The Best Gluten-Free Zucchini Bread Recipe Around - A Girl Defloured (2024)

The Best Gluten-Free Zucchini Bread Recipe Around - A Girl Defloured (1)

Trying to make delicious gluten-free zucchini bread? Look no further! Our tried-and-true recipe gives you tender, flavorful results every time.

Recipe and description updated 1/28/23

I am of the firm belief that the idea of zucchini is much better than the reality. That one can gently press a small seed, no bigger than a fingernail, an inch into the garden soil and get such a enormous, blossoming, fruiting vine is nothing but a small miracle. But after the first half-dozen or so, my eyes glaze over and I shudder at the thought of another month of zucchini everything, just to use it up. But there is always this light & delicious gluten-free zucchini bread!

Jump to Recipe

It happens every year, this zucchini fatigue, and yet we persist in planting the seeds in our garden beds. Or at least I do. I know I’m not alone in this, because every August 8th, there is a holiday devoted to dumping your zucchini on your neighbor’s porch, anonymously and preferably in the dark of night.

So what do I do with my abundant harvest of this squash (and what can you do with the zucchini that could make an appearance on your porch sometime later this week)? I make ratatouille, I make a stir fry, I turn them into fritters, I shred it and put it into risotto (along with some blossoms), I thinly slice it and serve it raw dressed with only a light lemon vinaigrette, but best of all (at least for the kids) I make tender and spicy loaves of zucchini bread.

The Best Gluten-Free Zucchini Bread Recipe Around - A Girl Defloured (2)
The Best Gluten-Free Zucchini Bread Recipe Around - A Girl Defloured (3)

How Do You Make Gluten-Free Zucchini Bread?

Before you start baking, it’s important to have all your ingredients and supplies on hand. You’ll need a zucchini, gluten-free flour, baking powder, baking soda, xanthan gum, sea salt, cinnamon, brown sugar, avocado oil, eggs, whole milk (or coconut milk if you’re dairy free), lemon juice, vanilla extract and walnuts.

Here are the ingredients in this gluten-free zucchini bread recipe:

  • 1 full cup of grated zucchini (from about 1 medium zucchini)
  • 1 1/4 cup all purpose gluten-free flour blend (such as Bob’s Red Mill 1 to 1)
  • 1/4 cup almond flour (or finely ground almond meal) (OR substitute regular all-purpose gluten-free flour if you have a nut allergy)
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 3/4 teaspoon xanthan gum (omit if your flour blend already has it)
  • 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 2 teaspoons cinnamon
  • 1 cup light brown sugar
  • 1/3 cup avocado oil (or other light oil)
  • 2 extra large eggs
  • 1/4 cup regular whole milk
  • 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1/3 cup chopped walnuts or pecans, optional

Instructions:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Spray 3 mini loaf pans with gluten-free cooking spray (or one standard 9-inch loaf pan) and set aside.
  2. Place the shredded zucchini into some paper towels and gently squeeze out any moisture. Fluff the zucchini with a fork and set aside.
  3. Put the all-purpose gluten-free flour, almond flour, baking powder, baking soda, xanthan gum, salt and cinnamon in a medium bowl and whisk to blend. In another large bowl add the brown sugar, canola oil, eggs, coconut milk, lemon juice, vanilla and walnuts. Whisk thoroughly until smooth.
  4. Add the dry ingredients to the wet and beat until combined. Fold in the grated zucchini (I always reserve just a little to sprinkle over the tops of the loaves) and the nuts.
  5. Divide evenly between the pans, sprinkle over the reserved zucchini and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of a loaf comes out clean.
  6. Cool for 5 minutes in the pan, then carefully turn out to cool completely on a rack.

Frequently Asked Questions About Zucchini Bread

Can this zucchini bread be made dairy or nut free?

Absolutely! The last time I made it, the bread needed to be not only gluten-free, but dairy free, because it was a gift for a friend by substituting the whole milk for full-fat coconut milk. But you can use any milk substitute you like!
The bread is spicy, tender and studded with chunks of chopped walnut. But if you have a nut allergy, replace the almond flour with additional gluten-free flour blend, and omit the walnuts.

Can you freeze zucchini bread?

Yes! Wrap the cooled bread tightly in plastic, then foil and freeze for up to 3 months. You may want to slice it in advance so you can use it one slice at a time.

Do you peel zucchini for bread?

No need! The skin of the zucchini is quite tender and soft when baked it the bread.

Do you squeeze water out of zucchini for bread?

Yes! I find that squeezing water out using a paper towel is the easiest method. Then simply fluff the shredded zucchini with a fork before stirring it into the batter.

