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    Home » Recipes » Zucchini

    Healthy Olive Oil Zucchini Bread

    Published: Aug 7, 2019 / Modified: Sep 13, 2023 by Lizzie Streit, MS, RDN / This post may contain affiliate links / 2 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print
    olive oil zucchini bread
    images of sliced zucchini bread separated by a green text box with recipe title
    image of a healthy zucchini bread loaf with a green text box on top with title

    This healthy olive oil zucchini bread is made with whole wheat flour and extra virgin olive oil. It’s a rich and delicious way to enjoy summer squash!

    zucchini bread with three slices cut at the top of the loaf on a counter

    This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, see my affiliate disclosure.

    Olive oil in bread? Have I officially lost it? Nope, you’ll see!

    Of course, we all know that olive oil AND bread (i.e. for dipping) is a fantastic combo. Give me a freshly baked roll and some olive oil with herbs any day!

    But did you know that you can actually make olive oil bread? Yep, pour some extra virgin olive oil straight into the batter, and you’ll get a rich, delicious result. The olive oil provides a slightly fruity taste that works especially well in a sweet bread!

    I’ve been wanting to make an olive oil bread for a while, and as soon as zucchini season rolled around, I knew it was time.

    I also wanted to boost the nutrition of regular ol’ zucchini bread, so I made this recipe with 100% whole wheat flour and a fairly low amount of added sugar (it doesn’t need it with the olive oil!)

    olive oil, zucchini, flour and spices, maple syrup, and eggs next to each other on a counter

    Plus, this Healthy Olive Oil Zucchini Bread is seasoned with cardamom, cinnamon, and vanilla. Basically, it’s the stuff of sipping-coffee-with-a-slice-of-zucchini-bread dreams! Serve it with a little melted butter or a schmear of cream cheese, and you’ll be LIVING. For a savory twist on zucchini bread, check out the Garden Vegetable Bread with Cheese while you’re here!

    How to Make Olive Oil Zucchini Bread

    Making homemade zucchini bread involves mixing dry ingredients in one bowl, wet ingredients in another, and then combining them. Boom.

    batter in a bowl
    zucchini bread batter in a bowl

    First, mix the whole wheat flour, baking powder, baking soda, cardamom, cinnamon, and salt in a bowl. Next, shred the zucchini with a hand or box grater (I used two medium zucchini for this recipe, or the equivalent of 2 heaping cups worth) and add it to a bowl with olive oil, maple syrup, eggs, and vanilla.

    Mix with a whisk, and add the dry ingredients to the wet ones. Stir until well combined, but don’t overdo it. Pour into a greased medium loaf pan, and bake at 350 degrees F for 50-55 minutes, or until a toothpick pushed into the center comes out clean.

    zucchini bread batter in a loaf pan on a counter before going into the oven

    Recommended Ingredients

    As I mentioned earlier, this bread features extra virgin olive oil and 100% whole wheat flour. For best results, I recommend using an olive oil that doesn’t have an incredibly strong taste, like California Olive Ranch Everyday Olive Oil.

    For the flour, I highly recommend Bob’s Red Mill 100% Stone Ground Whole Wheat Flour. I love using it in healthier baked goods!

    Is this recipe dairy free or nut free?

    Yes, it’s free of both dairy and nuts! If you would like to add nuts, I bet it would taste delicious with ¼ cup of chopped walnuts.

    Can you make it vegan or gluten free?

    If you would like to make the recipe vegan, you can omit the eggs and use flax or chia eggs instead. To make a chia or flax egg, mix 1 tablespoon chia seeds or ground flaxseed with 3 tablespoon water and let it sit for a little bit before adding to the batter.

    To make this bread gluten free, I suspect that an all purpose gluten free flour would work well, but I have not tried it personally.

    olive oil zucchini bread slice with butter on a white plate on a counter

    Can you freeze olive oil zucchini bread?

    If you plan to eat this bread within a few days, you can store it in a sealed container or plastic bag at room temperature.

    But if you would like to save a loaf of this for later, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then in foil. You can keep it in the freezer for a few months. Remove the foil before letting it thaw in the fridge or at room temp.

    olive oil zucchini bread

    For one of my other favorite ways to use up zucchini, check out the Zucchini Carrot Oat Muffins! Or peep the Carrot Banana Breakfast Bread, Pumpkin Banana Oat Bread, Sweet Potato Blueberry Flax Muffins, and Spinach Banana Muffins for some other veggie-loaded baked goods.

    I’d love to hear how you like this recipe! Rate/review using the stars on the recipe card or in the comments, and follow the Veg World on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. Looking for something totally different? Browse the recipe library.

    📖 Recipe

    olive oil zucchini bread

    Healthy Olive Oil Zucchini Bread

    A rich and delicious zucchini bread made with 100% whole wheat flour, olive oil, cardamom, and cinnamon. Delicious with a cup of coffee at any time of the year!
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Pin Rate Save Saved!
    Prep Time: 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time: 55 minutes mins
    Total Time: 1 hour hr 5 minutes mins
    Servings: 12 slices
    Calories: 192kcal
    Author: Lizzie Streit, MS, RDN

    Ingredients 

    • 1.75 cups whole wheat flour - recommend Bob's Red Mill brand
    • ½ teaspoon baking powder
    • ½ teaspoon baking soda
    • ½ teaspoon fine sea salt - or kosher salt
    • 1 teaspoon cardamom
    • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
    • ½ cup olive oil - extra virgin
    • ½ cup maple syrup
    • 2 eggs
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 2 heaping cups zucchini - grated with a hand or box grater
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9" loaf pan and set aside.
    • In a small bowl or measuring cup, combine the whole wheat flour, baking powder and soda, sea salt, cardamom, and cinnamon.
    • In a separate bowl, whisk together the olive oil, maple syrup, eggs, and vanilla.
    • Fold in the grated zucchini and dry ingredients. Stir until well combined.
    • Pour the batter into the greased loaf pan. Bake for 45 to 55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
    • Enjoy right away with some soft butter or cream cheese. Or save for later in an airtight container or plastic bag on the counter. If you do not eat it all within a few days, transfer to the fridge.

    Notes

    Make it vegan: Omit the eggs and use chia or flax eggs (made by combining 1 tablespoon chia or ground flaxseeds with 3 tablespoon water).
    Make it gluten free: I suspect that an all purpose gluten free flour would work well for this, but have not tried it personally.
    Add nuts or chocolate chips: This would taste delicious with ¼ to ½ cup chopped walnuts and ¼ cup chocolate chips.
    Freeze for later: Wrap in plastic wrap and then in foil and keep in the freezer for a few months. Thaw in the fridge or on the counter. 

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1slice | Calories: 192kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 27mg | Sodium: 163mg | Potassium: 179mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 81IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 39mg | Iron: 1mg
    Did you make this recipe?Tag @its_a_vegworld_afterall and follow me today!

    Happy August a.k.a. zucchini overload season! – Lizzie

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    1. Beatriz Garcia

      May 16, 2020 at 5:51 am

      I love how this recipe incorporates evoo into bread, making it healthier AND tastier.

      Reply
      • Lizzie Streit, MS, RDN

        May 18, 2020 at 3:05 pm

        Thanks so much!

        Reply

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