Irresistible Zucchini Cheddar Quick Bread Recipe For Lunch

Bread lovers, prepare for a delightful twist on classic comfort food with this rustic zucchini cheddar bread that combines garden-fresh vegetables and sharp cheese in one irresistible loaf.

Summer’s bounty of zucchini meets rich, melty cheddar in a recipe that turns ordinary ingredients into something extraordinary.

Each slice promises a perfect balance of savory and hearty flavors that will have everyone asking for seconds.

The golden-brown crust promises a crisp exterior giving way to a tender, cheese-speckled interior.

Grated zucchini ensures incredible moisture while cheddar adds a bold, tangy punch to every bite.

This bread works beautifully as a standalone snack or alongside soups and salads.

Bake this crowd-pleasing loaf and watch it disappear in moments.

Best Tools To Bake Cheddar Zucchini Bread

• Large Mixing Bowls: Two separate bowls for dry and wet ingredients, ensuring smooth mixing.
• Whisk: Perfect for blending dry ingredients and mixing wet ingredients evenly.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Precise measurements for flour, milk, and other ingredients.
• Grater: Helps shred zucchini and cheese quickly and uniformly.
• Kitchen Towel or Paper Towels: Removes excess moisture from grated zucchini.
• 9×5-inch Loaf Pan: Essential for baking the quick bread with the right shape.
• Spatula: Helps fold ingredients and smooth batter in the pan.
• Wire Rack: Allows bread to cool completely without getting soggy.
• Toothpick: Checks bread doneness by testing the center.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Calories: 195 kcal

Servings: 9

Savory Zucchini Bread Ingredients List

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and helps bind the bread together, choose unbleached flour for better texture.
• Baking Powder: Creates a light and fluffy rise, ensure it's fresh for maximum lift.
• Baking Soda: Helps with browning and adds tenderness, check expiration date for best results.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness, use fine sea salt for even distribution.

• Milk: Creates moisture and helps activate leavening agents, whole milk adds richness.
• Vinegar: Transforms milk into buttermilk substitute, adds subtle tanginess and helps activate baking soda.
• Butter: Provides rich flavor and tender crumb, use unsalted for better control of saltiness.
• Egg: Binds ingredients and adds structure, room temperature egg incorporates more smoothly.

• Zucchini: Adds moisture and subtle vegetable sweetness, squeeze out excess water to prevent soggy bread.
• Cheddar Cheese: Brings sharp, tangy flavor and creamy texture, sharp cheddar provides more intense taste.
• Green Onions: Introduces fresh, mild onion flavor and beautiful green specks, use both white and green parts.

Easy Steps To Make Savory Zucchini Bread

• Warm Up The Oven

Crank your oven to a toasty 350F and grab a loaf pan. Give it a quick spray or line with parchment paper for easy bread removal.

• Squeeze The Zucchini

Take those freshly grated zucchini shreds and give them a good squeeze. You want to kick out extra moisture so your bread stays light and fluffy.

• Mix Dry Foundations

Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a big bowl until everything looks perfectly blended.

• Create Liquid Magic

Combine milk and vinegar to make a quick buttermilk. Add melted butter and egg, stirring until smooth and creamy.

• Blend Wet And Dry Worlds

Pour liquid mixture into dry ingredients. Stir gently – just enough to bring everything together without overworking the batter.

• Fold In Flavor Boosters

Gently mix zucchini, cheddar cheese, and green onions throughout the batter. Make sure goodies are evenly spread.

• Bake To Perfection

Pour batter into prepared pan and slide into the oven. Bake around 60 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.

• Cool And Slice

Let bread rest in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack. Slice when completely cooled and enjoy your delicious creation.

Tips For Better Cheddar Zucchini Loaf

• Zucchini Savior Trick: Squeeze out extra moisture from grated zucchini to prevent soggy bread and ensure a perfectly light, fluffy texture every single time.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Wrap the cooled bread tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil to keep fresh for up to 3 days at room temperature, or freeze for several weeks for quick grab-and-go meals.
• Gluten-Free Friendly: Swap all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend to make this recipe accessible for those with wheat sensitivities, maintaining the same delicious flavor profile.
• Cheese Lover's Twist: Experiment with different cheese varieties like sharp white cheddar, pepper jack, or gruyère to create unique flavor combinations that complement the zucchini's mild taste.
• Protein Power-Up: Add crispy bacon bits, diced ham, or chopped cooked chicken to transform this quick bread into a more substantial meal or hearty breakfast option.

