Okay, friends, let’s talk zucchini banana bread! I know, I know, it sounds a little…out there. But trust me on this one. The combo of zucchini and banana is seriously magical. You get this incredible moistness and a hint of sweetness that’s just… *chef’s kiss*.
I stumbled upon this zucchini banana bread recipe years ago when I had, like, a million zucchini from my garden. What was I gonna do, right? So, I started experimenting, and this recipe is the result of many, many loaves (some better than others, oops!). My favorite part is how easy it is – seriously, anyone can make this, even if you’re not a super experienced baker.
It’s just one of those recipes that always feels like a win. Plus, it’s a sneaky way to get some veggies into the kiddos (or, let’s be real, ourselves!). So, let’s get baking, shall we?
Why You’ll Love This Zucchini Banana Bread Recipe
Benefits of This Zucchini Banana Bread Recipe
Okay, so why *this* zucchini banana bread recipe? Well, lemme tell ya:
- It’s seriously **moist**. Like, melt-in-your-mouth kinda moist!
- The **flavor combo** is outta this world. You’ve gotta taste it to believe it!
- Super **easy to make**. Even if you’re a baking newbie, you can nail this!
- It’s the *perfect* way to **use up all that zucchini** from your garden (or the store!).
- And, of course, it’s a great way to **use up those ripe bananas** sitting on your counter!
Ingredients for the Best Zucchini Banana Bread Recipe
Alright, gather ’round, because here’s what you’ll need to whip up this amazing zucchini banana bread. Don’t skimp on the good stuff, okay?
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour – Just your regular flour, nothing fancy!
- 1 tsp baking soda – This is what makes it rise, baby!
- 1/2 tsp salt – Just a pinch to balance the sweetness.
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon – Gotta have that warm spice!
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil – Keeps it nice and moist.
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar – For that classic sweetness.
- 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed – Adds a little molasses-y depth.
- 2 large eggs – Gotta be large!
- 1 tsp vanilla extract – Pure vanilla is best, trust me.
- 1 cup mashed ripe bananas – The spottier, the better!
- 1 cup shredded zucchini, excess moisture squeezed out – Seriously, squeeze it! You don’t want soggy bread.
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional) – I love the crunch!
How to Make Zucchini Banana Bread Recipe: Step-by-Step Instructions
Preparing the Zucchini Banana Bread Batter
Okay, let’s get down to business! First things first, you’ll want to preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). And while that’s heating up, grease and flour a 9×5 inch loaf pan. Trust me, you don’t want this sticking!
Now, in a large bowl, whisk together your flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Get it all nice and combined. In a separate bowl, whisk together your oil, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Beat in those eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla.
Time for the good stuff! Add your mashed bananas and that squeezed-out zucchini to the wet ingredients and mix it all well. Now, *this* is important: gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet, mixing until *just* combined. Seriously, don’t overmix! A few streaks of flour are okay. Finally, stir in those nuts, if you’re using them.
Baking Your Zucchini Banana Bread Recipe
Alright, pour that beautiful batter into your prepared loaf pan. Now, into the oven it goes! Bake for 50-60 minutes. But here’s the thing: ovens are weird. Start checking for doneness around 50 minutes. The best way to check? Grab a wooden skewer and poke it into the center. If it comes out clean, you’re golden! If not, bake for a few more minutes and check again.
Once it’s done, let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool *completely*. I know it’s tempting to slice it right away, but trust me, it’s worth the wait! And that’s it! You’ve just made amazing zucchini banana bread!
Tips for the Perfect Zucchini Banana Bread Recipe
Want to take your zucchini banana bread from good to *amazing*? I’ve got a few tricks up my sleeve! First off, and I can’t stress this enough: **don’t overmix the batter!** Seriously, it’ll get tough, and nobody wants that. Just mix until everything’s *barely* combined.
Also, remember how I said to squeeze the zucchini? Yeah, **squeeze the *heck* outta that zucchini!** Get all that excess moisture out, or you’ll end up with a soggy mess. Nobody likes a soggy bottom! Finally, don’t be afraid to **adjust the sweetness** to your liking. If you like things extra sweet, add a bit more sugar. If you’re watching your sugar intake, cut back a little. It’s your bread, make it your own!
Zucchini Banana Bread Recipe Variations
Adding Chocolate Chips to Your Zucchini Banana Bread Recipe
Okay, who doesn’t love chocolate chips? Toss in about a cup of your favorite chocolate chips (milk, dark, whatever floats your boat!) for an extra-sweet treat. Trust me, it’s a game-changer!
Spicing Up Your Zucchini Banana Bread Recipe
Feeling adventurous? Try adding a pinch of nutmeg or cloves to the batter. It’ll give your zucchini banana bread a warm, cozy flavor that’s perfect for fall. Ooh, or even a dash of ginger! Yum!
Storing Your Zucchini Banana Bread Recipe
Okay, so you’ve made this amazing zucchini banana bread…now what? Well, if you actually have any leftovers (doubtful!), you’ll want to store it right. The best way? An airtight container at room temperature. It’ll stay good for up to 3 days. Wanna warm it up a bit? A quick zap in the microwave does the trick!
Zucchini Banana Bread Recipe: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I freeze my Zucchini Banana Bread Recipe?
Absolutely! Freezing is a great way to keep that zucchini banana bread goodness going. Just wrap the cooled loaf tightly in plastic wrap, then in foil. It’ll keep in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. When you’re ready to eat it, thaw it overnight in the fridge.
How do I prevent my Zucchini Banana Bread Recipe from being soggy?
Soggy bread is a bummer, right? The key is to really squeeze out as much moisture as possible from the shredded zucchini *before* you add it to the batter. I usually wrap it in a clean kitchen towel and squeeze like my life depends on it!
Can I use frozen zucchini in my Zucchini Banana Bread Recipe?
Yep, you can! Just make sure you thaw it completely and then, you guessed it, squeeze out *all* that excess moisture. Frozen zucchini tends to be even wetter than fresh, so be extra diligent with the squeezing!
Nutritional Information for Zucchini Banana Bread Recipe
Heads up: nutrition info can vary based on ingredients/brands, so this is just an estimate, not a guarantee!
Enjoy Your Homemade Zucchini Banana Bread Recipe!
Alright, my friend, go forth and bake! And hey, if you try this zucchini banana bread recipe, I’d *love* to hear what you think! Leave a comment below or give it a rating. Happy baking!
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Devastatingly Moist Zucchini Banana Bread Recipe in 1 Hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 1 loaf 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Make delicious zucchini banana bread at home. This recipe combines the goodness of zucchini and banana for a moist and flavorful treat.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup mashed ripe bananas
- 1 cup shredded zucchini, excess moisture squeezed out
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×5 inch loaf pan.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together oil, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla.
- Add mashed bananas and zucchini to the wet ingredients and mix well.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Stir in nuts, if desired.
- Pour batter into the prepared loaf pan.
- Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Squeeze excess moisture from zucchini to prevent soggy bread.
- Adjust sugar to your preference.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 30mg