3 Zucchini Bread Recipes That Put the Summer Squash to Good Use

We've officially entered the dog days of summer, which means it's time to make the most of seasonal summer fruits and veggies before they're gone. Trust us, while peaches, tomatoes, and zucchini may seem plentiful now, the produce aisle will be stocked with fall staples like apples, cauliflower, and butternut squash before we know it.

To make the most of our favorite summer squash, we turned to our network of food bloggers in search of the tastiest zucchini bread recipes—and they did not disappoint. From a loaded chocolate chip banana bread to a double chocolatey loaf to a cardamom-spiced, streusel-topped version, zucchini bread has never looked so good. We speak from experience when we tell you that this summer veggie tastes best when it's baked into bread.

Ahead are three zucchini bread recipes that'll inspire you to stock up on the summer squash. It's the secret ingredient that makes eating chocolate for breakfast acceptable (and that's something we can get behind).

The Recipe: Double Chocolate Zucchini Bread

The Game-Changing Ingredient: The cream cheese. This unexpected ingredient lends the loaf a crumbly texture that pairs well with a tall, cold glass of milk.

The Pro Tip: Splurge a bit on good chocolate for maximum flavor. "Don't be tempted to use milk chocolate chips over semi-sweet chocolate chips in this recipe or you'll miss out on the more pronounced chocolate flavor," advises Heidi of Foodie Crush. "I used chocolate chunks in my version for an even bolder chocolate power bite."

The Recipe: Chocolate Chip Olive Oil Zucchini Bread

The Game-Changing Ingredient: The olive oil. While the zucchini gives the bread its moisture, and the bananas give the bread its sweetness, the olive oil gives the bread a subtle fruitiness that ties all the flavors together.

The Pro Tip: A few simple ingredient swaps can make this bread even healthier. "I did use maple syrup as my sweeter and whole wheat flour to keep the bread nice and healthy," says Tieghan of Half Baked Harvest.

The Recipe: Cardamom Pistachio Zucchini Bread

The Game-Changing Ingredient: The cardamom. This aromatic spice is citrusy and herby yet slightly spicy, infusing each slice of zucchini bread with complex flavor.

The Pro Tip: There's a special technique that will ensure your streusel topping is moist yet crumbly (aka perfect). "You'll want to squeeze the streusel into your hands, making it dense like wet sand, and then sprinkle it over the batter," explains Sarah of Broma Bakery.

Do you have a recipe for the best zucchini bread? Share it with us in the comments.