This easy zucchini bread recipe is the best I've tried! Packed with zucchini and cinnamon, it's super moist and flavorful. Plan on having a second slice.
This easy zucchini bread recipe is the best I’ve tried.
- It’s super moist,
- warmly spiced,
- studded with crunchy walnuts,
- and PACKED with shredded zucchini, so you can use up a good portion of your summer squash haul in one go.
If there’s something else you look for in a zucchini bread recipe, let me know, but to me, this one is perfection. I love that all the ingredients are pantry basics, that the batter is a breeze to stir together, and that the recipe yields two loaves. Freeze one for later or share it with a friend…and then, if you’re me, make this zucchini bread recipe again. I mean, it’s zucchini season! The more zucchini bread, the merrier, right?
How to Make Zucchini Bread
The great thing about this zucchini bread recipe is that, like other quick bread recipes (i.e., banana bread or pumpkin bread), it’s super easy to make! You don’t need any special equipment here—just a box grater, a couple of mixing bowls, and two loaf pans. The ingredients are simple too.
Zucchini Bread Recipe Ingredients
- Zucchini, of course! It makes this quick bread amazingly moist.
- All-purpose flour – Spoon and level it to avoid packing too much into your measuring cup.
- Baking powder, baking soda, and eggs – They help the loaves rise.
- Cinnamon and vanilla extract – For warm, cozy depth of flavor.
- Cane sugar – It sweetens the zucchini bread.
- Vegetable oil – It adds moisture and richness.
- Walnuts – For crunch.
- And sea salt – To make all the flavors pop!
Find the complete recipe with measurements below.
How to Prep Zucchini for Bread
To make this recipe, you’ll need 3 cups of shredded zucchini, from about 2 medium squash.
If you’ve never grated zucchini before, it’s super easy—just shred it on the large holes of a box grater. There’s no need to peel the zucchini or remove the seeds. You also shouldn’t press or squeeze any of the excess moisture out of it. You want all that to go into the bread!
Once you shred the zucchini, make the batter. Mix together the dry ingredients in one bowl and the wet ingredients in another. Add the zucchini to the wet ingredients and fold to combine.
Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined. Careful not to overmix! If you do, the quick bread will be dense.
Fold in the nuts.
Next, pour the batter into two greased loaf pans. It’s ok if the two pans aren’t the same size or material, but keep in mind that the loaves might bake at different rates. I recommend checking them early to avoid over-baking.
Sprinkle more nuts over the tops of the loaves…
And bake at 325°F for 40 to 55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean and the tops of the loaves spring back to the touch.
Find the complete recipe with measurements below.
Best Zucchini Bread Recipe Tips
- Don’t overmix. When you add the dry ingredients to the wet, stir just until they’re combined. Overmixing the batter will start to develop the gluten in the flour, which can make for dense loaves. We want them to be light and tender instead!
- Give it time to cool. If you’re anything like me, you’re going to want to slice into the bread as soon as it comes out of the oven (heads up: your kitchen will smell amazing). But if you can resist, let it cool for an hour instead. I promise that it will taste even better after it cools. It will have a moister texture, and the flavor from the spices and vanilla will have deepened.
- Use a different summer squash. Green zucchini isn’t the only type of squash that will work in this bread! Sub in yellow zucchini, striped zucchini, or yellow squash instead. They’ll all yield a moist, flavorful bread.
- Change up the mix-ins. Not feeling walnuts? Replace them with pecans, or swap in dried cherries, dried cranberries, or chocolate chips. A walnut/chocolate chip combo is fantastic too!
How to Store Zucchini Bread
Homemade zucchini bread keeps well for up to 4 days after baking. Store it at room temperature in an airtight container or tightly wrapped in aluminum foil or plastic wrap.
Can you freeze zucchini bread?
Yes, this easy zucchini bread also freezes well! Wrap up the entire loaf, or store individual slices in freezer bags or airtight containers. Freeze for up to 3 months.
I like to freeze individual slices so that I can thaw one at a time for breakfast or a snack. Let them sit at room temperature for an hour to thaw, or zap them in the microwave to quickly reheat.
More Favorite Zucchini Recipes
If you love this zucchini bread, try one of these easy zucchini recipes next:
- Chocolate Zucchini Bread
- Zucchini Muffins
- Zucchini Brownies
- Chocolate Zucchini Cake
- Zucchini Fritters
- Roasted Zucchini
- Grilled Zucchini
- Or any of these 30 Best Zucchini Recipes!
Zucchini Bread
Equipment
- Loaf Pan (you'll need 2 for this recipe)
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1½ cups cane sugar
- 1 cup vegetable oil, plus more for the pans
- 3 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups grated zucchini, about 2 medium, don’t press or squeeze
- 1 cup chopped walnuts, plus more for topping
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325°F and grease two 8x4 or 9x5-inch loaf pans.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In another large bowl, whisk together the sugar, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla. Add the grated zucchini and fold to combine.
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined. Fold in the walnuts.
- Divide the batter between the prepared pans and sprinkle with walnuts. Bake for 40 to 55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean and the tops of the loaves spring back to the touch.
Good morning Jeanine!
I LOVE your recipes & and I really enjoy your latest cookbook!!!!!
BTW, it isn’t from your cookbook,but from your we. I made your Spaghetti Squash last night w/ the addition of sautéed mushrooms. AWESOME 👏!!!
I have a question: regarding this zucchini bread recipe,can I substitute yellow squash;summer squash), since they’re so similar in flavor?
Thank you again & I’m looking forward to discover new favorites from your cookbook!
Hi Lisa, I’m so glad you’ve been loving the book and the recipes! Yes, you can swap yellow squash here!
Great recipe. It was quick and easy to make. My family loved it. Will make this again.
So glad you loved it, LuAnn!
can you use granulated sugar instead of cane?
This recipe deserves 10 stars. I made mini muffins out of the batter so I can share with my co-workers. I didn’t change a thing and I love how all the flavors pop together. Kudos to you all!!!
Hi Bobby, aww I’m so glad you love the recipe!
I love this recipe and so does my family! I made it again tonight. The first time that I made it I added 2 grated carrots (from my garden) raisins and walnuts.
The 2nd time I added carrots and cranberries so my daughter in law could have some being she has nut allergies.. The first one is my favorite ?
Hi Cindy, I’m so glad you love the bread! It would be delicious with the mix of carrots and zucchini—great suggestion.
Can I use gluten free flour instead of all-purpose?
Hi Cherie, I haven’t tried this recipe with gf flour, but I think a 1:1 blend would work!
Not a big baker . Followed the recipe and it came out great! Will definitely do it again.
So glad you loved it, Joan!
Meant to rate it a 5!
Thanks, Diana!
Made this with whole wheat flour and added cinnamon and nutmeg-DELICIOUS!
So glad you loved it, Diana!
Zucchini’s were about to go bad, glad I found this recipe instead of throwing them out!
used dry roasted macadamia nuts due to an allergy and can report it’s GREAT with macadamia nuts!
Hi Jasmine, I’m so glad you loved the bread! What a fun idea to use macadamia nuts, sounds delicious.