While my family swoons over any and all desserts, this Lite Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread really stole the show the first time I baked it. Ever since, my picky toddler who’s 5 years old couldn’t get enough of it, even after I told her it has zucchini in it (yes, that icky gross GREEN stuff that so many toddlers and kids despise!). I was so pleased to see how much she loved the zucchini bread and was begging for more. This recipe blew me away as the texture and crumb is so fluffy and moist – it’s quite literally the world’s perfect zucchini bread dessert recipe next to my Healthy Blueberry Zucchini Bread recipe! Add my homemade butter on top for the ultimate splurge!
My mouthwatering Lite Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread recipe contains non-stick cooking spray, all-purpose flour, brown sugar, baking soda, salt, semi-sweet chocolate chips, vanilla, egg, butter, applesauce, and zucchini, and takes about 45 minutes to bake. If you like this, then you’ll love My MIL’s Banana Bread, Blueberry Lemon Bread, Blueberry Muffins, Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Muffins, and French Toast Muffins recipes!
I know some of you may be thinking, “bread with zucchini?! That sounds so disgusting!” Well, I’m here to tell you that the combo of applesauce and zucchini creates the perfect crumb and the texture of this Lite Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread is absolutely divine! My kid and I can’t stop eating it! I’m dying over here because if only she knew there was green zucchini in it! I told her but she still proceeded to eat a slice of this zucchini bread, followed by a request for more! It’s the perfect dessert to feed to a picky toddler or child who refuses to eat vegetables! They’ll be eating veggies and won’t even know it. It makes a fabulous breakfast or dessert!
Benefits of Zucchini
Zucchini is antioxidant rich and contains compounds that, per Healthline’s article, may protect your body from damage caused by free radicals. Carotenoids including lutein, zeaxanthin, and beta-carotene are abundant in zucchini. Carotenoids such as these may benefit your skin, eyes, heart, as well as protect against cancer. The skin of the zucchini contains the highest antioxidant levels and yellow zucchini may contain fewer levels of antioxidants than their green counterpart. Additionally, zucchini may aid in digestion, reduce blood sugar levels, and improve heart health.
Why is zucchini used in baking?
Zucchini also known as squash has a mild and neutral taste which makes it the perfect ingredient in baking recipes like my Lite Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread! Zucchini is packed with nutrients and is an ideal substitute for high calorie items like vegetable oil or milk.
Why is it a lite dessert bread recipe?
My insanely delicious Lite Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread recipe contains applesauce and zucchini instead of vegetable oil and granulated sugar, providing the perfect crumb and bite with much less sugar (and oil) and therefore considered a lite dessert. By the taste of this zucchini bread, you would never even notice that it doesn’t contain sugar. It fools my five-year-old every time and I honestly cannot ever get enough of this insanely addicting bread recipe!
Ingredients in Lite Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread
Flour. All-purpose flour provides structure and when it’s combined with the wet ingredients, it starts to thicken which is necessary for this bread recipe.
Brown sugar. Brown sugar provides a fluffy and moist texture. Sugar also interferes with gluten by limiting the amount of gluten that is developed which leads to leaven the bread, confirming that your bread will attain the perfect texture.
Baking soda. Baking soda reacts quickly and generates a gas when exposed to heat or acidic ingredients. Its acidic component, cream of tartar, is built in and reacts with the included alkaline baking soda when it contacts liquids.
Salt. Salt enhances the flavors of the other ingredients and adds flavor.
Semi-sweet chocolate chips. We love these Ghiradelli semi-sweet chocolate chips best but feel free to use any brand you like. I never use any chocolate chips other than Ghiradelli.
Vanilla. Vanilla provides a sweetener in this bread recipe.
Egg. Eggs provide nutrition, flavor, and help bind the other ingredients. Eggs also affect the texture and they are also leavening agents like sugar and baking powder.
Butter. Use unsalted butter as this recipe calls for salt. My insanely delicious homemade butter is the BEST butter recipe out there!
Applesauce. Applesauce is a natural sweetener that provides a sweet flavor and an alternative to white sugar.
Zucchini. Freshly grated zucchini adds moisture, nutrition, and texture to this dessert bread recipe.
How to make the best Lite Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread
STEP 1: Preheat the oven to 325° F. Spray a 9×5-inch loaf pan with non-stick cooking spray.
STEP 2: In a large bowl, whisk the flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt.
STEP 3: Pour in the chocolate chips and gently use a whisk to combine.
STEP 4: In a medium bowl, mix the vanilla, egg, butter, applesauce, and zucchini.
Pour into the bowl with the dry ingredients and mix well.
STEP 5: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Bake for 45-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
STEP 6: Let cool before serving.
STEP 7: If you make this recipe, don’t forget to leave a rating and comment!
Recommended tools to make this recipe
- Loaf pan. This one makes perfect corners for your chocolate chip zucchini bread.
- Whisk. This whisk is study and expedites the mixing process.
- Large bowl. The large bowl is great preparing the batter.
More recipes you can’t live without!
Healthy Blueberry Zucchini Bread
Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Muffins
The Real Jordan Marsh Blueberry Muffin Recipe
Easy 5-Minute Chocolate Pudding Pie
Final Thoughts
Finally, if you make this Lite Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread recipe, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! I love to hear from everyone who makes this recipe and always try my best to respond to all comments.
If you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag #elisemccollister on Instagram! It makes me so happy to see your recipe photos!
Lite Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread
Ingredients
- cooking spray
- 2 c all-purpose flour
- ½ c brown sugar packed
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ c semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 egg
- 3 tbsp butter melted
- 1 c applesauce
- 1½ c zucchini grated
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325° F. Spray a 9×5-inch loaf pan with non-stick cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, whisk the flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt.
- Pour in the chocolate chips and gently use a whisk to combine.
- In a medium bowl, mix the vanilla, egg, butter, apple sauce, and zucchini. Pour into the bowl with the dry ingredients and mix well.
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Bake for 45-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Let cool before serving.
- If you make this recipe, don’t forget to leave a rating and comment!
Nutrition (per serving)
Want to save these directions?
Share this recipe!
Elise’s Kitchen Favorites
