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Zucchini Banana Bread (Paleo + GF)

02/19/16 | Food, Recipe

This chocolate chip zucchini banana bread is perfect for a snack or breakfast treat. Made with coconut flour, this bread is paleo and gluten-free and will help you sneak in some extra greens.

zucchini banana bread

This is the story of how a (gluten-free) bread almost killed me.

Just kidding. 

This is the story of how a bread brought me back down to earth. 

It all started like most banana bread recipes do, with over-ripe bananas. At the time I was in the middle of Whole30 so I couldn’t eat banana bread, even if it was made with compliant ingredients. But my non-Whole30 dad could eat it, so I decided to make it for him. Then I had the brilliant idea to experiment with the recipe in hopes of eventually sharing it here on the blog. Smart, right? Plus, how hard could it be? Bananas, flour, eggs, some sweeteners. Done. 

zucchini banana bread

The bread looked and smelled really good when I pulled it out of the oven. I thought my work was done. When my dad later told me he didn’t love the bread I was taken aback. Something I made WASN’T GOOD? No, dad, it’s your fault for not liking zucchini. 

I let my emotions settle and waited until after Whole30 to make the bread again. This time I figured because I could taste the batter it would be perfect. Somewhere along the way I forgot to use parchment paper (and I guess I didn’t grease the pan enough) because the bottom was burnt. The top was burnt too, for reasons I do not understand. I seriously wanted to kill this bread. I don’t fail twice.

I’m not perfect at anything (obviously) but I never assumed something as “easy” as baking could give me such a run for my money.

For the third round I erased my negative feelings toward the previous breads and started again (I realize how lame that sounds). But with anything in life, you need to learn from your mistakes. Success isn’t linear…it’s those “failed” recipes, job interviews, tests and relationships that will lead you to the ultimate prize. A failure isn’t a failure if you learn from it.

To summarize, the life lessons I learned from this banana bread: Be humble, calm and have some damn perspective. It’s just bread. 

Zucchini Banana Bread
2016-02-17 13:46:19
Serves 12
This chocolate chip zucchini banana bread is perfect for a snack or breakfast treat. Made with coconut flour, this bread is paleo and gluten free and will help you sneak in some extra greens.
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Prep Time
10 min
Prep Time
10 min
Ingredients
  1. 4 over-ripe bananas
  2. 3 large eggs
  3. 1/2 cup of coconut flour
  4. 1/4 cup of coconut sugar
  5. 1/2 cup of peeled, shredded zucchini
  6. 1 tsp of baking powder
  7. 1 tsp of baking soda
  8. 2 tsp of vanilla
  9. 2 tsp cinnamon
  10. 1 tsp of coconut oil (or oil of your choice)
  11. 2/3 cup of chocolate chips (I used Enjoy Life Foods Mega Chunks)
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and line 9 in x 5 in loaf pan with parchment paper.
  2. In a large bowl, mash the bananas and mix with eggs, vanilla and coconut oil.
  3. In a separate bowl, mix dry ingredients.
  4. Blend the two mixtures together until combined.
  5. Add in peeled and shredded zucchini and mix thoroughly.*
  6. Stir in chocolate chunks.
  7. Pour batter evenly into loaf pan.
  8. Bake in oven for 50-60 minutes.
  9. Let cool completely before cutting and serving.
Notes
  1. *I used a peeler and food processor to prepare the zucchini.
  2. **Check bread at 45 minutes, oven times vary.
By Emily Joseph
My Healthyish Life https://myhealthyishlife.com/
Get your banana on! This chocolate chip zucchini banana bread is #paleo and #glutenfree

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Comments

  1. Susie @ SuzLyfe says

    February 19, 2016 at 6:35 am

    I pretty much only make recipes once! If it isn’t good, it usually is just because it isn’t good, period, and I scrap it, lol.
    During the summer (well, actually this is true year round), I will add zucchini to everything. It and pumpkin are two of my absolute favorite baking ingredients!
    Susie @ SuzLyfe recently posted…New Opportunities in Running, Life, and Blogging (Friday Favorites)My Profile

