I absolutely love this Blueberry Zucchini Bread Recipe because it combines the natural sweetness of blueberries with the subtle earthiness of zucchini, making it a perfect snack or breakfast treat. When I first tried it, I was surprised at how moist and tender the bread turned out, yet still light and packed with flavor—plus, it’s a great way to sneak some veggies into your day without anyone noticing.
You’ll find that this bread works well for everything from school lunches to weekend brunches, and it’s especially wonderful during berry season when the blueberries are at their juiciest. What makes this Blueberry Zucchini Bread Recipe even better is its simplicity—you don’t need a ton of fancy ingredients, and it comes together pretty quickly, perfect for when you want homemade comfort without a lot of fuss.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Moist and Tender: The combination of shredded zucchini and applesauce keeps the bread super moist without needing much butter.
- Bursting with Flavor: Fresh blueberries add little pops of sweetness and tang that balance perfectly with warm cinnamon.
- Healthy-ish Twist: Using whole-wheat flour and applesauce lowers the fat and ups the fiber, making it a feel-good treat.
- Easy to Make: No fancy equipment or complicated steps—just simple ingredients and straightforward instructions.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in this Blueberry Zucchini Bread Recipe plays a role, whether it’s adding moisture, sweetness, or structure. Shopping for fresh zucchini and ripe blueberries will really elevate the final bread, and I like keeping the spices simple but thoughtful so the flavors shine through.
- Blueberries: Tossing them in flour before mixing helps prevent them from sinking to the bottom.
- All-purpose flour: I prefer unbleached for a more natural taste and a tender crumb.
- White whole-wheat flour: Adds a mild nuttiness and extra fiber without being as dense as regular whole wheat.
- Brown sugar: Use light brown for a subtle caramel note; brown monk fruit is a great alternative if you want to reduce sugar.
- Cinnamon: Just the right spice to warm the bread—don’t skip it!
- Baking soda and baking powder: Both work together to give the bread a lovely rise and texture.
- Salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances sweetness.
- Vanilla extract: A splash lifts the flavor from good to amazing.
- Egg: Helps bind the bread and adds richness.
- Melted butter or dairy-free butter: Provides moisture and richness.
- Unsweetened applesauce: Adds moisture and natural sweetness, making the bread lighter and healthier.
- Shredded zucchini: Not packed or squeezed—this adds moisture and nutrition without overpowering the bread.
Variations
I love switching things up with this Blueberry Zucchini Bread Recipe depending on what I have on hand or who I’m baking for. Feel free to tweak it and make it your own—you can always bring new twists while keeping the core cozy flavors intact.
- Nutty upgrade: Adding chopped walnuts or pecans gives a wonderful crunch that my family goes crazy for.
- Dairy-free version: I swap melted butter for coconut oil or a plant-based margarine, and it turns out just as good.
- Spice it up: Try adding a pinch of nutmeg or ginger to the cinnamon for extra warmth.
- Extra fruit: Mix in a handful of chopped strawberries or raspberries with the blueberries for a berry medley.
How to Make Blueberry Zucchini Bread Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Blueberries
Start by preheating your oven to 325°F and spraying a 9×5-inch loaf pan with cooking spray to make sure your bread doesn’t stick. Before mixing, toss your blueberries with about 2 tablespoons of the flour—this little trick keeps them suspended evenly in the batter, so they won’t all sink to the bottom during baking.
Step 2: Combine Your Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together your remaining all-purpose and white whole-wheat flours, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This ensures your leavening agents and spices are evenly distributed, which helps your bread rise beautifully and have an even flavor.
Step 3: Mix Up the Wet Ingredients
Grab a medium bowl and combine your beaten egg, brown sugar, vanilla extract, melted butter, unsweetened applesauce, and shredded zucchini. I usually shred the zucchini freshly with the big holes on my grater to keep the texture light. Mixing the wet ingredients separately before adding them to the dry keeps things smooth and prevents overmixing.
Step 4: Bring It All Together
Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with your dry mix and stir just until everything comes together—don’t overmix, or your bread might turn out dense. Gently fold in the floured blueberries last, taking care not to crush them to keep those juicy bursts in the final bread.
Step 5: Bake to Perfection
Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan and smooth out the top with a spatula. Bake for 45 to 55 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs attached. I usually start checking around the 45-minute mark, as ovens can vary a bit. Once done, let the bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely—this helps it set and slice nicely.
Pro Tips for Making Blueberry Zucchini Bread Recipe
- Flour Your Blueberries: Tossing blueberries in flour before adding keeps them from sinking and prevents dark streaks in your bread.
- Don’t Overmix: Once wet and dry ingredients are combined, stir just enough to blend; overmixing makes the bread tough.
- Shred Fresh Zucchini: Fresh zucchini adds the best moisture and flavor—avoid canned or frozen as they’re too watery.
- Check Oven Early: Ovens vary, so start checking with a toothpick a few minutes early to avoid overbaking and drying out your bread.
How to Serve Blueberry Zucchini Bread Recipe
Garnishes
I love to keep it simple with a pat of softened butter or a drizzle of honey on a warm slice—such a cozy, comforting combo. For a little extra flair, a light dusting of powdered sugar or a smear of cream cheese frosting turns this bread into an elegant treat without being overly sweet.
