There’s something magical about the scent of apples, cinnamon, and spice filling the kitchen. This Streusel Apple Zucchini Bread is the perfect balance of cozy autumn flavors and garden freshness. Tender zucchini keeps the loaf moist, while juicy apple chunks bring sweetness, and the buttery streusel topping adds that irresistible crunch. It’s the kind of bread that feels like a warm hug on a cool day.
Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon treat with tea or coffee, this recipe turns simple ingredients into something extraordinary. Whether you’re baking for family, friends, or just yourself, one slice will never be enough.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This bread is more than just a sweet loaf—it’s comfort baked into every bite. Here’s why it will quickly become a household favorite:
Moist & Flavorful: Zucchini keeps the bread tender while apples add natural sweetness.
Warm Spices: Apple pie spice and cinnamon bring a cozy autumn feel.
Crunchy Streusel: A buttery, crumbly topping makes every bite delightful.
Versatile Treat: Great for breakfast, dessert, or snacking.
Make-Ahead Friendly: Stores well at room temperature, in the fridge, or freezer.
Prep & Cooking Time
This recipe is simple but layered with flavor. Here’s the time breakdown:
Preparation Time: 35 minutes
Cooking Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
Ingredients
Here’s everything you’ll need to bake this beautiful loaf:
For the Bread:
- 3 large eggs
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup vegetable or canola oil
- 1 ½ tsp vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp apple pie spice
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp baking soda
- 2 cups grated zucchini
- 1 large gala apple, peeled and finely chopped
For the Streusel Topping:
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- ½ tsp apple pie spice
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- 4–5 tbsp melted butter
Step-by-Step
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, sugar, oil, and vanilla until smooth.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, mix flour, apple pie spice, cinnamon, salt, and baking soda.
- Bring It Together: Gently fold the wet mixture into the dry ingredients until just combined—avoid overmixing.
- Add Fruits & Veggies: Carefully fold in grated zucchini and chopped apple.
- Prepare Pans: Line two 9×5-inch loaf pans with parchment or foil, leaving edges overhanging for easy removal. Coat with nonstick spray.
- Divide Batter: Pour batter evenly into both pans.
- Make the Streusel: Mix flour, brown sugar, apple pie spice, and cinnamon. Stir in melted butter until crumbly.
- Top the Loaves: Sprinkle streusel evenly across the batter, starting at the edges and moving inward.
- Bake: Place in a 350°F oven and bake for 50–60 minutes, or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool: Allow loaves to cool 15–20 minutes on a wire rack. Lift them out using the parchment edges.
- Serve & Store: Let cool completely before slicing. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 4–5 days, in the fridge for up to 10 days, or freeze for longer storage.
How to Serve
Streusel Apple Zucchini Bread is so versatile that it can be enjoyed in many different ways. Here are some delicious serving ideas:
- Breakfast Boost: Serve a warm slice with a pat of butter or a drizzle of honey for a cozy start to the morning. Pair it with coffee, tea, or a spiced chai latte.
- Brunch Star: Arrange slices on a platter with fresh fruit, yogurt, and other baked goods like muffins or scones. It makes a wonderful centerpiece for a brunch spread.
- Dessert Delight: Serve slightly warmed with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or even a drizzle of caramel sauce for a comforting dessert.
- On-the-Go Snack: Wrap individual slices in parchment paper or plastic wrap. Perfect for school lunches, road trips, or a quick afternoon bite.
- Special Touch for Holidays: During fall and winter gatherings, this bread makes a wonderful addition to the holiday table. It pairs beautifully with savory dishes and adds a festive touch.
- Gift Idea: Bake in mini loaf pans, wrap in parchment and twine, and give as homemade gifts to neighbors, teachers, or friends.
Tips & Variations
This recipe is delicious as written, but you can easily customize it to suit your taste or use what you have on hand. Here are some creative variations and helpful tips:
- Nut Lovers’ Twist: Add ½ cup of chopped walnuts, pecans, or almonds to the batter for crunch and earthy flavor. You can also sprinkle nuts over the streusel topping.
- Fruit Variations: Swap the apple with pears for a slightly different flavor. You could also stir in a handful of dried cranberries or raisins for a chewy, tart-sweet surprise.
- Chocolate Indulgence: Stir in ½ cup mini chocolate chips for a dessert-like bread that kids will love.
- Glaze It Up: For an extra touch of sweetness, drizzle a simple glaze made of powdered sugar and milk over the cooled loaf. This makes it look bakery-style and extra indulgent.
- Healthier Option: Replace half of the oil with applesauce or Greek yogurt for a lighter loaf without sacrificing moisture. Whole wheat flour can also replace part of the all-purpose flour.
- Mini Loaves or Muffins: This recipe works well in muffin tins or mini loaf pans. Just adjust baking time to 20–25 minutes for muffins and 30–35 minutes for mini loaves.
- Spice It More: If you love warm flavors, increase the cinnamon or add nutmeg, ginger, or cloves for a spicier profile.
- Streusel Variation: Add rolled oats or shredded coconut to the streusel topping for more texture and flavor.
FAQ
Can I make this bread ahead of time?
Yes! In fact, the flavors deepen after a day. Bake it a day in advance, wrap tightly, and store at room temperature or in the fridge.
Do I need to peel the zucchini before grating?
No, peeling isn’t necessary. The skin softens during baking and adds nutrients, but if you prefer a smoother texture, peel it.
My streusel melted into the bread—what went wrong?
This usually happens if the butter is too warm or if too much was added. For a crumbly texture, ensure the mixture resembles pea-sized crumbs before topping the batter.
Can I freeze this bread?
Absolutely! Wrap the loaf (or slices) tightly in plastic wrap and foil, then freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
What kind of apple works best?
Gala, Fuji, or Honeycrisp are great because they’re naturally sweet and hold their texture. If you like a more tart flavor, try Granny Smith apples.
Can I make it gluten-free?
Yes, simply swap the all-purpose flour for a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend. The texture may be slightly different, but still delicious.
Is this bread very sweet?
The bread has a medium sweetness, balanced by the zucchini and streusel topping. If you prefer less sweet baked goods, reduce the sugar by ¼–½ cup.
Streusel Apple Zucchini Bread is a celebration of cozy flavors, rustic charm, and simple baking joy. With its moist crumb, spiced aroma, and buttery topping, it’s the kind of recipe you’ll return to again and again. Whether you’re serving it at breakfast, gifting it to loved ones, or sneaking a slice at midnight, it never disappoints.
Print
Streusel Apple Zucchini Bread
- Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
Ingredients
- 3 large eggs
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup vegetable or canola oil
- 1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp. apple pie spice
- 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1/4 tsp. baking soda
- 2 cups grated zucchini
- 1 large gala apple peeled, finely chopped
For streusel:
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp. apple pie spice
- 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
- 4–5 tbsp. butter melted
Instructions
- For the Bread: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, sugar, oil, and vanilla
- In another large bowl, combine the flour, apple pie spice, cinnamon, salt, and baking soda.
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Avoid overmixing.
- Gently fold in the grated zucchini and chopped apple. Again, be cautious not to overmix, as it could make the bread tough.
- Line two 9×5-inch loaf pans with foil or parchment paper, allowing the edges to hang over the sides—this helps prevent sticking and makes removal easier. Coat the pans with non-stick spray.
- Divide the batter equally between the prepared pans.
- For the Streusel: In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, brown sugar, apple pie spice, and cinnamon.
- Add 4 tablespoons of melted butter, cutting it in with a fork or knife until the mixture becomes crumbly. If necessary, add an additional tablespoon of butter and mix until it resembles mostly pea-sized crumbs, using fingers for easier crumbling.
- Scatter the crumb mixture evenly over the top of the batter, beginning from the edges and moving towards the center.
- Bake in an oven preheated to 350°F for 50-60 minutes or until the tops and edges are golden brown, and a toothpick inserted near the centers comes out clean.
- Remove the loaves from the oven and allow them to cool on a wire rack for 15-20 minutes. Do not leave them in the pan for longer.
- Run a knife along the edges if they have stuck to the pan. Use the edges of the foil or parchment paper to carefully lift the bread out of the pan, taking care not to lose any crumbs from the topping.
- Let the bread cool completely on a wire rack before slicing and serving. Enjoy!
- Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place at room temperature for 4-5 days or in the refrigerator for up to 10 days. This bread also freezes wonderfully if wrapped well.
- Prep Time: 35 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 10 servings
- Calories: 290 kcal per serving
