Chocolate Zucchini Bread

5 from 5 votes
Pin RecipeJump to RecipeComments

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

Rich and fudgy, moist and chocolatey, this easy Chocolate Zucchini Bread is a sweet snack that’s chock-full of healthy veggies and delicious chocolate. Win-win!

Want to save this recipe?
Enter your email below and we’ll send the recipe straight to your inbox!
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
overhead shot of sliced chocolate zucchini bread

Decadent Chocolate Zucchini Bread

Snack time is an often-overlooked opportunity to try new recipes, don’t you think? I mean, it’s great to grab an apple or some cheese and crackers, but what about making something special? This easy quick bread is a great option!

For starters, it’s chocolate! I mean, honestly I could stop right there. Who doesn’t love a slice of chocolate bar, cake, or bread? 

But, the cool thing about this recipe is that it’s also a great way to serve more veggies, and use up some of the zucchini so many of us are overwhelmed with by the end of the season.

Kids and adults alike adore this sweet, moist loaf cake, even picky eaters who otherwise wouldn’t touch a green vegetable.

up close shot of chocolate zucchini bread in a loaf pan

What You’ll Need

This easy recipe uses pantry staples like flour, sugar, spices, and eggs. A lot of the ingredients can be substituted, too, so feel free to customize.

  • Flour: You’ll need a cup of all-purpose flour. You can definitely use your favorite gluten-free AP blend, but note that the texture may turn out a little different.
  • Cocoa Powder: Get a deep chocolate flavor and color with half a cup of unsweetened cocoa powder.
  • Baking Powder and Baking Soda: Half a teaspoon of each allows our sweet chocolate loaf to rise in the oven.
  • Salt: Don’t forget the salt! The bread will still rise without it, but it will taste very bland… ask me how I know. 😊
  • Cinnamon and Nutmeg: You can omit this if you want a plain chocolate flavor, but I like to add a teaspoon ground cinnamon and a pinch of nutmeg for a Mexican-hot-chocolate kind of vibe.
  • Sugar: Sweeten the bread with half a cup of sugar, or you can use maple syrup or a sugar substitute like Swerve. I almost always use Swerve and it turns out great!
  • Coconut Oil: ¼ cup melted coconut oil makes this cake meltingly moist. Use melted butter, if you prefer.
  • Eggs: I used two large whole eggs.
  • Yogurt: ¼ cup plain nonfat yogurt helps give this quick bread a nice crumb.
  • Vanilla: Use pure vanilla extract for the best flavor.
  • Zucchini: To prep the zucchini, grate it and then pat it dry with paper towels. 
  • Chocolate Chips: My favorite! I like to use about ⅔ cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips, for double-chocolate bread. White chocolate chips would also be wonderful!
  • Sea Salt: For sprinkling, optional, BUT highly recommended. 😋

Why use zucchini?

You might be wondering why this bread includes a veggie at all! Well, the zucchini in this recipe is similar to the carrots in carrot cake, or the bananas in banana bread. Zucchini is a veggie that cooks to a soft consistency and mild taste.

The softness gives your bread a nice texture, and the mild taste works well as a backdrop for sweet, hearty chocolate.

Also!?! Have you tried my 👉 Iced Zucchini BANANA Bread?! Oh Lawdy! It’s SO GOOD!

wet ingredients batter for chocolate zucchini bread

How to Make Chocolate Zucchini Bread

Making this quick bread couldn’t be easier! It’s as simple as mix, and bake. I love having my kids help out with recipes like this, and they love it too!

  1. Prep the Oven and Loaf Pan. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a loaf pan with cooking spray or butter, and sprinkle it with flour. Shake out the excess flour, and set the pan aside while you make the batter..
  2. Mix the Dry Ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and ground nutmeg; whisk or stir to combine.
  3. Mix the Remaining Ingredients. In a different bowl, combine the sugar, coconut oil, eggs, yogurt and vanilla. Stir or whisk to combine.
  4. Combine All the Ingredients. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until combined. Using a spatula, fold in the grated zucchini, and then the chocolate chips.
  5. Bake. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Bake the chocolate zucchini bread for 45 to 55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  6. When the bread is done, remove from the oven and cool in the pan on a wire rack. Then remove the bread from the pan and sprinkle with sea salt, if using. 
mixing shredded zucchini into a chocolate batter for zucchini bread

Tips for Success

Before you try this recipe, check out my best tips for making a great loaf! These easy pointers will guarantee a delicious result.

