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Zucchini Bread With Applesauce

Published: Aug 11, 2022

Updated: Dec 7, 2023

Whole Wheat Zucchini Bread with Apple Sauce

I love my original recipe for zucchini bread. So, when I set out to make a lightened-up loaf, the goal was to create something a bit more wholesome, without compromising on flavor or texture. This zucchini bread uses applesauce in place of oil, trades all-purpose flour for whole wheat, and includes half the amount of sugar. Just like my original recipe, though, this zucchini bread with applesauce is super flavorful and moist, with a touch of spice.

Why You’ll Love This Easy Zucchini Bread Recipe

Made with applesauce. This whole wheat zucchini bread ditches the vegetable oil and replaces it with unsweetened apple sauce and a little olive oil, for richness.
Less sugar. Make wholesome zucchini bread with half the sugar! Instead, you’ll add a touch of maple sugar as a natural sweetener.
Whole wheat flour. I swapped out the all-purpose flour for whole wheat flour for this recipe, but you can use either one.

Ingredients for whole wheat zucchini bread with applesauce.

Ingredient Notes

Here’s a brief overview of the important ingredients for this zucchini bread with applesauce. Don’t forget to scroll down to the recipe card at the bottom of the post for the full recipe and instructions.

Zucchini – You’ll need 1-2 fresh zucchini, enough to make 1 ¼ cups when grated.
Applesauce – Unsweetened applesauce makes a lighter replacement for all or some of the oil and butter in traditional quick bread recipes.
Olive Oil – Olive oil is a better option than vegetable oil. You can also replace the olive oil with additional applesauce if you prefer.
Maple Syrup – Replaces some of the sugar with natural sweetness.
Whole Wheat Flour – For some extra nutrition. You can also make this zucchini bread with all-purpose flour if that’s what you have on hand.
Spices – Cinnamon or nutmeg both work in this recipe.

Should Zucchini Be Drained Before Baking?

One key to making the best zucchini bread that isn’t soggy or gummy is to always drain the zucchini of excess moisture. I found the best way to do this is using a few paper towels. Once the towels have absorbed most of the water from the zucchini, shake them out and repeat until there’s no more water to ring out.

Grated zucchini wrapped in paper towels in a glass bowl.

How to Make Zucchini Bread With Applesauce

Prepare the pan. I recommend quickly greasing the pan and then lining it with parchment paper so you can easily remove the loaf and slice it.
Prepare the zucchini. Grate the zucchini (you can leave the skin on) using a cheese grater. Be sure to remove all the excess moisture using paper towels to squeeze the zucchini until there’s no more water left (see above).
Combine the wet ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, beat the wet ingredients together until well combined. Next, cream in the sugar.
Add the dry ingredients. Combine the remaining dry ingredients in a separate bowl. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, and beat just until it starts to combine.
Fold in the zucchini. I do this by hand using a spatula until it’s well mixed. Pour the batter into the prepared pan.
Bake. Bake the applesauce zucchini bread at 350°F for 45-55 minutes. Afterward, let the bread cool in the pan for an hour before slicing.

Zucchini bread batter in a glass mixing bowl. — Combine the wet and dry ingriedients.

Grated zucchini added to zucchini bread batter in a glass mixing bowl. — Combine the wet and dry ingriedients.

Recipe Tips and Variations

Quick bread recipes like this easy zucchini bread with applesauce are super beginner-friendly! All the same, here are some tips that I picked up while recipe testing, along with some variation ideas:

Do I need to peel the zucchini? You can if you’d like, though it’s not necessary. Peeling the zucchini doesn’t make any difference in the taste or texture of the zucchini bread.
Use a box grater. This is the easiest way to shred zucchini! Otherwise, any grater will work. You can also use your food processor or a blender, just be careful that you don’t over-shred and wind up with mush.
Don’t overmix. Overmixing the batter can cause the finished zucchini bread to fall in the middle. Make sure to beat the ingredients together until they’re just combined.
Check for doneness. The easiest way to tell when zucchini bread is finished baking is to stick a toothpick into the center of the bread loaf. If the toothpick comes out clean, the bread is done! If the toothpick comes out streaked with batter, the zucchini bread needs a little bit longer in the oven.
Add-ins. Jazz up this zucchini bread with applesauce and add in chocolate chips, chopped nuts (like pecans or walnuts), raisins, or fresh raspberries or blueberries.
Add a glaze. Make this zucchini bread more of a dessert and add a brown butter glaze, like the one I use for my pumpkin bundt cake.

A loaf of zucchini bread wrapped in a blue and white striped dishcloth.

What to Serve With Zucchini Bread

This zucchini bread with applesauce is perfect to have with breakfast or brunch. Pair it with more wholesome favorites like these banana protein pancakes, or savory dishes like quiche florentine or broccoli cheddar quiche, and crispy lemon potatoes. Slices taste delicious spread with butter, drizzled with honey, or topped with peanut butter. Don’t forget a warm cup of coffee or tea!

Overhead view of slices of zucchini bread stacked next to a basket lined with a blue and white striped dishcloth.

How to Store

To Store. Store any leftover applesauce zucchini bread at room temperature. It will keep for up to 3 days. Alternatively, you can store it in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Freeze. I freeze loaves of whole wheat banana bread and zucchini bread all the time! It makes a great snack to toss in a lunchbox or for a mid-morning snack. Wrap slices of zucchini bread individually in plastic wrap, and then place them in a Ziploc bag or freezer-safe container. Thaw at room temperature before serving.