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The BEST Gluten-Free Zucchini Bread Recipe

The BEST Gluten-Free Zucchini Bread Recipe with dairy-free and refined sugar-free options. This healthy zucchini bread recipe is perfectly moist, fluffy, and perfect for breakfast, snack, or dessert!

Loaf of zucchini bread on a sheet of parchment paper cut into slices.

Strap in for what I consider to be the secret to a great life. Ready?

A thick center slice of warm fresh zucchini bread with melted butter saturated all the way through. Trust me on this one.

It’s as though your face has won the lottery and is sleeping soundly in a pile of warm clean laundry (all cotton). 

That is the secret.

But…salted butter now, you hear?

Ultra moist, crazy fluffy, perfectly sweet and cinnamony, this easy recipe is fun to make, is loved by humans of all ages, and turns out just like a classic zucchini bread recipe. 

Close up on a slice of zucchini bread with melted butter on top, ready to eat.

You can easily make it dairy-free and refined sugar-free, or use what you have on hand. I have included instructions for numerous methods.

My personal favorite version is using melted butter and adding chocolate chips.

This gf zucchini bread is to throw together at a moment’s notice. All you need is one large mixing bowl and some measuring cups. No stand mixer necessary. 

You may have everything you need already, plus we have options for adapting the recipe according to what you have in your pantry.

For instance, if you aren’t dairy-free you can easily use butter instead of oil to prepare the recipe. I make it all sorts of ways, sometimes using butter or avocado oil. 

Similarly, If you typically bake with regular sugar, you can just as easily swap out the coconut sugar for cane sugar.

Close up image of a slice of chocolate chip zucchini bread on a white plate, ready to eat.

Here are the ingredients for the best zucchini bread.

Ingredients For Gluten-Free Zucchini Bread:

Gluten-Free Flour: I use a gluten-free flour blend, which can be used as a 1:1 replacement for regular all-purpose flour.

Bob’s Red Mill’s Gluten-Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour is my top recommendation, followed by King Arthur Measure for Measure Gluten-Free Flour (which doesn’t contain xanthan gum) and Pamela’s Artisan Gluten-Free Flour Blend.

Do note that results vary slightly depending on which gluten-free flour blend you use as each brand as a different level of absorbency and leavening agents.

If you use a different flour blend, please feel free to drop a comment below letting us all know what worked.

Don’t replace the gluten-free flour blend with a grain-free flour, as the result will not be the same!

Zucchini: The main event here is shredded zucchini! We simply grate up 1 medium-sized zucchini to generate 2 cups of grated green. While the zucchini shreds contain a lot of moisture, you won’t need to drain the zucchini first to remove the excess moisture.

I budget the moisture into the recipe, because I’m too lazy to wait for zucchini to leach excess water.

Coconut Sugar (or Granulated Sweetener of Choice): Keeping it refined sugar-free, coconut sugar has a naturally caramel-ish flavor and is lower on the glycemic index than cane sugar.

If you don’t have any on hand, swap it for brown sugar or granulated cane sugar. You can also use a sugar-free sweetener to keep it lower carb.

I don’t recommend using a liquid sweetener like pure maple syrup because it will throw off the wet to dry ratio.

Ground Cinnamon: GO WILD with the cinnamon. I use 2 to 3 teaspoons in my zucchini bread and banana bread. It does amazing things for the flavor and sweetness of a baked good. You can add in some fresh ground nutmeg too if you’d like.

Eggs: Makes the zucchini bread nice and fluffy and holds together. Bring them out of the refrigerator 15 minutes ahead of time so that they can come to room temperature. 

Avocado Oil (or Coconut Oil or Butter): The fat to lube this thing up, keep it nice and moist and help do the chemistry magic to ensure the loaf loaves itself. I know…science is sexy.

Use avocado oil, olive oil, canola oil, vegetable oil, or melted butter as a replacement for coconut oil. If you use butter, use 14 tablespoons of butter.

Baking Powder + Sea Salt: Baking powder is used to leaven the bread, making it nice and fluffy and hold-togethery-y. Sea salt brings out the cinnamon and sweet flavors. Don’t skip it!

