This Lemon Zucchini Bread combines two favorites in one delicious loaf of bread! This quick snack or easy breakfast idea is a great way to sneak in extra veggies and will be a favorite with the whole family.
When it comes to parenting, I think it's fair to say that I really try not to judge other people's decisions. Or think I know better. Or think I'm doing it "right". Because parenting is hard, and there are a million and one ways to do it, and honestly? I have no idea whether the way I'm doing it is right at all. I'm just doing the best I can.
But one thing that's true is that there are certain things I thought I would do differently. And, well, over time I've realized those things maybe weren't as easy to execute as I thought they would be. Things like being really consistent with discipline, enforcing a chore chart, and....getting my kids to eat ALL THE VEGGIES.
When I first became a parent, I really didn't like the idea of hiding veggies in things. Why? Because I wanted my kids to love veggies for veggies' sake. And I thought that was realistic! Ha! Okay, to some extent it is....but there's definitely room for more veggies in our life. Veggies that aren't dipped in ranch dressing.
Lemon Zucchini Bread - A quick snack
Enter: Lemon Zucchini Bread. THIS STUFF IS AMAZING! It's sweet and light and lemony....with just the perfect amount of glaze....and I swear you would never know it's packed with zucchini. My kids gobbled it down like crazy and asked for more. Despite the little green specks. And even though they still might not choose to eat zucchini just for the love of zucchini, at least I know how they will eat it!
So whether your kids are veggie lovers or not, I think it's safe to say this Lemon Zucchini Bread will be a HUGE hit. And if they're turned off by all things green? Peel the zucchini before shredding it! Problem solved. Your kids get an extra dose of veggies and you get a delicious loaf of Lemon Zucchini Bread that's guaranteed to put smiles on faces.
Lemon Zucchini Bread
Ingredients
- 1 ½ c. all purpose flour
- ½ tsp. baking soda
- ¼ tsp. baking powder
- ¼ tsp. salt
- ¾ c. sugar
- 1 c. finely shredded unpeeled zucchini (do not squeeze or dry shredded zucchini)
- ¼ c. cooking oil
- 1 egg
- 2 Tbsp. lemon juice
- 2 Tbsp. lemon zest
Glaze
- ½ c. powdered sugar
- 1 Tbsp. lemon juice
- 1 tsp. lemon zest
- *glaze can be doubled if desired
Instructions
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In a medium mixing bowl combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt; set aside.
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In a separate mixing bowl combine sugar, zucchini, cooking oil, egg, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Stir to combine.
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Add dry ingredients to zucchini mixture; stir just until combined.
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Spoon batter into greased bread pan.
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Bake at 350 degrees for 50-55 minutes or until golden brown and set.
-
Cool in pan on a wire rack 15 min, then remove from pan and cool completely.
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Once cool, combine ingredients for glaze and drizzle over bread.
Need another bread idea? Try my Cranberry Pumpkin Bread!
Stephanie
Great recipe! Mine didn't look as pretty but used whole wheat white flour and its a darker grain. Soooo good! Perfect breakfast with coffee! Cut the sugar by 1/4 cup and only used 2 Tbs oil and replaced it with some applesauce zucchini puree lol leftover baby food. Lol use what you have right? Yeah mine was flatter too but I am using a new oven. Def making it again. Would be great as muffins too.... So hard to wait for it to cool.
Paulette Besancon
pabbrb@gmail.com this was the most wonderful recipe I fell upon! Have made,4 loaves ln two days. Going to make more and freeze them. My husband is in love with the recipe! Thank you for shade.
Cathy Trochelman
So happy to hear it!
Patty lemons
Can I make this and pour in miniature bread loaves??
Patty lemons
Can I make this recipe and use the miniature loaf pans and how long do I bake them?
Cheryl Vogel
What cooking oil did you use? Can I use olive oil? If this comes out as good as it looks I may try it with orange and chocolate
Love cakes
I used olive oil and it was perfect. We use only olive oil in our kitchen though so we are used to the taste. Probably first time users might find the taste strong.
