Embrace the unexpected blend of sweet and earthy flavors in this super moist banana zucchini bread recipe.
It’s the perfect union of tastes and textures with the familiar fruitiness of classic banana bread.
Serve it on lazy weekend mornings, as a side to afternoon tea, or as a wholesome snack. Either way, this banana zucchini bread will quickly become a staple in your home.
Easy Banana Zucchini Bread
I’m a big lover of freshly baked banana bread. And yet, when you throw zucchini into the mix, it gets even better!
How so, you ask?
Like carrot cake, zucchini does wonders to make this quick bread incredibly moist.
It also doesn’t hurt that it adds more nutrients. That, plus the banana, and it’s a heavenly treat!
You don’t have to be much of a baker, either. This recipe is incredibly straightforward, so it’s beginner-friendly.
Plus, it’s a fantastic use of overripe bananas and surplus zucchini. So you can spoil the family with homemade goodies and reduce food waste!
Ingredients
Forget the box! Today, let’s make banana zucchini bread from scratch. All you need are a handful of pantry staples and a few fresh items.
Here’s the list:
- Flour – I recommend all-purpose flour. If anyone has a gluten allergy, you could also use gluten-free flour.
- Leavening Agents – Baking soda and baking powder give the bread rise.
- Cinnamon and Vanilla – For sweet warmth.
- Salt – Just a pinch to enhance and balance the sweetness.
- Granulated and Brown Sugar – White sugar adds sweetness and structure while light brown sugar offers a hint of caramel..
- Eggs – Use two large eggs to bind the ingredients and add structure.
- Vegetable Oil – This type of oil will give the bread the best texture. It also adds more moisture.
- Zucchini – The secret to creating super moist banana bread! Plus, it sneaks in extra nutrients.
- Banana – For sweetening the bread and adding that classic fruity flavor.
How to Make Banana Zucchini Bread
This banana zucchini bread recipe is so easy! All it takes is 10 minutes of prep – then the oven does all the rest.
Just follow these steps:
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and grease a 9×5 inch loaf pan.
2. Mix the dry and wet ingredients separately. Combine the dry so the leavening agents are well distributed. Then mix the wet until smooth.
3. Make the batter. Stir the wet and dry ingredients just until combined. Then fold in the mashed bananas and grated zucchini.
4. Bake in the loaf pan for 55-60 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes in the pan then turn the loaf onto a wire rack.
5. Slice, serve, and enjoy. Feel free to top it with cream cheese frosting. But it really doesn’t need anything to be delicious.
Tips for the Best Zucchini Bread
Baking is a science. So making the best zucchini bread may require some tweaking.
But don’t worry! These tips will help:
- Don’t overmix. Just stir everything by hand, with a spatula until you no longer see streaks of flour.
- Peel or don’t peel the zucchini? Leaving the peel on makes it easier to grate and reduces the prep. Plus, the peel softens as it bakes. But you can peel the zucchini if you prefer.
- Spoon and level the flour. This measuring technique ensures you don’t use too much flour. So scoop the flour into the measuring cup with a spoon. Then use the back of a butter knife to level it off.
- Use overripe bananas. It’s the secret to achieving moist bread. Plus, it adds an even bigger banana flavor. So use overripe bananas with lots of brown spots.
- Squeeze the zucchini. Before adding the zucchini to the batter, squeeze out any excess moisture. That way, the bread cooks and rises properly.
- Flour the zucchini. Toss the veg in a tablespoon of flour to help prevent clumping.
- Add mix-ins. Chopped nuts, chocolate chips, or dried fruit are some ideas. They give the bread an extra flavorful twist!
How to Store
My family loves it when we have leftover banana zucchini bread stashed in the freezer. It’s perfect for busy mornings and afternoon snacks.
Just follow these tips for storing so it stays moist:
To Store: Place leftover bread in an airtight container. Store at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
To Freeze: Wrap the room temperature bread tightly in plastic wrap, then foil. Transfer to a freezer-friendly bag and freeze for up to 3 months.
Thaw frozen zucchini banana bread on the counter or in the fridge overnight (still wrapped). Pop it in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to soften it up.
More Easy Banana Bread Recipes
Deliciously Moist Banana Bread
3-Ingredient Banana Bread
Brown Butter Banana Bread
Banana Bread Muffins
Hawaiian Banana Bread
It was so delicious, moist and I couldn’t even taste the
zucchini, such a good combinatio. While baking, it smelled great, thank you for sharing the recipe.
Hi Ann! So glad you liked it. It’s one of my faves 🙂
This recipe was what I was looking fot. Ripe bananas, zucchini on hand, and a craving! Easy to whip up! Moist and yummy! I added 1 cup of mini-chocolate chips. I will definitely make this again. It will go in my grandson’s lunches and his grampy’s tummy! Thanks for the recipe!
Hi Elaine!
So happy you liked it.
I add chocolate chips, too, and it never lasts long 🙂