This tried and true recipe can be made using all sorts of variations to please all your family members. 

Recipe Adaptations:

  • If you’re looking for a grain-free version of this recipe, follow The Best Almond Flour Zucchini Bread or my Keto Zucchini Bread which uses coconut flour.
  • Use coconut oil or melted butter instead of avocado oil. If you’re using melted butter, use 14 tablespoons.
  • Add 1 cup of semisweet chocolate chips or dark chocolate chips
  • Add ⅔ cup chopped raw walnuts or pecans.
Loaf of freshly baked gluten-free zucchini bread in a bread pan, ready to eat

Now that we’ve covered the simple ingredients, lets make some zucchini bread batter!

How to Make The Best Gluten-Free Zucchini Bread Recipe:

Grate the zucchini using a box grater or a food processor. There is no need to blot it dry or to let it drain. You can put it to use right away.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line a 9” x 5” loaf pan with parchment paper

In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs and oil until combined. Stir in the grated zucchini, the coconut sugar (or white sugar) and vanilla extract.

Shredded zucchini and eggs in a mixing bowl for the wet ingredients.

Combine the dry ingredients (the flour, cinnamon, baking powder and sea salt) in s separate bowl.

Dry ingredients for zucchini bread in a measuring cup.

Stir the dry ingredients into the bowl with the wet ingredients until a thick, smooth batter forms. At this point, you can stir in chocolate chips and/or chopped nuts if you’d like. 

Zucchini bread batter in a red mixing bowl with chocolate chips.

Pour the zucchini bread batter into the parchment-line loaf pan and smooth it into an even layer. I find it’s easiest to pour thick batter like this with the help of a rubber spatula to get all of the batter out of the mixing bowl.

Zucchini bread batter in a loaf pan, ready to bake.

If you’d like, you can sprinkle the top of the bread with extra chocolate chips. Cover the loaf pan with aluminum foil but leave the foil tented so that the bread can grow during the baking process.

Bake on the center rack of the preheated oven for 40 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 20 to 30 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown on top and tests clean.

For the best results, check the internal temperature of the loaf to verify it is fully baked. To do so, insert a digital thermometer into the center of the loaf and wait until the numbers stop moving for an accurate read.

The loaf is considered fully cooked once it has reached 190 to 200 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Allow bread to cool at least 45 minutes before slicing and serving.

How to Store Zucchini Bread:

Cover the loaf pan with plastic wrap and store on the counter for up to 2 days. 

After two days or immediately after baking the loaf, store leftover zucchini bread in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Wrap zucchini bread in plastic wrap then store it in a sealed zip lock bag in the freezer for up to 3 months. 

Make gluten-free zucchini muffins out of this recipe by baking muffins at 350 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes (or until they test clean).

Two slices ofluten Free Zucchini Bread on two white plates with gold forks

And that’s it! The best zucchini bread to enjoy during zucchini season for a lovely treat!

It’s a great way to use up an abundance of zucchini for those of you who grow a garden, as you can bake loaf after loaf for friends, family and storing in the freezer.

Make this great recipe the next time you’re craving moist zucchini bread!

If you’re always up for a good quick bread recipe, check out these reader favorites.

More Gluten-Free Bread Recipes:

This gluten free zucchini bread is where melted butter goes to thrive.

Loaf of zucchini bread on a sheet of parchment paper cut into slices.

The Best Gluten-Free Zucchini Bread Recipe

Moist, fluffy healthy gluten-free zucchini bread – dairy-free and refined sugar-free
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
1 loaf

Ingredients

Optional Add-ins:

  • 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1 cup chocolate chips
  • 2/3 cup raw chopped walnuts or pecans