Side Dishes
This Blueberry Zucchini Bread Recipe pairs beautifully with a cup of tea or coffee, making it ideal for brunch. I also enjoy it alongside yogurt with a sprinkle of granola or fresh fruit to create a balanced breakfast plate.
Creative Ways to Present
For a special occasion, I like slicing the bread into thick slabs and serving it with a side of mascarpone mixed with lemon zest and honey. It’s a crowd-pleaser at baby showers or weekend gatherings. You could also make mini loaves or muffins with the same batter for a perfectly portioned gift or lunchbox surprise.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I usually wrap leftover bread tightly in plastic wrap and store it at room temperature for up to three days. Keeping it in an airtight container helps maintain moisture and keeps the zucchini from drying out, so it still tastes fresh when you slice it later.
Freezing
This Blueberry Zucchini Bread Recipe freezes beautifully! I slice the bread first, then separate the slices with parchment paper and place them in a freezer-safe bag. Whenever I want a quick snack, I just pull out a slice and it thaws quickly or can be warmed up straight from frozen.
Reheating
To reheat, I find wrapping a slice in a damp paper towel and microwaving for about 20 seconds brings back that fresh-baked softness. You can also toast a slice for a bit of crispness around the edges while keeping the inside tender and warm.
FAQs
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Can I use frozen blueberries in this Blueberry Zucchini Bread Recipe?
Yes, you can! Just be sure to keep them frozen until right before mixing and toss them in flour like fresh berries to help prevent them from bleeding too much and weighing down the batter.
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How do I prepare zucchini for this bread?
Shred fresh zucchini using the coarse side of a grater, then measure by scooping it lightly without packing or squeezing out the moisture. This keeps the bread tender and light.
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Is this Blueberry Zucchini Bread Recipe healthy?
While it’s a sweet bread, it uses whole-wheat flour and applesauce to reduce fat and add fiber, plus zucchini sneaks in some extra nutrients, making it a better-for-you baked good you can feel good about enjoying.
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Can I make this recipe into muffins instead of a loaf?
Absolutely! Just divide the batter evenly into a greased or lined muffin tin and bake at 325°F for about 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
Final Thoughts
This Blueberry Zucchini Bread Recipe has become a staple in my kitchen because it’s delicious, adaptable, and just simple enough to throw together anytime. Whether you’re looking for a wholesome breakfast, a snack that feels like a treat, or a way to use up extra zucchini and berries, I think you’ll really enjoy how it turns out. Give it a try—you might find yourself baking it again and again like I do!
PrintBlueberry Zucchini Bread Recipe
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Yield: 16 servings
- Category: Baking
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Blueberry Zucchini Bread is a moist and flavorful loaf perfect for a healthy breakfast or snack. It blends fresh blueberries and shredded zucchini with whole-wheat and all-purpose flours, offering a wonderful balance of sweetness and texture enhanced by warm cinnamon and vanilla. Made with wholesome ingredients like unsweetened applesauce and a touch of melted butter, this bread is both nutritious and satisfying.
Ingredients
Produce
- 1 cup blueberries
- 1 1/2 cups shredded zucchini (from about 1 1/4 large zucchinis, not packed, not squeezed)
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (unbleached)
- 1 cup white whole-wheat flour (or regular whole-wheat flour)
- 2/3 cup brown sugar, not packed (3.5 oz) (brown monk fruit may also be used)
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 2 tablespoons melted butter (or dairy-free butter)
- 2 (3.9 oz) containers unsweetened applesauce
Other
- Cooking spray for greasing the loaf pan
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Spray a 9×5-inch loaf pan generously with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Coat Blueberries: Toss the blueberries in a small bowl with 2 tablespoons of the all-purpose flour. This prevents them from sinking to the bottom during baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the remaining all-purpose and whole wheat flours, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Whisk thoroughly to ensure even distribution of leavening agents and spices.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the beaten egg, brown sugar, vanilla extract, melted butter, unsweetened applesauce, and shredded zucchini until fully blended.
- Blend Wet and Dry Mixtures: Add the wet mixture to the dry ingredients bowl. Stir gently until just combined to avoid overmixing, which can toughen the bread. Be careful to fold in any dry flour pockets.
- Fold in Blueberries: Gently fold the floured blueberries into the batter, ensuring they are evenly distributed without breaking them up.
- Fill Pan and Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top. Bake for 45 to 55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool Before Slicing: Let the bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before carefully removing it. Allow it to cool completely on a wire rack before slicing to maintain structure and texture.
Notes
- To prevent blueberries from sinking, coating them in flour is essential.
- Do not overmix the batter as it can create a dense, tough bread.
- Using unsweetened applesauce helps keep the bread moist without adding extra sugar.
- You can substitute dairy-free butter to make this recipe dairy-free.
- Make sure the zucchini is shredded but not packed or squeezed to retain moisture balance.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 111 kcal
- Sugar: 8.5 g
- Sodium: 124.5 mg
- Fat: 2 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 21 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 2.5 g
- Cholesterol: 15.5 mg
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