Zucchini Banana Bread (Printable)
Tender banana and zucchini loaf, spiced with cinnamon; optional nuts or chocolate add texture—great for breakfast or snacks.
# What You Need:
→ Produce
01 - 1 cup grated zucchini, excess moisture squeezed out
02 - 2 medium ripe bananas, mashed
→ Wet Ingredients
03 - 1/2 cup vegetable oil or melted butter
04 - 2 large eggs
05 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
→ Dry Ingredients
06 - 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
07 - 3/4 cup granulated sugar
08 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
09 - 1 teaspoon baking soda
10 - 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
11 - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
→ Optional Mix-ins
12 - 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
13 - 1/2 cup chocolate chips
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a 9x5-inch loaf pan, ensuring even coverage to prevent sticking.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the vegetable oil (or melted butter), eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth. Add the mashed bananas and grated zucchini, stirring until fully incorporated.
03 - In a separate bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, salt, baking soda, baking powder, and ground cinnamon. Whisk to distribute evenly.
04 - Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, folding gently with a spatula until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the bread tender.
05 - If using, gently fold in the chopped nuts or chocolate chips until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
06 - Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with a spatula for an even surface.
07 - Bake on the center rack for 50 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean.
08 - Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing into 10 even portions.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- It solves two problems at once: using up summer zucchini and bananas that look past their prime.
- The crumb stays tender for days thanks to the combined moisture from both fruits.
02 -
- Skipping the squeeze step for zucchini will leave you with a wet, sunken center that no amount of extra baking time can fix.
- Swapping half the oil for unsweetened applesauce adds moisture and a faint fruity sweetness without weighing it down.
03 -
- Grate the zucchini on the large holes of a box grater and let it sit five minutes before squeezing so more water releases.
- Folding the batter with a spatula instead of stirring with a whisk keeps the crumb tender and light.