75+ Easy Baked Goods Recipes For Breakfast & Brunch - Foolproof Living https://foolproofliving.com/category/breakfast/baked-goods/ Tried & True Recipes ยท No Refined Sugars Fri, 24 Nov 2023 14:01:47 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.3.2 https://foolproofliving.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/cropped-icon-1-32x32.png 75+ Easy Baked Goods Recipes For Breakfast & Brunch - Foolproof Living https://foolproofliving.com/category/breakfast/baked-goods/ 32 32 Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal https://foolproofliving.com/baked-oatmeal-with-date-butter-apples-and-walnuts/ https://foolproofliving.com/baked-oatmeal-with-date-butter-apples-and-walnuts/#comments Wed, 13 Sep 2023 12:50:01 +0000 https://foolproofliving.com/?p=8520 This oatmeal apple bake checks all the boxes for a delectably nutritious breakfast. Still, there are so many other healthy apple breakfast recipes to try! My Farro Breakfast Bowl with Apple Cinnamon will fill your bowl with sweet cranberries and nutty quinoa crunch, while my Healthy Vegan Apple Crisp is a gluten-free recipe packed with tender, warm baked apples. Or, if you’re looking for a moist, grab-and-go option, my paleo...

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This oatmeal apple bake checks all the boxes for a delectably nutritious breakfast. Still, there are so many other healthy apple breakfast recipes to try! My Farro Breakfast Bowl with Apple Cinnamon will fill your bowl with sweet cranberries and nutty quinoa crunch, while my Healthy Vegan Apple Crisp is a gluten-free recipe packed with tender, warm baked apples. Or, if you’re looking for a moist, grab-and-go option, my paleo Apple Almond Muffins will make every morning a piece of cake.

Baked apple oatmeal sliced in a square baking dish with a spoon on the side.

Ingredients to Make This Baked Apple Oatmeal

Made with only the tastiest natural ingredients, this apple cinnamon baked oatmeal recipe is perfect for anyone looking to transform their home pantry into a gourmet breakfast.

  • Coconut oil: Melted coconut oil is a must when greasing your baking dish, ensuring that your apple oat bake doesn’t stick to the edges of the pan. However, you may also use butter or cooking spray, depending on what you have on hand.
  • Rolled oats: It’s essential that you use rolled oats (also known as old-fashioned oats) in your baked oatmeal recipes. When considering the difference between Rolled Oats vs. Quick Oats, remember that instant oats (quick-cooking oats) will melt under high oven temperatures, and steel cut oats will come out thick and gummy.
  • Chia seeds: Though chia seeds are optional, they add deliciously nutty undertones while loading your breakfast with protein, fiber, and antioxidants. You can also incorporate other superfoods, like hemp seeds, to add nutrition to your breakfast bake.
  • Warm spices: The best way to season this healthy baked apple oatmeal recipe is with everyone’s favorite fall classics—ground cinnamon and ground nutmeg. You can also add a pinch of apple pie spice for extra warm, woody overtones.
  • Baking powder and kosher salt: These two ingredients are perfect for bringing out this sweet breakfast recipe’s nuanced flavors and giving it a light, pastry-like rise.
  • Large eggs: We use two large eggs to thicken and bind this hearty breakfast recipe. However, if you prefer a vegan apple cinnamon bake, you can substitute these eggs with a flax egg. To make flax eggs, stir together two tablespoons of ground flax seed and five tablespoons of water in a small bowl. Once combined, let the mixture rest for ten minutes to thicken it. It’s ready to add to your batter when it reaches the desired consistency.
  • Milk: I used almond milk in my cinnamon apple oatmeal bake, but any of your favorite types of milk—from dairy-free options (i.e. oat milk, soy milk, coconut milk, etc.) to traditional cow’s milk—would work.
  • Unsweetened applesauce: The key to making apple-baked oats as sweet, moist, and tender as possible is preparing your baked oatmeal with applesauce. I prefer using homemade Unsweetened Applesauce because it’s vegan, smooth, and only uses a few simple ingredients.
Ingredients for the recipe from the top view with text on the image.
  • Vanilla extract
  • Maple syrup: I only use ⅓ cup of maple syrup to sweeten my baked apple oats, but if you like your oatmeal sweeter, you can increase it to ½ cup.
  • Apple: Any of your favorite fresh apples would work in this apple and oatmeal bake, including Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, Granny Smith, Fuji, Braeburn, and even Gala. Depending on your preference, you may also choose whether to use peeled or unpeeled apples for this recipe. However, you must cut them into even-sized cubes before adding them to your mix to ensure maximum tenderness and uniform baking.
  • Nuts: I recommend crunchy pecans, walnuts, or almonds to give your baked oatmeal a touch of earthy, buttery notes. Just be sure to give them a rough chop before adding them to your batter to ensure a balanced flavor distribution and delicious texture.
  • Dates: I love adding dates to my oatmeal recipe due to their rich flavor and chewy texture. However, other dried fruit—including raisins, cranberries, and figs—would also work.
  • Coconut or brown sugar: If you love the deep, toffee-like taste of baked sugar, you may choose to add a sprinkle of coconut sugar or light brown sugar to the top of your baked apple oatmeal.

How to Make Baked Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal

You don’t have to work at a diner to make this healthy baked oatmeal with apples easily. This tasty breakfast will come out with irresistibly sweet, hearty, and warm flavors in eight easy steps.

A collage of images showing how to make baked apple cinnamon oatmeal.
  1. Prep the oven: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. While the oven heats, coat an 8×8 baking dish with coconut oil and set it aside.
  2. Mix the dry ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, stir the oats, chia seeds (if using), cinnamon, nutmeg, baking powder, and Kosher salt. Ensure the ingredients mix evenly throughout the blend.
  3. Whisk the wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, almond milk, applesauce, vanilla extract, and maple syrup until thoroughly mixed.
  4. Combine the wet and dry ingredients: Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl of dry ingredients and mix until combined.
A collage of images showing how to make apple baked oatmeal.
  1. Incorporate the add-ins: Gently fold the chopped apples, walnuts, and dates into the oat mixture.
  2. Transfer the oatmeal blend: Pour the apple oatmeal batter into the prepared baking dish and spread it into a single even layer.
  3. Bake: Bake the dish for 35-40 minutes until golden brown.
  4. Serve: Remove the breakfast apple bake from the oven and let it cool for 10 minutes. Then, drizzle it lightly with maple syrup and serve.

How to Make Ahead, Store, Freeze, and Thaw?

This apple cinnamon oatmeal bake is one of my cookbook’s most meal prep-friendly breakfast recipes. Take the stress out of your early mornings with this must-have make-ahead breakfast.

  • Make ahead: To make baked apple cinnamon oats in advance, bake the recipe and let it come to room temperature. Then, store the mixture, covered, in the refrigerator for up to three days.
  • Store: When storing your baked oats, let them come to room temperature first. Then, transfer them to an airtight container and store them in the fridge for up to three days. You may also keep your oatmeal in individual portions for a convenient grab-and-go breakfast.
  • Reheat: You can reheat this recipe in the oven at 325 degrees F. for 15 minutes or in the microwave in 30-45-second intervals until warmed through.
  • Freeze: Though you can freeze this baked oatmeal recipe, it will likely come out a bit dry once thawed. However, if you freeze your baked oats, let them come to room temperature first, transfer them to an airtight container, and place them in the freezer. It’s essential, too, to cover the oats tightly to avoid freezer burn.
  • Thaw: To thaw your frozen apple oatmeal, place it in the fridge overnight and reheat it in the morning.
Sliced baked oatmeal with applesauce on a plate with a spoon on the side.

What to Serve it With?

A warm cup of coffee or tea is all you need to turn this cinnamon apple baked oatmeal recipe into a five-star breakfast. However, these easy additions will add all the creamy, sweet, and moist flavors you could want from your morning meal.

  • A drizzle of maple syrup or honey: If you’re a fan of caramelly, floral flavors, I recommend topping your apple breakfast bake with maple syrup or honey. This simple addition will infuse every slice with a rich, complex taste.
  • A dollop of Greek yogurt or vanilla yogurt: Add a spoonful of yogurt to this delicious breakfast, and your baked apple oatmeal recipe will come alive with cool, creamy flavors.
  • Breakfast fruit salad: What pairs better with juicy apples than a brilliant blend of your favorite fruits? Made with a customizable mix of bananas, blueberries, strawberries, and pineapple, this healthy breakfast option will delight your tastebuds with just fifteen minutes of prep.
  • Maple whipped cream: Transform this wholesome breakfast into a sweet treat the whole family will love with a small dollop of light, fluffy whipped cream.
  • A dollop of almond butter or peanut butter: If you love the nutty, tart combination of apples and peanut butter, you’ll love adding this creamy addition to your apple oatmeal breakfast bake.

Expert Tips

There’s no secret to making an oatmeal apple breakfast bake packed with warm, caramelized flavors. This expert guide has everything you need, from what oats to use to tasty serving suggestions.

  • Oats: To achieve the best texture in this easy breakfast recipe, using the correct type of oats is essential. This delicious apple cinnamon bake requires rolled (AKA old-fashioned) oats for its moist, tender consistency. Instant, quick-cook, and steel-cut oats will result in a burnt, soupy, or gummy bake.
  • Size of your casserole dish: I tested this recipe in both an 8×8 and 9×9 pan, and either size will work when following my recipe instructions. However, if you prefer to make your apple cinnamon baked oats in a larger dish, such as a 9×13 baking dish, double the recipe.
  • Baking it in a muffin tin: You can also prepare this tasty breakfast in muffin tins for perfectly portioned oatmeal cups. Simply divide the batter among the cups of a 12-cup muffin pan and bake for 20-25 minutes.
  • Adjusting the sweetness: I designed this healthy breakfast dish with mild sweetness, a moist texture, and maximum nutrition. However, if you prefer a sweeter version, feel free to add more maple syrup, coconut or brown sugar, or other sweet add-ins for a dessert-level recipe.
  • Can be served warm or cold: You can serve this delicious morning recipe warm, room temperature, or cold, depending on your preference.

Other Baked Apple Recipes

This easy apple-baked oatmeal has all the sweet, tart, and warm flavors you love in your favorite baked apple recipes. Below, you’ll find even more tasty apple recipes to satisfy all your fall cravings.

If you try this Baked Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal recipe, please take a minute to rate the recipe and leave a comment below. It is a great help to others who are thinking of making the recipe. And if you took some pictures, be sure to share them on Instagram using #foolproofeats so I can share them on my stories.

Apple cinnamon baked oatmeal in a square dish with a spoon on the side.
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Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal Recipe

Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal offers a healthy and wholesome start to your day. Made with tender apples, warm cinnamon, and a touch of maple syrup, this healthy breakfast bake is the ultimate fall/winter oatmeal recipe.
Course Breakfast
Cuisine American
Diet Gluten Free
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings 9 slices
Calories 271kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 teaspoon coconut oil
  • 2 ½ cups old-fashioned rolled oats
  • 1 tablespoon chia seeds optional
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon Kosher salt
  • 2 large eggs* or flax eggs for vegan option (recipe below in the notes)
  • 1 ½ cups unsweetened almond milk or any other non-dairy milk of your choice
  • 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • cup maple syrup plus more to drizzle on top
  • 1 apple* peeled (or unpeeled) and diced into 1-inch cubes
  • 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans optional
  • ½ cup chopped dates optional (5-6 Medjool dates)

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Coat an 8×8- inch* baking dish with the coconut oil and set aside.
  • In a large bowl, stir the oats, chia seeds (if using), cinnamon, nutmeg, baking powder, and Kosher salt until combined.
  • In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, almond milk, applesauce, vanilla extract, and maple syrup until fully combined.
  • Pour the egg mixture into the oat mixture and stir to combine.
  • Gently fold in the diced apples, walnuts, and dates.
  • Pour the mixture into the baking dish and gently spread it evenly.
  • Bake for 35-40 minutes until golden brown.
  • Cool for 10 minutes and serve with a drizzle of maple syrup.