Pat
Maybe use the light olive oil instead of extra virgin for a lighter taste.
Love cakes
Great recipe! It turned out perfect and even my 11 y/o who hates zucchini asked for a second slice ????. Highly recommend making it.
I know some don't appreciate tweaks but
- I replaced just over 1/3 of the flour with almond flour,
- used olive oil
- added cup of blueberries
- cut the sugar to 1/2 cup and will cut even more next time I make it.
Crystal
I added blueberries too; lemon and blueberries are a perfect match.
Carrie Newman
I like that it isn't super sweet for people who want to reduce sugar, but if you want a sweet bread, I recommend adding more.
Leah
Is the glaze totally necessary?? I see a few people have reduced the sugar content, and I'm wondering if I can do same and get away without glazing it for a [slightly] healthier version for the kids lunchboxes? any comments/thoughts?
❤️ cakes
I made two versions, both with added blueberries
- 1/2 cup sugar and no glazing
- 1/4 cup sugar + glazing. (So little sugar was actually a mistake, doubled the recipe but not the sugar ????) so had to 'fix' it with the glazing)
I must admit I loved the taste of the glazing and in future will most like do the second version.
Jilly
I've had with and without glaze. For the without, I just sprinkle icing sugar onto top of warm loaf. A but less sugar, still tastes great
Kim
Made this yesterday since I have a flourishing lemon tree and it is sooo yummy! I used organic coconut palm sugar since it’s what I had on hand and onl glazed half so my 10 month old can have half without glaze. Such a hit with all of us! I am going to make another batch today to freeze! Thanks!
Jo
Bread pan size?
Marla
Can you give me the sugar and carb count on this bread recipe please.
Maria C
Recently retired and am returning to my kitchen to have some fun! This is the first new recipe I am testing and loved it!!! So easy...nice way reintroduce myself to the joys cooking.
Rebecca
Any chance I can sub wheat flour for cassava flour ... am dying to make this recipe!
Also I only have baking soda bit baking powder...do you ned both?
Rebecca
ooops 'bit' was meant to be *not*
Qua
I made this on SuperBowl night, the BEST EVER, LOVEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE it
Qua
o 10 STARS
josie
Tried this tonight and it is so moist! Not sweet at all which I like.
Kathy
I have a similar quick bread recipe that I have tweaked. I use whole wheat pastry flour, and extra lemon. Also--If you use yellow summer squash, it completely disappears! No explaining the green flecks!
Caitlin
This is AMAZING!!! I made one on the weekend and another one is in the oven now! My two year olds even loves it! Finally a way to get them to eat vegetables without a fight haha
Only note I would make is towards the glaze, when I did make some I doubled the recipe exactly and found it was a bit too thick so I added a bit more lemon juice to make it smoother to spread. Although the bread really doesn't need it because it is so moist and tasteful 🙂
Claire
Just made this yesterday for breakfast!!!! The lemons add a perfect touch to this loaf, I didn't have zucchinis so I added cucumbers and they ended up being amazing as well. Thank you so much for this recipe!!!
Alexis
What size Loaf pan?
Linda
Delicious!! Substituted half a cup of whole meal flour, topped up zucchini with grated carrot (ran out of zucchini), used 1/2 cup sugar and 1/2 cup chopped dates. 1 generous tablespooon lemon zest and 1 of orange zest. Baked in mini loaf pans for 20 minutes and it made 6. Didn’t bother with the glaze. So yummy had one hot with vanilla Greek yoghurt
Joy A Vivadelli
Very good! I made this yesterday because it's the first recipe I've seen using zucchini in a lemon bread. It's very quick and easy to make and very lemony. Thank you for sharing!
Dominika
My favorite recipe! So quick to make - you’ll have heaven in your mouth in under an hour - and it’s the perfect combination of sweet and tangy.
