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Healthier Zucchini Bread

14 reviews
Test Kitchen Approved
Total Time

Prep: 20 min. Bake: 45 min. + cooling

Makes

2 loaves (12 pieces each)

Updated: Oct. 14, 2022
This healthier zucchini bread has a golden top, lots of sweet cinnamon flavor and a slimmed-down nutritional profile. It’s perfect for your next afternoon snack. —Marjorie Curtis, Haddam, Connecticut
Healthier Zucchini Bread
Healthier Zucchini Bread Recipe photo by Taste of Home
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Ingredients

  • 1-1/2 cups sugar
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1/3 cup canola oil
  • 3 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2-1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 2 cups shredded zucchini
  • 3/4 cup chopped walnuts

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, beat sugar, applesauce, eggs, oil and vanilla until well blended. Combine flour, cinnamon, baking powder, salt and baking soda; gradually add to sugar mixture. Stir just until moistened. Fold in zucchini and walnuts.
  2. Transfer to 2 greased 8x4-in. loaf pans. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 45-55 minutes. Cool in pans 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool.
Healthier Zucchini Bread Tips

How tightly should you pack the zucchini into the cup when measuring?

When you measure the zucchini, gently press it into a measuring cup used for dry ingredients. It does not need to be squeezed dry—before or after measuring—like you'll find in some other shredded zucchini recipes. You'll notice that the batter is slightly dry before the zucchini is added. That's because the moisture from the zucchini is accounted for and helps hydrate the mixture.

Do I need to peel the zucchini?

When it comes to most zucchini recipes, whether or not you peel the skin is usually a matter of personal preference, and it's the same for this healthier zucchini bread recipe. Since the skin is quite thin, it won't make much of a difference in texture one way or the other—but you'll be able to see flecks of dark green if you leave the skin on.

How can you make healthier zucchini bread your own?

Make your zucchini bread even healthier by replacing half the flour with whole wheat flour. If you're looking to cut calories, omit the nuts. Give the bread a cozy spiced flavor by adding 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves and nutmeg with the cinnamon. Or, if you like chocolate zucchini recipes, stir in 1/2 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips for a more decadent treat.

How should you store healthier zucchini bread?

Store healthier zucchini bread at room temperature for 1 to 2 days, in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.

—Peggy Woodward, Taste of Home Senior Food Editor

Nutrition Facts

1 piece: 168 calories, 6g fat (1g saturated fat), 18mg cholesterol, 165mg sodium, 26g carbohydrate (13g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein.