Amp up your intake and enjoy something sweet with this protein zucchini bread! Naturally dairy and gluten-free but loaded with comfort, this chocolate zucchini bread makes the perfect addition to any dessert table.
Moist and flavored with double chocolate, this protein dessert is a surefire way to win over anyone who loves a classic version.
Have some leftover zucchini from the garden kicking around? Use them up in this high protein zucchini bread and this beef and zucchini casserole for dinner!
Made with gluten-free baking flour to keep it light and soft, this protein dessert is also naturally dairy-free.
Though it’s a great healthy swap for traditional dessert, it also works for those times when you just need something sweet but don’t want to go off the rails.
As a Certified Nutrition Coach, having high-protein snack recipes like this saves my goals when I need to indulge my sweet tooth. Learn more about the benefits of a high protein diet and why you want to amp it up!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
Easy to make: You only need a handful of pantry staples to whip up the recipe.
Flavorful: Sweet and moist with a double chocolate flavor this protein zucchini bread is a hit with everyone.
Healthy: Dairy-free, gluten-free, and with 21 grams of protein this zucchini bread is a healthy way to indulge.
Ingredients You’ll Need
One of the best parts about this protein zucchini bread is that it uses up ingredients you probably already have on hand if you have a well-stocked, gluten-free pantry.
However, you won't find any vanilla protein powder in the ingredients!
Gluten-free baking flour: make sure to use baking flour and not all-purpose flour. And for the best results, grab Bobs Red Mill 1:1 as it’ll make the high protein zucchini bread perfect every time.
Collagen powder: one of the purest forms of protein and the easiest to use in baked goods! Collagen powder is great for hair, skin, and nails but also amping up your daily protein intake.
Zucchini: use up any leftover zucchini you have on hand. The best way to make the dairy-free zucchini bread come out perfect is to grate the zucchini and let it drain before using it. If you have extra, make these keto sliced zucchini too.
Eggs: the eggs help hold the gluten-free zucchini bread together and make it seem most like a traditional recipe.
Cane sugar: any granulated sugar should work for the recipe.
Cacao powder: not to be confused with cocoa powder (though that would work too). Cacao powder is one of the purest forms of chocolate (learn more about the difference between cacao powder and cocoa).
Oil: avocado oil works best for this recipe, though olive oil will work as well. Unfortunately, coconut oil changes the texture too much between heating and cooling.
Chocolate chips: make sure that they’re dairy-free and gluten-free. I like to use mini chocolate chips as I find they distribute better throughout the mixture.
Dairy-free milk: any non-dairy milk will work for the high-protein zucchini bread. We use homemade hemp milk the most because that’s what we have on hand.
Important Teaching Tips
You want to drain any extra water out of the zucchini. Otherwise, the bread will end up a bit “wet”.
Place the shredded zucchini in a strainer and let sit for 5 minutes. Then, press it down to get any extra water out.
Make sure to use a silicone baking pan, or line your tin pan with parchment paper. Otherwise, the dairy-free zucchini bread is hard to take out.
You can top the bread with extra chocolate chips if you wish, or sprinkle on some ground cinnamon.
Make sure to use baking soda and not baking powder. Baking powder causes the protein-packed zucchini bread to rise and then deflate whereas baking soda gives it a light, consistent texture.
Make it paleo: by subbing in cassava flour in a 1:1 ratio for baking flour.
Make zucchini muffins: by following the recipe exactly but baking for only 40 minutes.
How To Make Protein Zucchini Bread From Scratch
Step 1: Finely grate the zucchini and mix with the wet ingredients.
Step 2: Mix together dry ingredients and pour into wet.
Step 3: Fold in the chocolate chips and mix well.
Step 4: Pour into a loaf pan and bake until cooked through.
Choosing Collagen Powder
It’s no surprise that this zucchini bread is made with collagen powder!
All the protein without the bloat.
I use collagen powder for amping up protein and boosting gut health.
Learn about the difference between collagen and bone broth as how to increase protein intake.
Honestly, as a busy mom collagen powder just makes it easy to eat more protein and not feel like I’m living off chicken and eggs.
And more protein means more energy, more natural beauty, and feeling your BEST.
Plus, in recipes like this, you can sneak protein into your kids as it’s one of the purest sources.
I grab my collagen from Perfect Supplements because they source their collagen from pasture-raised (grass-fed) cows. So, I trust it.
Grab some collagen powder and use code mamabear10 to save some money.
How To Store It
Fridge: Store leftover zucchini bread once cooled in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-5 days. When you want to enjoy it, heat it up lightly in the microwave for the ultimate bite of comfort.
Freezer: You can freeze this zucchini bread in slices or full loaves in a freezer-safe bag. Separate slices of bread between layers of parchment paper. Freeze for up to 3 months and let it thaw fully in the fridge before enjoying it.
Frequently Asked Questions About Zucchini Bread
This bread is best stored in a sealed container in the fridge and will last 4-6 days. Though you can eat it chilled, it tastes even better just slightly warmed up or left to sit at room temperature.
The zucchini bread doesn’t thaw well so it is best stored in the fridge or made to eat.
Protein powder and collagen powder absorb very differently and are not interchangeable. Collagen powder is much better for baking because it leaves baked goods with a “light” feeling whereas protein powder will make them dense. For this chocolate protein zucchini bread, vanilla protein powder cannot be used.
Other High Protein, Dairy & Gluten-Free Recipes You'll love
- Peanut butter protein cups
- Collagen protein donuts
- Double chocolate baked protein oats
- Flourless protein brownies
- Overnight cookie dough protein oats
- Cookies and cream protein shake
- Peanut butter and jam protein balls
- Chocolate chip protein powder muffins
- High protein pancakes
- Yogurt protein pancakes
- Chocolate protein fluff
- Easy, no-bake vanilla protein bar
- High protein snack recipes
Fast, crave-worthy snacks that hit your protein goals (without tracking or extra cooking time).
Chocolate Protein Zucchini Bread
Video
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1.5 cups Gluten-free 1:1 Baking Flour
- ½ cup Collagen powder
- 2 Eggs
- 1 teaspoon Baking soda
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- 1.5 cups Zucchini shredded
- ½ cup Cane sugar
- 2 tbs Cacao powder
- ¼ cup Mini chocolate chips plus more for topping
- ¼ cup Avocado oil
- 1 cup Almond milk
Instructions
- Preheat to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Place the shredded zucchini into a strainer.
- Mix together the dry ingredients except for chocolate chips.
- One by one, add in the wet ingredients and mix well.
- Fold in the zucchini and the chocolate chips.
- Portion into an 8x4 lined loaf pan. Top with extra chocolate chips if using.
- Bake for 50 minutes.
- Turn off the oven and let cool for 30 minutes before removing.
Notes
- You want to drain any extra water out of the zucchini. Otherwise, the bread will end up a bit “wet”. Place the shredded zucchini in a strainer and let sit for 5 minutes. Then, press it down to get any extra water out.
- Make sure to use a silicone baking pan, or line your tin pan with parchment paper. Otherwise, the dairy-free zucchini bread is hard to take out.
- You can top the bread with extra chocolate chips if you wish, or sprinkle on some ground cinnamon before baking.
- Avocado oil works best in the recipe but melted coconut oil can be used. Just know that it changes the texture slightly.
- Enjoy the zucchini bread as is, with some dairy-free butter, or even topped with peanut butter!
Disclaimer:
Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data"
Nutrition
Gina says
Loved the chocolate flavor in this bread and really love the addition of collagen for some protein! Slathered with almond butter, it was a delicious afternoon snack.
fitasamamabear says
Collagen solves life problems hehe
Rosie says
Delicious! A great way to use zucchini (we grow our own) and this was super tasty
fitasamamabear says
It's the best way to use up all the extra!
Giangi Townsend says
Sounds amazing, rich, and moist. Making it for my son as he is training and this protein zucchini bread is what he needs.
Thank you.
fitasamamabear says
Zucchini bread is definitely what everyone needs hehe
Jane says
The moist texture, rich chocolate swirl, and abundance of wholesome ingredients create a flavor profile that is both satisfying and guilt-free.
fitasamamabear says
The chocolate swirl is totally the best part!
Addison says
Loved this loaf of protein bread! It was moist, filling and so flavorful.
fitasamamabear says
So happy everyone enjoyed it!
Kris says
This was so rich and moist and you would never guess that it's gluten-free! Can't wait to make it again!
fitasamamabear says
Super happy you enjoyed it!
Rosanna Stevens says
This was such a delicious way to use up the last of our homegrown zucchini (or courgette as we call it in the UK) - thank you!
fitasamamabear says
Ahh homegrown is the best!!
Jennifer says
Loved this healthified version! So delish!
fitasamamabear says
Yay!
Sara Nelson says
Was super impressed by how easy this was to make. I only had monk fruit sweetener on hand, so I subbed that in 1:1 for the sugar. Worked perfectly!
fitasamamabear says
Ohh you're awesome, thanks for the substitution tip! Happy it worked so well!
Emily says
I love zucchini bread with chocolate chips! I especially love giving to my kids. They loved this recipe. Thanks!
fitasamamabear says
My kids love it too! Such a huge win knowing that there are sneaky nutrients!
nancy says
this zucchini bread is super moist and flavourful. I love that you added protein to it to keep it a bit more dense and filling!
fitasamamabear says
Yeppers, protein is my jam:D
sc says
Can I use regular protein powder for this since I do not have collegin on hand?
fitasamamabear says
So, I haven't tried it with protein powder. I think it would work with whey protein but a vegan protein as vegan absorbs a ton of liquid. I'd love to know the result if you give it a go!
Elena says
Thank you for another delicious and healthy recipe!
fitasamamabear says
Thanks for the kind words!
Camilla says
Sounds delicious! I will make this tonight. I love baking with zucchini and enjoy trying different recipes. Thanks for sharing!
fitasamamabear says
Enjoy it!