Low Sugar Zucchini Bread Recipe
If you’re looking for a way to enjoy a classic baked treat without overloading on sugar, this Low Sugar Zucchini Bread recipe will steal your heart (and probably become a staple in your kitchen). Wonderfully moist, tender, and filled with subtle cinnamon, it’s a loaf that balances the natural sweetness of zucchini with a light touch of sugar, making it perfect for breakfast, snacks, or even dessert. Whether you personalize with nuts or keep it classic, you won’t believe just how easy it is to bake up guilt-free comfort. Let’s make baking a little brighter, one slice at a time!

Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of Low Sugar Zucchini Bread lies in its simplicity: each ingredient serves an important role in flavor, texture, or that beautiful golden loaf color. Every item is easy to find and brings something special to the table, so let’s break down what you’ll need and why it matters.
- Melted Butter: Gives the bread richness and keeps every slice incredibly moist.
- Sugar: Just enough to balance flavors and heighten the sweet notes from zucchini and add-ins.
- Eggs (at room temperature): Bind everything together, ensuring a tender crumb and good rise.
- Milk (at room temperature): Adds moisture and softness while helping to mix the batter smoothly.
- Vanilla Extract: Deepens flavor and infuses the loaf with warm, classic bakery notes.
- All-Purpose Flour: The foundation that creates a sturdy, yet light structure for the bread.
- Baking Soda: Ensures the loaf rises properly and gives every bite a gentle fluffiness.
- Cinnamon: Adds warmth and spice that perfectly complements the zucchini.
- Salt: Balances flavors and enhances the overall taste profile — don’t skip it!
- Grated Zucchini (squeezed dry): Adds beneficial moisture and a lovely speckled color, all while sneaking in some veggies.
- Add-ins (nuts, raisins, chocolate chips): Give the loaf personality — try mixing and matching for your favorite combination.
How to Make Low Sugar Zucchini Bread
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Pan
First things first, preheat your oven to 350F. While that’s happening, line a loaf pan with parchment paper, making sure to leave some paper hanging over the sides for easy lifting later. This not only guarantees easy removal but also prevents sticking so your Low Sugar Zucchini Bread comes out of the oven picture-perfect.
Step 2: Mix Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter and sugar. This simple pairing is the first step to a light, creamy batter base that isn’t overly sweet, allowing the other flavors to shine through.
Step 3: Add Wet Ingredients
Now it’s time for the eggs, milk, and vanilla extract. Make sure your eggs and milk are at room temperature — this helps everything blend seamlessly and keeps the bake perfectly tender. Whisk until the mixture looks smooth and glossy.
Step 4: Sift and Add Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Sifting these dry ingredients right onto the wet mixture aerates them, which ensures your bread comes out delightfully soft and even every time.
Step 5: Bring It All Together
Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients using a spatula or wooden spoon. Don’t over-mix; you want everything just combined so your Low Sugar Zucchini Bread bakes up light, not tough or dense.
Step 6: Add the Zucchini and Mix-ins
Take your grated and well-drained zucchini and your chosen add-ins, and fold them evenly into the batter. Squeezing out excess moisture from the zucchini is key for the right texture; too much water can lead to a soggy loaf. This step is where you can truly make this bread your own by switching up those add-ins.
Step 7: Transfer and Bake
Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan and smooth the top. Slide it into the oven and bake for 60 to 75 minutes. Ovens can vary, so start checking at the 60-minute mark by inserting a toothpick in the center — when it comes out clean, your bread is done!
Step 8: Cool and Enjoy
Let the bread cool for a few minutes in the pan, then lift it out using the parchment paper and place on a wire rack to cool completely. This allows the flavors to set and the crumb to firm up for neat slicing. Enjoy warm, or wrap for later — it’s hard to resist sneaking a slice!
How to Serve Low Sugar Zucchini Bread

Garnishes
This bread shines on its own, but adding the right garnishes can make it feel even more special. Try a dusting of powdered sugar, a dollop of creamy Greek yogurt, or a light drizzle of honey. If you’ve added nuts or chocolate chips, sprinkle a few more on top for a lovely finish.
