Healthy Lemon Zucchini Bread

This Healthy Lemon Zucchini Bread recipe is super moist with a delicious burst of zingy, zesty lemon flavor, nutrient-dense almond flour, and a hidden green veggie – sure to be a family favorite! This lemon bread is also naturally gluten-free, refined sugar-free, oil-free, wheat flour-free, and can be enjoyed as a snack, breakfast, or dessert!

If you’ve never hidden zucchini into your baked goods before, it’s time to start now with healthy zucchini muffins and zucchini brownies. I even have a recipe for whole wheat/spelt lemon zucchini muffins, too!

Moist, Zingy, Summer-Ready Lemon Zucchini Bread

This lemon zucchini bread recipe is one of my all-time favorites on the blog and is something I’ve made for almost a decade! Try it for yourself and you’ll realize this lemon zucchini bread tastes like a super-indulgent version that uses all the regular white flours, sugars, etc. Except that it isn’t!

Instead, this lemon bread is zesty, sweet, and decadent without being overly sweet using just unrefined sugar. It’s also super moist from zucchini (like this almond flour zucchini bread and zucchini banana bread too- so soft and moist!), zingy from lemon juice and zest, and even more nutrient-dense with the use of wheat-free almond flour.

Like zucchini, almond flour has become a favorite baking ingredient of mine. Made up of finely ground blanched almonds, almond flour is low-carb, high-fiber, high-protein, and packed with heart-healthy fats. This combination means that it creates rich baked goods that fill you up without feeling ‘heavy’ on your tummy. In fact, almond flour bakes are super moist and light–like this almond flour cake, chocolate cake, and brownies.

However, even with all these healthier ingredients, this lemon bread is a family favorite (even with kids), and no one would guess it’s filled with zucchini. It’s the perfect summery loaf to make during summer when there’s an overflow of zucchini in your (or your neighbors) garden. I mean, there’s only so much grilled zucchini, zucchini fritters, and zucchini lasagna you can make, right?! Plus, my kids love anything lemony – like these healthy lemon bars, too.

Best of all, the baked lemon zucchini loaf is healthy and wholesome enough that you can enjoy it as a snack, breakfast, brunch, or dessert dish! And if you’re still looking for more inspiration on how to use up leftover zucchini, why not check out this list of 30 healthy zucchini recipes! Plus, did you know cakes aren’t the only thing you can ‘hide’ zucchini in? I also use it in these turkey burgers and meatballs, too!

Why This Lemon Zucchini Bread Recipe Works?

• This lemon zucchini bread is soft, sweet, and moist but much healthier than regular lemon bread recipes!
• It’s also bursting with fresh, zesty lemon flavor!
• The addition of zucchini yields a super-moist cake, with no zucchini flavor. It practically melts in the mouth!
• Yet it still manages to have that delicious slightly crispy crusty edges!
• Made from just 5 simple ingredients and a handful of baking essentials!
• This lemon zucchini bread recipe is naturally gluten-free with the use of high-protein, nutrient-dense almond flour!

Ingredients for Lemon Zucchini Bread

All you need for this lemon zucchini cake is just 5 simple ingredients and a handful of baking essentials including baking powder and soda, salt, and vanilla extract.

• Eggs: Use room-temperature eggs for the best results.
• Zucchini: You’ll need around 1/2 a medium zucchini – this will help to add moisture to the lemon zucchini bread without impacting flavor.
• Lemon: It’s best to use an unwaxed organic lemon since we’re using the zest and juice. Use one large or two small lemons.
• Sweetener: I’ve used maple syrup and honey before. Other liquid sweeteners will also work, but the flavor will vary.
• Almond flour: Use superfine blanched almond flour for the best results. You can experiment with a coarser almond meal, but the texture will differ.
• Leavening agents: Baking powder and baking soda both work to provide lift and texture to the lemon bread.
• Salt: Just a little is needed to balance and enhance the depth of flavor.
• Vanilla Extract: I recommend using natural vanilla for the best flavor.

How To Make Gluten Free Lemon Zucchini Bread

• Preheat the oven: to 350F/180C and line a 9×5-inch loaf tin with parchment paper (leave some overhang) and cooking spray. Then set aside.
• Prep your lemon and zucchini: Zest and juice the lemon, and grate the zucchini on the medium side of a manual grater or using a food processor disk. Don’t squeeze any of the liquid from the zucchini.

• Mix the wet ingredients: In a large bowl combine the eggs, lemon zest + juice, maple syrup, vanilla extract, baking powder and baking soda, and salt. Whisk until light and foamy.
• Fold in the zucchini and almond flour: Use a spatula to gently fold the almond flour and then the zucchini into the batter until well combined. When ready, the batter should be thick – like muffin batter consistency.
• Bake the lemon zucchini bread: Bake the lemon bread in the oven for around 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean. Then remove it from the oven and allow it to cool for 10 minutes in the tin before removing it to cool completely on a wire rack. Then slice and enjoy!

Tips for Best Results

• Make sure to allow it cool: I know it’s hard to resist, but please let the lemon zucchini bread cool for at least 20 minutes before cutting it with a serrated knife. That way it won’t fall apart on you!
• Grease the pan: That way it should be easy to remove the lemon bread from your pan. I actually find that parchment paper is unnecessary but I recommend it, just in case. I recently bought this ceramic non-stick loaf pan and I adore it – no parchment paper needed!
• Making substitutions to the recipe: Any time a substitution is made it can impact the flavor and/or texture of the lemon bread. For that reason, I recommend making the recipe as written for the best results. However, I’ve included several substitutions I have tried though, too.
• Make sure to use the spoon and level method: When measuring the almond flour (rather than scooping the cup directly into the flour bag).