Notes

  • Yield: This recipe yields 9 slices of baked apple oatmeal. The nutritional values below are per slice. 
  • Size of your baking dish: You can use both an 8×8 or a 9×9 square dish to make this recipe. If you prefer to use a 9×13, we recommend doubling the recipe and baking it for 45 minutes.
  • Use flax eggs to make it vegan*: This is a gluten-free and dairy-free recipe. If you prefer to make this dish vegan, you can substitute the eggs with “flax eggs.” To make flax eggs, mix 2 tablespoons of ground flaxseeds with 5 tablespoons of water, stirring to combine. Set aside for 10 minutes, then use it in place of the eggs. 
  • Apple: I used Honeycrisp apples but any type of apple you have on hand would work.
  • Make Ahead: You can bake apple oatmeal bake in advance and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days. Just be sure to bring it to room temperature before storing it in an airtight container. You can reheat it in the oven at 325 degrees F for 15 minutes or microwave it (in 30-second increments) until warmed through.
  • Store: Be sure to bring the leftovers to room temperature. Then,  transfer them to an airtight container and store them in the fridge for up to three days. You may also keep your oatmeal in individual servings for a convenient grab-and-go breakfast.

Nutrition

Calories: 271kcal | Carbohydrates: 38g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 36mg | Sodium: 248mg | Potassium: 270mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 18g | Vitamin A: 80IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 130mg | Iron: 2mg

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Blackberry Oatmeal Bake https://foolproofliving.com/baked-crunchy-blackberry-oatmeal/ https://foolproofliving.com/baked-crunchy-blackberry-oatmeal/#comments Sun, 10 Sep 2023 18:06:11 +0000 https://foolproofliving.com/?p=3455 Warm, natural, and healthy, this baked blackberry oatmeal is a no-brainer when it comes to filling morning meals. If you love the hearty yet nutritious taste of fresh oats, there are dozens of other mouthwatering recipes to try. Steel Cut Overnight Oats and Overnight Yogurt Oats make mornings a breeze with exceptionally creamy flavor, while Muesli offers countless ways to customize your breakfast with sweet and savory flavors. Ingredients You’ll...

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Warm, natural, and healthy, this baked blackberry oatmeal is a no-brainer when it comes to filling morning meals. If you love the hearty yet nutritious taste of fresh oats, there are dozens of other mouthwatering recipes to try. Steel Cut Overnight Oats and Overnight Yogurt Oats make mornings a breeze with exceptionally creamy flavor, while Muesli offers countless ways to customize your breakfast with sweet and savory flavors.

Baked Blackberry Oatmeal in a square baking dish from the top view.

Ingredients You’ll Need

When you make blackberry breakfast recipes like this, there’s no need to spend hundreds at the grocery store. This simple oatmeal bake only uses natural, pantry-ready ingredients to start your morning.

  • Coconut oil: I use coconut oil to coat my oatmeal baking dish, though oil spray would also work. If you feel luxurious and want to give your oatmeal rich, sumptuous undertones, you may also prepare this recipe with melted butter.
  • Old-fashioned oats: Old-fashioned oats (also known as rolled oats) are my go-to for this blackberry-baked oatmeal, as their flat, round flakes are perfect for absorbing excess liquid and withstand the baking process. However, if you’re unsure about the difference between Rolled Oats vs. Quick Oats or Steel-Cut Oats vs. Rolled Oats, these simple guides explain everything you need to know. Furthermore, you may also make this dish with gluten-free oats to accommodate a gluten-free diet.
  • Ground cinnamon
  • Unsweetened shredded coconut: I prefer my coconut-baked oatmeal to get a mild sweetness from natural ingredients, such as maple syrup and fresh berries. However, you can also use sweetened shredded coconut to add sweetness to your breakfast.
  • Nuts: I used sliced almonds, but you can also use chopped almonds or other nuts like walnuts or pecans.
  • Chia seeds
  • Baking powder
  • Salt: You only need a pinch of salt to bring out the other nuanced flavors of this recipe.
  • Large eggs
  • Milk: Though I usually use unsweetened almond milk in this dish, any kind of milk will work, from oat milk to soy milk, cow milk, coconut milk, and beyond. If you prefer making your own milk, my Homemade Almond Milk recipe is the one I recommend.
  • Vanilla extract
  • Maple syrup
  • Lemon zest
  • Frozen or fresh blackberries: I love making this blackberry breakfast with the luscious, tart flavor of fresh blackberries. However, you may also use frozen blackberries as long as you reduce the almond milk to 1⅔ cups. This reduction will help balance the added moisture in frozen berries, keeping your oatmeal from becoming watery.
Ingredients for the recipe from the top view with text on each ingredient.

Optional Add-Ins and Substitutions

  • Spices: This original recipe calls for ground cinnamon to give it its signature woody warmth. However, feel free to experiment with other spices, like nutmeg for a nuttier profile or cardamom for a slightly peppery dish.
  • Fruit: Any berry would work in this easy-baked oatmeal recipe, so you can mix and match according to your personal preference. If desired, you can even take this dish to the next level by transforming it into a triple-berry oatmeal bake using a mixture of juicy blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, and/or blueberries.
  • Other superfoods: Want to pack this simple recipe with even more nutrients? Add a tablespoon of healthy superfoods, like hemp seeds, ground flaxseeds, and oat bran, and your breakfast will contain countless vitamins and minerals, like magnesium, protein, and omega-3 fatty acids. Not only do these simple ingredients promote digestive and heart health, but they also add deliciously nutty undertones to this easy breakfast.
  • Other sweeteners: Don’t have any maple syrup on hand? No problem! You can also sweeten it using other natural sweeteners, like honey, coconut sugar, or brown sugar. However, if you use these sugars in your recipe, I recommend using ⅓ cup less liquid to avoid watery oatmeal.
  • Protein powders: If you want your oatmeal to boost your metabolism while promoting muscle gain and reducing late-morning cravings, add 2-3 tablespoons of your favorite protein powder.
  • Make it vegan: To make this dish vegan, simply substitute the eggs with flax eggs. You can make flax eggs at home by mixing two tablespoons of ground flaxseed with five tablespoons of water until combined. Set the mixture aside for 10 minutes before adding it to your oatmeal recipe.

How to Make It

This baked oatmeal with berries recipe is a cinch to make and makes waking up a delight. In just nine steps and ten minutes of prep time, a delectable dish will be ready on your table.

A collage of images showing how to make blackberry oatmeal bake.
  1. Prep the oven: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F., and coat an 8×8-inch baking dish with coconut oil. Set the coated dish aside.
  2. Mix the dry ingredients: Stir the oats, cinnamon, shredded coconut, sliced almonds, chia seeds, baking powder, and Kosher salt in a large mixing bowl until thoroughly combined.
  3. Whisk the wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, almond milk, vanilla extract, maple syrup, and lemon zest until fully integrated.
  4. Combine wet and dry ingredients: Pour the milk mixture into the large bowl of dry ingredients and stir until combined.
  5. Add the blackberries: Gently fold the blackberries into the oat mixture.
A couple of images showing the process of mixing and baking oatmeal with blackberries.
  1. Transfer the oatmeal: Pour the oatmeal recipe into the oiled oven-safe pan and spread it evenly with a spatula.
  2. Bake: Cook for 35-40 minutes or until the oatmeal turns golden brown.
  3. Cool: Remove the baking dish from the oven and let it cool for 10 minutes.
  4. Serve: Once cooled, divide the berry oatmeal bake among several bowls, garnish them with extra berries, and drizzle with maple syrup.

How to Store, Reheat, and Freeze?

Out of all the blackberry recipes for breakfast, this is one of the most meal prep-friendly. These simple tips will show you how to make baked oatmeal to enjoy throughout the week or freeze it for future use.

  • Storage: To store your baked blackberry oatmeal, first let it reach room temperature. Then, transfer it to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. If preferred, you can also slice it and store it in single-serving portions for extra easy morning meal prep.
  • Reheat: You can reheat it in a 325-degree F. oven for 10-15 minutes or in the microwave in 30-second increments.
  • Freeze: When freezing this recipe, let it reach room temperature first. Then, cover it tightly with several layers of plastic wrap to avoid freezer burn and store it in the freezer for up to 1-2 months.
  • Thaw: To thaw your frozen blackberry oatmeal bake, place it in the fridge overnight. Then, reheat it in the oven for 15 minutes at 325 degrees F.

How to Serve?

Making blackberry recipes for breakfast is a great way to add creativity to the kitchen. Serve it any way you want, from a grab-and-go morning meal to a healthy dessert guaranteed to make your mouth water.

  • A cup of coffee or juice: If you’re used to busy mornings, nothing is as satisfying as serving up a piece of this oatmeal bake alongside a hot cup of coffee or fresh juice.
  • Greek Yogurt: One of my favorite ways to serve this dish is with a sweet dollop of Honey Vanilla Yogurt. If you prefer a plant-based yogurt, you may also add a spoonful of coconut yogurt or almond milk yogurt for an equally creamy addition.
  • Milk: Do you prefer your oatmeal bake to be a little creamier? Adding a splash of milk to your baked dish will add a rich taste and an extra helping of calcium to your breakfast.
  • Nut butters: An easy way to make this simple recipe more filling and add protein is to spread a spoonful of peanut, almond, or cashew butter over your oatmeal bake slice.
  • Sweeteners: When prepared as-is, this blackberry baked oatmeal has a mildly sweet flavor—perfect for those who don’t like their breakfasts to taste too sugary. However, if you prefer more sweetness in your morning meal, add a drizzle of honey, maple syrup, or more blackberries. 
  • Sauce: If you’re like me, you know that a dash of sauce is all that’s needed to bring a recipe to life. Add a dollop of Date Caramel, Applesauce, or Homemade Blueberry Sauce to give this oatmeal bake extra rich, gooey flavor.
  • Ice cream: If you want to transform this tasty breakfast recipe into an irresistible dessert, try serving it with a scoop of your favorite ice cream! Honey Vanilla Ice Cream exquisitely balances the warm, woody undertones of oatmeal, while Chocolate Honey Ice Cream is a great addition for those who love the rich taste of cocoa powder.
Baked blackberry oatmeal cut into slices and served on small plates.

Expert Tips

Want to prepare a healthy breakfast worthy of a five-star dinner? These pro tips will ensure you have zero hassle making this blackberry oatmeal breakfast loaded with tart, hearty, and sweet flavors.

  • Baking dish: I prefer to bake this dish in an 8×8-inch baking dish to get the best post-baking consistency, though you may also use the same cooking instructions for a 9×9-inch dish. To make baked oatmeal in ramekins, reduce the cooking time by 10-15 minutes. Or, if you’re serving a crowd, you may double the recipe and bake it in a 9×13-inch baking dish at 350 degrees F. for 40 minutes.
  • Serving: The beauty of this oatmeal bake recipe is that you can serve it at whatever temperature you prefer—warm, room temperature, or cold.
  • Play with the add-ins: Endlessly customizable, this oatmeal recipe allows you to experiment with whatever add-ins you like. By extension, don’t worry if you’re missing one or two of the listed add-ons or want to add more or less. This dish is perfect for accommodating personal preferences when designing the oat mixture.