    • Emily says

      February 21, 2016 at 4:40 pm

      I almost added pumpkin to this but I thought it would have been too many flavors! And I din’t know how to narrow down the name of the recipe…

  2. [email protected] says

    February 19, 2016 at 7:54 am

    Let’s try this again! LOL As I said yesterday, this bread looks amazing. I know the word ‘moist’ is frowned upon but I think in this case it’s a good thing! :) Genius idea to combine zucchini bread and banana bread! Two of my faves.
    [email protected] recently posted…Link Love [2/19/16]My Profile

    • Emily says

      February 21, 2016 at 4:39 pm

      Haha thank you! I know that’s a “bad word” but that’s what I like for bread texture too :)

  3. ACKTIVE LIFE says

    February 19, 2016 at 8:29 am

    OMG this looks amazing!!! I love how gooey it looks and so simple with REAL ingredients. Thanks for sharing! XOXO
    ACKTIVE LIFE recently posted…“When I Am In NJ” WorkoutMy Profile

    • Emily says

      February 21, 2016 at 4:36 pm

      That’s what I love about it too! Simple, whole ingredients.

  4. Rachel says

    February 19, 2016 at 8:34 am

    Yum, this looks so dense and delicious! I love using coconut flour for banana bread :)

    • Emily says

      February 21, 2016 at 4:35 pm

      Coconut flour is a staple in my house! I’ve used it to coat chicken too.

  5. Georgie says

    February 19, 2016 at 9:15 am

    I visualized you stabbing this loaf of bread with a knife when you said you wanted to kill it and I got a good chuckle out of it. But in all seriousness this looks delicious and mega chunks are life sooo this is definitely on my “to-bake” list.
    Georgie recently posted…Breakfast Burrito BowlMy Profile

    • Emily says

      February 21, 2016 at 4:33 pm

      Umm were you in my kitchen watching? I was VERY tempted to stab the thing!

  6. Sami says

    February 19, 2016 at 10:22 am

    Oh my gosh, this look delicious. I so wish I had access to an oven here at school, because I need this right now.
    Sami recently posted…Friday Favorites – Shoe EditionMy Profile

    • Emily says

      February 21, 2016 at 4:38 pm

      I SO missed having a kitchen when I lived on campus. I feel your pain!

  7. Alyssa @ renaissancerunnergirl says

    February 19, 2016 at 10:48 am

    Yea…my dad loves my dark chocolate grain free brownies. Then he noticed once when my bananas weren’t quite blended enough and will only eat them after referring to them as “banana brownies”!

    • Emily says

      February 21, 2016 at 4:37 pm

      What’s with dads and paying so much attention to food?! Just eat it, it’s good :)

  8. Brie @ Lean, Clean, & Brie says

    February 19, 2016 at 10:51 am

    I am so happy you finally nailed this recipe because it looks absolutely delicious. I haven’t had zucchini bread in forever (my mom used to make it all the time), but we always have a ton of zucchini during the summer so I will definitely be making this because, hello, CHOCOLATE! I love those Enjoy Life chunks.
    Brie @ Lean, Clean, & Brie recently posted…{Friday Favorites} 2/19My Profile

    • Emily says

      February 21, 2016 at 4:32 pm

      This Chunks are AWESOME. A step up from chips in my mind :)

  9. Morgan says

    February 19, 2016 at 11:20 am

    This looks delicious!! When I first went Paleo/gluten free, I thought bread was completely out of the picture. It’s so nice to see that there are the delicious and healthy options. Thank you so much for sharing!

    • Emily says

      February 21, 2016 at 4:32 pm

      I agree, I used to think my options were limited. Homemade is the way to go!

  10. Sarah @ BucketListTummy says

    February 19, 2016 at 11:32 am

    The texture looks spot on – can’t wait to try it!
    Sarah @ BucketListTummy recently posted…For all you Snackers: How To Snack SmartMy Profile

    • Emily says

      February 21, 2016 at 4:30 pm

      Thanks, Sarah!

