This delicious, plant-based zucchini oat bread is perfect for summer. The vegan recipe adds spice with cinnamon and nutmeg add interesting spice while oat flour creates a fluffier texture. Enjoy for a whole grain, oil-free healthy breakfast or snack
Use up Zucchini for this Plant-Based Bread!
When the peak of summer gives you a surplus of zucchini, it’s time to bake bread! Zucchini bread is perfect recipe to use up those big, fat zucchini that were left on the vine too long. The small, skinny zucchini is sweet and delicate. It’s best for using in pasta dishes or a Farmer’s Market Risotto. Instead, use big zucchini (or when it’s on sale) for this recipe.
Whole Food Ingredients with Interesting Spice
This recipe for plant-based zucchini bread uses whole food ingredients. Whole-wheat pastry flour and oat flour create the base for the dry mixture. Plus, cinnamon and ground nutmeg add interesting spice. They add subtle sweetness, enhancing the subtle sweetness of the zucchini.
Also, there’s no refined sugar, syrup, or oil in this recipe. Rather, dried dates add natural sweetness. Applesauce and plant-based milk keep the batter moist without the large amount of oil most zucchini bread recipes use.
Grated zucchini, oat flour, and pureed dates make this healthy, oil-free, plant-based recipe
Chef Katie’s Plant-Based Baking Tips
No Refined Sugar or Syrup? I’m on a mission to get rid of empty calories. These muffins don’t use any refined sugar, maple syrup, or other refined sweetener. Dried dates provide sweetness, along with healthy fiber and essential nutrients.
Other Squash? You can also use grated yellow summer squash or any other summer squash in this recipe. Use exactly as you would the zucchini.
Mix-Ins: For interesting texture, you can add in dried fruit or chopped nuts. Add 1/4 cup of whatever you prefer: dried currants, golden raisins, chopped walnuts, or pecan pieces. My favorite are sunflower seeds for a healthy, seeded bread.
What is Oat Flour: Oat flour is made from ground whole grain oats. It has a nutty flavor and light, fluffy texture. It is naturally gluten-free. However, it can be processed in facilities near wheat, so check for “Certified GF” if you need to avoid gluten. You can add oat flour to many of your muffin and bread recipes for lighter texture.
Weigh Your Ingredients: For precise measuring and consistent results, always weigh your ingredients. A small kitchen scale makes this easy to do. This will save you time and give you more delicious muffins and breads.
Chef’s Easy Tip: Sprinkle on a few rolled oats to the top of the bread before baking. This creates a beautiful presentation and a healthy, crunchy topping for this vegan bread
Watch to learn more about Choosing Zucchini:
Zucchini Oat Bread – Oil-Free, No Refined Sugar or Syrup
- Medium
- Servings: 12
- Ready In: 80 minutes
- Yield: 12 muffins, 1 big loaf, or 3 mini loaves
Zucchini Oat Bread – Oil-Free, No Refined Sugar or Syrup
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup pitted dried dates (150g)
- 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce 114g
- 3/4 cup plain almond milk 6 oz
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups whole-wheat pastry flour 180g
- ½ cup oat flour 45g
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon grated nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 large zucchini grated and squeezed (about 1 ½ cup or 210g after squeezing)
- 1/4 cup sunflower seeds
- 2 tablespoons rolled oats for decorating
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325. Line 3 mini loaf pans, 1 large loaf pan or a 12-count muffin tray with Parchment paper.
- To make the oil-free wet mixture: In a microwave-safe container, combine the dates, applesauce, almond milk, and vanilla. Microwave 80-90 seconds, just to soften the dates. Set aside and let cool.
- To make the whole grain dry mixture: In a large bowl, combine the whole wheat pastry flour, oat flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Use a whisk to sift the ingredients together.
- To grate the zucchini: Set up the small grater blade of your food processor (or use the smallest size of a hand grate). Trim the ends off the zucchini. Grate the zucchini until finely shredded. Place the grated zucchini in a clean kitchen towel. Wring out the zucchini in the towel, squeezing out the juices. This is an essential step to create a light, fluffy bread. Don’t skip it!
- To make the muffin batter: When the we mixture has cooled slightly, use an immersion blender (or food processor) to puree. Puree until smooth.
- Pour the wet mixture into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Add the grated zucchini. If adding sunflower seeds or other mix-ins, add them now. Stir just until combined.
- Portion batter into 3 small loaf pans (or 1 large loaf or 12 muffin cups). Sprinkle a few of the dry oats on top. Bake at 325F 50-60 minutes for mini loaves (40-45 minutes for muffins), until a toothpick can cleanly be inserted and removed. Remove and let cool 15 minutes before slicing.
- Yield: 3 mini loaves, or 12 muffins
Notes
Nutrition Facts
Amount Per Serving (1 muffin or 1/12 recipe)
| Nutrition Facts | |
|---|---|
| Servings 12.0 | |
| Amount Per Serving | |
| calories 149 | |
| % Daily Value * | |
| Total Fat 2 g | 3 % |
| Saturated Fat 0 g | 2 % |
| Monounsaturated Fat 0 g | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat 0 g | |
| Trans Fat 0 g | |
| Cholesterol 0 mg | 0 % |
| Sodium 77 mg | 3 % |
| Potassium 185 mg | 5 % |
| Total Carbohydrate 28 g | 9 % |
| Dietary Fiber 4 g | 15 % |
| Sugars 11 g | |
| Protein 3 g | 6 % |
| Vitamin A | 1 % |
| Vitamin C | 13 % |
| Calcium | 2 % |
| Iron | 3 % |
| * The Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet, so your values may change depending on your calorie needs. The values here may not be 100% accurate because the recipes have not been professionally evaluated nor have they been evaluated by the U.S. FDA. | |
Shopping and Gear List
- Bob’s Red Mill Pastry Flour Whole Wheat – 5 lb
- Arrowhead Mills Flour Oat Organic, 16 oz
- Terrasoul Superfoods Organic Deglet Noor Dates (Pitted), 2 Pounds
- Simply Organic Nutmeg Ground CERTIFIED ORGANIC 2.3oz. bottle
- Standard Paper Cupcake Liners / Baking Cups, 60-ct / Box (Pack of 4)
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