Side Dishes
Serve Low Sugar Zucchini Bread alongside a bowl of fruit salad for breakfast, or pair with a cup of coffee or herbal tea for an afternoon snack. It also makes a wonderful companion to savory scrambled eggs for brunch — trust me, the sweet-and-savory combo is divine!
Creative Ways to Present
If you’re feeling adventurous, try slicing the bread thickly and toasting the slices lightly for a touch of crunch. For gatherings, cut the loaf into cubes, thread onto wooden skewers, and serve with a sweet yogurt dip. You can also serve small squares on a sharing platter with other homemade treats.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After the bread is completely cool, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container. Low Sugar Zucchini Bread will stay fresh at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for about a week. The flavors continue to develop as it sits, so day two slices are often even better!
Freezing
Have leftovers or want to get ahead? Wrap individual slices or the entire loaf in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. It keeps beautifully in the freezer for up to three months. For the freshest taste, thaw at room temperature or in the fridge overnight before enjoying.
Reheating
Warm up slices in the microwave for just 10 to 15 seconds, or toast lightly in a skillet or toaster oven for a little crisp around the edges. If reheating a whole loaf, tent it loosely with foil and warm in a 300F oven until just heated through.
FAQs
Can I make Low Sugar Zucchini Bread gluten-free?
Absolutely! Swap in your favorite 1-to-1 gluten-free flour blend for the all-purpose flour. Keep an eye on the bake time and check for doneness as gluten-free loaves can need a little more or less time than traditional versions.
What are the best add-in options for this bread?
You can use chopped walnuts, pecans, raisins, dried cranberries, or even dark chocolate chips for a flavor twist. Mixing a combination keeps your Low Sugar Zucchini Bread interesting and fun each time you bake it.
Do I have to peel my zucchini?
No peeling needed! Just wash the zucchinis well and grate them with the skin on. This adds lovely green flecks, bonus nutrients, and you’ll barely notice the peel once the bread is baked.
My batter looks too thick or too runny. Is that okay?
The batter should be thick but easily spreadable. If it seems too runny, there may be extra moisture in your zucchini — squeeze it well! If it’s a bit thick, that’s fine, but add a splash more milk if necessary to get that ideal consistency.
Can I reduce the sugar even further?
For an ultra-low sugar version, you can cut the sugar to as little as two tablespoons or replace it with a sugar substitute you enjoy. Keep in mind, less sugar will affect taste and moistness, so try it first and adjust as you like.
Final Thoughts
Bring a loaf of Low Sugar Zucchini Bread into your baking rotation and you’ll see just how much joy a lighter, veggie-packed classic can bring. Whether you go simple or pack it full of mix-ins, this recipe delivers comfort and flavor without the sugar overload. Give it a try — you might just discover your new favorite slice!
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Low Sugar Zucchini Bread Recipe
- Total Time: Approx. 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 1 loaf 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Low Sugar Zucchini Bread recipe is a delicious and healthier twist on traditional zucchini bread. Made with grated zucchini and a touch of sweetness, it’s perfect for breakfast or as a snack.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup melted butter
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 2 eggs at room temperature
- 1/2 cup milk at room temperature
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients:
- 1 3/4 cups of all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Additional Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups of grated zucchini (approximately two medium zucchinis)
- 1 cup of add-ins like nuts, raisins, or chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F.
- Add the eggs, milk, and vanilla extract.
- Mix the dry ingredients with the wet ingredients.
- Line a loaf pan with parchment paper and transfer the batter to the loaf pan.
- Let cool slightly after removing from the oven.
In a bowl, mix the melted butter and sugar.
Add the flour, salt, baking soda, and cinnamon into a sifter and sift onto the wet ingredients.
Add the add-ins and grated zucchini and mix them in with a spatula or a wooden spoon.
Bake for 60 to 75 minutes. To check if the bread is ready, insert a toothpick in the center of it. If the toothpick comes out clean, the bread is ready.
Then remove the bread from the pan and set on a wire rack to cool all the way. Serve or wrap in food plastic wrap and freeze for later.
Notes
- You can customize this bread by adding nuts, raisins, chocolate chips, or other mix-ins of your choice.
- This bread freezes well, so you can make a few loaves and enjoy them later.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 60-75 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
Keywords: Zucchini Bread, Low Sugar, Healthy, Breakfast, Snack