny bit of glaze and put it on my portion. It was delicious

  9. Desiree
    08.11.2020

    Can I sub anything for the almond and almond milk?

    • Jeanine Donofrio
      08.12.2020

      Hi Desiree, I’m not sure how it would be without the almond flour, but you can replace the almond milk with any type of milk.

  10. Ezgogreen
    08.10.2020

    5 stars
    These were AMAZING!!! Perfect amount of sugar/salt, fluffy and delicious! I added fresh blueberries and lemon zest to have the batch for even more yumminess!

    • Jeanine Donofrio
      08.30.2020

      I’m so glad you loved it! Mmmm… blueberries 🙂

  11. Gail S
    07.31.2020

    5 stars
    This was so delicious! I made a dozen gluten free muffins by cutting the recipe in half, replaced chocolate chips with chopped walnuts and subbed Bob’s 1:1 gluten free Baking flour for the AP flour and baked about 17 minutes- they turned out perfectly – moist yet fluffy. Will definitely be saving this one!

  12. Rachel
    07.07.2020

    Can I make these into muffins instead? Any advice if I try it that way?

    • Jeanine Donofrio
      07.10.2020

      Hi Rachel, you can… reduce the baking time – I’d start checking around 18 minutes.

  13. Christine
    07.01.2020

    5 stars
    Substituted 1/2 cup of pyure instead of the 1 cup sugar and it was great! Thanks for the recipe

    • Jeanine Donofrio
      07.12.2020

      I’m so glad you enjoyed the zucchini bread!

  14. Laura G
    03.23.2020

    5 stars
    Thanks for a wonderful recipe! I’m vegan so I made it with flax seed and added the apple cider vinegar and extra baking powder as you suggested. I also substituted unsweetened applesauce for half the olive oil. I was a little worried because the batter came out SO thick but it baked up beautifully! The bread is so moist and delicious!

    • Jeanine Donofrio
      03.23.2020

      I’m so glad you loved it!!!

    • Jeanine Donofrio
      03.29.2020

      Hi Laura, I’m so glad you loved it! Thanks for the tip about the applesauce!

  15. Tina
    12.23.2019

    Try using coconut oil in place of olive oil! Avocado oil and grapeseed oil are also great for baking!

  16. Athena
    08.31.2019

    5 stars
    Thank you so much for this great recipe! I’ve made this recipe several times and love it! I want to try freezing it for an upcoming camping trip. Do you recommend freezing the whole loaf or cutting it first and then freezing it in pieces? Do you wrap it in foil or put it in freezer ziplocks? Also, what’s the best way to thaw it?

    Thank You!

  17. Kerry
    08.30.2019

    Stress baking because of hurricane prep. What better to have in the freezer than zucchini bread. I used gluten free all purpose flour and sub coconut palm sugar. I think that altered the flavor and will try beet sugar next time. Still really good and will make again.

  18. Addie
    08.21.2019

    5 stars
    This turned out SO well! I made some unintentional changes:

    -oat milk instead of almond
    -spiralized zucchini instead of shredded (I bought already spiralized – don’t judge – and then forgot to chop it more before adding to the bowl. I’m also not sure because I didn’t even measure but I think I used more than 2 cups).
    -light brown sugar
    -ONE 8.5 x 4.5 loaf pan because that’s what I had – I ended up just cooking it for 60 mins

    Other than forgetting to further chop or shred my own zucchini, I think I would stick with the changes I made!

    • Jeanine Donofrio
      08.23.2019

      Hi Addie, I’m do glad you enjoyed it!

  19. Jeanine Donofrio
    07.26.2019

    Hi Maureen, you can use coconut sugar (the same amount), but not maple syrup. The dry sugar will swap fine but the liquid sweetener will change the dry to liquid ratio in the recipe. I hope that helps!

  20. Renee Woodruff Adams
    07.21.2019

    Hi, looking for healthy and nutritious recipes to make and keep on hand post baby! Do you think this bread would freeze ok? Thanks, Renee

    • Jeanine Donofrio
      07.21.2019

      Hi Renee, yep, this bread freezes well!

A food blog with fresh, zesty recipes.
Photograph of Jeanine Donofrio and Jack Mathews in their kitchen

Hello, we're Jeanine and Jack.

We love to eat, travel, cook, and eat some more! We create & photograph vegetarian recipes from our home in Chicago, while our shiba pups eat the kale stems that fall on the kitchen floor.