Double Chocolate Chia Zucchini Bread

GF nutrition but make it chocolate!

In the beginning of this GF journey, I did a deep dive of all the baked goods. Pumpkin, Banana, Gingerbread! I felt like I was baking muffins every few days. Recently, I’ve been focusing on easy family meals, and it feels good to return to my roots! I’ve long wanted to make a zucchini bread, and this one really hits the spot (and my kids agree).

I have seen in many GF recipes that batter needs to sit so the GF flour can get properly hydrated and turn out a better end result. According to King Arthur Baking: hydrating “the starches in the gluten-free flour, help(s) to give them the strength they need to provide the "body" this bread would otherwise lack.” I decided to employ that here, letting the fully mixed batter sit for 20 minutes before pouring in the loaf pan, and I think it really helped! So just be aware to add an extra 20 minutes into your prep time. Enjoy!

Ingredients
1½ cups finely grated zucchini with water squeezed out (one large or two small zucchinis)
1/4 cup avocado oil
2 large eggs
2/3 cup sugar
3/4 cup milk or dairy-free milk of choice (I used vanilla soy)
1 tablespoon chia seeds
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1½ cup gluten-free all purpose flour 
1/4 cup unsweetened cacao powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup chocolate chips (1/4 cup set aside for topping)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees, and grease your loaf pan.

Finely grate the zucchini on the small side of a cheese grater (I used the second smallest size). I grated mined directly onto a dish towel so I could easily squeeze out the liquid. You can fold it up and put a weighted item on it, like a sauce pan, or wring it out by twisting the dish cloth.

In a large bowl, mix the wet ingredients, plus sugar. Combine 2 eggs, 1/4 cup avocado oil, 3/4 cup milk, 2/3 cup sugar and 2 teaspoons vanilla and stir to combine. In a different bowl, mix 1½ cup flour, 1/4 cup cacao powder, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon baking powder and 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1 tablespoon chia. Mix fully.

Combine the two bowls, and then add the grated zucchini. Fold in 3/4 cup chocolate chips. I used semi sweet Enjoy Life brand. Let sit for 20 minutes! Pour evenly into the greased loaf pan, and bake for 50 minutes.

Let cool fully (this is important), slice, and enjoy!