Discover the delightful fusion of healthy ingredients and decadent chocolate in this unique **Chocolate Zucchini Biscotti** recipe. Packed with nutritious zucchini, tart dried cherries, hearty oats, and crunchy almonds, this biscotti offers a guilt-free indulgence perfect for any time of day. It’s an ingenious and delicious way to utilize an abundance of summer zucchini, transforming it into a crisp, flavorful cookie that pairs exquisitely with your morning coffee or afternoon tea.

Biscotti featuring zucchini has become a beloved tradition, especially during the peak of zucchini season towards the end of summer. This particular recipe draws inspiration from two popular creations on our site: our incredibly moist Blender Chocolate Zucchini Bread and our elegant Chocolate Marble Biscotti. The result is a wonderfully versatile treat, ideal as a ‘breakfast dessert’ to sweeten your start to the day, a thoughtful addition to a breakfast potluck, or a charming hostess gift that is sure to impress.

Why You’ll Adore This Chocolate Zucchini Biscotti Recipe

• Efficient Zucchini Utilization: If your garden is overflowing or you simply want to make the most of this versatile vegetable, this recipe is your answer. It brilliantly incorporates two full cups of grated zucchini (typically one medium-sized squash), turning it into a delicious baked good rather than letting it go to waste.
• A Healthier Sweet Indulgence: Finding genuinely healthy sweet treats can be a challenge, but this biscotti rises to the occasion. It’s thoughtfully crafted with a blend of wholesome ingredients such as protein-rich eggs, warming cinnamon, creamy non-fat Greek yogurt, fiber-packed oats, antioxidant-rich dried fruit, and heart-healthy nuts. You get all the flavor without excessive fat or calories.
• Generous Yield for Sharing: This recipe is designed to produce a substantial batch, yielding approximately 30 servings of delicious biscotti. It’s perfect for feeding a crowd, preparing for meal prep, or ensuring you have plenty to share with friends and family.
• Cleverly Hidden Vegetables: The beauty of this biscotti lies in its ability to camouflage the zucchini. Because the zucchini is thoroughly blended into the wet ingredients, its texture completely disappears, making it an excellent way to sneak extra veggies into your diet (or your kids’!) without anyone noticing.
• Exceptional Shelf Life and Freezability: Biscotti is renowned for its excellent keeping qualities, and this recipe is no exception. It can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for up to a week, maintaining its crispness and flavor. For longer preservation, it freezes beautifully for up to three months, allowing you to enjoy homemade biscotti whenever the craving strikes.
• Versatile for Any Occasion: Whether you’re seeking a satisfying snack to dip into your favorite hot beverage or a unique “breakfast dessert” to accompany your morning meal, this biscotti fits the bill. Its robust flavor and hearty texture make it suitable for a casual treat or a special addition to a brunch spread.

🥘 Essential Ingredient Notes for Perfect Biscotti

Crafting delicious biscotti starts with understanding the role of each ingredient. Here’s a detailed look at what you’ll need and why:

• Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: This is key for achieving that rich, deep chocolate flavor without piling on extra sugar or unhealthy fats. It contributes significantly to the biscotti’s color and bitterness, balancing the sweetness.
• Quick Oats: More than just a filler, quick oats are a fantastic addition to baked goods. They boost the whole grain and fiber content, adding a delightful chewiness and a subtle nutty flavor that complements the chocolate and other ingredients.
• Brown Sugar: We recommend using light brown sugar for a balanced sweetness. However, if you prefer a more pronounced, deeper molasses flavor, dark brown sugar is an excellent alternative that adds complexity.
• Grated Zucchini: The star “secret” ingredient! Grated zucchini is a nutritional powerhouse, contributing essential vitamins and minerals with minimal fat and calories. Crucially, it adds vital moisture to the dough, ensuring a tender interior, and also contributes to the overall volume of the biscotti.
• Dried Cherries: These vibrant little fruits are more than just pretty; they introduce a welcome burst of tartness that cuts through the richness of the chocolate and provides a lovely chewy texture, making each bite more interesting.
• Slivered Almonds: For that signature biscotti crunch and nutty depth, slivered almonds are indispensable. They toast beautifully during baking, releasing their aromatic oils and adding a satisfying textural contrast.
• Oil (Canola, Vegetable, or Avocado): In this recipe, oil is preferred over butter. Using oil results in a significantly crispier and lighter biscotti, a hallmark of traditional Italian biscotti. Canola, vegetable, or avocado oil all work well.
• Non-Fat Greek Yogurt: A brilliant healthy swap! Greek yogurt replaces some of the fat typically found in baked goods, allowing us to use less oil while still maintaining moisture and a tender crumb. It also adds a slight tang that enhances the overall flavor profile.
• Almond Extract: While the slivered almonds provide texture and natural almond flavor, a touch of almond extract elevates and intensifies that distinct nutty aroma, making the flavor profile even richer.
• Egg Wash: A simple mix of egg and water, brushed over the loaves before the first bake, provides a beautiful golden sheen to the top of the biscotti and helps contribute to that desirable crisp exterior after the second bake.