FAQs

Are blackberries good in oatmeal?

Blackberries are easily my favorite baked oatmeal berry. Baked blackberries have a delectably sweet yet tart flavor, perfectly balancing the mild notes of oatmeal. Even better, these low-calorie berries are also packed with nutrients, including Vitamin C, Vitamin K, and fiber, while also preventing heart disease.

Why are my baked oats soggy?

There are a few reasons your baked oatmeal might come out soggy. First off, you might have too much liquid in your mixture, either from how much milk you added or if you used frozen blackberries instead of fresh. It’s also possible you didn’t bake the recipe for enough time or that the size of your baking dish is too small. It’s also important to let your baked oats rest after baking to allow them to reabsorb their liquids. Finally, you should also consider the type of oats you use in your recipe. Instant oats and quick-cooking oats don’t have as hearty of a texture as old-fashioned oats, so they might be unable to soak up as much liquid during baking.

Other Oatmeal Recipes You Might Like

There are few better ways to start your morning with a filling, heart-healthy taste than with a bowl of warm oatmeal. These tasty recipes will ensure you never endure another bland breakfast again.

If you try this Blackberry Oatmeal Bake recipe or any other recipe on Foolproof Living, please take a minute to rate the recipe and leave a comment below. It is a great help to others who are thinking of making the recipe. And if you took some pictures, be sure to share them on Instagram using #foolproofeats so I can share them on my stories.

Baked Blackberry Oatmeal sliced in a baking dish with a spoon on the side.
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Blackberry Oatmeal Bake Recipe

This Blackberry Oatmeal Bake is an easy-to-make, healthy baked oatmeal recipe packed with juicy blackberries and superfoods and sweetened with maple syrup. It is a delicious morning treat that is also breakfast meal-prep friendly.
Course Breakfast
Cuisine American
Diet Gluten Free
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings 9 slices
Calories 215kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 teaspoons coconut oil avocado oil, or oil spray would also work
  • 2 cups old-fashioned oats aka rolled oats*
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ cup unsweetened toasted shredded coconut optional
  • ½ cup sliced almonds optional
  • 1 tablespoon chia seeds optional
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon Kosher salt
  • 2 large eggs or flax eggs for a vegan option
  • 2 cups unsweetened almond milk or any milk you prefer
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • cup maple syrup plus more for drizzle
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest optional
  • 2 cups fresh blackberries divided (reserving ½ cup for garnish)

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Coat an 8×8 inch square baking dish with the coconut oil and set aside.
  • In a large bowl, stir the rolled oats, cinnamon, shredded coconut, sliced almonds, chia seeds, baking powder, and Kosher salt until combined.
  • In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, almond milk, vanilla extract, maple syrup, and lemon zest, ensuring that everything is fully combined.
  • Pour the wet ingredients into the oat mixture and stir to combine.
  • Gently fold in the blackberries.
  • Pour the mixture into the baking dish and spread it evenly using a spatula.
  • Bake for 35-40 minutes until golden brown.
  • Remove from the oven and let it cool for 10 minutes.
  • When ready to serve, divide it amongst several bowls, garnish with blackberries, and drizzle with maple syrup.

Notes

  • Yield: This recipe yields 9 slices of baked oatmeal. The nutritional values below are per slice. 
  • Gluten-free rolled oats: If you are following a gluten-free diet, be sure to purchase gluten-free oats. 
  • Size of your casserole dish: You can use both an 8×8 or a 9×9 baking dish to make this recipe. If you prefer to use a 9×13, we recommend doubling the recipe and baking it for 40 minutes.
  • Sweetness: This recipe is mildly sweet. You may add an additional ¼ cup of maple syrup to the mixture if you prefer it to be sweeter.
  • Other sweeteners: Don’t have any maple syrup on hand? No problem! You can also sweeten it using other natural sweeteners, like honey, coconut sugar, or brown sugar. However, if you use these sugars in your recipe, I recommend using ⅓ cup less liquid to avoid watery oatmeal.
  • Fresh vs. Frozen Berries: We tested this recipe using both fresh and frozen berries. We found that frozen blackberries can be used in place of fresh. However, if you decide to do so, please reduce the almond milk to 1 ⅔ cup due to the extra moisture in the frozen berries.
  • Make it vegan*: This is a gluten-free and dairy-free recipe. However, if you also want it to be vegan, you can substitute the eggs with “flax eggs.” To make flax eggs, mix 2 tablespoons of ground flaxseeds with 5 tablespoons of water, stirring to combine. Set aside for 10 minutes, then use it in place of the eggs.
  • Make Ahead: You can bake this baked oatmeal in advance and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days. Just be sure to bring it to room temperature before storing it in an airtight container. You can reheat it in the oven at 325 degrees F for 15 minutes or microwave it (in 30-second increments) until warmed through.
  • Storage: It is best to bring leftovers to room temperature before storing them in an airtight container. We recommend storing them in individual portions so you can easily reheat (if preferred) and grab and go. If stored properly in the fridge, they should be fresh for up to 3-4 days.

Nutrition

Calories: 215kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 36mg | Sodium: 267mg | Potassium: 230mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 122IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 155mg | Iron: 2mg

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Brioche French Toast Casserole https://foolproofliving.com/brioche-french-toast-with-berries-and-caramel-sauce/ https://foolproofliving.com/brioche-french-toast-with-berries-and-caramel-sauce/#comments Fri, 24 Feb 2023 19:04:15 +0000 https://foolproofliving.com/?p=4263 The buttery richness of brioche makes it perfect for sweet and savory recipes alike. If you’re a fan of indulgent breakfast recipes like this french toast casserole with brioche, then you’ll love my Brioche Waffles. Or, try my Brioche Hamburger Buns for a savory option that’s ideal for burgers, sliders, sandwiches, or dinner rolls!  Ingredients Besides a loaf of brioche bread, which is the star of the show in this...

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The buttery richness of brioche makes it perfect for sweet and savory recipes alike. If you’re a fan of indulgent breakfast recipes like this french toast casserole with brioche, then you’ll love my Brioche Waffles. Or, try my Brioche Hamburger Buns for a savory option that’s ideal for burgers, sliders, sandwiches, or dinner rolls! 

A brioche breakfast casserole topped with berries in a dish from the top view.

Ingredients

Besides a loaf of brioche bread, which is the star of the show in this easy recipe, you’ll need a few basic ingredients that you likely already have on hand. Simply gather:

Ingredients for a casserole made with brioche bread shown from the top view.
  • Brioche loaf: You’ll need one loaf of day-old brioche bread, which you should be able to cut into about eight 1-inch slices. Day-old bread is ideal for this brioche breakfast casserole, as its dry texture evenly soaks up the milk mixture and prevents the casserole from getting soggy. I make my own brioche, but store-bought would also work for this recipe.
  • Unsalted butter
  • Whole milk
  • Heavy cream (or half and half)
  • Eggs
  • Vanilla extract 
  • Coconut sugar
  • Ground cinnamon
  • Ground nutmeg 
  • Kosher salt 
  • Sliced strawberries (optional)
  • Sliced almonds or other nuts (optional) 

Substitutions, Optional Toppings, & Add-Ins

If you don’t have all the ingredients on hand or if a few of them aren’t compatible with your dietary restrictions, rest assured that you can still enjoy this delicious french toast brioche bake with a few simple swaps. Feel free to get creative with the toppings, too! Here are a few suggestions: 

  • Type of bread: I love to use brioche for french toast because it offers a sweet, buttery richness and a fluffy texture. If you can’t find brioche at your local grocery store or don’t have the ingredients to make it, you can also make a french toast casserole with challah bread. Either buy it from the store or make your own Challah Bread for a great substitute that still provides that fluffy, rich flavor and texture. 
  • Plant-based milk: If you follow a dairy-free diet, I recommend swapping full-fat coconut milk for the whole milk in this french toast brioche casserole. The fat content in the coconut milk will help you achieve that rich, decadent texture, but keep in mind that it will slightly alter the flavor. You can also use almond milk, which will result in a thinner, less rich texture.
  • Heavy cream: If you don’t have heavy cream on hand or wish to cut down on the fat and calories, you can use an equal amount of half and half instead. For a dairy-free option, you can completely omit the cream and substitute an equal amount of dairy-free milk of your choice. Keep in mind that doing so will alter the texture and flavor of the recipe (not to say it won’t still taste delicious!). 
  • Sugar: I prefer to use coconut sugar in this recipe since it’s unrefined, but you can also use brown sugar for a similar flavor. For another refined-sugar-free option, try using maple syrup instead. If you do choose to substitute maple syrup, just use ½ cup less milk than the recipe calls for. 
  • Toppings: My favorite way to serve this easy french toast bake with brioche is to top it with fresh sliced strawberries or fresh berries, sliced almonds, and a dusting of powdered sugar. For an extra sweet and indulgent baked french toast casserole topping, whip up a cinnamon Streusel Topping to sprinkle on top of the casserole before baking it in the oven. 
  • Chocolate brioche french toast: If you’re one of my chocolate-loving friends, you know that you can never go wrong with adding chocolate to a sweet breakfast recipe. You can incorporate some chocolate chips into your french brioche toast or simply sprinkle some on top before baking. Use as much chocolate as your heart desires! 

How to Make French Toast Casserole with Brioche Bread?

This french toast casserole recipe with brioche bread only requires 10 minutes of hands-on time, which is as easy as whipping up a milk and egg mixture to pour over the bread. You’ll need a little bit of patience for the resting and cook time, but it’s worth it (trust me). Here’s how to make french toast with brioche bread: 

Four images showing how to prepare a casserole with cubed brioche bread.
  1. Slice the bread and prep your baking dish: Cut your brioche slices into 1-inch cubes. Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan with the melted butter. 
  2. Place the bread cubes in the pan: Spread the small pieces of bread in an even layer in the prepared baking dish and set aside. 
  3. Make the milk and egg mixture: Add the whole milk, heavy cream, eggs, vanilla extract, coconut sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of salt to a large bowl. Whisk until fully combined. 
  4. Pour the mixture over the bread: Slowly pour the custard mixture over the brioche cubes until they are evenly covered. Gently press on the bread pieces to ensure they have soaked up the liquid. 
Images showing a casserole made with French toast and topped with berries.
  1. Cover and rest: Cover the dish with plastic wrap and let it rest in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or overnight (for up to 8 hours). 
  2. Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (176 degrees C). 
  3. Add the toppings: Remove the plastic wrap and top the casserole with sliced strawberries and almonds, if desired. 
  4. Bake: Bake the brioche bread breakfast casserole for 45-50 minutes or until it appears lightly golden brown. 
  5. Let cool and serve: Let your baked brioche french toast casserole cool for about 10-15 minutes. Serve. 

How to Make Ahead, Store, & Reheat Leftovers?

Since this brioche breakfast casserole requires some resting time, you can make it ahead. All you’ll have to do is pop it in the oven to reheat it before you’re ready to serve! You can also easily store leftovers to reheat and enjoy throughout the week. Here are some tips: 

  • Make ahead brioche french toast casserole: You can certainly prep it right before going to bed and then pop it in the oven the next morning. However, you can make it a few days (no more than 2 days) ahead as well. It goes without saying that, like any other baked bread recipe, this easy breakfast casserole with brioche is best on the day it’s made. To make ahead, follow the recipe instructions through step 5. Once it has rested for at least 2 hours, remove the plastic wrap, add your toppings of choice, and bake it for only 30-35 minutes (instead of the full 45-50). Let it cool to room temperature, cover it with plastic wrap or aluminum foil, and place it in the fridge. The next day, bake it for another 15-20 minutes, let it cool slightly, and serve. 
  • Store: Let your leftover brioche egg casserole cool to room temperature, tightly cover it or place it in an airtight container, and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days. You can also separate your leftovers into smaller, individual airtight containers so you can reheat individual servings. 
  • Reheat: Reheat your leftover casserole in a 350-degree F oven for 15 minutes or until heated through. 

