The Best Healthy Lemon Zucchini Bread Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Does zucchini bread have any health benefits? ›

This whole grain bread recipe also gives you the added nutrient benefits of zucchini. Zucchini is a great source of the antioxidant vitamin C. Plus, the phytonutrients lutein and zeaxanthin promote healthy eyesight. When selecting zucchini, look for one with a slightly prickly and shiny skin.

The most common reason for zucchini breadand other quick breads (and cakes) to collapse as they cool is the ingredients are too vigorously or quickly mixed, which incorporates lots of less stable air bubbles into the batter.

But unless your zucchini is excessively juicy, squeezing the squash could be removing some of the moisture you really do want in the bread. It's up to you, though. Squeeze for lighter, drier bread. Leave it as is for denser, moister bread.

Don't peel the zucchini – Yes, it's tempting to remove the zucchini's skin, but there is no need to do that. Zucchini melts into the bread, so peeling is just an unnecessary step. Do grate the zucchini – I don't know about you, but when it comes to zucchini in bread, I want it there – but I don't want to see it.

Zucchini is rich in vitamin B6. Research suggests that this vitamin can help with regulating blood glucose. The vitamin may even play a protective role against diabetes. Compounds such as lutein and zeaxanthin protect the eye's cells by filtering blue light wavelengths.

Zucchini can help promote healthy digestion in several ways. Firstly, it is rich in water , containing 94.8 grams (g) of water per 100 g of fruit. Water is essential for helping improve digestion. Water in the diet helps soften stools and makes them easier to pass, reducing the chances of constipation.

You do not need to peel zucchini for zucchini bread.

You can use a box grater or food processor to shred the zucchini. Using a box grater, place grater on firm surface such a cutting board. Hold the box grater firmly in one hand and the zucchini firmly in the other hand.

Bitter Taste: Excessive baking soda can leave a bitter taste in the bread. Baking soda is alkaline, and an excessive amount of it can result in an unpleasant flavor. Unpleasant Texture: Too much baking soda can lead to a coarse and crumbly texture in the bread.

If your zucchini is large, you should remove the seeds. By the time the zucchini has large and well formed seeds, it is tougher and the seeds are tough to eat and often taste bitter. They will not be pleasant in the zucchini bread, so it's recommended that you scoop them out before adding the flesh to the bread.

You need 2 cups of grated zucchini for the recipe, so you will need about 3 small zucchini, 2 medium zucchini, or 1 large zucchini.

Why does my zucchini bread always sink in the middle? ›

Adding too much or insufficient leavening agents: Adding too much leaveners will cause your quick bread to sink in the middle. Baking at a high altitude: Adjust the amount of leaveners depending on your location. If you are baking at a high altitude, you need less baking powder or baking soda.

Use the fine side of your grater for smaller shredded zucchini. (as you can see in the pictures) If you use the larger side, the coarser pieces will have a slightly more noticeable flavor and texture in a finished cake or bread recipe.

When sliced, 1 medium zucchiniyielded about 1 to 1.25 cups and if grated, you end up with about 2/3 cup of tamped down zucchini. If you need 1 cup of cooked sliced zucchini, due to shrinkage while heated it will take about 3 medium zucchini, sliced, to hit the mark.

The bread batter can be covered and refrigerated for 1-2 hours while the other loaf bakes, but I don't recommend leaving it too much longer. Bake at 350F for 45 minutes to an hour. Test the center with a toothpick. Remove from the oven and let sit in the loaf pans for 5 minutes before turning out onto a cooling rack.

Zucchini contains a variety of vitamins, minerals, and beneficial plant compounds. Cooked zucchini is particularly high in vitamin A, though raw zucchini contains slightly less.

Eating zucchini fresh, cooked, or in a baked good adds variety of this heart-healthy fruit to your diet that can reduce issues like high blood pressure. Eating more of this fruit can support weight loss, positively impact insulin, and promote stable hormone levels.

Zucchini bread (1 slice - 4 1/2" x 2 1/2" x 1/2") contains 21.7g total carbs, 21.2g net carbs, 4.3g fat, 1.8g protein, and 132 calories.