Summer squash season often means an abundance of zucchini, and if you’re wondering how to put all that fresh produce to delicious use, look no further. These 12 easy zucchini bread recipes are the perfect way to transform your surplus zucchini into moist, flavorful loaves and muffins that everyone will love. Whether you’re a baking beginner or a seasoned pro, these recipes make it simple to enjoy zucchini in a sweet, comforting form.
Zucchini bread is a classic that strikes the perfect balance between health and indulgence. It’s moist and tender thanks to the high water content of zucchini, and its mild flavor blends beautifully with spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla. These recipes offer a range of options—from traditional sweet breads to more creative twists with nuts, chocolate chips, or even citrus zest.
One of the biggest advantages of zucchini bread is its versatility. You can bake it as a loaf, muffins, or even mini bundts, making it perfect for breakfast, snacks, or dessert. Many recipes incorporate wholesome ingredients like whole wheat flour, oats, or natural sweeteners to boost the nutritional value without sacrificing taste.
For a classic take, try a simple cinnamon-spiced zucchini bread that’s bursting with warmth and cozy flavors. If you want a bit of crunch, recipes with walnuts or pecans add texture and a nutty depth. Chocolate lovers will adore versions that mix in dark or milk chocolate chips for a sweet surprise in every bite.
If you’re looking to keep things light and dairy-free, there are plenty of options that use applesauce or coconut oil instead of butter, and plant-based milk substitutes for a moist crumb. Some recipes also include ingredients like shredded carrots or pineapple to add extra moisture and a subtle twist on the traditional flavor.
These easy zucchini bread recipes are also a fantastic way to sneak vegetables into picky eaters’ diets—many won’t even notice the healthy zucchini hidden inside! Plus, zucchini’s mild taste means it pairs well with a variety of flavors, so you can customize your bread to suit your preferences.
Baking zucchini bread is a wonderful way to celebrate summer’s bounty and reduce food waste, turning extra squash into delicious, shareable treats. These recipes are perfect for gifting, freezing for later, or enjoying fresh with a cup of coffee or tea.
With these 12 recipes, you’ll never run out of ways to enjoy zucchini bread this season. They’re easy to make, reliably delicious, and guaranteed to become a favorite in your recipe collection. So grab that basket of summer squash and start baking!
Lemon Zucchini Bread
“I thought my mom made the best zucchini bread—until I added lemon!” says recipe creator REBECITA. “This is a wonderful, light zucchini bread that’s not too sweet.” Some reviewers added a couple of tablespoons of lemon juice to the recipe, as well as the lemon zest, to make it even more lemon-y.
Mom’s Zucchini Bread
Let’s kick off the zucchini bread party with our most popular, yet simple, zucchini nut bread. This recipe features walnuts (you can swap for pecans if you prefer), plus a touch of cinnamon to spice things up. MommyFromSeattle raves, “This is my MASTER zucchini recipe. No need to look further. I’ve tried 3 recipes from this site, and this one is the BEST.”
Vegan Zucchini Bread
Many reviewers agree that this vegan zucchini bread is actually moist and light instead of dense. “Wow. I’d never have guessed this was a vegan recipe,” says JEN78RN. “I was making for a friend’s daughter who has egg/milk allergies. I made the batter into muffins instead of a loaf, and they were fluffy, not too dense and had the perfect amount of cinnamon flavor.”
Gluten-Free Zucchini Bread
“If you are looking for a great gluten-free zucchini bread recipe, this is the one! Don’t look any further!” says Mary Carling. “This tastes just like my regular non GF recipe!”
Chocolate Zucchini Bread
Next up in the zucchini bread hall of fame is this chocolate zucchini bread recipe that delivers a double dose of chocolate, with chocolate chips folded into the batter. Do you think anyone will suspect there’s a healthy vegetable lurking in there? ChickadeeD says, “My husband had no idea it was zucchini bread, when I told him he was like ‘NO WAY!'” Tip: Reviewers urge you to line the pans with parchment paper to keep the chocolate chips from sticking.
Caribbean Zucchini Bread
Bananas and coconut team up to give this zucchini bread a taste of the tropics. Reviewers added their own touches such as canned pineapple, coconut milk, and macadamia nuts to amplify up the island vibe.
Blueberry Zucchini Bread
You’ll double down on summer’s bounty in this top-rated blueberry zucchini bread. You really should freeze some loaves and muffins to enjoy when winter rolls around. Tips: To keep blueberries from sinking in the batter, dust them with a little flour or cornstarch. If you’re using frozen berries, no need to thaw them first.
Best Zucchini Bread
“Sorry Mom – I’m replacing your recipe, the one that I grew up eating, the one that I’ve been making for 20 years, the one that I though couldn’t get any bette, with this one! For the first batch I followed the recipe as written (omitting the nuts). Extremely moist and really delicious.” –PATRINCIA
Chocolate Zucchini Bread
This chocolate zucchini bread is moist and scrumptious with just the right amount of spices—even the kids will love it! It’s a great way to use up all of those extra zucchini in your garden, and infuse a classic zucchini bread recipe with a little chocolate. “We LOVE this recipe in the Fall,” says Allrecipes member RickDee. “A great comfort treat and a good use of plentiful zucchini.”
Zucchini-Chocolate Chip Muffins
“Fantastic zucchini muffin recipe,” says Jeannine. “I’ve made zucchini muffins using a half dozen recipes, and this was the favorite. The muffins were especially moist, so if you store them, leave them slightly uncovered. I expect, due to the moisture, these will freeze exceedingly well.” Note: To freeze, place baked and cooled muffins in a single layer on a baking sheet. After they’re frozen solid, you can pop them into a freezer-safe container. Thaw overnight in the fridge.
Lemon Pistachio Zucchini Bread
This version of lemon zucchini bread includes chopped pistachio nuts in the batter. Tip: To make a simple lemon glaze, mix 1 cup powdered sugar with 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice.
