This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, read my disclosure policy.

All you need is a few simple ingredients, one bowl, a spoon, and a loaf pan to make the best homemade zucchini bread recipe ever. It’s soft and moist, full of spice and absolutely delicious. This is going to become your favorite quick bread recipe EVER!

One loaf of zucchini bread with half cut into bread slices

Why My Zucchini Bread Works

It’s a tried-and-true zucchini bread recipe. I’ve tested it so many times, and it turns out great each time. It’s easy to make: you don’t have to wring out the zucchini, you don’t need a mixer, and you only need one bowl. I love to make a double batch of this bread and freeze a loaf for later. It’s super freezer-friendly!

Have I convinced you yet? I hope so because you are in for a treat. Once you try this easy quick bread recipe, it will be your go-to, just like it is for me.

all ingredients in zucchini bread

Important Zucchini Bread Ingredients

  • Vegetable Oil: Instead of using butter, I always use a neutral oil for zucchini bread. This keeps it moist and soft. You can also use canola oil.
  • Sugar: This recipe uses both brown sugar and granulated sugar. I like the combination for the little flavor the brown sugar gives, plus the color and how the brown sugar helps keep zucchini bread soft.
  • Ground Cinnamon: A classic flavor ingredient
  • Baking Soda and Baking Powder: The two act together to create a puffy, soft and moist quick bread.
  • Shredded Zucchini: This is the most important part! Be sure to get one large or two small/medium zucchini just in case. Shred it yourself. You don’t need to wring it out unless it’s been frozen and is extra wet.
One loaf of zucchini bread with half cut into bread slices

SAVE THIS RECIPE

We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!

How to Shred Zucchini for Bread

My favorite way to grate zucchini is with a box grater. Use the large holes to shred it. If you have a lot of zucchini to grate, you can use a food processor with the shredder attachment. You do not need to pat the zucchini dry unless it’s extra wet from being frozen and thawed. In that case, pat it with paper towels – you don’t want it super dry – the moisture in the shredded zucchini is what keeps this zucchini bread recipe moist.

You will need 1 1/2 cups of shredded zucchini for the recipe, which is approximately 152 grams, or close to one large zucchini (but remember “large” means something different to everyone, so be sure to grate enough to measure out 1 1/2 cups).

zucchini bread batter in pan.
Two loaves of zucchini bread side by side

What are the best pans for Zucchini Bread?

You will want to use a loaf pan for this zucchini bread recipe and other quick bread recipes. There are several sizes, but the most common ones are 9 x 5-inch loaf pan and 8×4-inch. Both will work for this recipe, but I prefer the 8×4” one.

You can see in the photo that the bread baked in the smaller 8” pan puffed up and has that nice domed top. If you use a 9” loaf pan, the bread will bake fine and taste great, but the loaf will be flatter on top. You won’t get that pretty round loaf on top.

You can make mini-loaves in 3 mini-loaf pans (1 regular quick bread recipe = 3 mini loaves).

I don’t usually line my pans with aluminum foil but you can if you want.

Dorothy’s Expert Tips

  • You don’t have to peel the zucchini, unless you want to.
  • If you have lots of zucchini from your garden, you can shred it and freeze it to use all year long. Be sure to thaw it first and, if needed, pat any excess water from it before adding it to your batter.
4.97 from 467 votes

Zucchini Bread Recipe

By: Dorothy Kern
The best basic zucchini bread – moist and soft with tons of freshly grated zucchini in it. Freezable and you can add any mix-ins you like.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
One loaf of zucchini bread with half cut into bread slices
Save Pin Print Remove Ads

Video

Save this recipe!
Get this recipe emailed to you – plus get all recipes sent straight to your email!

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cups (186g) all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup (119ml) vegetable oil
  • ¾ cup (150g) packed brown sugar
  • ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 teaspoons cinnamon
  • 1 ½ cups (approximately 152g) shredded zucchini

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease an 8×4-inch or 9×5-inch loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray or butter.
  • Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a small bowl. Set aside.
  • Add oil and both sugars to a large bowl. Stir until smooth.
  • Mix in cinnamon, eggs, and vanilla extract.
  • Stir in flour mixture, mixture will be thick. Add zucchini and stir until combined – mixture will get looser and more pourable after stirring in zucchini.
  • Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake 50-60 minutes (9×5-inch pan) or 55-65 minutes (8×4-inch) pan, or until a toothpick comes out clean from the center of the loaf.
  • Cool before slicing or removing from the pan. Store covered for up to 2 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

Notes

 
  • Be sure to shred your own zucchini using the large holes of a box grater. Do not drain or squeeze liquid out of the zucchini – you need the moisture to keep the bread moist.
  • Sugar: I like the mix of brown and granulated but you can omit the brown sugar and use 1 cup granulated if you prefer.
  • The 8×4-inch loaf will bake more domed, while the 9×5-inch pan will be flatter.
  • Feel free to add in ½ cup chopped nuts or chocolate chips after stirring in zucchini.

Modify with AI

chat gptchat gptchat gptchat gpt

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 328kcal | Carbohydrates: 46g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 41mg | Sodium: 238mg | Potassium: 157mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 27g | Vitamin A: 107IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 47mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

© Crazy for Crust. Content and photographs are copyrighted. Sharing this post is much appreciated, but copying and pasting full recipes without authorization is strictly prohibited.

Did you try this recipe? Click here to rate the recipe below.

Storing Leftovers

  • Store leftover bread tightly covered with plastic wrap.
  • Freeze whole loaves tightly wrapped with plastic wrap and stored in a freezer bag. Or you can freeze slices of bread in sealable sandwich bags for easy grab and go snacking.

How to Make Zucchini Bread Step by Step

dry ingredients in bowl
  1. It’s best to whisk dry ingredients first, just to make sure the baking soda and salt are incorporated.
clear bowl with oil, brown sugar, and white sugar with zucchini around.

2. Once you stir the oil and sugars, the mixture will be grainy.

clear bowl with zucchini batter and eggs with zucchini around.

3. The mixture will turn dark after adding the cinnamon. Once you add the flour it’ll seem too thick.

bowl of zucchini bread batter

4. Adding the zucchini will make it wetter and more like a quick bread batter.

Variations

More Zucchini Recipes To Try

Favorite Quick Bread Recipes

Dorothy Kern

Welcome to Crazy for Crust, where I share recipes that are sometimes crazy, often with a crust, and always served with a slice of life.

Learn More About Me
4.97 from 467 votes (321 ratings without comment)

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




366 Comments

  1. Flavorless, very crumbly. The center was kinda mushy. Doesn’t cut clean.
    I wish I could attach a pic so u guys can see….

    Reply

    1. That is for sure not how it’s supposed to turn out – can you troubleshoot with me and let me know if you made any substitutions?

      Reply

  2. This is the zucchini bread recipe I’ve been looking for!! Absolutely delicious!! I only made one modification. I doubled the recipe, and put in three teaspoons of cinnamon and one of pumpkin pie spice. Very minor change, just like a touch of the other spices. Thank you!!!

    Reply

    1. Hi Gail, so glad you like this recipe! I’m sure the pumpkin pie spice is a great addition 🎃 Thank you for taking the time to rate and comment 🙂

      Reply

    1. Hi Susan, I’m glad you and your family like this bread! Thank you for taking the time to rate and comment 🙂

      Reply

  5. This bread is really good. I don’t follow the instructions exactly, as far as putting the ingredients together, and I bake it at 375° for 20 min before turning the oven down to 350°. I like a crunchier crust. I add 2/3 of the oil called for and substitute the rest with cinnamon apple sauce. So yummy! Have used this recipe a few times now.

    Reply