There’s something irresistible about the combination of moist zucchini bread, rich chocolate chips, and the creamy ribbon of Nutella baked right in. Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread with Nutella Swirl is not just a clever way to sneak vegetables into a dessert — it’s a treat that balances sweetness, texture, and a hint of nutty chocolate flavor. The zucchini keeps the loaf tender, the chocolate chips bring bursts of cocoa goodness, and the Nutella swirl adds a decadent surprise in every slice.
This bread is perfect for brunch, afternoon coffee breaks, or as a quick snack. If you’ve ever enjoyed recipes like the cottage cheese banana bread from our collection, you’ll appreciate how this loaf blends wholesome ingredients with indulgent elements. The best part? It’s easy to make, even for beginner bakers, and can be prepared in under an hour from start to finish.
Table of Contents
Ingredients You’ll Need for Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread
Getting the right ingredients makes all the difference in baking Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread with Nutella Swirl. Here’s what you’ll want to gather before turning on the oven.
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Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread with Nutella Swirl
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 1 loaf 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Moist Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread with creamy Nutella swirls.
Ingredients
2 cups grated zucchini
1/2 cup Nutella
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 large eggs
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp salt
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a loaf pan.
2. Grate zucchini and squeeze out excess water.
3. Mix flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt in one bowl.
4. Whisk eggs, oil, and vanilla in another.
5. Combine wet and dry mixtures, then fold in chocolate chips.
6. Pour half the batter into the pan, add Nutella dollops, and swirl.
7. Add remaining batter, swirl again, and bake for 50–60 minutes.
Notes
Use room temperature Nutella for easier swirling.
Wrap and freeze slices for up to 2 months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
Fresh zucchini and how to prepare it
Fresh zucchini is the heart of this bread. Choose medium-sized zucchini that feel firm to the touch. Avoid overly large ones, as they can be watery and bland. Wash them thoroughly, trim off the ends, and grate them using a box grater. You can leave the peel on for extra fiber and color, but if you want a lighter texture, peeling is fine too. Fresh zucchini is the heart of this bread, offering both moisture and nutrition as shown in the USDA’s zucchini nutrition facts.
Choosing the right chocolate chips and Nutella brand
Semi-sweet chocolate chips are the classic choice because they balance sweetness and rich flavor. Mini chocolate chips tend to distribute more evenly throughout the loaf, helping prevent them from sinking to the bottom. When it comes to Nutella, a fresh jar at room temperature will swirl more easily into the batter, creating those signature ribbons. If you enjoy rich cocoa bakes, try our 2-ingredient cherry chocolate cake for another quick, chocolatey treat.
Step-by-Step Guide to Making the Nutella Swirl
The Nutella swirl is what turns a good zucchini bread into a show-stopping loaf. Follow these simple steps to get that perfect marbled look without overwhelming the batter.
Creating a smooth, spreadable swirl
Start with room-temperature Nutella, as cold spread straight from the jar can be thick and difficult to work into the batter. If your Nutella feels too firm, place it in a microwave-safe bowl and warm it for 10–15 seconds until it loosens. This makes it easier to spoon and swirl evenly throughout the loaf without clumping.
How to layer Nutella in your batter for the perfect pattern
Pour half the zucchini bread batter into your greased loaf pan. Using a spoon, drop small dollops of Nutella evenly across the surface. Take a skewer or butter knife and gently drag it through the batter in a figure-eight motion. Repeat with the remaining batter and another layer of Nutella for a beautiful two-tone effect. For more inspiration on incorporating swirls into baked goods, check out our spiced pear bread recipe, which also uses a ribbon of flavor for a striking presentation.
Preparing the Zucchini for Bread
Perfect zucchini preparation is key to achieving a moist, flavorful Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread with Nutella Swirl. Skipping this step or rushing through it can affect the bread’s texture.
How to grate zucchini correctly
Use a box grater or a food processor with a shredding blade for even, fine pieces. Avoid overly coarse shreds, as they won’t blend as smoothly into the batter. Always grate the zucchini right before mixing the batter to keep it fresh and prevent it from drying out.
Do you squeeze out the liquid from zucchini?
This is one of the most common questions in zucchini bread baking. The answer depends on the recipe’s moisture balance. For this bread, gently squeeze the grated zucchini over a clean kitchen towel or paper towels to remove excess liquid. You don’t want it bone dry — keeping some moisture ensures the bread stays soft without becoming soggy. If you enjoy working with fresh produce in baking, our patty pan sunburst squash guide offers more tips for preparing vegetables that shine in sweet and savory dishes.
Baking Tips for Perfect Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread
Even the best batter can go wrong without proper baking techniques. These tips will help you create a moist, flavorful Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread with Nutella Swirl every time.
