When I first baked this chocolate zucchini bread, I remember laughing at myself. I mean, who sneaks zucchini into dessert and expects people to cheer? Yet here I was, pulling a loaf from the oven that smelled like a brownie’s cousin. The zucchini melts away, leaving behind moist crumb and a rich chocolate hug in every slice. We’re talking about one of those zucchini bread recipes that solves two problems at once. You use up the summer zucchini that’s multiplying like rabbits in the garden, and you get a loaf that doubles as breakfast or dessert. It’s like a magic trick your taste buds can’t stop applauding. Call it chocolate zucchini bread, call it zucchini recipes bread, or just call it your new favorite. This zucchini bread hits all the notes: rich flavor, healthy zucchini bread vibes, and a recipe for zucchini bread that doesn’t taste remotely like vegetables. And honestly, isn’t that the dream?

Table of Contents
- 1) Key Takeaways
- 2) Easy Chocolate Zucchini Bread Recipe
- 3) Ingredients for Chocolate Zucchini Bread
- 4) How to Make Chocolate Zucchini Bread
- 5) Tips for Making Chocolate Zucchini Bread
- 6) Making Chocolate Zucchini Bread Ahead of Time
- 7) Storing Leftover Chocolate Zucchini Bread
- 8) Try these Bread Recipes next!
- 9) Chocolate Zucchini Bread
- 10) Nutrition
1) Key Takeaways
- This recipe blends rich cocoa with fresh zucchini for a bread that tastes like dessert.
- It’s one of those zucchini bread recipes that balances indulgence with a hint of health.
- You can make it in one bowl, which means less cleanup and more chocolate eating.
- Perfect to serve warm with coffee, or to wrap up for snacks later.
2) Easy Chocolate Zucchini Bread Recipe
When summer zucchini start piling up on the counter, I know it’s time to get baking. This easy chocolate zucchini bread recipe feels like a secret—almost like you’ve discovered a loophole in dessert. You toss in grated zucchini, and instead of vegetable flavors, you end up with a loaf that eats like a fudgy brownie.
I remember the first time I sliced into it. Steam drifted up, rich with cocoa. My family gathered around, skeptical until that first bite. Nobody guessed the green ingredient hidden inside. That’s the beauty of it—zucchini bread recipes like this one don’t shout vegetables, they whisper chocolate.
And the best part? It comes together in one bowl. Less time scrubbing, more time savoring. We’re talking about a recipe so simple, you can whip it up on a weeknight and still feel like you’ve baked something special.

3) Ingredients for Chocolate Zucchini Bread
Vegetable Oil: This gives the bread its soft crumb and keeps it tender for days. Butter could work, but oil creates that unmistakable bakery-style texture.
Sugar: Two cups might sound like a lot, but it balances the deep cocoa and makes each bite sweet without being heavy.
Eggs: They bind everything together and add a richness that plays well with the cocoa. Fresh eggs really do make a difference here.
Vanilla Extract: Just a couple teaspoons, but it lifts the chocolate flavor and makes the loaf smell like home when it bakes.
Flour and Cocoa Powder: A simple mix. The flour gives structure, the cocoa powder delivers the chocolate kick that keeps everyone coming back for another slice.
Baking Soda and Baking Powder: These leaveners help the loaf rise and keep it from feeling too dense.
Salt: Just a pinch to sharpen the sweetness and bring balance.
Shredded Zucchini: The star you won’t taste, but you’ll notice how it keeps the bread soft, never dry.
Chocolate Chips: Folded in at the end, they melt into little pockets of joy throughout the loaf.

4) How to Make Chocolate Zucchini Bread
Step 1. Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×5 loaf pan. This step sets the stage for a smooth bake.
Step 2. In a large bowl, whisk together the oil, sugar, eggs, and vanilla until glossy and smooth. The batter should feel almost silky.
Step 3. Add the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Stir just until combined. Don’t overmix—lumps are fine.
Step 4. Fold in the shredded zucchini and chocolate chips. The batter will look thick, but trust the process.
Step 5. Pour the mixture into your loaf pan. Smooth the top with a spatula so it bakes evenly.
Step 6. Bake for 55 to 65 minutes. Check with a toothpick—if it comes out with just a few crumbs, it’s ready.
Step 7. Let it cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then lift it onto a wire rack. Slice when it’s warm if you can’t resist, but it slices cleaner when cool.

5) Tips for Making Chocolate Zucchini Bread
Grate the zucchini fine. Big chunks can make uneven texture. When you shred it small, it melts into the bread, leaving no trace but softness. I never squeeze mine dry—it’s that extra water that keeps the bread tender.
If you like a nutty crunch, swap half the chocolate chips for walnuts. I tried this once when I ran out of chips, and it became a happy accident that stuck. It adds a rustic bite that balances the sweetness.
Finally, don’t skip letting the loaf rest before slicing. Hot bread can crumble. A short wait rewards you with neat slices that hold together and taste even better.
6) Making Chocolate Zucchini Bread Ahead of Time
This recipe shines when made ahead. I often bake a loaf on Sunday, then wrap it in foil once cool. By Monday, the flavors meld together, and each slice feels richer. It’s like the bread matures overnight.
If you’re baking for a party, try making two loaves. Serve one fresh, keep the other wrapped for the next day. Guests never guess it was baked earlier. The zucchini keeps it soft and flavorful even after a day or two.
You can freeze the bread too. Slice before freezing, so you can grab a piece whenever the craving hits. Just toast lightly or let thaw at room temperature, and it tastes like you just baked it.
7) Storing Leftover Chocolate Zucchini Bread
Leftovers rarely last long in my house, but when they do, I store them wrapped in plastic or in an airtight tin. On the counter, it stays good for three days. In the fridge, up to a week. Either way, the loaf stays tender.
For longer storage, the freezer works wonders. Slice it, wrap each piece, and tuck them into a bag. When you want a quick snack, pull out a slice, microwave it for a few seconds, and enjoy with a smear of peanut butter.
I once hid a few slices in the freezer, thinking I’d save them for later. Turns out, my family found them first. Lesson learned: label your freezer bags if you don’t want to share.
8) Try these Bread Recipes next!
9) Chocolate Zucchini Bread

One Bowl Zucchini Bread Recipes with Chocolate Goodness
Ingredients
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 cups shredded zucchini
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan.
- In a large bowl, whisk together oil, sugar, eggs, and vanilla until smooth.
- Add flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Stir until combined.
- Fold in shredded zucchini and chocolate chips until evenly distributed.
- Pour batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top.
- Bake 55–65 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean.
- Cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
10) Nutrition
Serving Size: 1 slice | Calories: 285 | Sugar: 25 g | Sodium: 220 mg | Fat: 14 g | Saturated Fat: 4 g | Carbohydrates: 37 g | Fiber: 2 g | Protein: 4 g | Cholesterol: 35 mg
Recipe by Linda at Cook Daily Recipe


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