Freezing Zucchini Bread

Freezing Zucchini Bread is a fantastic way to use up all of that extra zucchini that most gardeners experience. Zucchini bread is a popular quick bread that is well loved for it’s sustaining, high fiber texture, lightly sweet flavor and is a popular snack option for many households. Similar to banana bread, zucchini bread can have nuts or other fruits baked in. It is a great addition to a breakfast table or after school snack spread.

In another post we discuss blanching and freezing zucchini. Today we are discussing the best tips we have for freezing your zucchini bread! Zucchini bread is an amazing food storage option as it stores well and defrosts beautifully when done the correct steps are taken.

Does zucchini bread freeze well?

Zucchini bread and similar quick breads freeze and store very well when stored properly. We like to make extra loaves specifically to store for the winter months. These breads are easy to defrost and make delicious, hearty snack options all through the year. If you have extra zucchini, making zucchini bread to store is a fantastic way to use it up efficiently.

How do you freeze zucchini bread loaves?

Once your loaves are baked allow them to fully cool, this is very important as it will prevent heat and steam from getting locked into the loaves which will make them soggy and potentially hard after they have cooled. You can pre slice them before you freeze them but it is not necessary.

This freezing method works for all quick breads

• Bake your zucchini loaves. (Go here and here for a few zucchini bread recipes)
• Cool them completely
• Put two layers of Saran wrap around each loaf
• Insert them into a gallon size Ziploc freezer bag and seal the bags with as little air as possible.
• I put two loaves into one gallon sized Ziploc bag and they fit snugly. Just right!
• Now label the Ziploc bag with the date and name. Later when it’s frozen and sitting by pumpkin bread and other quick breads, you won’t recognize it so be sure to write the name of the bread.

How long does zucchini bread stay good in the freezer?

Quick breads will freeze well if double or triple wrapped in sturdy plastic wrap or foil and kept in airtight ziploc bags for 2-3 months. You may be able to keep them frozen for up to 6 months but it may affect the flavor of the bread and you could experience freezer burn or a dryer texture.

Be sure to date the loaves to keep track of which ones are oldest so that they are pulled out first.

How do you defrost zucchini bread?

When you are ready to eat a zucchini bread loaf setting it on the counter and allowing it to warm through to room temperature works well. Unlike other breads, quick breads have a dense more cake-like texture that allows them to warm slowly without the risk of going stale.

You will however want to eat it quickly so it doesn’t get too dry. Once your zucchini bread has been frozen and defrosted, the texture will be more sensitive and delicate to the environment. You can warm individual slices in the microwave for 10-15 seconds if you wish, just be sure they are fully defrosted or they will have a sticky, gummy texture.

What is the best way to store zucchini bread?

To store your zucchini bread, or any quick bread, be sure to keep it wrapped in a tight foil or plastic wrap to prevent it from drying out. This is especially important once the bread has been frozen and then defrosted.

They can be wrapped and kept in the fridge for a few days if the temperature in your home is particularly warm.