How to Serve?

Just like regular french toast, this easy brioche french toast casserole is delicious when served with a variety of sweet toppings. From a simple dusting of powdered sugar to a heaping pile of whipped cream and fresh fruit, you can make it as decadent as you’d like! It’s the perfect dish to serve for special occasions, weekend mornings, or just because. Here are my serving recommendations: 

  • Add a scoop of ice cream: Who doesn’t like dessert for breakfast? For a truly indulgent treat, top your brioche french toast bake recipe with some homemade Vanilla Ice Cream
  • Dust on some powdered sugar: If you like to keep things simple and subtly sweet, you can add a dusting of powdered sugar on top. You can also top your brioche french toast casserole with fruit, such as fresh blueberries or strawberries, and sliced almonds.
  • Serve it with a mound of whipped cream: To amp up the creaminess of this brioche toast recipe, top it off with a heaping mound of Whipped Maple Cream. The maple flavor pairs beautifully with the rich brioche french toast recipe.
A breakfast casserole with brioche topped with berries and almonds.

Expert Tips

The key to perfect oven-baked brioche french toast is achieving a moist, rich texture on the inside and a slightly crisp, golden brown exterior. With some trial and error, I’ve learned a few simple tips and tricks that I’d like to share with you to help you achieve expert results on your first try. Here’s what you need to know: 

  • Use day-old bread: Stale bread might not sound too appetizing, but it’s actually crucial to use day-old bread to keep your baked french toast brioche from getting soggy. The idea is that the dry bread will evenly soak up all the liquid while still holding its shape. If you only have fresh bread available, you can dry it out in a low-heat oven for a few minutes. I recommend 300 degrees F for about 15 minutes. 
  • Make sure the cubes aren’t too thin: Make sure to cut your bread slices into cubes no thinner than about an inch. Keeping your cubes on the thicker side will ensure they come out moist and rich instead of soggy. 
  • Alternative method: For a classic french toast option, you can cut your brioche slices in half diagonally to form two triangles per slice. Dip each triangular slice into the milk mixture (making sure to soak both sides), line them up at the bottom of the pan, pour the remaining liquid on top, and bake as instructed above. Let it cool a bit before serving. 

FAQs

Why is my french toast casserole soggy?

Your french toast recipe with brioche bread is likely to be soggy if it’s underbaked, so make sure to give it more baking time if it doesn’t appear lightly golden brown on top. Your casserole could also be soggy if you’re using too much liquid. The amount of liquid in this egg casserole with brioche bread works for a full loaf of brioche, so you may need to use less milk if your loaf is small or if you’re not using a full loaf.

Is brioche or challah better for french toast?

I personally think that brioche bread makes the best brioche french toast casserole because it’s rich and decadent, but challah bread also provides a similar richness that makes for a delicious challah french toast casserole. Feel free to use whichever you prefer!

What is the difference between brioche french toast and regular french toast?

Brioche is made with eggs and butter and is richer than regular bread, so french toast casserole using brioche bread is typically more decadent and indulgent than french toast with regular bread.

Other Brioche-Based Recipes You Can Make

I love brioche bread because not only is it delicious, but it’s also super versatile. From sweet to savory recipes, a simple loaf of brioche goes a long way. If you’re as much of a fan as I am, you’ll love these other brioche-based recipes: 

If you try this Overnight Brioche French Toast Casserole recipe or any other recipe on Foolproof Living, please take a minute to leave a star rating and a comment below. It helps others who are thinking of making the recipe. And if you took some pictures, be sure to share them on Instagram using #foolproofeats so I can share them on my stories.

French toast casserole made with brioche from the top view as soon as it comes out of the oven.
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Brioche French Toast Casserole Recipe

This Brioche French Toast Casserole is made with thick-sliced and cubed buttery brioche bread coated in a creamy milk and egg mixture and topped with fresh fruit and nuts. With just a few simple ingredients, it's the perfect breakfast or brunch dish to serve for special occasions, such as Mother's Day, Easter, or Christmas, or for a decadent weekend treat!
Course Breakfast
Cuisine American
Diet Vegetarian
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Resting time 2 hours
Total Time 3 hours
Servings 6 Servings
Calories 538kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 loaf brioche 8 1-inch slices (day-old bread)
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter melted and cooled
  • 1 ½ cups whole milk
  • ½ cup heavy cream or half and half
  • 6 large eggs
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • ½ cup coconut sugar or brown sugar, plus more for sprinkling on top
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • Pinch kosher salt

Optional Toppings

  • 1 cup strawberries halved
  • ½ cup sliced almonds or any other nuts

Instructions

  • Slice brioche slices into small 1-inch cubes. Brush a 9X13 casserole dish with melted butter.
  • Spread the cubed brioche bread on a single layer. Set it aside.
  • In another large mixing bowl, whisk together whole milk, heavy cream, eggs, vanilla extract, coconut sugar, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and salt until fully combined.
  • Spread it over the bread. Gently press to ensure that brioche cubes are fully soaked with the liquid mixture.
  • Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least two hours or overnight (for up to 8 hours).
  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (176 C).
  • Remove the plastic wrap. If desired, top it off with halved strawberries and sprinkle it with almond slices.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes until the top layer is lightly golden brown.
  • Let it cool for 10-15 minutes before serving.

Notes

  • Use day-old bread: Stale bread might not sound too appetizing, but it’s actually crucial to use day-old bread to keep this oven-baked french toast brioche from getting soggy. If you only have fresh bread available, you can place it on a sheet pan and dry it out in a low-heat oven for a few minutes. I recommend 300 degrees F for about 15 minutes. 
  • Store-bought brioche: Please be aware that some store-bought brioche is sweetened with more sugar than my homemade version. Therefore, if you are using a store-bought brioche loaf, I recommend giving it a taste and reducing the amount of sugar used. Depending on the sweetness level of the particular brand you are using, I recommend starting with half the amount of sugar.
  • Alternative method: For more of a classic french toast option, you can cut your brioche slices in half diagonally to form two triangles per slice. Dip each triangular slice into the milk mixture (making sure to soak both sides), line them up at the bottom of the pan, pour the remaining liquid on top, and bake as instructed in the recipe card.
  • Store: Let the leftovers cool to room temperature, tightly cover or place them in an airtight container, and store them in the fridge for up to 3 days. You can also separate your leftovers into smaller, individual airtight containers so you can reheat individual servings.
  • Reheat: Reheat your leftover casserole in a 350-degree F oven for 15 minutes or until heated through.

Nutrition

Calories: 538kcal | Carbohydrates: 45g | Protein: 17g | Fat: 33g | Saturated Fat: 16g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 318mg | Sodium: 385mg | Potassium: 278mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 1208IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 177mg | Iron: 2mg

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Almond Flour Brownies https://foolproofliving.com/almond-flour-brownies/ https://foolproofliving.com/almond-flour-brownies/#comments Fri, 10 Feb 2023 19:12:49 +0000 https://foolproofliving.com/?p=38940 These homemade brownies with almond flour are so incredibly fudgy that you’d never know they were gluten-free! Sweetened with maple syrup, this extra chocolatey and easy gluten-free brownie recipe is guaranteed to be your next favorite recipe to bake when the chocolate cravings hit.  Like my Almond Flour Chocolate Cake and Flourless Chocolate Cupcakes recipes, this easy brownie recipe is easy to make. Plus, it is a great alternative to...

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These homemade brownies with almond flour are so incredibly fudgy that you’d never know they were gluten-free! Sweetened with maple syrup, this extra chocolatey and easy gluten-free brownie recipe is guaranteed to be your next favorite recipe to bake when the chocolate cravings hit. 

Like my Almond Flour Chocolate Cake and Flourless Chocolate Cupcakes recipes, this easy brownie recipe is easy to make. Plus, it is a great alternative to traditional brownies that are butter and sugar-packed and not so healthy.

Almond Flour Chocolate Brownies on top of each other

Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

  1. Made with everyday ingredients: The almond flour brownie batter comes together in one bowl in just a few minutes and uses only 7 simple ingredients, all of which are pantry staples.
  2. No different than a brownie made with regular flour: You won’t be able to detect any difference when it comes to taste and texture. Perfectly fudgy, almond flour brownies pack the same addictive chocolate flavor you’d expect from a brownie.
  3. Made with diet restrictions in mind: Like all of my almond flour recipes, compared to traditional baked goods made with all-purpose flour and butter, it uses a minimal amount of oil. It is also low-carb, grain-free (great for Passover), and paleo-friendly. Plus, thanks to the healthy fats in ground almonds, you can even count this as a healthy brownies recipe.
Almond brownies sliced into squares from the top view

Ingredients:

The ingredient profile for this gluten-free almond flour fudge brownies recipe is similar to that of my Almond Flour Chocolate Cake recipe and even my Flourless Chocolate Cupcakes recipe. (Can you tell I love almond flour desserts?)

Ingredients for almond flower brownie from the top view

In terms of ingredients, you will need:

Substitutions:

  • Oil: If you don’t have coconut oil on hand, you can substitute another neutral oil like avocado oil.
  • Almond Flour: If you cannot find it, you can make almond flour at home using a blender or food processor. This recipe can also be made with almond meal. However, almond meal brownies will be a tad bit dense compared to brownies made with almond flour.
  • Sweetener: You can swap agave nectar in place of maple syrup. You can also use honey, but I would recommend using less honey (¾ cup to 1 cup) as it is sweeter.
  • Keto Sweetener: If you are after keto almond brownies, I recommend sweetening with Keto Maple Syrup (affiliate link) sweetened with monk fruit. Liquid stevia can also be an acceptable substitute.
  • Nuts: Feel free to swap the walnuts in this almond flour brownie recipe for whichever nuts you prefer. Pistachios, pecans, sliced almonds, and even unsweetened coconut would work beautifully here!
  • Optional – Chocolate Drizzle: If you want to take this almond flour fudge brownies to the next level, I recommend drizzling them with chocolate. I prefer refined sugar free sweeteners like Enjoy Life or Lily’s dark chocolate chips (sugar free chocolate chips for the keto option) (affiliate links) for drizzling, but any of your favorite chocolate brand would work.
  • Optional – Dried or fresh fruit: If you want to make it a little bit colorful, top it off with fresh berries, or do what I do, sprinkle it with dried strawberries (affiliate link).
  • Optional – Sea Salt: You can sprinkle it with sea salt or lightly salted nuts as well. 
  • Serve them with ice cream: I can’t imagine a better way to serve these than a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream made with maple syrup on top.

How To Make Brownies with Almond Flour?