Please refer to the complete recipe card below for a precise list of ingredients and their exact quantities.

📖 Creative Variations & Smart Substitutions

While this Chocolate Zucchini Biscotti recipe is perfect as is, here are some ideas to customize it to your taste or adapt to what you have on hand:

• Choice of Oil: Feel free to experiment with different neutral oils. Beyond canola, you could successfully use vegetable oil, light olive oil, or avocado oil, each offering subtle differences in flavor and texture, but all contributing to that desired crispness.
• Almond Alternatives: If slivered almonds aren’t available, sliced almonds can be used as a direct substitute. For a different nutty profile, chopped walnuts or pecans would also be delicious, though they’ll alter the classic almond flavor.
• Dried Fruit Swaps: The dried cherries provide a wonderful tartness, but you can easily substitute them with other dried fruits. Dried cranberries are a popular choice for a similar tart-sweet balance, or for a sweeter, chewier texture, consider finely chopped dried apricots or even golden raisins.
• Using Frozen Zucchini: Don’t let frozen zucchini go to waste! It can be used in place of fresh grated zucchini. However, it’s crucial to thoroughly thaw and squeeze out as much excess moisture as possible. You’ll likely need to adjust the flour quantity downwards (start with less flour) to account for the reduced water content. Refer to the detailed recipe notes for specific guidance.
• Adding Chocolate Chips: For an extra layer of chocolatey goodness, you can certainly mix in a ½ cup of mini chocolate chips (dark, milk, or semi-sweet) into the dough. Be mindful, however, that this will increase the overall calories, sugar, and fat content of the biscotti.

🔪 Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make Chocolate Zucchini Biscotti

While the idea of baking biscotti might seem a little intimidating to some, it’s actually quite straightforward! The main distinction between biscotti and other cookies is the essential second bake, which gives them their characteristic crisp texture. By following these clear instructions and our “Expert Recipe Tips,” you’ll be enjoying perfectly baked, wonderfully flavorful biscotti in no time!

AHEAD OF TIME: Please note that this recipe requires a 2-hour chilling period for the dough, so plan accordingly!

PREPARATION: Before you begin, preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (176 degrees C). If using fresh zucchini, grate or finely chop it. Prepare your dried cherries by chopping them if they are large (refer to the HINT below for best results).

Step 1: In the basin of a blender, combine the grated zucchini, canola oil, Greek yogurt, vanilla extract, and almond extract. Ensure all wet ingredients are ready.

Step 2: Blend these ingredients until they form a smooth, uniform puree. This typically takes about 30 seconds to 1 minute, ensuring no large zucchini pieces remain visible. This step is key to “hiding” the zucchini.

Step 3: In a large mixing bowl, thoroughly combine all the dry ingredients: flour (begin with 3 cups), quick oats, baking powder, baking soda, salt, brown sugar, chopped dried cherries, slivered almonds, and ground cinnamon. Whisk them together to ensure even distribution.

*Important Note on Flour: Start with 3 cups of flour if using fresh zucchini. If you’re using frozen zucchini from which liquid has been thoroughly squeezed, you will likely need less flour; start with 2 cups in that case.

Step 4: Pour the blended wet ingredients into the large bowl containing the dry ingredients. Mix everything thoroughly until a semi-solid dough forms. The ideal consistency should be similar to a thick cookie dough – soft and pliable, but not overly sticky. Continue adding flour in small increments (¼ cup at a time) if the dough remains too wet until you achieve the desired cookie dough texture and consistency (refer to the recipe NOTES section for more guidance).