How do you keep zucchini bread from getting soggy?

Squeezing as much water out of the zucchini before adding to the batter definitely helps with this, but it’s also important to turn the bread out of the loaf pan after it cools a bit, so it can finish cooling on a rack.

So what do you do with all of your zucchini?

The Best Gluten-Free Zucchini Bread Recipe Around - A Girl Defloured (4)

Love quick breads and muffins? Try these other recipes!

  • Gluten-Free Banana Bread
  • Double Chocolate Zucchini Bread
  • Best Gluten-Free Blueberry Muffins

If you make this recipe, or any of my others be sure to tag me onInstagram, and use the hashtags #agirldefloured #deflouredrecipes!

The Best Gluten-Free Zucchini Bread Recipe Around - A Girl Defloured (5)

The Best Gluten-Free Zucchini Bread Around

The Best Gluten-Free Zucchini Bread Recipe Around - A Girl Defloured (6)Alison Needham

These loaves are chock-full of shredded zucchini, chopped walnuts and spice. Thanks to the addition of coconut milk, they have a light and tender crumb (without any hint of coconut flavor). I like to have mine toasted for breakfast with my coffee, but add a little cream cheese frosting and it would make a perfect tea cake or dessert as well.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 40 minutes mins

Total Time 55 minutes mins

Course Quick Bread

Cuisine American

Servings 12 slices

Calories 227 kcal

Equipment

  • 3 mini loaf pans or 1 9×4 inch loaf pan

Ingredients

  • 1 cup grated zucchini (from about 1 medium zucchini)
  • cup all purpose gluten-free flour blend
  • ¼ cup almond flour (or finely ground almond meal OR substitute regular all-purpose gluten-free flour if you have a nut allergy)
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ¾ teaspoon xanthan gum (omit if your flour blend already has it)
  • ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 2 teaspoons cinnamon
  • 1 cup light brown sugar
  • cup canola oil (or other light oil such as avocado)
  • 2 extra large eggs
  • ¼ cup full-fat coconut milk (or regular whole milk)
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • cup walnuts or pecans (chopped, optional)

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Spray 3 mini loaf pans with gluten-free cooking spray (or one standard 9-inch loaf pan) and set aside.

  • Place the shredded zucchini into some paper towels and gently squeeze out any moisture. Fluff the zucchini with a fork and set aside.

  • Put the all-purpose gluten-free flour, almond flour, baking powder, baking soda, xanthan gum, salt and cinnamon in a medium bowl and whisk to blend. In another large bowl add the brown sugar, canola oil, eggs, coconut milk, lemon juice, vanilla and walnuts. Whisk thoroughly until smooth.

  • Add the dry ingredients to the wet and beat until combined. Fold in the grated zucchini (I always reserve just a little to sprinkle over the tops of the loaves) and the nuts.

  • Divide evenly between the pans, sprinkle over the reserved zucchini and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of a loaf comes out clean.

  • Cool for 5 minutes in the pan, then carefully turn out to cool completely on a rack.

Notes

This loaf can absolutely be made in a standard 9×4 inch loaf pan. Increase the cooking time to 50-60 minutes.

Nutrition

Serving: 1sliceCalories: 227kcalCarbohydrates: 29gProtein: 3gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 27mgSodium: 236mgPotassium: 90mgFiber: 2gSugar: 19gVitamin A: 62IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 81mgIron: 1mg

Keyword Dairy Free Zucchini Bread, Gluten-Free Quick Bread, Gluten-Free Zucchini Bread, Zucchini Bread

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

The Best Gluten-Free Zucchini Bread Recipe Around - A Girl Defloured (2024)

FAQs

What does apple cider vinegar do to gluten free bread? ›

Apple Cider Vinegar – Superpower your Gluten-Free Kitchen! Apple cider vinegar is often used in baking, but why? It is a great leavening agent, but it also has powerful flavour enhancing properties. I find it adds the perfect amount of depth of flavour, and helps activate baking soda creating a lovely airy texture.

What bread is best for gluten intolerance? ›

Sourdough breads have been touted as a safe option for those who avoid gluten. Many claim that the gluten in wheat sourdough or rye bread is broken down and easier to digest than conventionally produced bread.

Why is my homemade gluten free bread so dense? ›

There are a few common reasons why your gluten-free bread may be turning out dense: Insufficient Leavening: Yeast or baking powder creates air pockets in the dough, allowing it to rise and become light. If you don't use enough leavening agents, your bread will not have enough gas bubbles to create that airy texture.