The steps to making this easy almond flour brownie recipe has 6 folds:

  1. Prepare for baking: Preheat the Oven to 350 Degrees. Line an 8X8 square baking dish with parchment paper.
Person Mixing dry ingredients for brownie with almond flour.
  1. Combine Dry Ingredients: Whisk together almond flour and cocoa powder in a large bowl until homogeneous, and no lumps remain.
Gluten free chocolate brownies batter is being mixed by a woman.
  1. Add Wet Ingredients: Add coconut oil, maple syrup, eggs, and vanilla extract to the bowl of dry ingredients, and whisk until fully incorporated.
  2. Add the Nuts: Fold in half a cup of the nuts.
Almond meal chocolate brownies in the baking pan before and after photos.
  1. Prepare to Bake: Transfer the raw batter into the prepared pan and spread it out evenly using a spatula. Sprinkle it with the rest of the walnuts.
  2. Bake: Cook them for 35-40 minutes in the prepared oven or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the brownies comes out clean (or with a few tiny crumbs). Allow the brownies to cool for 5 minutes, and remove them from the pan onto a wire rack. Let it cool to room temperature before slicing to avoid them falling apart. Serve with coffee, milk, or plant-based milks such as almond milk.
  3. Optional step: If you are like me, and enjoy extra chocolatey, gooey brownies, then I recommend drizzling them with melted chocolate. I think the easiest way to melt chocolate is in the microwave. To do so;
    1. Place 2 oz. of your favorite chocolate chips (both semi-sweetened and unsweetened would work) in a microwave-safe glass bowl. 
    2. Microwave at high for 30 seconds. Give it a stir and then repeat in 30-second intervals until fully melted. Slice your brownies and drizzle them with melted chocolate chips.
Paleo Chocolate brownies cut into squares with a knife on the side

How To Store, Freeze and Thaw?

My favorite thing about these homemade almond flour brownies is that they get better as they sit. I recommend storing them in the refrigerator and warming them slightly before serving.

  • Storage: These gluten-free chocolate brownies will keep for 3-4 days in the fridge in an airtight container or plastic bag. You can also store them on your counter in the same fashion for a day as long as your kitchen stays fairly cool. 
  • Freezing: To freeze, bring brownies to room temperature, individually wrap them with parchment paper, and store them in an airtight container in the freezer for up to a month.
  • Thawing: To thaw, let it sit on the counter for 15 minutes and warm in a low-heat (300 degrees F) oven for 10-15 minutes and serve.
Almond Brownies sliced with a knife on the side.

Expert Tips:

While this recipe for the most fudgy almond flour brownies you see below is pretty straightforward, there are a few things you can do to get the best results on your first try:

  • Room temperature ingredients: As it is with most baked goods when making these brownies, we recommend using ingredients that are at room temperature.
  • Wait for it to cool completely: We know it is hard to wait, but as it is with all almond flour desserts, these brownies need time to cool down. If you slice while they are still warm, the middle section will be (somewhat) wet, looking like it is not fully baked. Therefore, it is imperative to give them enough time to firm up.

FAQs:

Can you make brownies with almond flour?

You sure can. As a matter of fact, due to its high-fat content, brownies made with almond flour are just as fudgy, moist, and chocolate packed with a similar taste and texture to brownies made with traditional flour and butter.

Can I make this recipe without eggs?

This recipe will not work without eggs or egg replacers (i.e., flax eggs or chia eggs). I find that when it comes to baking with almond flour, eggs are crucial for making them rise and stay super fudgy. If you need a vegan brownies recipe, I recommend checking out my Almond Butter Brownies recipe. It’s made with wholesome ingredients like nut butter, spelt flour, Medjool dates, coconut oil, and maple syrup. 

How many calories are in each serving of almond flour brownies?

This recipe makes 9 servings and each serving is 375 calories.

Other Almond Flour Recipes You Might Like:

If you are in need of creative and healthier gluten-free recipes made without the use of refined sugars (i.e., white sugar), you’ll like the recipes below:

This almond flour chocolate brownies recipe is adapted from Almond Flour Brownies at Allrecipes.com with changes.

If you try this for Almond Flour Brownies, please take a minute to rate the recipe and leave a comment below. It helps others who are thinking of making the recipe. And if you took some pictures, be sure to share them on Instagram using #foolproofeats so I can share them on my stories.

Almond flour brownie cut into squares and placed on top of each other from the front view.
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Almond Flour Brownies Recipe

Almond Flour Brownies recipe made with only 7 ingredients in one bowl. They are just the trick to satisfy your sweet tooth without going totally overboard. Fudgy, moist, and Paleo-friendly, meaning they’re gluten-free, wheat-free, and dairy-free! Plus, they get their sweetness from maple syrup, making them refined sugar-free, as well.
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Diet Gluten Free
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings 9 servings
Calories 375kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cups almond flour 6.3 oz.
  • ½ cup + 2 tablespoons cocoa powder 2.3 oz.
  • ½ cup coconut oil melted and cooled
  • 1 ⅓ cups maple syrup at room temperature
  • 4 large eggs at room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 cup walnuts or pecans chopped & divided

Chocolate Drizzle (Optional)

  • 2 oz. chocolate chips i.e. Naturally sweetened Enjoy Life brand
  • 1 tablespoon dried strawberries

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line an 8X8 square baking pan with parchment paper.
  • Mix together almond flour and cocoa powder in a large mixing bowl until no lumps remain.
  • Add in coconut oil, maple syrup, eggs, and vanilla extract and whisk until fully incorporated.
  • Fold in half a cup of the nuts.
  • Transfer batter to the parchment lined pan and spread it throughout the pan using a spatula.
  • Sprinkle it with the rest of the walnuts.
  • Bake for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean (or with a few tiny crumbs).
  • Let it cool for 5 minutes and remove from the pan on to a wire rack. Let it cool before slicing.
  • If you are using chocolate drizzle, place the chocolate chips in a glass bowl and melt in the microwave in 30-second intervals, mixing after each time until fully melted.
  • Drizzle the melted chocolate over the brownie and sprinkle with dried strawberries.
  • Slice & serve.

Video

Notes

  • To Store leftovers: Place the leftover brownies in an airtight container after they come to room temperature. Store in the fridge for up to 4 days. You can also store them on your counter in the same fashion for a day as long as your kitchen stays fairly cool. 
  • Freezing: To freeze, bring brownies to room temperature, individually wrap them with parchment paper, and store them in an airtight container in the freezer for up to a month.
  • Thawing: To thaw, let it sit on the counter for 15 minutes, warm in a low-heat (300 degrees F) oven for 10-15 minutes, and serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 375kcal | Carbohydrates: 38g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 73mg | Sodium: 32mg | Potassium: 136mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 31g | Vitamin A: 106IU | Calcium: 103mg | Iron: 1mg

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Yogurt and Molasses Bread with Walnuts and Dried Figs https://foolproofliving.com/yogurt-and-molasses-bread-with-walnuts-and-dried-figs/ https://foolproofliving.com/yogurt-and-molasses-bread-with-walnuts-and-dried-figs/#comments Sat, 14 Jan 2023 17:12:41 +0000 https://foolproofliving.com/?p=2019 There’s nothing better than the smell of freshly baked bread wafting through your home. Although it may seem challenging or complicated, homemade bread is often easier to make than it seems! You’ll also love this Nut and Seed Loaf or my Buckwheat Bread Recipe if you need more inspiration for other easy bread recipes.  Ingredients This recipe (adapted from the original recipe, Mark Bittman Yogurt Bread) requires only a few...

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There’s nothing better than the smell of freshly baked bread wafting through your home. Although it may seem challenging or complicated, homemade bread is often easier to make than it seems! You’ll also love this Nut and Seed Loaf or my Buckwheat Bread Recipe if you need more inspiration for other easy bread recipes. 

Yogurt Molasses Bread sliced and photographed from the front view.

Ingredients

This recipe (adapted from the original recipe, Mark Bittman Yogurt Bread) requires only a few basic ingredients that you likely have stocked in your pantry and fridge. Besides classic bread ingredients like flour and baking soda, we’re adding molasses, dried fruits, and walnuts for the perfect balance of sweet and savory. 

Ingredients for the recipe are individually portioned into bowls.

For this quick bread recipe, you’ll need whole wheat flour (or white whole wheat flour), cornmeal, kosher salt, baking soda, plain whole milk yogurt (or buttermilk), unsulphured molasses (I like Grandma’s Molasses – affiliate link), chopped dried fruit (any kind you prefer, such as cranberries, figs, or raisins), and chopped walnuts. 

How to Make It?

This moist loaf comes together with only 15 minutes of hands-on time and an hour of cook time, making it a no-fuss option whenever you’re craving a slice of warm, homemade bread. Here’s how to make it:

  1. Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Grease a non-stick, 9×5 or 8.5×4.5 inch loaf pan with vegetable oil spray (such as olive oil), or line it with parchment paper. 
How to make yogurt bread with molasses shown in a collage of images.
  1. Combine the dry ingredients: Add the whole wheat flour, cornmeal, salt, and baking soda to a medium bowl and mix until well combined. 
  2. Whisk the wet ingredients: In a separate large mixing bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients until combined. 
  3. Combine ingredients together: Add the flour mixture into the bowl with the wet mixture and stir until just combined, making sure to scrape the bottom of the bowl. The dough will be very thick.
  4. Add the dried fruit and nuts: Gently fold in the chopped fruits and nuts until they are evenly distributed throughout the dough. This is a rather dense dough so don’t be alarmed.
Person showing the before and after of the bread during the baking process.
  1. Pour into a loaf pan: Transfer batter to the prepared loaf pan and use a spatula to even it out. 
  2. Bake loaf: Bake in the center of the oven for about 55-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Let it rest for 5 minutes, then remove it from the pan and let it cool completely on a wire rack. 
  3. Serve: Slice with a serrated knife and serve with your favorite spreads or toppings. 

How to Serve?

This yogurt and molasses bread is so hearty and filling that it makes for the perfect quick breakfast or afternoon snack that will keep you feeling energized. Add a pat of butter and enjoy it with a hot cup of coffee or tea, or use your favorite spreads to amp up the flavor. Here are some suggestions:  

  • Pop it in the toaster: I personally think that this quick bread is best when served warm, so I like to pop it in the toaster before serving. The toaster warms it evenly and gives it a nice crust! 
  • Use your favorite spread: Lots of different butters, cheeses, and jams pair beautifully with this bread. Spread on some salted or unsalted butter to keep things simple (make sure to toast the bread, so the butter melts), or serve it with cream cheese, homemade ricotta cheese, no butter chocolate frosting, or mascarpone cheese. If you want to add some sweetness, spread on your favorite jam. I personally love to pair this bread with blackberry jam!

How to Store and Freeze

If you don’t think you can consume the loaf within about a week, you can store it in the freezer to enjoy later. Better yet, make a double recipe and store one loaf in the freezer to have homemade bread available whenever you’re craving it. Here are some storage tips: 

  • Store: Let the bread cool to room temperature and store it in an airtight container in the fridge. It’ll keep in the fridge for about a week. 
  • Freeze: Before freezing, let the bread cool to room temperature and slice it (it’s difficult to slice once it’s frozen). Wrap it in plastic wrap and store it in a freezer-safe container for up to two months. 
Molasses bread with yogurt is sliced from the top view.

Expert Tips

Even though this molasses whole wheat bread recipe is pretty easy and straightforward, I wanted to provide you with a few tips to help you get the best results. Here’s what you need to know:

  • Don’t overmix the dough: Once you combine the dry ingredients with the wet ingredients, it’s important to mix until the dough is just combined. Overmixing tends to affect the texture of your bread, making the resulting bread tough, dense, or chewy. While manually mixing will help you avoid overmixing, a stand mixer and a dough hook will also work as long as you watch it closely and stop mixing once the dough comes together. 
  • Aerate the flour for proper measurement: The best way to measure flour for this whole wheat recipe is to spoon it into your measuring cup and level it off with a butter knife. This will help aerate the flour, which ensures proper measurement and gives the bread a nice texture. 
  • It is a dense dough: After you add the fruit, you will end up with a dense dough. You might think that it needs more liquid but please trust the recipe. It does not need more liquid.
  • Let it cool completely before slicing: I know you will be tempted to cut into your bread as soon as it comes out of the oven (I was, too), but it’s important to wait a little bit to let the loaf cool completely before cutting into it. The bread actually continues to cook and release steam as it cools, so cutting into it too soon interrupts this process and leaves you with a dense texture that’s usually a bit sticky.

