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Savory Cheddar Herb Zucchini Bread Recipe with Crispy Bacon Bits

savory cheddar herb zucchini bread - featured image

A savory zucchini bread featuring sharp cheddar cheese, fresh herbs, and crispy bacon bits, perfect for snacks, brunch, or casual dinners. This bread balances hearty and light textures with a crispy crust and tender crumb.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups (180 g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt (adjust depending on bacon saltiness)
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (or ½ teaspoon dried thyme)
  • 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped (or ½ teaspoon dried)
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • ½ cup (120 ml) whole milk or buttermilk
  • ⅓ cup (80 ml) olive oil or melted unsalted butter
  • 1 cup (100 g) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1 ½ cups (180 g) grated zucchini, squeezed dry
  • ⅓ cup (50 g) crispy bacon bits
  • Extra shredded cheddar cheese (about ¼ cup / 25 g) for sprinkling
  • Fresh cracked black pepper for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Grate 1 ½ cups (about 2 medium) zucchinis using a box grater or food processor. Place grated zucchini in a clean kitchen towel or cheesecloth and squeeze firmly to remove excess moisture. Set aside.
  2. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×5 inch (23×13 cm) loaf pan with butter or line with parchment paper.
  3. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, thyme, and rosemary until evenly distributed.
  4. In a separate bowl, beat eggs with milk and olive oil or melted butter until smooth and combined.
  5. Fold shredded cheddar cheese and squeezed zucchini into the wet mixture.
  6. Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and gently fold together with a spatula until just combined. Avoid overmixing.
  7. Spread batter evenly into prepared loaf pan. Sprinkle extra cheddar cheese and crispy bacon bits evenly over the top.
  8. Bake for 50-60 minutes, checking doneness with a toothpick inserted in the center; it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs. If bacon or cheese browns too quickly, cover loosely with foil halfway through baking.
  9. Remove from oven and cool in pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.

Notes

Squeeze zucchini thoroughly to avoid soggy bread. Use room temperature eggs for better texture. Fold batter gently to keep bread tender. Cover with foil if bacon bits brown too fast. Homemade bacon bits preferred for best texture and flavor. Can substitute gluten-free flour and vegan cheese for dietary needs.

Nutrition

Keywords: savory zucchini bread, cheddar zucchini bread, herb zucchini bread, bacon zucchini bread, snack bread, savory snack, zucchini recipe, quick bread