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line a 9” x 5” loaf pan with parchment paper
  • In a mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs and oil (or melted butter). Stir in the grated zucchini and the coconut sugar (and vanilla extract if adding).
  • In a separate mixing bowl, combine the flour, cinnamon, baking powder and sea salt and stir to combine.
  • Pour the dry ingredients into the bowl with the wet ingredients and stir until a thick batter forms. If you'd like, you can stir in chocolate chips and/or chopped nuts at this point.
  • Transfer the zucchini bread batter to the parchment-line loaf pan and smooth into an even layer. Sprinkle with extra chocolate chips if desired.
  • Cover the loaf pan with aluminum foil, leaving the foil tented so that the bread has room to grow. This will keep the top from becoming too dark during the baking process. Bake on the center rack of the preheated oven for 40 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 20 to 30 minutes, or until the bread tests clean. Baked goods are fully cooked when they reach an internal temperature of 200 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. Insert a digital thermometer into the center of the zucchini bread to verify it is fully baked before removing it from the oven.
  • Allow bread to cool at least 45 minutes before slicing and serving.

Notes

*You can also use regular cane sugar, brown sugar, or maple sugar in place of coconut sugar.
**You can also use melted and cooled butter or coconut oil. If you use butter, use 14 Tablespoons instead of 2/3 cup. For coconut oil, stick with 2/3 cup.

Nutrition

Serving: 1slice of 10Calories: 269kcalCarbohydrates: 31gProtein: 2gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 10gFiber: 3gSugar: 19g
Course: Quick Breads
Cuisine: American
Keyword: dairy-free zucchini bread, gf zucchini bread, gluten-free zucchini bread, gluten-free zucchini bread recipe, healthy zucchini bread recipe, the best zucchini bread
Servings: 1 loaf
Calories: 269kcal
Author: Julia

This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission off items you purchase at no additional cost to you.

I originally shared this recipe on July 9, 2020. I made some minor changes to the recipe and updated the photos.

Recipe Rating




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Mickey

Wednesday 20th of March 2024

I made this today with low expectations (I love to cook but am not a baker). It turned out fabulously!

Usually I would use the alternate option of butter but went with the avocado oil and am glad I did. I added some chia and flax seeds and sliced almonds.

I always have King Arthur's 1:1 GF flour as someone with celiac disease who has tried many, it's my go-to and it worked great in this recipe.

Just printed the recipe (so I don't bother with other zucchini bread recipes in the future)!

Julia

Friday 22nd of March 2024

Thanks so much for sharing your experience, Mickey! This is super helpful to others looking to try the recipe. I appreciate the sweet words and feedback! xo

Emily

Saturday 22nd of July 2023

Melted butter quantity clarification please: 2-cubes (under Notes) OR 14-Tbs (under Adaptations)

Julia

Saturday 22nd of July 2023

My apologies, Emily! 14 Tablespoons :)

Sydney

Friday 21st of July 2023

Hi, Would Flax eggs work?

Julia

Friday 21st of July 2023

Hi Sydney! I haven't tested the recipe with flax eggs, but I believe it would work. I've found when I use gluten-free flour blends, I can make egg-free recipes without any issue because the blend contains a decent amount of starch and leavening agents. That said, the bread may take slightly longer to bake. If you have a thermometer, check the internal temperature of the bread after it has been in the oven for 70 minutes (I would do 50 minutes with the foil on, 20 minutes off). The bread should be around 190 to 200 degrees F for it to be fully baked :) Hope you enjoy! xo

Sandi Hampton

Friday 21st of July 2023

Hi Julia...have you by chance tried an egg alternative with this recipe?

Julia

Friday 21st of July 2023

Hi Sandi! I haven't made the recipe without eggs yet. In my experience, you can make recipes like this egg-free using flax eggs, or replacing the eggs with 1/2 cup of full-fat coconut milk. Because the GF flour has plenty of starch and leavening agents, it should still rise as long as you add another 1/2 cup of some form of liquid (chia eggs, flax eggs, coconut milk, etc). You may need to bake the bread slightly longer, so I would leave the foil on for 50 minutes or so before removing it to bake for another 20-30 minutes. Let me know how it turns out!

Teresa

Monday 12th of July 2021

I was pleasantly surprised at how good this tasted. I used Bob's Red Mill 1:1 baking flour, coconut oil, vanilla, walnuts, Chinese spice blend and brown sugar. It is a keeper!

Julia

Wednesday 14th of July 2021

I'm so happy you hear you like it, Teresa! Thanks for swinging back around and leaving a sweet note! xoxoxo :D

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