As a non - American I have been introduced to banana bread only couple of years ago and it was a love at a first sight(bite?!). When sharing my baking love with my US friend she mentioned zucchini bread claiming I’ll love it, unfortunately I forgot to ask for recipe!
So I’ve searched high and low until I came across this. Oh boy. So delicious I bake it almost every week and and share the recipe with anyone who cares to listen!
Thank you so much Cathy for amazing recipe. But if I’ll be twice the size in a year time I’ll come to blame it on you! Haha
Seriously guys. Try it! It’s a winner in my books
Marisa
Loved it. I doubled the recipe but only used 1 cup of sugar and used coconut oil for the oil. Light and yummy. Thanks so much!
Elaine Pacholek
I made this for a friend dying of cancer. Her husband said it was all she was willing to eat, so I brought her a loaf every week until she died. I did modify the glaze a bit in that I used regular sugar and heated it in the microwave until the sugar melted, then brushed it over the top and sides of the warm bread until all used. Amazing recipe!
Colette
The loaf pan size was not indicated in the recipe. Used a large pan and the loaf came out flat...still good...will used a smaller pan next time...Also added poppy seeds ...Delicious
Mary
Didn't last one day in my house. Absolutely delicious!!
Mary
Forgot to mention, i pressed fresh blueberries into half of the loaf and my family liked both sides 🙂
Julia
TWO THUMBS UP! My garden is blessing me like crazy with zucchini this year and I'm trying all kinds of new recipes (to include actually shredding it and freezing it for later) This bread is beautiful and tastes like a dream. I'm going to make some more loaves and give them to friends and family. May try the addition of blueberries also to see how that tastes. Thank you so much!
Laura
This bread was delicious! I didn't have powdered sugar so I made it without the glaze and was very happy with the end result! Definitely keeping this recipe so I have more options on how to use up our zucchini from our garden.
Bev Colwell
5 stars! This is so good. Really moist. For those 'complaining' that it Isn't yellow like in the picture, try using half green and half yellow zucchini if the colour really matters. I had a small green and yellow on hand, so that's what I did. Still had the 'green flecks' for contrast but kept the tellow colour. In any event, green or yellow zucchini, this recipe is a keeper!!!
Lisa Cottrell
I loved this!! All of my guests wanted this recipe. I make "mini loaves", wrap them in cellophane, tie on a pretty ribbon and give out as gift. My only complaint is I DIDN'T MAKE ENOUGH! LOL I hope this is a recipe that can be doubled! I'll find out soon enough...making more this evening!
Lisa Cottrell
In addition I must add...this freezes very well!...even with the glaze. I froze mini loaves over night, then vacuum sealed and froze individually the next morning. Simply thaw and slice for a welcomed treat for unexpected company!!
Janet
Can I use frozen zucchini with same results?
Brandy
Disappointed that the mix barely filled up half a bread pan.
Nathalie
Bonjour,
La recette semble très bonne mais je n'arrive pas à comprendre les mesures. Qu'est qui est une tasse, une cuillère à thé, une cuillère à table? Partout dans les quantités c'est inscrit c.à chaque ingrédients. La levure, est-ce de la poudre à pâte ou de la levure en granule pour le pain? Merci pour vos réponses 🙂
Nathalie
Il manque des mots à mon texte. Qu'est-ce qu'une tasse, une cuillère à thé ou une cuillère à table quand vous écrivez C. ?
Nathalie
Oh!
I translated into French. I understand the measures now. excuse me 🙂
Ann
There is no pan size. I used. 9x5 and it’s to big!!!!! An 8x4 would be perfect!!!!
I have a very flat loaf!!!
