Healthy Zucchini Bread

Name: Healthy Zucchini Bread
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 50 min
Ingredients: 1 cup zucchini (grated); 3/4 cup applesauce (unsweetened); 1/4 cup maple syrup; 1/4 cup coconut sugar; 1/2 cup almond milk (unsweetened); 2 Tbsp flaxseed (ground); 1/2 tbsp vanilla extract; 2 Tbsp coconut oil; 1 1/2 cups white whole wheat flour; 1/2 cup almond flour; 1 tsp ground cinnamon (ground); 1/4 tsp nutmeg (ground); 1 tsp baking soda; 1 1/2 tsp baking powder; 1/4 tsp sea salt; 1/2 cup chocolate chips; 1/2 cup raw walnuts (chopped)

loaf of healthy zucchini bread with end sliced off next to a knife and a whole zucchini.

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Grab a slice of this warm, healthy zucchini bread and energize your afternoon in a delightful. If I can’t grab a slice fresh from the oven then I enjoy reheating it in the toaster oven to enjoy. This is just as fun and easy to make as some gluten-free banana muffins or gluten-free fudgy brownies and just as yummy!

My chocolate zucchini bread recipe is a fun snack for the family to make together.

slices of zucchini bread next to a loaf.

It doesn’t get much better than some warm, healthy zucchini bread with gooey chocolate chips. This recipe makes a great compliment to a good cup of healthy coffee or as an afternoon snack.

Zucchini bread is part of the quick bread. It originated in America in the late 18th century. We still enjoy it today, with a few slight ingredient twists.

Table of Contents

Recipe Ingredients
Simple Ingredient Swaps
How to Make Healthy Zucchini Bread
FAQs
More Sweet Bread Recipes
Healthy Zucchini Bread Recipe

Recipe Ingredients

labeled ingredients for zucchini bread recipe including walnuts, almond flour, chocolate chips, white whole wheat flour, almond milk, coconut sugar, spices, baking soda, baking powder, maple syrup, zucchini, flax eggs, coconut oil, vanilla extract and applesauce.

Zucchini is an inexpensive vegetable that is shockingly tasty in bread. While there are several healthy zucchini recipes that are savory, let’s try this sweet version.

I set out to create bread with some extras and swaps that make it hearty and filling while keeping it satisfyingly sweet and yummy. Here’s what I’m putting in my bread pan:

Shredded zucchini: The queen of this recipe is the zucchini. Rich in vitamins A and C as well as manganese and potassium, it is an inexpensive veggie that is mild in flavor and quite lovely in bread!
Applesauce: This is often used in baked goods instead of oil. I still add in a little bit of coconut oil, yet this makes up the rest of the “oil.”
Maple syrup + coconut sugar: These are my top choices when baking for adding natural sweetener without using refined sugar.
Unsweetened almond milk: Dairy-free milk is an easy addition to this recipe and you honestly can’t tell that there is no dairy!
Flax eggs: This unique superfood ingredient is actually really simple to make and acts as both a vegan-friendly ingredient swap in many baking recipes as well as a fiber boost.
Coconut oil: My oil of choice for baking (and life!) as it adds a slightly sweet depth of flavor to this zucchini bread recipe.
White whole wheat flour + almond flour: Use this combo to add additional fiber, protein and a denser, hearty result. I like my bread to have some weight to it and these two ingredients help me achieve that.
Vanilla extract + spices + sea salt: I chose vanilla, nutmeg, cinnamon and salt to spice this bread. They pair well with the nuttiness from the flaxseed, coconut sugar and maple syrup.
Baking soda + powder: These both help the bread rise. Since I’m using flours that are dense, these help add some lightness to the finished product.
Chocolate chips: Who doesn’t love to add a bit of chocolate to their snacks? I use semi-sweet chocolate chunks or dark chocolate, depending on what’s on hand.
Raw walnuts: These add a nice finish to this recipe as well as fuel for the brain.

Simple Ingredient Swaps

I make baked goods that fit my preference and ease of enjoyment. My body doesn’t like dairy so I swap it out when possible. You can easily use more traditional ingredients in your bread.

Flours: Instead of adding in nut flour, feel free to use all-white whole wheat flour. You can also swap the flour out for your favorite gluten-free all-purpose flour.
Oils: The coconut oil can be swapped out for avocado or olive oil.
Spices: If cinnamon or nutmeg isn’t your jam, swap those out for your preferred spices.
Maple Syrup: Can swap with honey or raw cane sugar.
Flax egg: Swap with regular eggs.
Walnuts: Swap with pecans or omit completely.