  • No Need to Peel: Unlike winter squash, summer squashes like zucchini and crookneck have delicate, soft rinds that don’t need to be peeled. Just wash and go.
  • Don’t Overmix: To keep your chocolate bread from becoming tough, make sure to mix at each step just until blended. You don’t want to “knead” this batter, or the gluten will activate and result in a tough, chewy loaf.
  • Cool Before Slicing: It’s important to let the bread cool before you try to cut it, or the slices won’t be neat, and the loaf will fall apart.
cooked chocolate zucchini bread in a loaf pan

How to Store Leftovers

  • To keep your chocolate zucchini bread moist and fresh, wrap it well in two layers of plastic wrap.
  • Store at room temperature for 2 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

Can I Freeze Chocolate Zucchini Bread?

  • Definitely! Zucchini bread freezes well for future use. Just wrap it tightly in two layers of plastic wrap, and one layer of aluminum foil.
  • Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 months.
overhead shot of sliced chocolate zucchini bread
5 from 5 votes

Chocolate Zucchini Bread

Rich and fudgy, moist and chocolatey, this easy Chocolate Zucchini Bread is a sweet snack that’s chock-full of veggies and chocolate.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 55 minutes
Resting Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 2 hours
Servings: 12

Ingredients 

Want to save this recipe?
Enter your email below and we’ll send the recipe straight to your inbox!
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 350˚F.
  • Grease a 9 x 5 inch loaf pan with cooking spray and sprinkle it with flour; shake off the excess and set aside.
  • In a large mixing bowl combine flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and ground nutmeg; whisk until thoroughly combined.
  • In a large bowl, combine the sugar, coconut oil, eggs, yogurt and vanilla.
  • Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients; whisk until combined.
  • With a spatula fold in the grated zucchini.
  • Fold in the chocolate chips.
  • Pour the batter into previously prepared loaf pan.
  • Bake for 45 to 55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  • Remove from oven and cool in the pan on a wire rack; let completely cool.
  • Remove from pan; sprinkle with sea salt.
  • Cut and serve.

Nutrition

Serving: 1slice | Calories: 193kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 28mg | Sodium: 178mg | Potassium: 188mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 76IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 41mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as courtesy. Values may vary according to the ingredients and tools used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed info.

Did you make a recipe? Leave a rating

More Easy Dessert Ideas

Explore More

Leave a comment

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

Recipe Rating




10 Comments

  1. Krystle says:

    5 stars
    So rich and chocolately! My family couldn’t taste the hidden veggies at all Shh! 🙂

    1. Katerina Petrovska says:

      That’s wonderful! I’m very glad everyone enjoyed it! Thank YOU! 🙂

  2. Toni says:

    5 stars
    Such a really amazing zucchini bread recipe! It is so good and easy to make!

    1. Katerina Petrovska says:

      Thank you so much! I hope you enjoy it! 🙂

  3. Juliane says:

    5 stars
    Heaven sent! This is so good!

    1. Katerina Petrovska says:

      I’m very glad you enjoyed it! Thank YOU! 🙂

  4. Catalina says:

    5 stars
    Oh my goodness! This is the best zucchini bread! The addition of chocolate makes it amazing!

    1. Katerina Petrovska says:

      I’m very happy you enjoyed it! Thank YOU! 🙂

  5. Beth says:

    5 stars
    I made this loaf on Saturday with some fresh zucchini my neighbor gave me. The intent was to take half the loaf down to my neighbor but that never happened! LOL!

    1. Katerina Petrovska says:

      LOL! 😀 I am SO happy you loved it! Thank YOU! 🙂