Serving Ideas For Zucchini Bread

• Breakfast Companion: Slice this zucchini bread and pair with scrambled eggs or a sunny-side-up egg for a hearty morning meal that balances savory flavors and textures.
• Soup's Perfect Partner: Serve thick slices alongside tomato bisque or creamy vegetable soup, using the bread to soak up rich, warm broths and enhance the dining experience.
• Picnic and Snack Star: Cut into smaller squares for a portable appetizer or potluck contribution that showcases delicious cheesy, herbal notes from the green onions and cheddar.
• Cheese Board Addition: Arrange slices on a rustic wooden board with soft cheeses, olives, and cured meats for an elegant and simple entertaining option that highlights the bread's versatility.

Storing Savory Zucchini Bread Moist

• Fridge-Fresh Strategy: Store the zucchini cheddar bread in an airtight container or tightly wrapped aluminum foil. Refrigerate for up to 5 days, keeping the bread moist and delicious. Slice before storing to make grab-and-go snacking easier.
• Quick Freezing Technique: Wrap individual slices or the entire loaf in plastic wrap, then place inside a freezer-safe bag. Frozen bread stays fresh for 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator or warm briefly in the toaster for a crispy texture.
• Moisture-Control Tip: Place a paper towel inside the storage container to absorb excess moisture and prevent soggy bread. Replace the paper towel every couple of days if storing for extended periods.
• Room Temperature Wisdom: Keep the bread at room temperature for 1-2 days if planning to consume quickly. Place on a cutting board, loosely covered with a clean kitchen towel to maintain optimal freshness and soft texture.

Rustic Zucchini Cheddar Bread

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4.6 from 36 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Zucchini cheddar quick bread brings together hearty garden vegetables and sharp cheese in a delightful loaf. Rustic southern comfort meets fresh ingredients, creating a satisfying slice perfect for sharing with friends and family.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 ½ cups (355 ml) zucchini, grated (about 1 medium zucchini)
• 1 ½ cups (170 g) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 2 green onions, chopped
• 2 cups (240 g) all-purpose flour
• 2 tsps baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 cup (240 ml) milk (2% recommended, but whole or non-fat works too)
• 1 tbsp vinegar (white or apple cider)
• 1 large egg
• 3 tbsps (45 ml) butter, melted

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Instructions

1. Oven Preparation: Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a 9×5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper, ensuring complete coverage for effortless removal.
2. Zucchini Preparation: Grate zucchini and compress using a clean kitchen towel, extracting maximum moisture to prevent soggy bread texture.
3. Dry Ingredient Integration: Whisk flour, baking powder, salt, and black pepper in a large mixing bowl, creating a uniform dry foundation for the bread.
4. Wet Ingredient Fusion: Combine buttermilk, melted butter, and eggs in a separate bowl, whisking until smooth and fully incorporated, creating a rich liquid base.
5. Batter Assembly: Gently fold wet ingredients into dry components, using minimal strokes to maintain a tender crumb structure, stopping when just combined.
6. Flavor Enhancement: Fold in shredded zucchini, sharp cheddar cheese, and chopped green onions, distributing ingredients evenly throughout the batter.
7. Baking Process: Pour batter into prepared pan, smoothing the top with a spatula, and bake for 55-60 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
8. Cooling and Serving: Allow bread to rest in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing and serving.

Notes

• Squeeze Zucchini Thoroughly: Remove maximum moisture by wringing out shredded zucchini in a clean kitchen towel to prevent soggy bread texture and ensure crisp, well-structured results.
• Gentle Mixing Technique: Fold ingredients with minimal stirring to maintain a tender, light crumb structure, avoiding overmixing which can create dense, tough quick bread.
• Cheese Distribution Trick: Lightly coat cheddar cheese fragments with flour before adding to batter to prevent sinking and ensure even cheese spread throughout the bread.
• Temperature Precision: Allow ingredients to reach room temperature before mixing, which helps create smoother batter and more consistent baking performance, especially with dairy components.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 195
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 290 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 4.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 24 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 7 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg