Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread

🍞 Why You’ll Love This Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread

Looking for a way to use up summer zucchini and satisfy your chocolate cravings? This Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread does it all. It’s soft, tender, full of melty chocolate chips, and made with simple pantry staples.

✅ Moist without being oily
✅ Packed with real zucchini (but you’d never know!)
✅ Kid-friendly and lunchbox-ready
✅ One bowl and no mixer required
✅ Freezer-friendly

Whether you’re baking for brunch, dessert, or to sneak more veggies into your day, this loaf is guaranteed to impress.


🛒 Ingredients You’ll Need

Dry Ingredients:

  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour

  • 1 tsp baking soda

  • ½ tsp baking powder

  • ½ tsp salt

  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon (optional but adds warmth)

Wet Ingredients:

  • 2 large eggs

  • ⅓ cup neutral oil (avocado, sunflower, or light olive oil)

  • ½ cup brown sugar (or coconut sugar)

  • ¼ cup maple syrup or honey

  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

  • 1 ½ cups finely grated zucchini (about 1 medium)

Mix-Ins:

  • ¾ cup chocolate chips (semi-sweet or dark)

  • Optional: ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans


👩‍🍳 How to Make Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread

Step 1 – Prep Oven & Pan

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease or line a 9×5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper for easy removal.

Step 2 – Grate the Zucchini

No need to peel—just wash, trim the ends, and grate using the fine side of a box grater. Lightly press with paper towels to remove excess water, but don’t squeeze it bone dry.

Step 3 – Mix Wet Ingredients

In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, oil, brown sugar, maple syrup, and vanilla until smooth and creamy.

Step 4 – Add Dry Ingredients

Sprinkle the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon over the wet mixture. Stir until just combined—don’t overmix.

Step 5 – Fold in Zucchini & Chocolate

Gently fold in the grated zucchini and chocolate chips. Add nuts if using.

Step 6 – Bake

Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top. Sprinkle a few chocolate chips on top for a bakery-style finish.
Bake for 50–60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean (a few melted chocolate streaks are fine!).

Step 7 – Cool & Slice

Let cool in the pan for 10–15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Allow it to cool completely before slicing for the cleanest cuts.


🌟 Tips for Perfect Zucchini Bread

Don’t Skip the Draining

Zucchini is over 90% water. A light press with paper towels prevents a soggy loaf while keeping it moist.

Customize the Sweetness

Prefer less sugar? Reduce the brown sugar slightly and use dark chocolate chips to balance the sweetness.

Make It Dairy-Free

Use dairy-free chocolate chips to make this recipe completely dairy-free.

Make It Whole Wheat

You can substitute up to half of the all-purpose flour with white whole wheat flour for extra fiber and nutrients.


🧊 Storage & Freezing

  • Counter: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

  • Refrigerator: Keeps well for up to 5 days.

  • Freezer: Slice and wrap tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Keeps for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight or microwave individual slices for 30 seconds.


🍴 How to Serve Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread

  • Warmed up with a spread of almond butter or peanut butter

  • With coffee or milk for a sweet afternoon snack

  • Packed into lunchboxes or served as a grab-and-go breakfast

  • Cubed and served as dessert with vanilla Greek yogurt or dairy-free whipped cream


❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I use coconut oil instead of regular oil?

Yes! Melted coconut oil works beautifully. Just let it cool slightly before mixing with eggs to avoid scrambling.

Can I make muffins instead?

Absolutely. Divide batter into muffin tins and bake at 350°F for 18–22 minutes. Makes about 10–12 muffins.

Is this recipe toddler-friendly?

Yes, especially if you reduce the sugar slightly and use mini chocolate chips. It’s a sneaky way to get veggies into kids’ diets!

Can I make it gluten-free?

Yes—use a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend that includes xanthan gum. Texture may vary slightly, but results are still delicious.

💬 Final Thoughts

This Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread is the ultimate comfort bake. Whether you’re baking for picky eaters, meal prepping, or just treating yourself, it strikes the perfect balance of indulgent and wholesome. It’s rich in flavor, soft in texture, and secretly veggie-packed.

Once you try it, you’ll want to make it all year round—not just in zucchini season.

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