This is the best sourdough zucchini bread, made with sourdough starter discard. It is lightly sweetened, subtly spiced with cinnamon, and includes chopped walnuts for a satisfying crunch!

If you happen to have excess zucchini and leftover sourdough starter discard, don't miss out on making this easy sourdough zucchini bread recipe. In fact, why not bake a few loaves and store them in the freezer for later?
Similar to our recipes for sourdough lemon cake, sourdough pumpkin bread, and sourdough banana bread, this recipe is incredibly simple to make, and you'll be amazed by its tender and moist texture.
We love creating recipes that make good use of sourdough discard, as it helps minimize food waste while adding an extra layer of flavor to this quick bread.
This recipe offers a delicious way to encourage your family to consume more veggies too!
Enjoy this lightly sweetened quick bread at any time of the day, whether it's morning, noon, or night.

Ingredients needed
An added convenience of this recipe is that you don't need an electric mixer. The ingredients effortlessly come together with just a spatula, making the mixing process a breeze.

- freshly grated zucchini
- light brown sugar
- eggs
- sourdough starter
- vanilla extract
- avocado oil
- flour
- baking soda
- baking powder
- salt, cinnamon
- chopped walnuts
- chocolate chips or raisins (optional)

How to make it
Step 1: Preheat the oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (176°C) and lightly grease a 9" x 5" baking pan.
Step 2: Prepare zucchini
Grate the zucchini using a box grater or a food processor. Use your hands to squeeze the zucchini to release any extra moisture and excess water. Leave the zucchini in a colander while you mix the remaining ingredients.

NOTE: To ensure consistent results with every bake, use grated zucchini that has been thoroughly drained to remove excess moisture. The variation in moisture content of each zucchini can greatly affect the outcome, and our method helps maintain consistency.
Step 3: Mix dry ingredients
Mix the dry ingredients together in a small bowl and set aside.

Step 4: Mix wet ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, combine the wet ingredients and stir until the mixture is smooth.
Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir until combined. Give the zucchini one last squeeze and fold it into the batter.

Step 5: Bake
Pour the batter into a greased 9” x 5” baking dish and bake at 350°F (176°C) for 55-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
NOTE: The batter can be cold fermented in the fridge overnight after it has been mixed and poured into the baking dish. Keep it covered until you are ready to bake.

Step 6: Cool
Let the zucchini bread cool for 15 minutes. Run a butter knife around the edges to release them from the dish and transfer the bread to a cooling rack.
Enjoy warm or at room temperature.

How to store and freeze
For storage, once the sourdough zucchini bread has cooled entirely, cover it and keep any leftovers at room temperature for 1-2 days. Alternatively, you can store it in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.
If you wish to freeze the bread, wrap the cooled loaf first in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil. It can be frozen for up to 3 months.
To thaw the frozen bread, allow it to thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Once thawed, bring it to room temperature before slicing and serving.

Recommended kitchen tools
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- 9" x 5" baking dish (affiliate link)
- mixing bowls (affiliate link)
More sourdough discard recipes:
We love sharing recipes that utilize sourdough discard. Browse through our sourdough discard recipes for a little baking inspiration. Here are just a few!
- sourdough brownies
- sourdough chocolate chip cookies
- sourdough banana nut muffins
- sourdough pop tarts

Sourdough Zucchini Bread
EQUIPMENT
- 9 x 5 inch loaf pan
INGREDIENTS
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups (240 g) all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon (5 g) fine sea salt
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ½ cup (60 g) chopped walnuts
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup (220 g) light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup (125 g) sourdough starter discard
- 2 teaspoons (10 g) vanilla extract
- ½ cup (109 g) avocado oil
- 1 ¾ cups (220 g) grated zucchini (squeeze out excess liquid)
INSTRUCTIONS
- Preheat oven to 350°F (176°C) and lightly grease a 9" x 5" loaf pan.
- Grate the zucchini using the large holes of a cheese grater. Place it in a colander and squeeze out excess moisture. Leave the zucchini in the colander while you mix the remaining ingredients.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and chopped walnuts. Set aside.
- In a separate bowl, mix the light brown sugar, eggs, sourdough starter discard, vanilla extract and oil with a spatula until smooth. Pour the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and mix until just combined. Stir in the grated zucchini.
- Pour the batter into the greased baking pan and bake for 55-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. (See notes)
- Let the bread cool for 10-15 minutes before transferring it to a cooling rack. Slice and serve.
NOTES
- The batter can be cold fermented in the fridge overnight after it has been mixed and poured into the baking dish. Keep it covered until you are ready to bake.
- To store: Allow the bread to cool completely. Cover and store leftover bread at room temperature for up to 1-2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.
- To freeze: Wrap the cooled loaf in a layer of plastic wrap and then a layer of aluminum foil. Freeze up to 3 months.
- To thaw: Allow to thaw overnight in the refrigerator and bring to room temperature before slicing and serving.
Laurie says
Can this be long fermented?
Amy says
Yes
Tari says
Haven’t tried yet, but I like to fully ferment my flours, so can I refrigerate this batter for 7 hours, then bake? I’ve had success with your muffin recipes doing that, so I’m hoping this will work too. Love your recipes.
I love when you give long ferment options in your recipes.
Amy says
Yes you can refrigerate the batter!
Poonam says
Hi! Can gluten-free or whole wheat flour be used instead of APF.
Amy says
Yes
Mena says
Can I eliminate the sugar ?
Amy says
Hello! I would only recommend cutting the sugar by half. Completely eliminating the sugar will drastically change the outcome. Even reducing sugar could cause a different composition.
Kristine says
I made this in a buttered muffin tin, the batter filled a one dozen tray and they were perfectly cooked in 30 minutes sprinkled with multicolor sprinkled even the kids ate them
Courtney says
Hi! Can I use active starter?
Amy says
Yes you can!
Alice says
Thank you for sharing your recipe, tried it this week, we enjoyed it.
Sal says
Hello! What is the hydration of your sourdough discard?
Amy Duska says
100% hydration.
Sally Estes says
I baked this bread, which is delicious, flavorful and moist.
A friend asked if it can be made without the sourdough starter? If so, shat is the recipe?
Jocelyn says
Can I use this same recipe and replace with shredded carrots instead of zucchini?
Amy Duska says
Hi Jocelyn, I've never tried it but I definitely think it would work!
Eve says
Does does sourdough discard need feeding before adding to ingredients? And can vegan eggs be substituted?
Amy Duska says
Hi Eve, no this recipe uses unfed starter. I have not used vegan egg replacement in this recipe but I think it would work.