Zesty Savory Zucchini Cheddar Quick Bread Recipe for Brunch Joy

Hey there!

My weekend garden zucchini cheddar quick bread surprised me with incredible flavor and texture.

Fresh summer vegetables make such magical companions in baking.

Crisp garden zucchini brings surprising moisture to every delectable slice.

Sharp cheddar cheese adds a tangy punch that makes this bread irresistible.

Weekend brunch or afternoon snacking becomes an absolute delight with this simple yet impressive creation.

Warm slices paired with butter create pure comfort on a plate.

You won’t believe how quickly this recipe comes together – grab those ingredients and let’s bake something delicious!

How To Bake Savory Zucchini Cheddar Quick Bread

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Fire up your oven to a cozy 350F (175C). Grab your loaf pan and give it a friendly coating of grease or line it with parchment paper for easy bread removal.

Step 2: Tame The Zucchini Moisture

Grate the zucchini and then perform a moisture-squeezing ritual. Wrap the shredded veggie in a clean kitchen towel and gently press out excess liquid. This trick keeps your bread from turning into a soggy mess.

Step 3: Create Your Dry Foundation

• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• Salt

Blend these ingredients until they’re best friends.

Step 4: Craft Your Liquid Magic

• Melted butter
• Egg

Whisk these together until they’re perfectly combined.

Step 5: Marry Wet and Dry Ingredients

Pour the liquid mixture into your dry ingredients. Stir gently – think of it like a delicate dance. Mix just until combined. Overmixing is the enemy of tender bread!

Step 6: Add Flavor Boosters

• Grated zucchini
• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Chopped green onions

Distribute them evenly throughout the batter.

Step 7: Pan Preparation

Transfer the batter to your prepared loaf pan. Smooth the top with a spatula, giving it a little love and evening out the surface.

Step 8: Baking Time

Slide the pan into the preheated oven. Bake for about 60 minutes. The bread is done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Step 9: Cooling Down

Let the bread rest in the pan for 10 minutes – it’s had a hot journey! Then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Patience is key for perfect slicing.

Handy Tips For Savory Zucchini Cheddar Quick Bread

• Squeeze Zucchini Thoroughly: Remove maximum moisture from grated zucchini to prevent soggy bread texture and ensure a light, fluffy quick bread with perfect consistency.
• Customize Cheese Variations: Experiment with different cheese types like sharp white cheddar, pepper jack, or gruyere to create unique flavor profiles and add exciting taste dimensions.
• Prevent Overmixing Disaster: Gently fold ingredients until just combined to maintain a tender crumb and avoid developing tough, dense bread that lacks delicate texture.
• Enhance Flavor Boost: Add optional herbs like fresh thyme, dill, or rosemary to elevate the bread's savory profile and create a more complex, aromatic experience.
• Freeze for Future Enjoyment: Wrap cooled bread tightly in plastic wrap and freeze up to 3 months, allowing you to enjoy this delicious quick bread whenever a craving strikes.

Best Storage For Savory Zucchini Cheddar Quick Bread

• Wrap your freshly baked zucchini cheddar quick bread tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil to maintain its moisture.
• Store the bread at room temperature for up to 3 days, keeping it in an airtight container to preserve its delicious texture.
• Refrigerate the bread if you want to extend its shelf life to 5-7 days, but remember to let it come to room temperature before serving for the best flavor and softness.
• Freeze individual slices or the entire loaf in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months, ensuring you squeeze out any excess air to prevent freezer burn and maintain the bread's quality.

What Goes Well With Savory Zucchini Cheddar Quick Bread

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Complement the savory zucchini bread's rich cheddar flavor with a chilled sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio, cutting through the bread's buttery texture.
• Serve alongside Hearty Soup: Match the quick bread with a creamy tomato basil soup or a robust vegetable minestrone to create a satisfying and comforting meal combination.
• Create a Breakfast Spread: Top warm slices with soft scrambled eggs, crispy bacon bits, and a dollop of herbed cream cheese for a delightful morning breakfast plate.
• Enjoy with Fresh Salad: Slice the bread and serve alongside a light mixed green salad with a tangy vinaigrette to balance the bread's richness and add refreshing contrast.

Ways To Mix Up Savory Zucchini Cheddar Quick Bread

• Spicy Jalapeño Pepper Bread: Add diced jalapeños and a pinch of cayenne pepper to kick up the heat, creating a zesty version that pairs perfectly with soups or chili.
• Mediterranean Herb Zucchini Loaf: Incorporate fresh herbs like oregano, basil, and thyme, and swap cheddar for crumbled feta cheese for a Mediterranean-inspired quick bread.
• Whole Wheat Nutrition Boost: Replace half the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour, and mix in sunflower seeds or chopped walnuts for extra protein and nutty flavor.
• Bacon and Cheddar Explosion: Fold in crispy crumbled bacon bits and extra sharp cheddar cheese to transform the bread into a savory breakfast or brunch option that's packed with rich, smoky flavors.

