I love an easy quick bread recipe to take care of breakfast and snack for the coming week and this one is a new favorite to add to the mix. It’s the best of both Banana Bread and Zucchini Bread, with flavors from both, and is still just as easy to make. It’s less sweet than traditional banana bread too, but is perfectly sweet enough from the ripe fruit in the mix. This is delicious warm or cold, with butter or cream cheese, and you can add chopped walnuts or chocolate chips if you like, too. (You may also like my Chocolate Chip Zucchini Muffins, Lower Sugar Banana Bread, my Protein Banana Bread, and my Easy Zucchini Muffins.)
Ingredients You Need
Here’s a look at the ingredients you need to make this easy Zucchini Banana Bread recipe.
Bananas: Very ripe bananas with brown spots are the best option here as they will have the most banana flavor and natural sweetness. Zucchini: I’m using classic green zucchini, but heirloom varieties will also work if that’s what you see. Butter: I typically bake with unsalted butter so I can control the salt level myself. We melt it and add it to the batter to add moisture and richness. Eggs: Eggs help add texture to the batter and help it hold together. I use large eggs. If you can’t use eggs, you can use a store bought egg replacer like the one from Bob’s Red Mill. Vanilla extract: Vanilla helps balance the flavors in the quick bread. Either pure or imitation will both work so use the one that fits your budget. Whole-wheat flour: I use whole wheat flour here since it can stand up to the high moisture content in the bananas and the zucchini to make a moist, yet hearty bread. It also has more fiber and complex carbohydrates than all-purpose flour. If you want to use all-purpose, you can. Just know you may need to bake a little longer. Sugar: I use a modest amount of regular sugar here (and it’s about half as much as a classic bread recipe like this) because I like the texture it creates. You can sub ⅓ cup honey or maple syrup if you prefer. It may not taste as sweet. Baking soda: Fresh, active baking soda ensures that the bread rises and bakes through properly. Cinnamon: You can add a little cinnamon to enhance the flavors of the bread. Feel free to stir in some chopped walnuts or chocolate chips, too, if you want.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Below is an overview of how to make the Zucchini Banana Bread recipe so you know what to expect from the process. Scroll down to the end of the post for the full recipe, including the amounts and timing.
Optional Add-Ins
Once you have the batter all stirred together, you can add a handful of chocolate chips, chopped walnuts, or even blueberries to the batter to add additional flavor and texture.
How to Store
Let the Zucchini Banana Bread bread loaf cool fully on a wire rack and then slice using a serrated knife. Then you can store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, in the fridge for up to 5 days, or you can freeze in a freezer bag with as much air removed as possible for up to 6 months. You can serve this bread at room temperature, cold, or warmed up.
Best Tips for Success
Serve chilled or slightly warmed or toasted. (If it’s been a few days and the bread is getting a little dried out, toast it!) Use all all-purpose flour if desired. You may need to cover with foil and bake for 5-10 more minutes to bake through completely in the center. Test with a cake tester to be sure it’s baked. Add ½ cup chocolate chips to the batter if desired. Mash the bananas very smooth with a fork or a potato masher.
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