This grain-free bread is anything but boring. Made with a mixture of nuts and seeds it’s packed with flavor and texture and is incredibly satisfying. In addition to being grain-free, it’s also gluten-free, vegan, paleo, and even keto-friendly! The whole works.
This grain-free bread is:
- Vegan
- Paleo
- Keto (leave the maple syrup out)
- Gluten-free
- Dairy free
- Hearty
- Textural
- Savory
- Satisfying
- Versatile
What is Grain-Free Bread Made Of?
Grain-free bread can be made in a variety of ways with a variety of ingredients. There are many recipes out there designed to replace or be used in the same way as sliced sandwich bread.
Many of those recipes are made with a combination of almond flour and coconut flour and there’s definitely a time and place for those. But in my opinion, I would rather capitalize on the fact that something is grain-free, instead of covering it up and trying to make it something it’s not.
Which brings me to this particular recipe. It’s unlike most grain-free breads you’ve probably had before. It’s packed with nuts and seeds and uses only a bit of almond flour to bring it all together.
Here’s the rundown of ingredients:
- Sunflower Seeds
- Almonds
- Almond Flour
- Hemp Hearts
- Pumpkin Seeds
- Golden Flax Seeds
- Whole Psyllium Husk
- Chia Seeds
- Olive oil
- Maple syrup (optional)
- Water
How to Make Grain-Free Bread
Good news, there’s no kneading or proofing required to make this bread! It’s basically a stir-together-dump-and-bake kind of bread. It’s even easier than a quick bread!
- The first step is to toast the sunflower seeds and almonds. It’s a simple step, but it adds massive flavor to the end result. If you don’t have time, or forget to toast it’s no big deal, just add them raw! (If you like things salty, you can also use dry-roasted and salted sunflower seeds, just be sure to skip the toasting step.)
- Next, combine the dry ingredients (nuts and seeds) in a large bowl. Whisk together the wet ingredients, then pour over the seed mixture and stir to combine. The mixture will become thick and moldable.
- Spread the dough into the prepared loaf pan and bake for 45 minutes.
- Flip the bread out of the loaf pan and place it on a baking sheet. Return bread to the oven and bake 20 minutes more until all sides are golden brown and crisp.
This Bread is Paleo- and Keto-Friendly
If you’re looking for a bread that’s paleo and keto-friendly you’re in the right place! I love this recipe because it’s hearty, satisfying and full of vitamins and minerals. It’s the complete opposite of nutrient-void white bread. Praise!
This paleo bread is lightly sweetened with maple syrup—which really acts to balance out all of the flavors. If you follow a keto diet, simply leave out the maple syrup or use a nonnutritive sweetener.
Is Grain-Free Bread Healthy For You?
Like with anything, it depends on the recipe. But if you’re looking for something healthy, I’ve got you! The short answer—yes this grain-free bread is healthy for you.
The biggest reason this recipe is healthy is because it’s made with ingredients that are full of plant-based protein, healthy fats and fiber. Other grain-free breads are made with nut flours, eggs and milk. They aren’t unhealthy per se, but they also don’t add a variety of nutrients to your diet like this recipe does.
How to Serve Grain-Free Bread
Ah! There are so many options for serving this paleo bread. First and foremost, before topping the slices I like to toast them until golden brown and crisp on both sides. To do this I use the broiler or a toaster oven.
Topping/serving ideas
- Top slices with plain cream cheese and chives.
- Spread Dijon mustard over slices and top with deli ham and sharp Cheddar. Broil the slices until cheese is bubbly and melted, then top with capers and an over easy egg.
- Serve toasted sliced with butter and creamed honey.
- Spread salted butter over toasted slices and dust with powdered sugar.
- Top with mashed avocado slices and sprinkle with Everything Bagel Seasoning or top with diced tomatoes, jalapeños, salt and pepper.
- Sauté slices in butter and maple syrup in a skillet until caramelized on both sides.
- Spread sweetened ricotta over slices and top with berries or caramelized apples or bananas.
You may also like…
Make sure to tag me @ZESTFULKITCHEN ON INSTAGRAM or comment below if you make this grain-free bread!
To pin this recipe and save it for later, you can click the button on any of the photos, or the red button on the side bar or below the recipe. Happy baking!
Nut and Seed Grain-Free Bread
Description
Ingredients
- ¾ cup raw sunflower seeds
- ¼ cup sliced almonds
- 1 cup (84g) almond flour
- ¾ cup hemp hearts
- ½ cup raw pumpkin seeds
- ½ cup golden flax seeds
- ½ cup whole psyllium husk
- ⅓ cup chia seeds
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 1 ½ cups hot water
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup, optional
- Topping ideas: plain cream cheese, fresh chives (as photographed), butter, honey, sharp cheddar, ham
Instructions
- Heat oven to 350˚F with rack set in middle position. Coat a 8½ × 4½-inch loaf pan with nonstick spray. Line pan with parchment paper, leaving a 2-inch overhang on two sides.