FAQs

What does yogurt do in baking bread?

Adding yogurt to bread recipes makes for tender, moist, and fluffy bread. It’s also a great substitute or replacement for fats and liquid, such as oil and butter, in healthy bread recipes. 

Which molasses is best?

I used unsulphured molasses in this molasses wheat bread recipe, as it’s made from sugar cane, usually doesn’t contain additives or preservatives, and has a sweet, “pure” taste. Blackstrap molasses, another common type of molasses, is thicker, darker, and more bitter than unsulphured. 

Other Quick Bread Recipes You Might Like

Once you start making bread at home, you won’t want to buy it from the store! Whether you serve it to your family or give it away to friends and neighbors, it’s always nice to have a homemade loaf that’s ready to enjoy. If you’re looking to expand your collection of quick bread recipes, look no further than the links below: 

If you try this Yogurt Molasses Bread recipe, please take a minute to rate the recipe and leave a comment below. It helps others who are thinking of making the recipe. And if you took some pictures, be sure to share them on Instagram using #foolproofeats so I can share them on my stories.

This recipe is adapted from Mark Bittman’s Quick Whole Wheat and Molasses Bread recipe in his cookbook, How To Cook Everything (affiliate link.)

Yogurt molasses bread sliced on a cutting board.
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Yogurt Molasses Bread Recipe

With just the right amount of sweetness this yogurt walnut and dried fig bread make a delicious breakfast bread or snack cake to serve with your afternoon tea. If you are a fan of making your own bread, this whole wheat flour and cornmeal based Yogurt Molasses bread recipe is one that you should definitely try.
Course Bread
Cuisine American
Diet Vegetarian
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings 8 slices
Calories 335kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour 13.75 oz.
  • 1/2 cup fine cornmeal 3 oz.
  • 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 2/3 cups plain whole milk yogurt 14 oz. – at room temperature
  • 1/2 cup unsulphured blackstrap molasses 4.5 oz.
  • 1/2 cup dried fruit chopped
  • 1 cup walnuts chopped

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 325 Degrees F. Spray a non-stick 9X5 or 8.5 X4.5 baking dish with vegetable spray.
  • Mix whole wheat flour, cornmeal, salt, and baking soda in a large bowl. Set it aside.
  • Whisk together yogurt and molasses in a separate bowl until fully combined.
  • Stir the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir just until combined. It will be a very thick batter.
  • Mix in the chopped fruit and walnuts and stir them in just until they are evenly distributed.
  • Place the batter into the prepared pan and distribute it evenly in the pan using a spatula.
  • Bake until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean for about 55-60 minutes. Let it rest for 5 minutes. Remove from the pan and transfer onto a wire rack to cool completely.
  • Slice and serve.

Notes

  • It is a dense dough: After you add the fruit, you will end up with a dense dough, and it may feel like you need more liquid, but trust the recipe.
  • Let it cool completely before slicing: I know you will be tempted to cut into your bread as soon as it comes out of the oven (I was, too), but it’s important to wait a little bit to let the loaf cool completely before cutting into it. Bread actually continues to cook and release steam as it cools, so cutting into it too soon interrupts this process and leaves you with a dense texture that’s usually a bit sticky. 
  • Storage: Bring the leftovers to room temperature before placing in an airtight container in the fridge. The sliced bread will keep fresh for up to a week.
  • Freezing: This whole wheat bread is great for freezing. Though I recommend freezing it after slicing. Simply place the sliced bread in an airtight container, and get the air out as much as possible before freezing. 
  • Thawing: No need to thaw! Just warm it up in a toaster (or toaster oven) for a delicious breakfast toast.

Nutrition

Calories: 335kcal | Carbohydrates: 54g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 6mg | Sodium: 410mg | Potassium: 607mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 21g | Vitamin A: 45IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 131mg | Iron: 3mg

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Almond Flour Blueberry Muffins https://foolproofliving.com/gluten-free-blueberry-muffins/ https://foolproofliving.com/gluten-free-blueberry-muffins/#comments Sat, 09 Jul 2022 23:27:40 +0000 https://foolproofliving.com/?p=24674 Amongst all my almond flour desserts, muffins made with almond flour are my favorite because they come together pretty quickly and can be served as a humble breakfast or they can be spread with frosting to turn them into a delicious show-stopping cupcake.  If you are a fan as well, you might also like my Almond Flour Apple Muffins, Almond Flour Zucchini Muffins, and Almond Flour Pumpkin Muffins. Why Should...

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Amongst all my almond flour desserts, muffins made with almond flour are my favorite because they come together pretty quickly and can be served as a humble breakfast or they can be spread with frosting to turn them into a delicious show-stopping cupcake. 

Blueberry Almond flour muffins on a wire rack from the top view

If you are a fan as well, you might also like my Almond Flour Apple Muffins, Almond Flour Zucchini Muffins, and Almond Flour Pumpkin Muffins.

Why Should You Try This Recipe:

These blueberry almond flour muffins recipe is the perfect grab-and-go breakfast. Here are a few other reasons why it’s worth a try:

  1. Deliciously moist & stores well: Thanks to almond flour, this blueberry muffin recipe is moister compared to traditional muffins. You can make a whole batch on the weekend, store it in the fridge, and warm it up for breakfast to enjoy throughout the week.
  2. Minimally sweetened with no refined sugar: Sweetened with less than a cup of pure maple syrup and fresh blueberries, this is a healthier muffin recipe that you can enjoy without guilt.
  3. Easy & Quick to make: All you need is 45 minutes and two bowls and a whisk to make these grain-free blueberry muffins. Plus, since it is so easy to make you can make it with your kids as well.

Ingredients:

As it is with any muffin recipe, the ingredients for this almond flour blueberry muffins recipe can be divided into three categories:

Ingredients for the recipe from the top view
  • Dry ingredients: Almond flour, baking powder, baking soda, and kosher salt.
  • Wet Ingredients: Eggs, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and melted coconut oil 
  • Last-minute add-ins: Fresh blueberries, lemon zest, and sliced almonds.

Substitutions & Variations:

  • Frozen blueberries: You can make these muffins with frozen blueberries as well. And the best part is that it is a one-to-one swap and you do not have to thaw them before adding to the muffin batter.
  • Almond Flour vs Almond Meal: While I prefer to make this almond flour muffin recipe with blanched almond flour (made from blanched almonds) rather than almond meal (made from almond with the skin on), you can use them interchangeably. Almond Meal Muffins would be more earthy and dark in color but still taste good. If you prefer to make your own almond flour, you can follow my guide on Making Almond Flour (using whole almonds) at home.
  • Use honey as a sweetener:  You can swap maple syrup with an equal amount of honey. However, be aware that the almond flour blueberry muffins made with honey taste floral and a tiny bit sweeter.
  • Oil: Any neutral-flavored oil would work in this recipe. I also like grapeseed, walnut, or avocado oil.
  • Berries: You can use this recipe to make Almond Flour Raspberry Muffins by using an equal amount of fresh raspberries in place of blueberries. And before you ask, you can use frozen raspberries as well.
  • To make Paleo Blueberry Muffins: If you are following a paleo diet, you can make your own paleo-friendly baking powder. To do so, mix together 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda with 1/2 teaspoon of cream of tartar and use that in place of 1 teaspoon of baking powder in the recipe.
  • For Keto Blueberry Muffins with Almond Flour: If you are on the keto diet, you can swap maple syrup with an equal amount of this Keto maple syrup (affiliate link) to turn these into keto blueberry muffins.

How to Make This Recipe?

This Gluten-Free Blueberry Muffins with almond flour recipe has 5 easy steps:

  1. Preheat the oven to 325-F (165-C) degrees. Line a 12-cup muffin pan with muffin paper liners (affiliate link) and set it aside.
a collage of photos showing how to make the recipe
  1. Mix Dry Ingredients: Mix together the dry ingredients, almond flour, baking powder, baking soda, and kosher salt in a large mixing bowl.
  2. Whisk Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients – eggs, maple syrup, and coconut oil (melted and cooled.)
  3. Combine dry and wet ingredients: Pour the liquid ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir to combine. Fold in the blueberries and lemon zest into the muffin batter at the last minute.
muffin batter in a bowl and in muffin tins
  1. Bake: Using an ice cream scoop, scoop the batter into a 12-cup muffin tin, top with a sprinkling of sliced almonds, and bake the simple gluten-free blueberry muffins in a 325-degree oven for 32-35 minutes, or a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out with no crumbs. Let muffins cool for a few minutes and then transfer to a wire rack. 

Enjoy one (or more) for breakfast with your morning coffee, or serve to the kids as a healthy afternoon snack.

How To Store, Freeze, and Thaw:

Below you will find everything you need to know to enjoy these almond flour lemon blueberry muffins for days.

  • Storage: Since these blueberry muffins are made with almond flour, the added moisture and fat content in the flour will shorten their shelf life. I found the best way to store these muffins is in an airtight container in the fridge for up to days. When ready to serve, warm them in a low preheated oven (300 degrees) for 5 minutes or so.
  • Freezing instructions: As it is with all my other almond flour recipes, these almond flour muffins freeze well. Be sure to cool completely on a cooling rack for 1 hour or they are fully cooled to room temperature. Transfer them into a plastic bag (I use freezer bags ) and get the air out of it as much as possible. Label, date, and store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
  • Thawing Instructions: Frozen muffins can be thawed completely to room temperature. Alternatively, to rewarm from the frozen muffins, place them in a 300-degree oven for 10 minutes, or in the microwave on high for 30 seconds-1 minute.
two images showing gluten free low sugar blueberry muffins after they are baked

Expert Tips:

Here are a few quick pro tips for the best almond flour blueberry muffins that you can make on your first try:

  • Room temperature ingredients: As it is with most baking recipes, for best results make sure that all your ingredients are at room temperature.
  • Toss blueberries with almond flour before folding into the batter: To prevent your blueberries (fresh or frozen) from sinking to the bottom during baking, toss the berries with 1-2 Tablespoons of the almond flour mixture before folding into the batter.
    Coating the berries with the recipe’s dry ingredients helps the blueberries stick to the muffin batter, giving you specks of warm, melty blueberries well distributed throughout the muffin.
  • Fill each muffin tin until ⅔ is full: The recipe for blueberry muffins with almond flour below makes 12 muffins. As you fill muffin cups you might feel like the batter is not enough. The secret is to fill each cup two-thirds full. It is also important to mention that almond flour muffins do not rise as much as regular blueberry muffins (made with regular flour) but they are delicious nonetheless.
  • Want to turn them into Almond Flour Blueberry Cupcakes? Add ½ tsp pure almond extract to the wet ingredients, omit the sliced almonds, and when completely cool, top with a heaping dollop of maple whipped cream or maple cream cheese frosting, and garnish with more fresh blueberries.
  • Want to try a muffin recipe made with a combination of almond and coconut flour instead? Try my flourless blueberry muffins.

FAQs

Can You Use Frozen Blueberries in Muffins?