Step 5: Once your dough is properly mixed, cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and chill it in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours. (A helpful tip: transferring the dough to a smaller, medium-sized bowl can save fridge space during this chilling period).

Step 6: Lightly grease your hands with a little oil or dust them with dry flour to prevent sticking. Divide the chilled dough in half. On a greased baking tray, shape each half into a rectangular loaf, approximately 12 inches long, 3 inches wide, and about ¾ inch thick. These dimensions are important for proper baking and slicing.

Step 7: Prepare the egg wash by whisking together one egg and one tablespoon of water. Using a pastry brush, gently apply this mixture over the top and sides of each dough loaf. This will give the biscotti a beautiful golden finish and a slightly crispier crust.

Step 8: Place the baking trays with the shaped dough into the preheated oven and bake for 25 minutes. Once baked, carefully remove the loaves from the oven and transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely for at least 15 minutes. This cooling period is crucial before slicing.

Step 9: Once the loaves have cooled sufficiently, use a sharp serrated knife to slice them into ¾-inch thick pieces. You can cut them straight down or at an angle for a more traditional biscotti shape. Remember to use a gentle sawing motion to prevent breakage and ensure clean cuts, as the partially baked dough can be delicate.

Step 10: For the essential second bake, reduce your oven temperature to 300 degrees F (148 degrees C). Arrange the sliced biscotti pieces on a clean cookie sheet. Bake for 11-13 minutes, until they appear slightly browned and firm. Then, carefully turn or flip each piece over and bake again for another 11-13 minutes on the other side. This ensures both sides are lightly browned and deliciously crispy. Once the second bake is complete, immediately transfer the biscotti to a wire rack to cool completely, which will allow them to crisp up further.

PRO HINT: To ensure your dried cherries (or any dried fruit you choose) are plump, moist, and easy to chop for baking, soak them for about 2 minutes in boiling hot water. Drain them through a sieve afterwards. This simple step makes them much more manageable and enhances their texture in the final biscotti! Larger dried fruits like apricots or dates might require a slightly longer soak, up to 10 minutes.

Expert Recipe Tips for Flawless Chocolate Zucchini Biscotti

• Consistent Zucchini Measurement: Always use loosely packed grated zucchini when measuring. The moisture content of zucchini can vary significantly, and loose packing helps ensure accurate and consistent results every time you bake.
• Handling Fresh vs. Frozen Zucchini: If opting for frozen zucchini, it’s absolutely vital to thaw it completely and then thoroughly drain and squeeze out all excess moisture. Remember, frozen zucchini will necessitate less flour in your dough compared to using fresh zucchini due to its altered moisture profile.
• Mastering Dough Consistency: The goal is a dough that feels like soft cookie dough—pliable but not overly sticky. Humidity levels in your kitchen and the zucchini’s moisture can affect this, so add flour gradually, ¼ cup at a time, until you achieve the perfect consistency.
• The Blender Advantage: Don’t skip blending the wet ingredients, especially the zucchini. This crucial step ensures the zucchini is completely pureed, effectively hiding the vegetable and contributing to a wonderfully smooth and cohesive dough.
• Embrace the Chill Time: The 2-hour chilling period for the dough is non-negotiable. This firming process prevents the dough from spreading excessively during the first bake, making it much easier to slice into those neat, classic biscotti shapes.
• Strategic Loaf Shaping: When forming your dough into loaves, remember they will expand in the oven. Aim for slightly smaller dimensions than your desired final size (approximately 12 inches long, 3 inches wide, and ¾ inch thick) to achieve well-proportioned biscotti.
• Room Temperature Eggs are Best: Always use eggs that are at room temperature. They incorporate more evenly into the batter, leading to a smoother dough and a more consistent, superior texture in your finished biscotti.
• Plump Up Dried Cherries: A quick 2-minute soak in boiling water works wonders for dried cherries. This plumps them up, makes them easier to chop, and ensures they remain soft and flavorful within the baked biscotti, preventing dry, hard bits.
• Precision Slicing with a Serrated Knife: For clean, even cuts without crumbling the partially baked loaf, a sharp serrated knife is your best friend. Use a gentle sawing motion rather than pressing straight down to minimize breakage.
• Even Second Bake with Flipping: During the second bake, make sure to flip each biscotti halfway through. This ensures both sides are exposed to the heat, guaranteeing a uniform golden crispness that is characteristic of perfect biscotti.
• Proper Cooling for Crispness: Always transfer your freshly baked biscotti to a wire rack to cool completely. This allows air circulation around all sides, preventing steam from softening them and helping them achieve their ultimate crisp texture.
• Smart Storage for Longevity: To maintain maximum crispness when storing at room temperature, line your airtight container with a paper towel. The paper towel absorbs any residual moisture, keeping your biscotti delightfully crunchy for longer.
• Freezing for Extended Freshness: If you don’t anticipate consuming the entire batch within a few days, freeze your biscotti immediately. Freezing locks in their fresh texture and flavor. Simply defrost them at room temperature before serving for a perfectly preserved treat.