- Arrange sunflower seeds and almonds in a single layer on a baking sheet; transfer to oven and roast until seeds and almonds are lightly toasted, golden and fragrant, 8–10 minutes. Transfer toasted seeds and almonds to a large bowl with almond flour, hemp hearts, pumpkin seeds, flax seeds, psyllium husk, chia seeds, salt and pepper; toss to thoroughly combine.
- Whisk together water, oil, and maple syrup in a liquid measuring cup; pour water mixture over seed and nut mixture and stir until mixture is thoroughly combined and a thick cohesive dough comes together. Scoop dough into prepared loaf pan. Press dough down to fill pan then smooth top into an even layer. Bake bread until top is golden brown and center has slightly puffed, 45 minutes.
- Line a small baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Remove pan from oven and lift bread out of pan by pulling up on the parchment paper. Flip loaf over and place, bottom facing up, on parchment lined baking sheet. Return bread to oven and bake until top and edges are golden brown, 20 more minutes.
- Remove from oven, flip loaf back over and let cool completely.
- To serve, toast slices on a baking sheet under a broiler (or in a toaster oven) until golden brown, 3–4 minutes per side. Top slices as desired.
Would you like to save this?
We’ll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
Notes
Nutrition
This post contains affiliate links at no cost to you. Thanks for supporting all things ZK!
Hi there, I would LOVE ❤️ to do this recipe. Can I use WHEAT GERM instead of the psyllium husk? Thanks
Hi Adri!
Aside from the added health benefits, the psyllium is used to bind the ingredients of the bread together. When it’s hydrated it forms a gel-like texture which really helps keep all of the nuts and seeds together. Unfortunately, I don’t think wheat germ will act the same way—the risk is that the loaf won’t hold together.
I hope that helps!
Thanks for your reply. I’ll get that ingredient to try it out. For sure looks delicious & nutritious ♀️
Hi, how can I substitute psyllium, I am very allergic to it. Thanks, Elsa
Hi Elsa! I would recommend grinding up 1/4 cup of additional flax seeds and adding 1/3 cup of arrowroot starch. Together, those two ingredients should have similar hydration and bringing qualities. I haven’t tested these recommendations, so I cannot guarantee it will come out exactly as the recipe intends, but it should come out ok!
Hope that helps!
HI,
I’m leaving out the maple syrup as no sugar allowed, does the macro number per slice take that into account or can I subtract that? Thank you
Hi Terri, the macro count does not include the maple syrup. Hope that helps!
Thank you! How do you store it/keep it fresh?
Hi Terri!
Great question—I store this bread in an airtight container or zipper-lock bag in the refrigerator for up to a week and a half. Any longer and I will slice the bread and then freeze it!
This is delicious. and so healthy! i would like to add flavour to make a more savoury version. of crackers How about adding cumin or other spice please and if so how much per loaf mix?
I am so glad you enjoy this bread! I haven’t tested this with additional spices, but I would start with 2 teaspoons cumin seeds and maybe a teaspoon or two of dried oregano. Another great combo would be 2 teaspoons dried rosemary and 1/2 to 3/4 teaspoon garlic or onion powder. Let me know how it goes!
Amazing…exactly what I have been looking for to satisfy my bread cravings… thank you, thank you!!!!
So glad it satisfied those bread cravings!!
Great recipe, but my bread is gummy/almost raw in the middle despite a hot oven and plenty of time cooking in and out of the loaf pan… So frustrated and don’t want to waste more expensive ingredients trying to figure it out. Thoughts? Thank you!
Oh no! It should not be almost raw in the middle. I understand the frustration as these ingredients are expensive. If the outside of the loaf isn’t too dark, slice the loaf in half to create two equal square loaves. Place the bread, cut side down, on the baking sheet and continue baking. The hot air should more easily get to the center of the bread this way. If the exterior is getting too brown, you could cut the bread into thick slices and bake them as slices, that should also cook them through in the center.
I’m not sure why this is happening, but I hope these tips help!
Hello – I love the sound of this recipe, though, I live in rural France and some ingredients may be tricky to source, do you have any suggestions for a hemp hearts substitute? Thanks!
Hi Michelle!
Great question, I would substitute with either sesame seeds or a mixture of additional chia seeds and flax seeds. You could also do almond meal!
I hope this helps!