Do what works for you and if you modify this recipe then tell me how yours turned out!

Bread add-ins

One reason I love zucchini bread is that you can make it differently every time, depending on what you like or have on hand. I always treat the healthy zucchini bread recipe as my base, then add fun toppings as I go.

For this recipe, I chose the family favorite of walnuts and chocolate chips.

Try dried fruit and fun spices, such as cardamom, or pumpkin spice. The possibilities are almost endless with this easy recipe. Almost any nut can be swapped in for the walnuts, or a great seed like hemp hearts that still hold a nutty flavor.

How to Make Healthy Zucchini Bread

I grew up eating zucchini bread that my mom would make. It made the entire house smell wonderful and we’d devour it in a day. This recipe is very similar to that one. We took it a step further and added chocolate.

It turns from a basic quick bread into a decadent dessert, while still using clean, healthy ingredients.

Quick breads like this chocolate zucchini bread recipe are a great snack idea as they really are quick. All the ingredients for this bread can be combined in the same bowl, which makes for less mess. You can also change up the ingredients to fit what you have on hand, and it’ll still taste great!

Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F and line an 8×4 loaf pan with parchment paper. Make sure the parchment goes above the sides of the pan so you can easily lift the bread out after baking.

glass bowl with flax egg mixture and a silver spoon.

Step 2: Make flax eggs. Stir 2 tbsp of flax seeds in 5 tbsp of water and set aside for 5 minutes. They will turn into a thick mixture that can be added when eggs are normally added to a recipe.

two paper towels with shredded zucchini.

Step 3: Take the shredded zucchini and place it in the middle of a clean tea towel, paper towel or cheesecloth. Wrap up the zucchini and squeeze out as much liquid as you can. Set aside.

glass bowl of flax eggs after they have gelled.

Step 4: In a large bowl combine the wet ingredients: coconut oil, flax eggs, vanilla extract, applesauce, maple syrup and milk. Mix well.

glass bowl with several mixed ingredients for zucchini bread recipe and a whisk.

Step 5: Add remaining dry ingredients except zucchini and chocolate chips to the bowl. Mix until the batter has an even consistency.

stirring shredded zucchini into a glass bowl of other ingredients.

Step 6: Add drained zucchini and chocolate chips and fold into batter. Use a large wooden spoon or spatula to gently combine so that you don’t over-mix.

loaf pan with zucchini bread batter topped with chocolate chunks ready to be baked.

Step 7: Pour batter into the prepared loaf pan and top with extra chocolate chips and walnuts if desired.

finished healthy zucchini bread in a loaf pan.

Sep 8: Bake for 45 minutes or until bread is golden on top. Give the bread 20 minutes to cool in the pan before removing it to slice.

Wrap in plastic wrap to store and keep the moisture in. If you want to freeze, wrap in plastic wrap then place in a freezer-safe silicone bag once completely cool. This will freeze for up to 6 months.

Note: I use a box grater to grate my zucchini and it seems to go fairly quickly.

FAQs

Is zucchini bread healthy?

My recipe uses a mixture of whole wheat flour and almond flour, which are both less refined and a bit more fiber dense than refined white flour. I also omit refined sugar in favor of coconut sugar and maple syrup for a more natural sweetness with some healthy benefits.

Should I peel zucchini for bread?

No need! Honestly, there is no need to peel zucchini for this recipe, and it just adds an extra, messy step to do so. Just leave it on and enjoy the extra nutrients the skin has to offer, without any downside. Some vegetable peels are a tough texture, yet not zucchini!

How much sugar is in zucchini bread?

My recipe has only 11 grams of sugar per serving. Instead of using refined sugar, I use a combination of coconut sugar and maple syrup for a richer, slightly nutty sweetness that highlights the warmth of this bread.

More Sweet Bread Recipes

Snacks make or break my healthy habits. If I’ve got good, nutritious and delicious options on hand, then I know I’ll win the day where good food choices are concerned. I’m always creating new bread options for myself and this awesome community.

Keep reading for some great recipes I think you’ll love just as much as this zucchini bread recipe:

Almond Butter + Jam Muffins: A snack or quick breakfast that is tasty and filling.
Pumpkin Pancakes: A lovely recipe for Saturday morning.
Vegan Blueberry Muffins: Gorgeously flavored muffins that will be gone in an instant!
Vegan Waffles: A family favorite to make and freeze for quick breakfasts during the school year.
Gluten-Free Banana Muffins: Fluffy muffins that taste like the banana bread of your childhood.

What are some of your go-to snacks? I’d love to hear about them! Drop a comment so that you can share what fun recipes get you through the day.

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