🌡️ Storing Your Delicious Chocolate Zucchini Biscotti

One of the many benefits of biscotti is its excellent shelf life, making it a fantastic make-ahead treat. To keep your homemade Chocolate Zucchini Biscotti fresh and crisp, store it in an airtight container at room temperature. For an extra measure to absorb any lingering moisture and maintain that desirable crunch, consider lining the container with a paper towel.

Properly stored, this delicious biscotti will remain fresh and enjoyable for up to one week at room temperature. If you wish to extend its freshness significantly, it freezes beautifully. Simply transfer the cooled biscotti to a Ziploc freezer bag or an airtight freezer-safe container. When stored in the freezer, your biscotti can last for up to 3 months, offering a delightful treat whenever you crave it.

Personally, if I don’t plan on consuming the entire batch within a few days, I tend to freeze it right away. This method ensures that the biscotti retains its optimal flavor and texture for a much longer period. For the best results when serving frozen biscotti, allow it to defrost at room temperature before enjoying.

👪 Yield and Serving Size

This robust recipe is designed to produce a generous amount of biscotti, yielding approximately 30 individual servings. This makes it perfect for sharing, entertaining, or enjoying over an extended period. For your convenience, the recipe card is interactive: you can easily adjust the serving size to half, double, or even triple the recipe. Simply click on the serving number within the recipe card and select your desired quantity, and the ingredient amounts will automatically update to reflect your choice.

🔢 Weight Watchers (WW) Points Information

For those following the Weight Watchers program, each piece of this delicious Chocolate Zucchini Biscotti is calculated at 4 WW points. If you’re looking to further reduce the point value, you have a couple of options:

You can replace the traditional brown sugar with monk fruit sweetener. When doing so, use only ⅓ cup of monk fruit sweetener and add an extra ⅓ cup of all-purpose flour to maintain the dough’s consistency. This adjustment will bring the point value down to approximately 3 WW points per piece, making it an even lighter treat. Additionally, you can always cut your biscotti pieces slightly smaller. By increasing the total number of pieces you get from the batch, you effectively reduce the point value per serving, allowing you to enjoy more for fewer points!

🥗 Perfect Pairings: What to Serve with Zucchini Biscotti

This versatile Chocolate Zucchini Biscotti is truly a joy to serve, especially as a delightful breakfast dessert or as part of a relaxed brunch spread. Its rich flavor and crisp texture make it a wonderful companion to a variety of savory morning dishes. It pairs exceptionally well with hearty options like these Vegetarian Sheet Pan Huevos Rancheros (as beautifully illustrated below), or a comforting Pierogi Breakfast Casserole (made effortlessly with frozen pierogies). For a lighter, yet equally satisfying meal, consider serving it alongside our Mediterranean Weight Watchers Crustless Quiche or a savory Breakfast Mushroom Melt. Of course, a simple cup of freshly brewed coffee or a soothing herbal tea is always a classic and perfect pairing!

❔ Frequently Asked Questions About This Recipe

Did your family ❤️ this recipe? Did you know that commenting and ⭐ rating recipes is one of the best ways to support your favorite recipe creators? If you LOVED this recipe, please take a moment to comment and rate it in the recipe card below, or share your delicious photos on social media using the hashtag #foodmeanderings or by tagging @foodmeanderings! Your feedback means the world to us!