DENISE
I wanted to tell you I made this lemon zucchini bread and it's awesome I shared with so many people at my work and everyone just loved it because I was making so many zucchini breads I had 8 orders now I had a customer ask me for the recipe and I also want to make some to send to her but I'm trying to find out how to send the bread through the mail and how to pack it with the recipe and as soon as I send this, off to my baking I go tonight I have more orders to fill I'm sure glad I looked up how to make zucchini bread if I didn't I wouldn't even know there are all kinds of ways to make zucchini breads and flavors thank you for sharing this.
Shaaron Grogan-Sheahan
I have made this three times - two not squeezed and one squeezed. I think squeezed one was so thick I could barely put it in the loaf pan so I added some lemon juice for moisture. The bread fell apart as we ate it....still flavourful but. I think sometimes zucchini may have more or less water content, depending on the age of the zucchini. I grow 'baseball bats' if I don't get to the zucchini fast enough. They are seedy and drier but I still use them. Just some thoughts.
Allison
This recipe is amazing. It’s absolutely delicious. It will be a staple for many events. Love it. Thank you for sharing.
Cathy Trochelman
Thanks Allison! Glad you enjoyed it!
carol
I made it this weekend. we have an abundance of zuchini and i found this recipe last week while searching for other ways to use it. i have made choc bread but lemon is my favorite flavor and this was fantastic. everyone loved it that i shared with at work. i think i am going to make up a few mini loaves and freeze them.
thanks
Cathy Trochelman
So happy to hear you enjoyed it!
Toni
Made this today. So yummy. I accidentally put vanilla extract in it, kind of over powered the lemon. I also didn’t have fresh lemon so maybe it wasn’t super Lemony. Still is delicious. I also used Apple sauce instead of oil.
Cathy Trochelman
Glad it was still delicious even with the substitutions!
Colleen
I’ve made this a few times now and everyone loves it. I add blueberries and don’t even add the icing. I’ve also made it as muffins, freeze them and pull a few out at a time. Great recipe! Thanks for sharing!
Cathy Trochelman
Love the idea of adding blueberries... thanks for sharing!
Aunt M Kitchen
my kids are all adults now, in their thirties, and all like vegetables. But when they were little, getting them to eat vegetables was a challenge. I got them to do it with two simple tricks:
1. Prepare fresh vegetables yourself as often as possible, and pretend to be annoyed if the kids steal the ones I just cleaned and cut up for the meal. They are eating vegetables, as much as they can "get away with" which makes it a game to them, and they don't realize they are eating those hated vegetables.
2. Make a rule at the dinner table. They need not eat all of anything. But if there is meat, vegetable and starch, they must eat as many full forks or spoonfuls of each type of food pile on their plates as they are years old. They can stop adding more at age ten. So, a one year old must eat one full bite of those cooked green beans, and a three year old must eat three bites of broccoli and so on. I also often allowed small amounts of a liked sauce on the vegetable, but I put it on in the kitchen, so they couldn't end up with three bites of cheese sauce with none of the broccoli. I varied these sauces, and often hid healthy items in them, like browned butter and almonds on green beans or asparagus. I got them to eat beans or asparagus and almonds this way. Or cream of mushroom sauce made with a can of reduced salt mushroom soup to which I add some briefly sauteed fresh mushrooms, and then I'm getting them to eat both the hated mushrooms and the hated green veg underneath it. Good on broccoli, or green beans or basically any other green veg. Or I'd add the cream of mushroom soup to lima beans and corn with a can of evaporated milk for richness, and 1/3 of a can of French's onion rings, and then when hot, put the rest of the onions on top to brown. They'd eat the veg like it was candy because of those onion rings.
3. as my kids got older, we slowly changed these tricks to get them to eat the vegetables at all to healthier ones reserving the casseroles and heavy sauces for occasional comfort food meals. My three all like raw veggies and cooked veggies of almost every variety. It was a long process, but well worth it.
Aunt M's Kitchen Science blog coming soon.
Helena Vazquez
Hola muero por hacerlo solo que no se muy bien que significa la medida c. por favor si alguien me lo aclara, lo agradecere muchoooo. Gracias de antemano...