Are you looking for a quick and easy recipe that's both healthy and unbelievably delicious? Look no further! This vegan zucchini bread is the perfect answer. It's moist, flavorful, and surprisingly simple to make, even for beginner cooks. Packed with wholesome ingredients and bursting with deliciousness, this recipe is a fantastic addition to your repertoire of healthy meals and quick dinner ideas. Forget those store-bought loaves – this homemade cooking masterpiece is far superior!
Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free blend for a gluten-free option)
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- ¾ cup vegetable oil
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups grated zucchini (about 2 medium zucchini)
- ½ cup unsweetened applesauce
- ½ cup plant-based milk (almond, soy, or oat milk work well)
- Optional: ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans
Instructions:
- Preheat & Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x5 inch loaf pan. This simple step ensures your bread releases easily.
- Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. This ensures even distribution of leavening agents.
- Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, combine the sugar, oil, vanilla extract, applesauce, and plant-based milk. Mix well until everything is thoroughly combined.
- Combine Wet & Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few lumps are okay. Overmixing can result in a tough loaf.
- Add Zucchini & Nuts (optional): Gently fold in the grated zucchini and any optional nuts.
- Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. Baking time may vary slightly depending on your oven.
- Cool & Enjoy: Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. This allows the bread to set properly.
Tips for the Best Vegan Zucchini Bread:
- Don't overmix the batter: Overmixing develops gluten, resulting in a tough bread. Mix until just combined.
- Use fresh zucchini: Fresh zucchini will provide the best flavor and moisture. Make sure to grate it well to remove excess moisture.
- Adjust sweetness: If you prefer a less sweet bread, reduce the sugar by ¼ cup.
- Add spices: Experiment with different spices like ginger, cardamom, or cloves for a unique flavor.
- Make it chocolatey: Add ½ cup of cocoa powder to the dry ingredients for a delicious chocolate zucchini bread.
Variations:
- Lemon Poppy Seed: Add the zest of one lemon and 2 tablespoons of poppy seeds to the batter.
- Cinnamon Swirl: Mix ½ cup of brown sugar with 1 teaspoon of cinnamon and swirl it into the batter before baking.
Nutritional Information (per slice, approximate):
This information is an estimate and will vary depending on the specific ingredients used.
- Calories: Approximately 250-300
- Fat: 10-15g
- Carbohydrates: 35-40g
- Protein: 3-5g
This delicious vegan zucchini bread is a perfect example of easy recipes that are both healthy and satisfying. It's ideal for breakfast, a snack, or even dessert. Enjoy this homemade cooking creation – a guaranteed crowd-pleaser!