This high-protein zucchini bread has a rich peanut butter flavor with bites of dark chocolate sprinkled throughout. Get this lower carb recipe now.
High-protein zucchini bread is a healthy snack
I’m always trying to up my protein intake, especially in snacks. And as much as I love my Greek yogurts and nutrition bars, I’m a sucker for quick breads and muffins.
This zucchini bread is the perfect marriage of quick bread and healthy snack, as there’s plenty of healthy fats and filling protein going on. Oh, and there’s veggies. Can’t forget about that ;).
Why you’ll love this recipe
Wonderfully moist and studded with mini chocolate chips.
Tastes like dessert, yet makes for a nutritious snack or breakfast.
Flourless and requires just a handful of ingredients.
Ingredients to make healthy, high protein zucchini bread
Zucchini: I use about 3/4 cup of shredded zucchini, which is about 1 small-to-medium zucchini. Don’t worry about measuring it exactly. As long as you have close to 1 cup you’ll be fine.
Eggs: Eggs are key for helping this zucchini bread rise. I don’t recommend trying vegan alternatives.
Natural peanut butter: Crunchy or creamy natural peanut butter will work. Just note that if your PB is hard from being in the fridge, you’ll want to soften it slightly in the microwave for 15 seconds. Can also use almond butter.
Maple syrup: Pure maple syrup for best flavor. Could also try honey.
Vanilla extract: Just a splash for flavor.
Baking soda: To help give this bread some lift. Make sure not to add more than 1 teaspoon, otherwise the loaf can have an off flavor.
Plant-based protein powder: I’ve used Aloha and Sun Warrior.
Mini chocolate chips: Mini chips add just the right amount of chocolate in each bite. If in a pinch, you can use regular chocolate chips.
The protein powder you use will affect the consistency
I’ve only made this bread using a plant-based protein powder, like Sun Warrior or Aloha. And regardless of the brand, I’ve found 1/2 cup of powder to be just the right amount.
However, if you use a whey-based, or other type of protein powder note that you may need to add a splash of milk if the consistency is too thick.
Essentially, you’re looking for a thick cake-like batter. While it shouldn’t be runny, it also shouldn’t resemble cookie dough batter either.
How to get rid of excess moisture from the zucchini
I’ve had mixed results with using zucchini in anything baked: breads, muffins, lasagnas, quiches, you name it. And that’s largely because zucchini holds a lot of water.
But over the past year or so, I’ve gotten a technique down for using sliced zucchini:
After shredding or slicing, wrap zucchini in paper towels
Place in a colander
Squeeze the heck out of it with paper towels
Yes, it may mean going through a few paper towels, but it’s so worth it to not end up with a liquidy final product.
Increase the temperature if baking at altitude
I live in Denver, which is 5280 feet above sea level. As a result, I’ve played around with oven temperatures.
So, for those of you also at altitude, I’d recommend increasing your oven to 375 F and starting to check on your bread around the 35-min mark.
This high protein, low carb zucchini bread with peanut butter will become your newest snacking obsession.
Prep Time15mins
Cook Time45mins
Total Time1hr
Course: Breakfast, Snack
Cuisine: American
Keyword: High Protein, Low-Carb, Zucchini Bread
Servings: 12slices
Calories: 195kcal
Author: Kelli
Ingredients
1small-medium zucchini (about 3/4 cup shredded)
2large eggs
3/4cupnatural creamy peanut butterdrippy, microwave for a few seconds if too hard
1/4cuppure maple syrup
Pinchsalt
1tsppure vanilla extract
1tspbaking soda
1/2cupplant-based vanilla protein powdersuch as Sun Warrior, Aloha, or Owyn
1/3cup+ 2 Tbsp mini chocolate chips
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 F and cover loaf pan using a parchment sling. Can also grease the pan instead. Note: If baking at altitude, increase temperature to 375 F.
Cut ends off zucchini. Shred zucchini using either a food processor or cheese grater. Wrap shredded zucchini in paper towels and place in a colander. Squeeze liquid out of zucchini. Depending on how liquidy your zucchini is, you may need to do this two or three more times. Let sit in colander while you start the batter.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk eggs until lightly beaten. Add in peanut butter, vanilla extract, and maple syrup; stir until creamy. Gently stir in shredded zucchini and pinch of salt (if peanut butter unsalted).
Next, stir in baking soda. Slowly add in protein powder until batter is thick but still liquidy. Fold in 1/3 cup of mini chocolate chips, then pour batter into greased loaf pan. Sprinkle 2 Tbsp remaining chocolate chips on top.
Bake for 40-50 minutes, or until cooked through. If baking at altitude, start checking bread around 35 min. Enjoy for up to 3 days! (Note: you can wrap slices in parchment paper and freeze for up to 3 months)
Notes
Nutrition for 1/12 of recipe: 195 calories, 12 g fat (3 g saturated) 14 g carb, 2 g fiber, 9 g sugar, 8 g protein
I’ve been coming across a lot of zucchini related recipes lately and after trying out a few I’ve definitely become a fan now! I’ll make this my next recipe to try!!
The Healthy Toast4 years ago
Especially with it being the end of summer zucchini recipes have been everywhere! Let me know what you think 🙂
Emily @Sinful Nutrition4 years ago
You had me at peanut butter! This sounds awesome!
The Healthy Toast4 years ago
Right? Peanut butter makes everything better ? hope you give it a try!
Lauren4 years ago
star star star star star
That’s my kind of zucchini bread!!
The Healthy Toast4 years ago
Thanks Lauren!
I’m Kelli MS, RD, and my mission is to prove that eating healthier doesn’t have to be complicated or restrictive. Follow along to learn more about food and cooking, with an emphasis on breakfast and sweet treats!
Welcome to The Healthy Toast!
Here you’ll find realistic healthy recipes designed by a registered dietitian with your busy lifestyle in mind.
Whether you’re a busy professional or new mom, the goal of The Healthy Toast is to provide you with the recipes and nutrition info you need to live your healthiest life, even when life gets crazy. As I’m a firm believer in a whole-foods, non-diet approach, I hope my website shows that good nutrition doesn’t have to be complicated or restrictive.