Yes, frozen blueberries are a perfect substitute for fresh blueberries, especially when the berries are not in season.  This simple swap allows you to make these low-fat, gluten-free blueberry muffins any time of year.

What Temperature to Bake Muffins?

This gluten and dairy-free blueberry muffins recipe bakes best at a moderate 325 degrees F.  The oven temperature is lower than traditional muffin recipes (typically 375 degrees) because almond flour has a tendency to burn more easily.

How Many Calories?

One of these healthy gluten-free blueberry muffins has only 233 calories! Not only are these blueberry muffins from scratch gluten-free, but they are also dairy-free, wheat-free, refined sugar-free, low-carb, and with one simple ingredient swap, they are paleo and keto diet friendly, too!

Can I use all-purpose or coconut flour instead of almond flour?

This recipe is tested with almond flour and will not work with regular flour or coconut flour.

You Might Also Like:

If you enjoyed these recipes, here are a few other almond flour recipes you might like:

And if you have some extra blueberries you are trying to use, below are a few easy blueberry recipes from the archives:

If you try this Healthy Almond Flour Blueberry Muffins recipe or any other one of our almond flour recipes on Foolproof Living, please take a minute to rate the recipe and leave a comment below. It is a great help to others who are thinking of making the recipe. And if you took some pictures, be sure to share them on Instagram using #foolproofeats so I can share them on my stories.

low carb Almond flour blueberry muffins on a wire rack
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Almond Flour Blueberry Muffins Recipe

These easy Gluten Free Almond Flour Blueberry Muffins are moist, sweet, and loaded with blueberries. Made with almond flour, they are a perfect treat for a healthy breakfast or an afternoon snack. 
Course Naturally sweetened dessert
Cuisine American
Diet Vegetarian
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings 12 muffins
Calories 233kcal

Ingredients

Dry Ingredients:

  • 2 cups almond flour (8.4 oz. )
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt

Wet Ingredients:

  • 3 large eggs at room temperature
  • cup maple syrup
  • ¼ cup neutral vegetable oil coconut, walnut, or grapeseed oil would work
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Blueberry Muffins

  • 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries*
  • Zest of a lemon
  • 3 tablespoons sliced almonds optional

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 325-F (165-C) degrees. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with muffin liners and set aside.
  • In a large bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients, almond flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt, until no lumps remaining. Set aside.
  • In a small bowl, whisk eggs, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and oil.
  • Pour the wet mixture into the dry mixture and give it a good whisk until there are no lumps.
  • Fold in the blueberries and lemon zest.
  • Divide the batter equally in the prepared muffin tin.
  • Sprinkle with sliced almonds (if using).
  • Bake 32-35 minutes or until muffins turn golden brown.
  • Let it cool for 5 minutes and serve while it is still warm.

Video

Notes

Notes:
  • Can I use frozen blueberries to make these muffins? You can use an equal amount of frozen blueberries in place of the fresh ones. There is no need to thaw them.
  • Can I swap maple syrup with honey? Yes, you can. Simply use an equal amount of honey. Please be aware that the version made with honey might be slightly sweeter and darker in color (depending on the type of honey you are using.)
  • Storage: These blueberry muffins are best the day they are baked, still warm from the oven. You can store them in an airtight container for upto 4 days.
  • Freezing Instructions: Fully bring the blueberry muffins to room temperature, place in a freezer-friendly container, and freeze them for upto 3 months.
  • To Thaw: There is no need to thaw them as almond flour does not fully freeze. Simply heat them in a low-heat (300 F degree) oven for 10-15 minutes before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 233kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 41mg | Sodium: 196mg | Potassium: 103mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 219IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 103mg | Iron: 1mg

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Almond Flour Bread (Quick Low Carb Recipe) https://foolproofliving.com/almond-flour-bread/ https://foolproofliving.com/almond-flour-bread/#comments Tue, 28 Jun 2022 21:21:32 +0000 https://foolproofliving.com/?p=27214 If you have been following me for a while you know that I love baking with almond flour. As a matter of fact, I have a collection of almond flour recipes that are some of the most liked, shared, and baked recipes on this blog. Today’s recipe, Almond Flour Bread, a savory quick bread recipe, is yet another addition to my collection. Though I have to admit, it is one...

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If you have been following me for a while you know that I love baking with almond flour. As a matter of fact, I have a collection of almond flour recipes that are some of the most liked, shared, and baked recipes on this blog.

Today’s recipe, Almond Flour Bread, a savory quick bread recipe, is yet another addition to my collection. Though I have to admit, it is one that took quite a bit of trial and error to be good enough to be published.

Healthy Almond Flour Bread sliced and photographed from the front view.

I believe the reason why it took so long is that I was after a savory almond loaf bread recipe that tasted more like bread than an almond cake and none of the recipes I tried gave me one that I would use to make a sandwich. Until now.

Low Carb Flourless Almond Flour Bread Recipe sliced and photographed from the top view.

The trick is all about the eggs. Rather than using whole eggs, I replaced a few of them with egg whites (removed egg yolks) and it made all the difference in texture. The exceptional flavor was just the added bonus. Believe it or not, I had four slices as soon as the bread came out of the oven!

Just like my Almond Flour Waffle and Almond Flour Biscuits recipe, this easy almond flour bread is healthy, light, low carb and with the right adjustments, Paleo, Keto Diet friendly, and Whole30, too. So I guess those four slices were totally worth it – no guilt included!

If you are thinking like, how the heck do you make homemade bread using almond flour, read on. I promise it is easier (and more delicious) than you think.

Almond Bread Ingredients

Like it is in many baked goods, this gluten-free almond flour bread recipe has 2 sets of ingredients; wet and dry ingredients:

Wet Ingredients:

The wet ingredients are photographed from the top view.
  • Vegetable Oil – I used grapeseed oil, but any mild-flavored oil, such as extra virgin olive oil, coconut oil, or avocado oil, will do.
  • Large Eggs, plus Egg Whites – The combination of whole eggs and egg whites create a light-textured bread.
  • Apple Cider Vinegar – Subtly sweet, the acid in ACV activates the baking soda and brings balance to the flavor.
  • Liquid Sweetener – Although completely optional, any of your favorite liquid sweeteners will do. I prefer maple syrup, but you can use honey or agave if that’s all you have on hand.

Dry Ingredients:

Dry ingredients are photographed from the top view.
  • Blanched Almond Flour – I highly recommend blanched almond flour (made from ground almonds) over almond meal (which is almond flour with the skins still on) more so for its light golden color, but you can use them both interchangeably. If you have the time you can easily make your own almond flour (made with grinding almonds in a high-powered blender (like Vitamix) or a food processor).
    If you want to make this recipe using almond flour, my favorite brand is Blue Diamond (affiliate link). I love that it tastes great and has almost no odor, which is usually an issue with most packaged almond flours sold in stores.
    If you want to use almond meal (affiliate link), my favorite brand is Barney. 
  • Ground Flaxseeds – There are two options – regular Flaxseed or Golden Flaxseed. Either one can be used, however, regular flax seeds will give you specks throughout your gluten-free loaf, whereas golden flaxseed creates a more neutral-colored bread.
  • Baking Soda – The leavening agent reacts with the apple cider vinegar, giving you both lift and that beautiful golden hue.
  • Baking Powder – A bit more lift never hurt any low carb gluten-free bread recipe. To make this a paleo bread, you can use 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda with 1/2 teaspoon of cream of tartar as a substitute for 1 teaspoon of baking powder.
  • Fine Sea Salt – I specify fine sea salt since it dissolves easily into the batter. If you do not have fine sea salt on hand, you can also use the same amount of kosher salt.
Wet ingredients are photographed from the top view while a woman is whisking them.

How to make bread with almond flour

The batter is photographed while a woman is mixing it.
homemade low carb bread batter is placed in a loaf pan and photographed from the top view.

To make this Gluten-Free Almond Flour Bread, simply:

  1. Whisk together the wet ingredients. Add the oil, eggs, egg whites, apple cider vinegar and liquid sweetener to a medium bowl. Thoroughly mix all the ingredients together until smooth and emulsified (see PRO TIP below).
  2. Mix together the dry ingredients. In a larger bowl, add the almond flour, flaxseed, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Mix together until well combined and create a slight well in the center.
  3. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Fold together gently until just combined. Transfer to the prepared loaf pan (more on that below) and smooth the top.
  4. Bake. For 35 minutes, or until the loaf is golden brown, springs back to the touch and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow to cool for 10 minutes in the pan, then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.
  5. Serve. Slice and serve. A few of my favorite options include slicing the loaf like sandwich bread and placing a few slices of roasted turkey, lettuce, and mashed avocado between two slices.

How To Serve:

Go ahead, slice your almond flour loaf and enjoy it right away. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

  • Make avocado toast: Spread it with a thick layer of my avocado dressing and sprinkle it with bagel seasoning for a low carb breakfast.
  • Use it to make a sandwich: Layer it with baked turkey bacon, tomato, and lettuce for a keto BLT.
  • Serve in place of toast with a layer of cream cheese (or peanut butter) and your favorite jam.

Expert Tips:

  • Mix it well: Thoroughly mixing the wet ingredients until emulsified is important as it helps the bread bake to the right texture. When the wet ingredients become one smooth mixture and slightly thickened, you know it’s ready! Be sure to watch the quick how-to video below to see what it looks like.
  • Use room temperature ingredients: As it is with most baked goods, it is important to have your ingredients at room temperature for the best results.

FAQs

How many carbs are in almond flour bread?

As you might already know, almond flour has lower carbs compared to traditional flours (i.e. all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, etc.) that are used to make bread. One serving of this homemade low carb bread recipe is only 9.1 grams of carbs compared to 13 grams in a slice of traditional bread. Since almond flour is packed with protein, fiber, and nutrients, it’s the best way to get your bread fix while still being mindful of your diet.

How to make this quick almond flour bread paleo, keto, and whole30 compliant?

This almond meal bread is really easy to adjust to your diet by making just a few small changes to the ingredients. To make it Paleo, Keto, and Whole30 compliant, simply omit liquid sweetener and use a grain-free baking powder. The taste difference will be very minimal and you will still end up with a healthy, low-carb, and sugar-free bread you can serve for any meal.

How to Store Almond Flour Bread?

This homemade almond flour loaf keeps best in an airtight container or wrapped in parchment paper and stored on the kitchen counter for up to 3 days. However, if you keep it in the fridge it will store for up to a week. I would avoid wrapping it in plastic wrap, however, as it will trap moisture and completely ruin the texture of the bread.

How To Freeze This Bread?

For longer storage, slice it, place in a plastic freezer storage bag, seal tight, label, date and freeze for up to 3 months. Any time the craving strikes, simply remove a slice (or two!) from the freezer and pop it in your toaster!

What kind of loaf pan should I use to bake ground almond bread recipe?

I baked this basic almond flour bread in an 8X4 loaf pan (affiliate link) and the bread you see in these photographs was baked in that pan. However, you can use a 9X5 loaf pan (affiliate link) as well. I tried it both ways and the difference in baking time was just so minimal that I wouldn’t change a thing. However, please know the version baked in a 9X5 loaf pan is a little shorter in height and longer in length.

Can I use chia seeds instead of flax seeds?

While some readers made this recipe using chia seeds instead of flax seeds, I prefer the version made with flaxseeds. Ground flax seeds help with rising and provide a better form and shape to the overall bread.

Can I substitute coconut flour for almond flour?

This almond flour bread recipe will not work with coconut flour. While both of these flours are gluten-free, they behave differently in baked goods. Therefore, I do not recommend substituting one for another.

