Chocolate Chocolate Zucchini Bread

This Chocolate Chocolate Zucchini Bread is the best and only chocolate zucchini bread recipe you’ll ever need. It’s perfectly moist and tender with a rich chocolate flavor, and studded with chocolate chips. And not only does this chocolate chocolate chip zucchini bread have a vegetable in it, but it has less sugar, more fiber, and is a slightly lighter, more nutrient-rich healthy zucchini bread.

_{^{This post may contain affiliate links, thank you for your support!}}

Zucchini loaf, bread, cake, muffins – doesn’t matter how you make it or what you call it, this chocolate chocolate zucchini bread is the best and only chocolate zucchini bread recipe you’ll ever need.

Here’s Why You’ll Love this Chocolate Chocolate Zucchini Bread

• It’s so richly chocolatey, that it’s got chocolate in its name twice.
• Perfectly moist and tender.
• Not only is it packed with a vegetable, but a fruit, too – applesauce!
• Simple recipe – no need for a fancy mixer or for straining the zucchini.
• Can easily be made into muffins.
• Higher in fiber, with the use of whole wheat flour.
• Freezes well – perfect to use up all the summer zucchini in your garden!

Ingredient Notes & Substitutions

For a full ingredient list with quantities, please check out the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

• Zucchini: Use a box grater to grate a zucchini until you have 1.5 cups (it’s about 1 medium zucchini’s worth). No need to drain the zucchini, either!
• Applesauce: This adds a subtle sweetness and adds to the moist texture, but with less oil.
• Light Brown Sugar: I use a smaller amount is used compared to traditional zucchini bread recipes. You can substitute a similar non-nutritive sweetener, such as Truvia Sweet Complete Brown Sweetener.
• Avocado Oil: Avocado oil is a heart healthy, neutral-flavored oil that works great in baked goods. Feel free to substitute another more neutral oil, such as grapeseed, canola, or vegetable oil.
• Vanilla: I prefer to use vanilla bean paste, as it has a slightly deeper and richer vanilla flavor, but vanilla extract also works.
• Whole Wheat Flour: Using whole wheat fiber enhances the fiber content. I prefer white whole wheat flour, as it’s still a whole grain, but has a slightly lighter texture than traditional whole wheat flour.
• Cocoa Powder: Use unsweetened cocoa powder (not Dutch-processed) for this recipe. (And fun fact – did you know cocoa powder is also a good source of iron and fiber?!)
• Instant Espresso Powder: Because this zucchini bread recipe is a little lighter and lower in sugar than other recipes, the espresso powder really helps deepen the chocolate flavor. And no, it doesn’t taste like coffee! You can substitute 1 teaspoon of instant coffee granules in lieu of 1/2 teaspoon espresso powder, if you prefer.
• Chocolate Chips: I prefer semi-sweet chocolate chips here, but use what you like! And if you’re being conscious of added sugar, try Lily’s No Added Sugar Chocolate Chips.
• Turbinado Sugar: Sprinkle a tablespoon of sugar on top of the batter before baking, for a deliciously crunchy sugar topping.

The recipe also includes eggs, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

Step-by-Step Directions

For complete instructions, please check out the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

1. Mix the wet ingredients.

2. Add dry ingredients and combine.

3. Fold in shredded zucchini and chocolate chips.

4. Pour batter into a prepared pan and top with turbinado sugar, if desired.

5. Bake, then let cool for 10 minutes in the pan before transferring to a wire rack to continue fully cooling.

VIDEO: How to Make Chocolate Zucchini Bread

Tips and Variations

• Let fully cool before slicing! This will ensure the best texture and taste (sometimes products with zucchini and applesauce have a slightly different taste when warm).
• Gluten-Free: Use your favorite cup-for-cup all purpose gluten free flour blend. (I like the King Arthur’s Gluten Free Measure for Measure Flour or the Cup4Cup Multipurpose Gluten Free Flour.)
• Dairy-Free: As long as you use dairy-free chocolate chips, you’re good!
• No Added Sugar: Swap the brown sugar and chocolate chips for no added sugar substitutes, like Truvia Sweet Complete Brown Sweetener and Lily’s chocolate chips.
• Instead of turbinado sugar, add extra chocolate chips on top.

How to Bake as Muffins

Grease a muffin tin and scoop the batter into prepared muffin cups. Bake at 375 F for 15-18 minutes, or until muffins spring back when gently poked on top. Let cool, then enjoy!

Storage & Freezing

This zucchini bread freezes fantastically! You can freeze it as a whole loaf, in individual slices, or even as muffins. Wrap each (loaf vs slice vs muffin) airtight, then store in an airtight container for up to 3 months.

Zucchini Bread FAQ

Should I peel the zucchini before grating?

You don’t have to, but if you have any particularly picky eaters, you can. Peeling the green will just eliminate the tiniest green flecks in the finished bread.

Can I use frozen, pre-grated zucchini?

Yes! When I’m having a particularly abundant year of zucchini in my garden, I love to grate and freeze zucchini in pre-portioned packs, for easy zucchini bread making all year long. Just be sure to thaw before using!

Does the zucchini need to be finely grated?

No, just grate the zucchini with the traditional (larger hole side) of a box grater.

Do I need to strain or blot the zucchini?

No need! This zucchini bread is fairly low maintenance. You just grate the zucchini and add it right in! If anything, the extra moisture in the zucchini translates to an extra moist and tender crumb.

Do I have to use the espresso powder?

You don’t have to, but for best flavor, I strongly recommend using either 1/2 teaspoon espresso powder or 1 teaspoon instant coffee.

Does adding espresso powder make it taste like coffee?

Definitely not! It’s a small amount and just makes the chocolate flavor slightly richer and deeper.

Shop This Recipe

As an Amazon affiliate, I may earn a small amount from qualifying affiliate purchases at no cost to you.

• Box grater
• 9×5″ loaf pan
• Mixing Bowls
• Silicone spatula
• Cooling rack

More Zucchini Recipes to Love

• Zucchini Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins
• BBQ Chicken Skewers with Zucchini
• Zucchini Noodle Antipasto Salad
• Chocolate Zucchini Smoothie
• Zucchini Corn Chowder

Did you make this recipe? Give it a 5★ rating below! For more balanced nutrition and no fuss, balanced recipes, be sure to follow me on Instagram!