Healthy Honey Cinnamon Zucchini Bread

Moist and fluffy, this healthy honey cinnamon zucchini bread is a summer staple! Made with whole wheat flour, applesauce and walnuts, it’s fantastic for breakfast, snacking or dessert. Dairy free and soy free.

Two slices of Healthy Zucchini Bread on white plates with a fork and blue napkin to the side.

I’ll never forget the first time I tried zucchini bread. It was at a summer figure skating training camp in Lake Placid as a teenager (the secret lives of food bloggers eh?).

The mom of one of my friends had made several loaves for all us ladies to share during our time at the camp. And I was fully convinced that it was one of the best things ever. I mean, there was zucchini in the bread? It blew my mind.

And then, in true teenage fashion, I promptly forgot about it and never had zucchini bread again until a few years ago. Womp womp.

These days, my obsession is going stroooong. 

Which brings us to today. And this honey cinnamon zucchini bread! Which took me about a bazillion tries to get just the way I wanted.

But! It’s finally here – a sweet but not super sweet bread filled with zucchini, honey, whole wheat flour and even some applesauce.

It’s awesome for breakfast, for a snack, for dessert! Or anytime you pass through the kitchen and want to grab a piece just ‘cause.

Several squares of Cinnamon Zucchini Bread on a cutting board with a blue napkin to the side.

Tips & Tricks For This Healthy Zucchini Bread Recipe

  1. I would encourage you to stick with the white whole wheat flour here. It helps keep the bread nice and light. Regular whole wheat flour will make the bread heavier and more dense.
  2. Squeeze, squeeze, squeeze the zucchini dry before using. I like to use a dish towel so I can really wring it out. If you don’t do this step, the bread gets sort of soggy, for lack of a better word. Which we do not want!
  3. As for that zucchini, about one medium-large (ish) zucchini will get you the required amount (when grated on a box grater).
  4. Please pay attention to the notes section down in the recipe. It contains important info if you choose to use the coconut oil.
  5. Because of the moisture in the zucchini, this bread really only keeps well at room temp (loosely wrapped) for about one to two days. Store the bread in the fridge and it will keep longer.

Two squares of Honey Cinnamon Zucchini Bread on white plates with a bite taken out with a fork.

Additional Zucchini Recipes You Might Enjoy:

Did you make this recipe? Rate and review it down below! I’d love to hear from you.

Moist and fluffy honey cinnamon zucchini bread! With whole wheat flour, applesauce and walnuts! Perfect for breakfast, snacking or even dessert!

Healthy Honey Cinnamon Zucchini Bread

Yield: 1 (8x8 inch) cake
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes

Moist and fluffy, this healthy honey cinnamon zucchini bread is a summer staple! Made with whole wheat flour, applesauce and walnuts, it’s fantastic for breakfast, snacking or dessert. Dairy free and soy free.

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cups grated zucchini
  • 1 ¼ cups white whole wheat flour
  • ¾ cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 ¾ teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ¾ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
  • ½ cup unsweetened applesauce
  • ¼ cup melted coconut oil OR grapseed oil*
  • ⅔ cup honey
  • ½ cup chopped raw walnuts, for sprinkling

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Line an 8×8 inch baking dish with parchment paper (cut a big enough piece so that the paper hangs over the edges of the pan on two sides). Spray lightly with olive oil or nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
  2. Place the shredded zucchini in a clean dish towel and squeeze to remove the excess moisture. Set aside.
  3. In a large bowl, whisk together the white whole wheat flour, all-purpose flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda and salt.
  4. In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, vanilla, applesauce, oil and honey until well combined.
  5. Add the wet ingredients to the bowl with the dry ingredients and mix until just combined.
  6. Gently fold in the zucchini, then transfer the batter to the prepared pan (it will be a thicker batter). Spread evenly with a spatula, then sprinkle the top with the chopped walnuts.
  7. Bake for about 30 to 35 minutes, or until a cake tester inserted into the middle comes out clean and the bread is golden brown.
  8. Set the pan on a wire rack. Let cool completely, then use the parchment overhang to lift out of the pan. Cut into squares.

Notes

*Be sure to melt the coconut oil first, then measure out the correct amount. Otherwise you may use too much.

ALSO! Super important with the coconut oil. If you are using it, let the applesauce, eggs and zucchini come to room temp before using. Otherwise their “coldness” can harden up the coconut oil when you mix it all together.

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 16 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 165Total Fat: 6gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 23mgSodium: 136mgCarbohydrates: 25gFiber: 2gSugar: 13gProtein: 3g

Nutrition data shown is an estimate provided by an online calculator and is for informational purposes only. It should not be considered a substitute for a medical professional’s advice.