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This Classic Zucchini Bread is a staple for the late summer and early fall! Packed with zucchini and chopped pecans, this easy quick bread is especially good with a bit of butter and a drizzle of honey.

Two loaves of classic zucchini bread on a cutting board, with several slices cut from one of the loaves

We started pulling out the fall decor bins from our storage area in the basement, which just seemed like the right thing to do because it’s already mid-September.

However, there’s just something that seems a little off about peppering our house with ceramic pumpkins and faux fall leaves when it is freaking 88 degrees outside. Your girl was sweating while she was tying up cornstalks and switching out our porch pillows.

I can’t believe I’m about to say this, but guys – I’m ready for summer to be over. I’m ready for cozy sweaters, hot coffee and all the pumpkin recipes.

But before I move to full on fall mode over here, I had to share another zucchini recipe with you. This Classic Zucchini Bread is so simple to make and it might just be my new favorite breakfast bread. Lightly toast it up and top it with a little butter for the perfect quick morning breakfast with a cup of coffee.

Ingredients for zucchini bread arranged on a countertop

MY EASY, CLASSIC ZUCCHINI BREAD RECIPE

I told you guys: after making my Zucchini Banana Bread and Zucchini Cake, I’m on a bit of a zucchini recipe bender. 

Even though I’ve shared spruced-up versions of zucchini bread in the past, such as the Zucchini Banana Bread and Lemon Zucchini Bread, there’s something to be said for the classics.

I got this recipe from my friend, whose mom used to make this bread every year. As soon as zucchini started to come in, her mom would make a few batches of this bread to gift to neighbors and freeze for the winter.

This is a no-frills type of quick bread, and I honestly love that about it. There aren’t a ton of ingredients, the instructions are super straightforward, and it makes a classically delicious zucchini bread.

Mixer beating together eggs and sugar and about to add oil and zucchini in a white mixing bowl

HOW TO MAKE ZUCCHINI BREAD

Because this recipe is so straightforward, it would be a great one to make with your kids. You don’t even need to use a mixer, although you definitely can. Aside from things like grating the zucchini and putting the bread in and out of the oven, they could probably make most of this recipe by themselves!

Whisk stirring together the dry ingredients for classic zucchini bread

You’ll need: 

  • 3 large eggs
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 1 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups grated zucchini
  • 3 cups flour
  • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 tablespoon cinnamon
  • 1 cup chopped pecans (optional)
Spatula stirring together classic zucchini bread batter in a white bowl

Start by beating together the eggs and sugar until lightened in color. This can be done with a whisk or an electric mixer. Beat in the vegetable oil, then add the vanilla and the zucchini.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder and cinnamon. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Fold in the pecans. 

Zucchini bread batter divided between two loaf pans, ready to bake

Divide the batter between two greased 8×4-inch loaf pans. Bake for 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaves comes out clean.

I like to let the loaves cool for about 20 minutes before turning them out from the pans and letting them finish cooling on a wire rack.

Or letting them cool for as long as I can stand it before I must try a slice. You know how it goes!

Two baked loaves of classic zucchini bread on a cutting board

HOW TO STORE THIS QUICK BREAD

This Classic Zucchini Bread stores well on the counter at room temperature for about 3-4 days. I like to keep it wrapped in a layer of foil. 

I actually think it’s better on day 2 or 3 than on day 1!

If you want to stretch it for a couple more days, you can try storing it in the refrigerator instead of on the counter.

Two slices of classic zucchini bread on a plate, topped with butter and honey

CAN YOU FREEZE ZUCCHINI BREAD?

This is one of the best recipes to freeze for later! Since the recipe makes two loaves, I like to give one to a friend or freeze it to enjoy later.

Wrap the bread in a layer of foil and store the loaf in a zip-top freezer bag. The bread will be best if you eat it within 3 months, but it’ll honestly last all winter.

When you’re ready to eat the bread, just let it thaw at room temperature before slicing and enjoying with butter or honey butter

Hand holding up a piece of zucchini bread to the camera to show the texture
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Classic Zucchini Bread

By: Jamie Lothridge
4.49 from 35 votes
Prep: 20 minutes
Cook: 1 hour
Total: 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 20
This Classic Zucchini Bread is a staple for the late summer and early fall! Packed with zucchini and chopped pecans, this easy quick bread is especially good with a bit of butter and a drizzle of honey.

Ingredients  

  • 3 large eggs
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 1 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups grated zucchini
  • 3 cups flour
  • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 tablespoon cinnamon
  • 1 cup chopped pecans optional

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease 2 8×4-inch loaf pans and line with parchment paper. Set aside.
  • Beat together eggs and sugar until lightened in color. Beat in the vegetable oil. Mix in the vanilla and zucchini. Set aside.
  • In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder and cinnamon. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Fold in the pecans. 
  • Divide the batter between the prepared pans. Bake for 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaves comes out clean.
  • Let the loaves cool for 20 minutes before turning them out from the pans. Place the loaves on cooling racks to finish cooling.

Video

Notes

  • Makes 2 8×4-inch loaves.

Nutrition

Serving: 1slice, Calories: 295kcal, Carbohydrates: 36g, Protein: 4g, Fat: 16g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g, Monounsaturated Fat: 5g, Trans Fat: 0.1g, Cholesterol: 28mg, Sodium: 249mg, Potassium: 88mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 21g, Vitamin A: 70IU, Vitamin C: 2mg, Calcium: 23mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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6 Comments

  1. Maryann Harris says:

    Hi! Just wondering can I use self-raising flour if I omit salt & any baking powder it may or may not call for?

    1. Jamie says:

      Hi Maryann – I haven’t tried this substitution myself, so I can’t attest to the results. If you give it a try, I’d love to hear how it goes. Happy baking –
      Jamie

  2. Christine says:

    What is the oven temp??? It’s not listed anywhere in the recipe

    1. Jamie says:

      Hi Christine – In the first line of the instructions in the recipe card, it states to preheat the oven to 350F. Hope this helps!
      Jamie

  3. Melissa says:

    Do you think i can substitute 1 cup of yogurt for 1 cup of oil?

    1. Jamie says:

      Hi Melissa – I have not attempted this recipe with this substitution, so I can’t attest to the results. If you give it a try, I’d love to hear how it turns out. Happy baking!
      Jamie