Super rich Chocolate Protein Zucchini Bread with protein powder and stevia for sweetness, but sugar free! Healthy chocolate zucchini bread is low calorie, low fat and great for a post workout or dessert.
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Y’all know I’m a very big chocolate fan, and this protein zucchini bread really hit the spot; Proper chocolate flavor, nutrition from the zucchini and gains from the protein. This really is the ideal dessert and breakfast in one!
Ingredients for Chocolate Protein Zucchini Bread
This chocolate protein zucchini bread is made with healthy ingredients and packed with protein from protein powder and non-fat greek yogurt, has no sugar, and only a bit of oil; A great low calorie and low sugar zucchini bread.
- Fresh Zucchini
- Whole Wheat Pastry Flour – or a regular all purpose flour
- Chocolate Whey-Casein Protein Powder; This is the source of protein and sweetness in the low sugar chocolate zucchini bread since there’s no actual sugar in this recipe. I use Quest Nutrition Nutrition here.
- Unflavored Whey-Casein Protein Powder to replace some of the flour (and carbs) in the recipe for a slightly low calorie zucchini bread. I use Quest Nutrition here too.
- Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
- Stevia Sweetener
- Non-fat Greek Yogurt to add in moisture and have a no oil recipe
- Unsweetened Almond Milk
- Applesauce
- Eggs
- Coconut Oil
- Baking Powder
- Baking Soda
Optionally, for a healthy and sugar free chocolate chip zucchini bread:
- Sugar free Chocolate Chips: I use the ones from Lakanto again here (the same discount code HAYLSKITCHEN here too)
Protein Powder Note:
I haven’t tried Whey protein, pea protein or other plant based ones, so I can’t say how those would work here.
Be sure to use a protein powder sweetened with stevia or monk fruit if you want a proper low sugar and actually sugar free chocolate zucchini bread.
Can you store High Protein Chocolate Zucchini Loaf
This healthy chocolate zucchini loaf recipe keeps really well and is great for a meal prep recipe.
Store low calorie chocolate zucchini bread at room temperature for about 3 days in an airtight container.
To store in the fridge, place chocolate protein zucchini loaf in an airtight container and keep up to 1 week.
To freeze the healthy chocolate zucchini bread, cut it into slices, wrap each slice in plastic wrap, and place them in a freezer-safe zipper bag; Freeze up to 3 months.
You can also store the whole loaf itself – be sure to let it thaw before you slice.
Tips for the perfect Chocolate Protein Powder Zucchini Bread
This chocolate protein powder zucchini bread is really easy to make, but baking with protein powder can get tricky; Here’s some tips for the chocolate zucchini loaf
- Use melted coconut oil
You want to be able to whisk it completely into the wet ingredients; Microwave to melt if needed.
- Use room temperature Yogurt, Milk and Eggs
Microwave these too for about 5 seconds if you took them out of the fridge, otherwise they will make the coconut oil harden.
- Whisk wet ingredients well to prevent any chunks of yogurt in the batter.
- Don’t over-mix the wet and dry mixture or the loaf will be too dense and gummy because protein powder can make a batter tough.
- Cover protein packed zucchini bread with foil tent after 30 mins of baking to prevent the top from browning and burning.
Alternatives for the Best Healthy Chocolate Zucchini Bread
For the perfect healthy chocolate zucchini bread, I would highly suggest using the ingredients and protein powder I recommended; I do have some alternatives you can try.
I haven’t testing them all, so I can’t say how your loaf might turn out.
- Whole Wheat Pastry Flour: All purpose flour or 1:1 Gluten Free Baking Flour in the same amount by weight not cups.
- Unflavored Protein Powder: More flour, but also reduce the milk to about 6 Tbsp.
- Greek Yogurt: Coconut Yogurt
- Applesauce: Mashed Banana or Pumpkin Puree
- Almond Milk: Any other milk
More High Protein Zucchini Recipes to try:
- Healthy Protein Zucchini Bread
- Protein Zucchini Muffins with Cinnamon Crunch Streusel
- The Best Low Carb Protein Green Smoothie
- Protein Zucchini Oats
- Chocolate Zucchini Overnight Oats with Protein
- Snickerdoodle Power Protein Smoothie
Chocolate Protein Zucchini Bread
Ingredients
- 1½ cup Shredded Zucchini, moisture intact, 246g, 1½ medium
- 1 cup Whole Wheat Baking Flour, 120g
- ½ cup + 2 Tbsp Unsweetened Cocoa Powder, 50g
- ½ cup Chocolate Protein Powder, Whey-casein, 45g
- ¼ cup Unflavored Protein Powder, Whey-casein, 22g
- Stevia Sweetener, 3 Tbsp sugar worth (Use your brand’s Conversion Chart)
- ¾ tsp Baking Powder
- ½ tsp Baking Soda
- ½ cup Unsweetened Almond Milk, 120ml
- 6 Tbsp Unsweetened Applesauce, 90g
- ½ cup Non-fat Greek Yogurt, 112g, Room temperature
- 2 Eggs, Room Temperature
- 1 Tbsp Coconut Oil
- 2 Tbsp Chocolate Chips, 28g, Sugar free recommended below
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and line an 8½” x 4½” loaf pan with parchment paper.
- Finely shred zucchini using food processor or grater and squeeze out as much moisture as possible.
- In a bowl, whisk flour, cocoa powder, chocolate protein powder, unflavored protein powder, stevia sweetener, baking powder and baking soda.
- In a large bowl, whisk together almond milk, applesauce, Greek yogurt, eggs and coconut oil.
- Add zucchini and mix.
- Add dry mix to wet, and gently fold until just combined.DO NOT OVER-MIX or protein powder and gluten from wheat flour will make the bread dense. Small streaks of flour are okay.
- Add chocolate chips (reserve few for the top), and mix again.
- Transfer batter to baking pan, sprinkle remaining chocolate chips.
- Bake for 55-60 minutes, covering with a foil tent after 30 minutes.A toothpick inserted into center should come out dry.
- Cool for 15 minutes, then lift out of pan using the lining. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely, about 40 minutes and cut into slices.
Notes
- Nutrition details are calculated using products recommended below, and does not include chocolate.
- See post for alternate ingredients, tips and storage options.
- Quest Nutrition Chocolate Whey-Casein Protein Powder
- Quest Nutrition Multi-purpose Mix (Unflavored) Whey-Casein Protein Powder
- Lakanto Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips
- Use code HAYLSKITCHEN for 15% off your order
- Servings: 12 slices, ⅔” thick | Serving size: 1 slice (without chocolate)
- Calories: 108kcal
- Fat: 3.8g | Saturated fat: 1.8g
- Carbohydrates: 14g | Fiber: 3.9g | Sugar: 1.5g
- Protein: 8.6g
Do you think the wheat flour could be substituted for oat flour, or would that mess with the process?
You can use All purpose flour or 1:1 Gluten Free Baking Flour in the same amount by weight not cups. Or you can use half amount oat flour and half regular flour (by weight).
This looks so so delicious!
It really is a lovely one Nadia!