What is the biggest challenge of making gluten-free bread? ›

One of the challenges is that when gluten-free dough is thickened with additives like starches and gums, it becomes sticky. Some bakers dust sticky dough with flour, but that's problematic with gluten-free formulations.

Which yeast is best for gluten-free bread? ›

What type of yeast should be used to bake Gluten Free Bread? Active dry yeast and instant yeast both work well and are often interchangeable. Be on the lookout for any Rapid Rise yeast that is best for one rise. For most of us that's the way gluten free bread is baked, a single rise in the tin.

What helps gluten free bread rise? ›

Eggs are natural leaveners that help boost the rise and volume of bread. Eggs also add moisture, flavor, and protein to gluten-free bread recipes. If you select a gluten-free bread recipe that includes eggs, you have a better chance that the resulting bread will have good color, more volume, and softer texture.

Can celiacs drink apple cider vinegar? ›

Some types of vinegar—including red wine vinegar, apple cider vinegar, balsamic vinegar, and cane vinegar—are gluten-free. Other types of vinegar—for example, non-distilled vinegars made from the gluten grains wheat, barley, and rye, and malt vinegar made from barley—are not gluten-free.

What does egg white do in gluten free bread? ›

Developing baked gluten-free (GF) products is difficult since gluten is essential for many organoleptic properties like texture and taste. Egg white proteins (EW) show strong cohesive behavior with excellent foaming capacity and stability, which may improve both organoleptic quality and nutritional value of GF bread.

Which flour is best for gluten-free bread? ›

But if you're looking for a good store-bought gluten-free blend, I recommend Bob's Red Mill 1 to 1 baking flour. This is based on sweet rice flour, and it makes a good sub for sweet rice flour in my recipes if you don't have any on hand.

Why does gluten not bother me in Europe? ›

Those with a gluten sensitivity or gluten intolerance may have less symptoms with wheat-based foods in Europe. This is likely because of the types of wheat used in the EU and how they're processed. But this isn't a guarantee. So when you're traveling, your best bet is to stick to foods that are naturally gluten-free.

Why add vinegar to gluten free bread? ›

The addition of vinegar and sour cream helps the dough to be a bit more flexible when rolling out and also to brown slightly more easily when baked in the oven. Rice wine vinegar doesn't have a strong taste so it is useful for this dough, but it can be replaced with other acids.

Why is gluten free bread so hard to make? ›

Gluten free bread takes much longer than a regular loaf to bake and therefore a sticky crumb is generally the result of under baking. It is easy to see why this can happen, gluten free bread dough needs more moisture and is often difficult to knead with conventional methods.

What does oil do in gluten free bread? ›

Add in Proofed Yeast and Wet Ingredients

Most gluten-free recipes will call for the addition of eggs and oils to enhance moisture. Eggs are also natural leaveners that support the volume, texture, color, and shelf-life of gluten-free bread.

What makes gluten-free bread better? ›

Gluten-free bread lets you enjoy bread without the risk of causing harm to your intestines. And when you swap out white flour for a gluten-free alternative, it might make your bread healthier in certain ways. Other flours often have nutrients you wouldn't get with white flour.

What is the trick to baking with gluten-free flour? ›

Gluten-free flours often contain fine starches, so they absorb more liquid than conventional flour. To address this, gluten-free recipes usually call for more liquid and produce looser batters. They may also call for a larger quantity of leavening, like baking powder, to help add volume and lighten the texture.

How do you make gluten-free bread rise higher? ›

Eggs are natural leaveners that help boost the rise and volume of bread. Eggs also add moisture, flavor, and protein to gluten-free bread recipes. If you select a gluten-free bread recipe that includes eggs, you have a better chance that the resulting bread will have good color, more volume, and softer texture.

Why doesn't my gluten-free bread rise? ›

Your bread will not rise if your yeast or baking powder has expired. A dense loaf could also be the result of not measuring your ingredients accurately. Weight measurements are best (I have to update my recipes). Otherwise scoop the flour into your measuring cup and level without shaking or packing the flour down.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Gregorio Kreiger

Last Updated:

Views: 6218

Rating: 4.7 / 5 (57 voted)

Reviews: 88% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Gregorio Kreiger

Birthday: 1994-12-18

Address: 89212 Tracey Ramp, Sunside, MT 08453-0951

Phone: +9014805370218

Job: Customer Designer

Hobby: Mountain biking, Orienteering, Hiking, Sewing, Backpacking, Mushroom hunting, Backpacking

Introduction: My name is Gregorio Kreiger, I am a tender, brainy, enthusiastic, combative, agreeable, gentle, gentle person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.