Common Questions On Savory Zucchini Cheddar Quick Bread

• Why do I need to squeeze out the zucchini moisture?

Removing excess water prevents your bread from becoming soggy and dense. The squeezing step ensures a perfect, light texture that’s not waterlogged.

• Can I use different types of cheese?

Absolutely! While cheddar works great, you can experiment with other sharp cheeses like gruyere or monterey jack. Just choose a cheese that melts well and complements the zucchini’s mild flavor.

• Is this bread considered savory or sweet?

This is definitely a savory bread. The combination of cheddar, green onions, and zucchini creates a delicious, hearty flavor profile that’s perfect for breakfast, brunch, or as a side dish.

• How do I know when the bread is fully baked?

Use the toothpick test – insert a toothpick into the center of the bread. If it comes out clean with no wet batter, your bread is perfectly baked. The top should also be golden brown and slightly firm to the touch.

Why People Love Savory Zucchini Cheddar Quick Bread

• Quick and Easy Weeknight Baking: This zucchini cheddar bread comes together effortlessly with simple ingredients and minimal prep, making it perfect for busy home cooks who want delicious homemade bread without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Sneaky Veggie Boost: Packed with grated zucchini, this bread offers a clever way to incorporate extra vegetables into your meal, creating a nutritious and tasty treat that even picky eaters will enjoy without realizing they're eating a healthy ingredient.
• Versatile Comfort Food: Serve this savory bread as a delightful breakfast companion, afternoon snack, or side dish with soups and salads, making it a flexible recipe that adapts to multiple mealtime scenarios and satisfies different cravings.
• Cheese Lover's Dream: The generous addition of sharp cheddar cheese adds a rich, tangy flavor that elevates the bread from ordinary to extraordinary, creating a mouthwatering experience that cheese enthusiasts will absolutely adore.

What’s Needed For Savory Zucchini Cheddar Quick Bread

• All-Purpose Flour: A base for the bread's structure and texture, providing a soft and tender crumb.
• Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Essential leavening agents that help the bread rise and become light.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances the other ingredients.

• Milk, Vinegar: Create a homemade buttermilk substitute that adds tanginess and helps tenderize the bread.
• Butter: Provides richness and moisture to the quick bread.
• Egg: Binds ingredients together and adds structure to the bread.

• Zucchini, Green Onions, Cheddar Cheese: Add moisture, flavor, and savory character to the bread. Choose fresh zucchini that's firm and bright green, sharp cheddar for bold flavor, and crisp green onions for a mild onion taste.

Savory Zucchini Cheddar Quick Bread Recipe

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4.8 from 24 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Zucchini cheddar quick bread delivers a mouthwatering slice of comfort straight from your kitchen. Packed with sharp cheese and tender zucchini, this rustic loaf promises a delightful companion for morning coffee or afternoon snacking that you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Primary Produce and Cheese:

• 1 ½ cups grated zucchini (about 1 medium zucchini)
• 1 ½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 2 green onions, chopped

Dry Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt

Wet and Binding Ingredients:

• 1 cup milk (2% recommended, but whole or non-fat works too)
• 1 tablespoon vinegar (white or apple cider)
• 1 large egg
• 3 tablespoons melted butter

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Instructions

1. Prepare the culinary workspace by heating the oven to a moderate temperature and readying a rectangular baking vessel with a protective coating or parchment lining.
2. Process the zucchini through gentle compression, extracting surplus liquid to maintain the bread’s optimal texture and prevent sogginess.
3. Harmonize the foundational dry components – flour, leavening agents, and seasoning – through a thorough whisking technique in a capacious mixing receptacle.
4. Craft a tangy dairy substitute by combining milk and acidic liquid, allowing molecular transformation. Integrate melted fat and egg into this mixture, creating a smooth, cohesive liquid foundation.
5. Merge the liquid and powdery elements with delicate movements, avoiding aggressive stirring to preserve the bread’s tender crumb structure.
6. Introduce verdant zucchini shreds, sharp cheddar fragments, and fragrant green onion slivers, distributing them evenly throughout the nascent batter.
7. Transfer the mixed composition into the prepared baking container, meticulously leveling the surface for uniform baking.
8. Slide the pan into the preheated oven, allowing approximately one hour of thermal transformation until a slender testing implement emerges unblemished.
9. Permit the freshly baked creation to rest initially within its cooking vessel, then transition to a cooling platform, enabling complete thermal equilibration before slicing and serving.

Notes

• Squeeze zucchini thoroughly to prevent soggy, dense bread texture and ensure a light, fluffy result.
• Use freshly grated cheese for maximum flavor and better melting consistency throughout the bread.
• Experiment with different cheese varieties like sharp white cheddar or pepper jack for exciting taste variations.
• Check bread doneness early by inserting a toothpick at 50 minutes to avoid potential over-baking, which can dry out the quick bread.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 210
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 23 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 7 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg