How to store zucchini bread?

Here’s everything you need to know about zucchini bread storage, shelf life, and spoilage.

Just baked your first zucchini bread and not sure if you should refrigerate it or not? How to store zucchini bread?

the short answer

The safest way to store zucchini bread is to refrigerate it. Some zucchini breads stay safe on the counter at room temperature, but most require refrigeration. If yours is damp, store it in the refrigerator.

That’s the short answer if you’re in a hurry.

Interested in learning more? Here’s what we cover next:

  • storage practices for zucchini bread
  • When You Don’t Need To Refrigerate Zucchini Bread
  • candy shelf life

keep reading

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slice zucchini bread

How to Store Zucchini Bread

Store zucchini bread in an airtight container, plastic bag, or wrapped in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. No matter what you choose, make sure the bread is covered.

A good cover prevents the treat from drying out and absorbing odors from other products. The latter is especially important if you decide to refrigerate it.

(In most cases, that’s what I recommend.)

Also, if your zucchini bread is well wrapped, you can throw it in the freezer if you need it to last more than a few days. I fill in the details in my Can You Freeze Zucchini Bread? article if you are interested.

Lastly, it’s a good idea to place a paper towel under the bread if the baked good seems too moist for your liking. That towel will absorb any excess moisture so you don’t end up with a soggy base.

Some zucchini produce more liquid than others, and some recipes call for you to leave that liquid in. If both are true, your zucchini bread could end up wet, not moist. And that’s when paper towels come in handy.

Now, let’s talk about whether or not you should refrigerate zucchini bread.

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How to store zucchini bread: airtight container lined with a paper towel

Does zucchini bread need to be refrigerated?

If your zucchini bread is quite moist, which is what most recipes produce, you should store it in the fridge. It’s okay to leave zucchini bread out at room temperature only if it’s a relatively dry baked good, similar to regular bread.

That’s the easiest way to think of about storing this treat: It keeps in the fridge if it’s damp.

Now, each recipe is slightly different. They range from super moist on one end to regular bread on the other. But the vast majority provide a lot of moisture, so keeping it in the fridge seems to be a reasonable general recommendation.

That said, if the texture of your zucchini bread reminds you of regular bread, chances are you can leave it on the counter just fine.

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Freshly baked zucchini bread

If you’re wondering what recipe bloggers are saying on the subject, they each have their own recommendation:

Of course, each recipe is slightly different, so storage instructions differ as well.

Advice

If your recipe comes with storage instructions, follow them.

I think zucchini bread is a bit similar to bread pudding or apple pie, both of which are better in the fridge. That’s why I recommend refrigeration unless the treat is pretty dry or your recipe specifies otherwise.

(And even if you meet either condition, you can still successfully store it in the fridge.)

Related: How to store bread pudding?
Related: How to store apple pie?

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zucchini bread dough before baking

How long does zucchini bread last?

Zucchini bread keeps at least 3-4 days in the fridge in an airtight container or plastic bag. If it’s the drier variety, it can safely last up to a week. If you need more time, you can freeze any leftover zucchini bread.

The 3-4 day period is the standard recommendation for leftovers, and you can often keep the treat for an extra day or two if you refrigerate it.

That said, if you know ahead of time that you probably won’t finish the bread within that period, it’s much better to freeze leftovers. This way, you don’t have to worry about them going bad, and you’re never at risk of foodborne illness from eating week-old zucchini bread.

Or you can split the recipe in half, bake a mini zucchini bread now, and use the remaining zucchini next week for another mini zucchini bread. That’s one option because zucchini keeps longer than zucchini bread.

Related: How long do zucchini last?

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zucchini bread on a cutting board

How do you know if zucchini bread is bad?

Discard your zucchini bread if:

  • There is mold. If you notice any mold on the surface, throw it all away immediately.
  • You store it for more than a week. If yours stays in storage for more than seven days, throw it away no matter what.
  • It smells or tastes bad. While it’s impossible to describe how zucchini bread should smell or taste because every recipe is different, if something seems off, throw it out entirely. Better safe than sorry.

Last but not least, if you’re not sure everything is okay with the treat, just assume it isn’t.

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