Preventing chocolate chips from sinking
One of the most common issues is chocolate chips ending up at the bottom of the loaf. To prevent this, toss your chips in a tablespoon of flour before folding them into the batter. This helps them stay suspended while baking. Using mini chips instead of regular-sized ones also keeps them evenly distributed.
Baking time and temperature adjustments
Bake your bread at 350°F (175°C) for 50–60 minutes, checking for doneness with a toothpick inserted in the center. If the top browns too quickly, loosely cover it with foil halfway through baking. Every oven is different, so keep an eye on it during the final 10 minutes. For more baking success tips, see our pecan pie dump cake recipe, which also relies on precise baking times to get the perfect texture.
Creative Variations on Nutella Zucchini Bread
Once you’ve mastered the basic Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread with Nutella Swirl, you can start experimenting with flavors and textures to make it your own.
Adding nuts, spices, or other flavors
For added crunch, fold in chopped walnuts, pecans, or hazelnuts. A teaspoon of cinnamon or nutmeg can deepen the flavor and give the bread a cozy aroma. If you’re feeling adventurous, try blending in a hint of espresso powder to bring out the chocolate notes even more. Similar to how we boost flavors in our smores cookie recipe, small additions can make a big difference in the final result.
Turning it into muffins or mini loaves
You can easily adapt this recipe into muffins or mini loaves by reducing the baking time to 18–22 minutes for muffins and 25–30 minutes for mini loaves. This makes them perfect for portion-controlled snacks or gifts. You can still swirl in Nutella just as you would in a full loaf — the effect is just as beautiful on a smaller scale.
Serving and Storing Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread
Once your Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread with Nutella Swirl has cooled, it’s time to decide how to enjoy it — and how to keep it fresh for days to come.
Best ways to serve it warm or cold
This bread is delicious both fresh from the oven and after it has cooled. For a warm slice, heat it in the microwave for 10–15 seconds to bring back the soft texture and melty chocolate. Pair it with coffee, tea, or even a glass of cold milk. Just like with our bourbon peach icebox cake, serving temperature can enhance the dessert’s flavor and texture.
How to store and freeze without losing freshness
Wrap the cooled loaf tightly in plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. For longer storage, freeze individual slices wrapped in parchment paper and placed in a freezer-safe bag. When ready to eat, thaw at room temperature or warm in the oven for a just-baked taste.
Troubleshooting Common Baking Problems
Even a well-practiced baker can run into issues when making Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread with Nutella Swirl. Here’s how to solve the most frequent problems.
Why the bread might turn out soggy
A soggy texture usually means there was too much moisture in the zucchini or the bread was underbaked. Always measure your grated zucchini and squeeze out excess liquid before mixing. Also, check your bread’s doneness with a toothpick — it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs. For more moisture-control tips, see how we balance ingredients in our pineapple coleslaw recipe to prevent watery results.
How to fix uneven swirls or sinking chips
Uneven Nutella swirls happen if you overmix after adding the chocolate spread. Stick to a gentle figure-eight motion with a skewer or butter knife. To avoid sinking chips, remember to toss them in flour before folding into the batter and avoid adding them all in one spot.
FAQs about Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread with Nutella Swirl
Why do chocolate chips sink to the bottom of zucchini bread?
Chocolate chips are heavier than the batter, so they can sink while baking. To prevent this in Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread with Nutella Swirl, toss the chips in a bit of flour before adding them. This creates a light coating that helps them stay suspended.
How to make a Nutella swirl?
Spoon small dollops of Nutella over the batter, then use a skewer or butter knife to gently drag through it in a figure-eight motion. This creates the signature swirl pattern without overmixing.
Do you squeeze out the liquid from zucchini for bread?
Yes, but only partially. Gently press the grated zucchini with a kitchen towel to remove excess water. Keeping some moisture helps the bread stay tender without turning soggy.
Do people put chocolate chips in zucchini bread?
Absolutely! Adding chocolate chips is one of the most popular ways to upgrade zucchini bread, and in the case of Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread with Nutella Swirl, they work perfectly with the Nutella’s creamy richness.
Conclusion
Baking Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread with Nutella Swirl is one of the easiest ways to combine wholesome ingredients with indulgent flavors. The zucchini keeps the loaf moist, the chocolate chips add bursts of sweetness, and the Nutella swirl creates that eye-catching marbled finish. Whether you’re baking it for brunch, gifting it to a friend, or enjoying a slice with coffee, this bread delivers every time.
If you’re ready to try more comforting baked goods, you might also love our cottage cheese lava cake for another rich, moist dessert option.
For more recipe ideas and baking tips, follow me on Pinterest and Medium to stay inspired.