  11. rachel @ athleticavocado says

    February 19, 2016 at 12:27 pm

    Sometimes each recipe needs a few trials before it’s perfect, it can be frustrating but it’s so rewarding when you finally get it right! I can’t imagine how awesome it must have felt once you perfected this recipe! I can never say no to a huge slice of banana or zucchini bread so the combination of the two is pure bliss :)
    rachel @ athleticavocado recently posted…Paleo Carrot Cake Monkey Bread MuffinsMy Profile

    • Emily says

      February 21, 2016 at 4:25 pm

      It is really rewarding when you nail a recipe! I think the combo of the two makes it acceptable for all hours of the day :)

  12. Amanda @ ExploringLifeAndThings says

    February 19, 2016 at 1:04 pm

    Ahhhh I’ve been waiting for this recipe! I’m dying to make this. Haha and I like how humble baking can make you. I made some cookies for a work potluck. My boyfriend was not a happy camper when I took all but like 4 of them to work.. haha.
    Amanda @ ExploringLifeAndThings recently posted…My key to surviving the treadmillMy Profile

    • Emily says

      February 21, 2016 at 4:24 pm

      It really tested my patience and reminded me I’m not invincible in the kitchen (not that I ever really thought so, though). Hey he should be happy he got to keep some!

  13. Margaret @ youngandrungry says

    February 19, 2016 at 1:14 pm

    Story of my life! I’ve made my pancakes THREE times and I’m still not satisfied with the recipe! The worst part is that they taste delicious so duh I’m still eating it, but they just aren’t where I want them for the blog yet. And almond flour is SO expensive. We need sugar daddies to fund our recipe development
    Margaret @ youngandrungry recently posted…Frosted Paleo Valentines Day Sugar CookiesMy Profile

    • Emily says

      February 21, 2016 at 4:22 pm

      I feel bad for the poor bananas I “wasted” in the process. Luckily those don’t cost me an arm and a leg!

  14. Megan says

    February 19, 2016 at 3:47 pm

    Hahaha that’s happened to me oh too many times. Although most of the time it IS my dad’s fault for not liking it…he’s way too fussy. :P
    Megan recently posted…How to stay motivated after exercise addictionMy Profile

    • Emily says

      February 21, 2016 at 4:19 pm

      I wish I could use that as an excuse! I consider it a big win if he likes a “healthified” recipe though.

  15. kerri mcgrail says

    February 19, 2016 at 7:01 pm

    Oh yum! Love that this uses coconut flour and enjoy life chips! I usually only make a recipe once, and if i don’t like it, then I wait a while before I end up trying a similar recipe. Usually I will just scrap it and not post it, and start fresh on another day.
    kerri mcgrail recently posted…Friday Favs: Hot yoga, holistic health & Melissa McCarthyMy Profile

    • Emily says

      February 21, 2016 at 4:18 pm

      I think I need to do that next time! Or at least extend the time in between rounds of recipe testing.

  16. Michele @ paleorunningmomma says

    February 20, 2016 at 5:53 am

    You know how I feel about recipe heartbreak! After a failure it takes me a while to attempt again because I’m afraid of getting hurt, lol. Seriously I have no perspective with recipes, the failed ones hurt!
    Michele @ paleorunningmomma recently posted…Paleo Vanilla Cupcakes with Rich Chocolate GanacheMy Profile

    • Emily says

      February 21, 2016 at 4:18 pm

      Ha I was thinking of you and your post about this! I think I need to start cooking/baking without the intent of sharing the recipe. Lower my expectations!

  17. Crystal Escobar says

    February 20, 2016 at 11:13 am

    Everything you make is just beautiful! I am going to make these banana bread for my loving husband. Thank you, EMILY!

    • Emily says

      February 21, 2016 at 4:15 pm

      Thank you, Crystal! Hope you had a great weekend :)

  18. Hayley says

    February 22, 2016 at 10:56 am

    I’m glad you made it a third time and it turned out because it looks delicious to me!! I have so many ripe bananas right now and was thinking of making muffins, but this looks better. I just need a zucchini!
    Hayley recently posted…Dining All Over The BayMy Profile

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Hi, I’m Emily!

A twenty-something lover of long runs, home cooked meals and my dogs. Join me on my journey to find a mostly healthy balance in food, fitness and life.

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