Variations and Optional Add in’s

Once you have the basic lemon zucchini bread recipe sorted, feel free to experiment with optional extras for another boost in flavor. Here are some of my top suggestions that pair well with lemon bread.

• Tea: Earl Grey pairs particularly well with lemon bread. I recommend mixing the leaves from around 2 Earl Grey tea bags into the cake batter. Alternatively, regular black tea (2 tea bags) would also work.
• Lavender: Just 1 tsp of culinary grade dried lavender is enough to delicately scent the lemon bread without overwhelming.
• Poppy seeds: Lemon and poppyseed are a classic pairing. Add 1 tbsp of poppyseeds to this lemon zucchini bread.
• Berries: This lemon zucchini bread recipe is already very moist, thanks to the zucchini. If adding berries, you may want to squeeze out a little excess liquid from the zucchini. I recommend adding around 1/2 cup of blueberries, chopped strawberries, or raspberries. Keep some of that to dot the top of the loaf with before baking. You can also use dried fruits/berries too.

You could also attempt to make a healthier ‘glaze’ – perhaps like the one I made for these healthy cinnamon rolls.

FAQs

Serving Recommendations

You can enjoy a slice of this lemon zucchini bread in several ways including as-is, at room temperature, or even warmed up (just 10-20 seconds in the microwave). Here are a few of my top suggestions:

• Butter: Spread a little butter or go one step further with honey butter (just a little is all you need).
• Yogurt and fruit: Top a slice of the lemon bread with a dollop of my Instant Pot yogurt and some berries or fruit.
• Whipped ‘cream’: Use a dollop of whipped coconut cream with berries instead of yogurt.
• Ice-cream: For a simple dessert, add a small scoop of ice-cream (like this vegan vanilla ice-cream) over a warmed slice of lemon zucchini bread.

Making This Lemon Quick Bread in Advance

I’ll be honest, in my house, this lemon zucchini bread is gone within 12 hours, so I’ve never had to struggle with storing. However, if you do have leftovers (lucky you!), then:

Storing: Store it covered with a kitchen towel on a counter for several days (4-5) or in the fridge for up to a week.

Freeze: You can bake 2 loaves and freeze one for up to 3 months in a sealed Ziploc bag. To thaw, just leave it on a counter for 3-4 hours.

You can also prepare the lemon zucchini batter in advance:

Make ahead: Prepare the batter minus the leavening agents up to a day in advance and store covered in the refrigerator. When you want to continue the lemon zucchini bread recipe, add the baking powder and soda, mix well, and then bake.

More Healthy Quick Bread Recipes

• Healthy banana bread
• Healthy zucchini bread
• Healthy pumpkin bread
• Healthy chocolate bread
• Healthy apple bread
• Healthy chocolate zucchini bread

Alternatively, you can browse through my entire collection of healthy muffins and breads!

Lemon Zucchini Bread {No Oil, Flour or Sugar}

This Healthy Lemon Zucchini Bread recipe is super moist with a delicious burst of zingy, zesty lemon flavor, nutrient-dense almond flour, and a hidden green veggie – sure to be a family favorite! This lemon bread is also naturally gluten-free, refined sugar-free, oil-free, wheat flour-free, and can be enjoyed as a snack, breakfast, or dessert!

4.89 from 89 votes

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Course: Muffins and Quick Bread

Cuisine: North American

Prep Time: 8 minutes

Cook Time: 50 minutes

Total Time: 58 minutes

Servings: 10 slices

Calories: 280kcal

Author: Olena Osipov

COOKING MODEPrevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients

• 3 eggs large
• 1 large lemon zest and juice of
• 1/2 cup maple syrup or honey
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 cup shredded zucchini not squeezed
• 3 1/3 cups almond flour

US Customary – Metric

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F, line 9 x 5 loaf pan with unbleached parchment paper and spray with cooking spray. Set aside.
• In a large mixing bowl, add eggs, lemon zest and juice (zest first before squeezing juice), maple syrup, baking powder, baking soda, vanilla extract and salt. Whisk until combined. Mixture will be foamy.
  
• Add zucchini and almond flour (don’t forget to skim the top of measuring cup with a knife) . Mix gently with spatula to combine.
  
• Pour batter into previously prepared loaf pan and bake for 50 minutes or until the toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.
  
• Remove bread from the oven and transfer to a cooling rack to cool off for 10 minutes. Holding onto the flaps of parchment paper remove bread from a loaf pan and let it cool off completely before slicing with sharp serrated knife.
  

Make ahead: Prepare the batter minus the leavening agents up to a day in advance and store covered in the refrigerator. When you want to continue the lemon zucchini bread recipe, add the baking powder and soda, mix well, and then bake.

Store: Store covered in a cool dry place for up to 5 days.

Freeze: In an airtight container for up to 3 months.

Notes

Almond flour does not contain gluten like wheat. Nor it is thirsty like coconut flour. All flours differ. You have to use almond flour in this recipe.

Feel free to add 1/2 cup blueberries or 1 tbsp of poppy seeds to the batter.

And about the baking dish. This bread will not stick and should slide right out of your baking dish if you spray it with cooking spray. You do not have to use parchment paper but I included that recommendation just in case.

Nutrition

Serving: 1slice | Calories: 280kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 49mg | Sodium: 254mg | Potassium: 102mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 96IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 135mg | Iron: 2mg

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