How To Freeze Zucchini Bread – Storage Guide
Though it may not be the most traditional dessert, zucchini bread is a light, fluffy, and delicious bread that can be enjoyed at all times of the day. The secret to zucchini bread is the added moisture that the zucchini creates, making it soft and spongy.
If you can’t eat all of your zucchini bread before it goes stale, no need to fret – you can freeze it!
So how do you freeze zucchini bread? You can either freeze an entire loaf of zucchini bread, or portion it into smaller slices and freeze them individually. The right method for you depends on how you plan on using it once it’s thawed.
This article will tell you all you need to know about freezing zucchini bread, along with detailing important information about this delicious treat. We’ll also answer some of the most common questions related to preserving zucchini bread.
How To Make Zucchini Bread
Zucchini bread is a delicious treat that can be eaten for breakfast or really at any time of the day. Perhaps the best (and most simple) way to eat zucchini bread is slightly warm and with a pat of butter.
However, you can also top your zucchini bread with peanut butter or any other nut butter, Nutella, cream cheese, or frosting for an indulgent treat.
Believe it or not, zucchini bread is actually one of the easiest bread that you can make. To make zucchini bread, you will need the following ingredients:
- 3 cups flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 3 eggs
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 2 cups sugar
- 3 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups grated zucchini
- 1 cup walnuts (optional)
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F and grease two 8×4 baking tins.
Combine the sugar and the wet ingredients (except the zucchini) in one bowl and the dry ingredients (except the walnuts) in another.
Pour the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, combine well, and fold in the zucchini and the walnuts.
Divide evenly among the two baking tins and bake for 45-55 minutes, or until a toothpick or a knife comes out clean. Let cool before removing from tins.
Zucchini Bread Nutrition Facts
Each serving (a small slice) of zucchini bread has about 250 calories, 13 grams of fat, 32 grams of carbohydrates, and 3 grams of protein.
Though it may not be the healthiest food, it is a relatively healthy and nutritious dessert option, and one or two slices a day won’t do you any harm.
Health Benefits of Zucchini
One of the best things about zucchini bread is that, though it’s a sweet and delicious treat, you’ll still enjoy the many health benefits that zucchini has to offer.
Zucchini is rich in both Vitamin A and Vitamin C, high in antioxidants, can even help to promote healthy digestion.
The Best Way to Store Zucchini Bread
If you know that you’ll eat all of your zucchini bread quickly, you can wrap it in plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container on the counter.
If you decide to store your zucchini bread on the counter, it will only last 2-3 days.
Zucchini bread should always be stored in an airtight container or bag or wrapped in plastic wrap. This is because leaving the moist bread exposed to the air will dry it out, so always try to eliminate air exposure when storing zucchini bread.
If you’d like your zucchini bread to last a little bit longer, you have the option of storing it in the fridge. If you store your zucchini bread in the fridge, it should last for up to a week.
However, storing a moist baked good like zucchini bread in the fridge puts it at risk of drying out, so it is important to make sure that it is well-sealed in an airtight bag or container.
Though zucchini bread can be stored both on the counter and in the fridge, your best option for longer-term storage is in the freezer. Read on to find out how to store your zucchini bread in the freezer.
How to Freeze Zucchini Bread
When it comes to freezing zucchini bread, you have a couple of options. First, you can freeze whole loaves of bread. This method will help to preserve the bread’s moisture.
However, you can also freeze smaller portions of zucchini bread, making it incredibly convenient to pull a slice out of the freezer and heat up for a quick breakfast or snack.
To freeze a whole loaf of zucchini bread, let the loaf cool and then double wrap in plastic wrap. Place the wrapped bread in an airtight, freezer-safe plastic bag or container and transfer to the freezer. We recommend labeling your bags or containers for future reference.
Alternatively, you can freeze individual slices of zucchini bread. To do so, wait until the bread cools and slice it into individual servings. Wrap each slice twice in plastic wrap and place all of the slices in an airtight, freezer-safe plastic bag or container, then transfer to the freezer.
If you don’t have plastic wrap, you can also wrap your zucchini bread in aluminum foil. Just be sure that it is wrapped very tight and that every part of the bread is covered, as failing to do so could cause the bread to dry out or get freezer burn.
Freezing your zucchini bread is undoubtedly the best way to extend its shelf-life. If you cool, properly wrap, and freeze fresh-baked zucchini bread, it will last for up to six months, though it is best eaten within 3-4 months to maximize quality.
This is a great way to prevent your zucchini bread from drying out if you don’t plan on eating it within a day or two of baking it.
How to Defrost Zucchini Bread
When you are finally ready to eat the zucchini bread that you froze you have a couple of options in terms of thawing it.
If you’d like to thaw an entire loaf of zucchini bread, you can simply transfer it from the freezer to the counter, where it should thaw within about 3 hours.
However, take note that if you plan on thawing your zucchini bread on the counter, it should be eaten within 2 days.
If you’d like your thawed zucchini bread to last a little bit longer, you can alternatively thaw it in the fridge, though it will certainly take longer to defrost in the fridge than on the counter.
Though this will extend the shelf-life of your thawed zucchini bread, defrosting and storing it in the fridge puts it at risk of drying out, so make sure that it is properly wrapped so that no air can get in.
Finally, if you decided to freeze individual slices of zucchini bread, you can thaw them much more quickly in the microwave or a toaster oven.
To defrost a slice of zucchini bread in the microwave, remove all plastic wrap and aluminum foil and place on a paper towel. Heat on high for 15-30 seconds, or until fully softened.
If you have a toaster oven, remove your slice of zucchini bread from its wrapping and place it on a small baking sheet. Heat at 325 degrees F for about 5 minutes, or until it is fully warmed.
Thawing your zucchini bread in a toaster oven is also a great way to get toasted edges on our bread.
Related Questions
How do you know if zucchini bread is spoiled?
If your zucchini bread is discolored or has developed a strange smell, it is probably spoiled. Additionally, if you see any mold growing on your zucchini bread, it is no longer safe to eat, and you sadly must throw it away.
Can you make gluten-free zucchini bread?
Good news for celiacs and gluten intolerants – you can make gluten-free zucchini bread! You can adapt a zucchini bread recipe to make it with a gluten-free flour blend, or you can make it with a combination of other gluten-free flours, such as rice flour, oat flour, buckwheat flour, coconut flour, and almond meal.
What’s the easiest way to shred zucchini?
Shredded zucchini is one of the key ingredients in zucchini bread, and there are a number of ways to shred zucchini. Perhaps the most common method is with a box grater or a cheese grater.
However, if you’re looking for an easier way to shred zucchini bread, you can chop it up into smaller cubes and put it in a food processor, Vitamix, or blender for about 20-30 seconds.
What other breads are similar to zucchini bread?
If you’re looking for a bread that has a similar taste and texture to zucchini bread, your best bet is banana bread, which is also incredibly fluffy and moist. Carrot bread is another great substitute for zucchini bread, as the high water content in carrots provides moisture much like zucchini does. Finally, pumpkin bread has a similar texture and is a delicious fall-themed alternative to zucchini bread.