For the full nutritional information (including calories), please be sure to check out the recipe card above.

Low Carb, Paleo and Keto friendly Almond Flour Bread Recipe is sliced and photographed from the top view.
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Almond Flour Bread Recipe

The best quick and easy to make Almond Flour Bread recipe that is low carb, grain-free, gluten-free, dairy free, low sugar, paleo and keto friendly. Great to use as a sandwich bread or as toast for breakfast.
Course Breakfast
Cuisine American
Diet Gluten Free
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings 8 slices
Calories 288kcal

Ingredients

Wet Ingredients:

  • 5 Tablespoons (70g) Vegetable Oil, plus more for greasing – I used grapeseed oil but olive oil would also work
  • 2 large Eggs room temperature
  • 3 large Egg Whites room temperature
  • 1 Tablespoon (15g) Apple Cider Vinegar
  • 1 Tablespoon (21g) Maple Syrup (or honey)

Dry Ingredients:

  • 2 cups (224g) Blanched Almond Flour
  • ¼ cup (28g) Ground Flaxseed
  • ¾ tsp Baking Soda
  • 1 tsp Baking Powder*
  • ½ tsp Fine Sea Salt

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease an 8X4 (or 9 x 5-inch) loaf pan with 1 teaspoon vegetable oil.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the oil, eggs, egg whites, apple cider vinegar and maple syrup until emulsified*
  • In a large bowl, whisk together the almond flour, ground flaxseed, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Make a slight well in the dry ingredients and mix in the egg mixture until just combined.
  • Transfer to the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top. Bake 35 minutes, or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  • Let cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.

Video

Notes

  • Thoroughly mixing the wet ingredients until emulsified is important as it helps the bread bake to the right texture. When the wet ingredients become one smooth mixture and slightly thickened, you know it’s ready!
  • Substitute for baking powder: To make this a paleo-diet-friendly bread, you can use 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda with 1/2 teaspoon of cream of tartar as a substitute for 1 teaspoon of baking powder.
  • Can I use chia seeds instead of flax seeds? While some readers made this recipe using chia seeds instead of flax seeds, I prefer the version made with flaxseeds. Ground flax seeds help with rising and provide a better form/shape to the overall bread.
  • Storage: This homemade almond flour loaf keeps best in an airtight container or wrapped in parchment paper and stored on the kitchen counter for up to 3 days. However, if you keep it in the fridge it will store for up to a week.
  • Freezing Instructions: For longer storage, slice it, place in a plastic freezer storage bag, seal tight, label, date and freeze for up to 3 months. When you are ready to serve, pop it in your toaster to warm it up. There is no need to thaw.

Nutrition

Calories: 288kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 41mg | Sodium: 348mg | Potassium: 74mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 59IU | Calcium: 111mg | Iron: 2mg

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Spinach and Feta Cheese Bรถrek https://foolproofliving.com/spinach-and-feta-cheese-borek/ https://foolproofliving.com/spinach-and-feta-cheese-borek/#comments Tue, 14 Jun 2022 22:52:59 +0000 https://foolproofliving.com/?p=1824 What is Borek? Crisp and rich, borek is a savory Turkish pastry often served at breakfast and brunch. It’s made by layering ultra-thin dough, an egg mixture, and various fillings. Borek also comes in many shapes and sizes, ranging from cigarette-shaped rolls to large trays.  Traditionally, chefs prepare borek with Turkish yufka dough, an ultra-thin, unleavened dough made from flour, water, and salt. Yufka pastry leaves recipes—like borek—often use layers...

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What is Borek?

Crisp and rich, borek is a savory Turkish pastry often served at breakfast and brunch. It’s made by layering ultra-thin dough, an egg mixture, and various fillings. Borek also comes in many shapes and sizes, ranging from cigarette-shaped rolls to large trays. 

Traditionally, chefs prepare borek with Turkish yufka dough, an ultra-thin, unleavened dough made from flour, water, and salt. Yufka pastry leaves recipes—like borek—often use layers of a yogurt or milk mixture to keep the dough equally moist and flakey. 

Turkish borek sliced and placed on an oval plate

Although feta and spinach borek is a quintessential Turkish dish, you can find Turkish borek recipes across the former Ottoman Empire. The Balkans, Eastern Europe, and even Northern Africa are just a few places. Perhaps because of the pastry’s geographic range, its name has many alternate spellings. “Bourek,” “burek,” “börek,” and even “bòrek” are all popular variations.

Recipe Ingredients

Who knew authentic Turkish cuisine could be so easy to make? This spinach borek recipe only uses simple ingredients that you can find at your local grocery store.

yogurt wash and phyllo dough - ingredients for borek recipe on a marble backdrop
  • Phyllo Dough: You’ll need one package of phyllo dough to make this recipe, which you can find in the grocery store’s frozen section. Though chefs traditionally make Turkish borek dough from layers of yufka, phyllo dough (this is the brand I used) is easier to find here in the U.S. so that’s what I am using. Be sure to thaw it in the fridge overnight.
  • Yogurt Wash to Keep Layers Moist: For the yogurt wash, gather olive oil, whole milk, egg, plain unsweetened yogurt, salt, and black pepper.
spinach and feta filling ingredients from the top view
  • Borek Filling: In this spinach burek recipe, your filling will consist of olive oil, chopped onion, baby spinach, kosher salt, black pepper, crumbled feta cheese, sesame seeds, and egg yolks. You may also add poppy seeds or Nigella seeds if desired.

Substitutions

  • Cheese: Turkish feta cheese is a classic in this traditional börek recipe, but shredded mozzarella, cheddar cheese, and Monterey jack would also work.
  • Oil: If you’d rather not use olive oil, you can make this bourek recipe extra rich by using melted butter instead. Just make sure the butter is cool before using it.
  • Baby spinach: Swiss chard makes an excellent substitution for fresh spinach in this Turkish cheese pastry, as long as you sauté it first. You could also replace the baby spinach with potatoes for a heartier filling.

How to Make Borek with Spinach

Sheet pan borek is one of my recipe book’s tastiest and most effortless Turkish side dishes. You can learn how to make borek like an expert in just a few simple steps.

Cook the Vegetables & Make the Filling

person sauteeing veggies and making the yogurt milk mixture
  1. Sauté the veggies: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion to the pan and cook, frequently stirring, until translucent (4-5 minutes). Then, add the baby spinach, salt, and pepper to the pan. Toss the mixture every few minutes using kitchen tongs. Let it cook until the spinach loses most of its volume (approx. 5 minutes). Turn off the heat and let the veggies cool for 15-20 minutes.
    PRO TIP: If your veggie filling has too much liquid, I recommend straining the juices using a colander. Straining will keep your borek from turning soggy when fully assembled.
  2. Prepare the yogurt milk mixture: While your vegetables cool, whisk your olive oil, milk, egg, whole-milk yogurt, salt, and black pepper in a measuring cup.
  3. Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. 

Layer the Phyllo Dough

a collage of photos showing how to assemble borek from the start
  1. Layer the bottom borek sheets: Line your sheet pan with parchment paper. Then, layer sheets of phyllo dough onto the parchment paper until the whole pan is covered, using as many sheets as necessary. Let any excess dough hang over the sides. 
  2. Brush the phyllo: Lay a second layer of phyllo on top of the first, covering every part of the sheet pan. Pour 3-4 tablespoons of the milk mixture over the sheets, and use a pastry brush to spread it evenly over the dough.
  3. Add layers: Add another two layers of phyllo sheets on top of the first. Brush the top layer again with yogurt wash. Then, place one more layer of phyllo dough on the washed layer. Don’t brush this top layer with the milk mixture.
  4. Layer the filling: Distribute your cooled sautéed veggies over the top sheet of phyllo in one even layer. Then, sprinkle the crumbled feta cheese evenly over the spinach. 
a collage of images showing how to assemble cheese borak food
  1. Layer the top borek sheets: Place another two layers of phyllo dough over the spinach filling, covering it completely. Brush the top layer with the milk and yogurt wash. Then, place two more layers of phyllo dough on top of the washed layer. Brush the top of the assembled pastry with an even layer of the yogurt mixture.
  2. Fold excess dough: If any sheets are hanging over the side of the pan, fold them in toward the pastry’s center. Be sure to brush this extra dough with the milk mixture. At this point, your borek should look moist and tightly packed.
collage of photos showing before and after bourek recipe is baked.
  1. Cut the pastry: Cut your borek into 12 equal pieces using a knife. 
  2. Add toppings: Mix the egg yolks in a bowl. Brush the top layer of the borek with a generous layer of egg wash. If desired, sprinkle the top with sesame seeds and nigella seeds.
  3. Bake: Bake the borek in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes or until the top is golden brown. 
  4. Serve: Remove the pastry from the oven and let it cool for 15-20 minutes on a wire rack. Then, slice it along the pre-cut lines, and serve while still warm.

What to Serve with Borek

There’s a reason why so many people call it “borek bread.” This flaky and flavorful Turkish side makes a perfect pair with any dish you’d eat with bread, from light salads to meaty mains.

How to Make Ahead, Store, and Freeze

Make meal prep stress a thing of the past with this Turkish cheese borek recipe. Whether you make this dish a day or an entire month in advance, these storage tips have you covered.

  • Make ahead: To make your pastry ahead of time, cook the burek spinach and onions one day in advance. Store the veggies in an airtight container in the fridge, removing it when you’re ready to assemble your borek. Another option is to assemble the entire pastry, cover it with plastic wrap, and store it in the fridge overnight. Then, cook your burek as usual when ready to eat.
  • Store: Leftover borek will stay fresh for up to 3 days when stored in an airtight container. Just be sure to let it reach room temperature before storing.
  • Freeze: You can freeze your spinach burek recipe for up to one month before baking it. Just be sure to cover the pastry tightly with plastic wrap and cover it with aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn.
  • Thaw: Transfer your burek from the freezer to the fridge one full day before you plan to bake it. Then, bake the pastry according to the standard cooking directions (350 degrees F. for 30-35 minutes).

Filling Variations

The sky’s the limit when it comes to filling this Turkish cheese pastry. Whether you want a borek recipe with meat or a cheese burek for feta fans, these popular fillings are just what you need.

  • Meat borek: Make your pastry extra satisfying by adding a savory protein. Any meat will work, but ground beef borek, borek with minced meat, and ground lamb borek are some of my favorite savory fillings.
  • Cheese & herbs: Don’t want to add veggies? No problem! Borek with cheese and fresh herbs is a common filling you’ll adore. Simply fill your Turkish filo pastry with feta cheese and fresh parsley.
  • Try it with different vegetables: When you make burek, spinach is only one of the countless delicious veggies you can use. Roasted Shiitake Mushrooms and Baked Portobello Mushrooms are two of my favorite alternatives.
turkish cheese borek right after it comes out of the oven

Expert Tips

You don’t have to be a master chef to make international eats. With these foolproof tips, your cheese and spinach borek will come out flaky, gooey, and decadent every time.

  • Don’t worry about torn phyllo dough: Phyllo dough is so delicate that it may tear while you work with it. Don’t worry! You can easily pinch phyllo dough back together, and a few tears won’t ruin the dish.
  • It’s OK if you miss a layer: Don’t stress if you miss a layer when assembling your borek. This dish is highly forgiving, and it’s always better to have too few layers than too many.
  • Cover the filo sheets with a damp towel: As you are making this Turkish spinach borek recipe, be sure to cover the filo dough sheets with a damp towel to prevent them from drying. 
  • Don’t skimp on the yogurt wash: Be sure to spread the yogurt wash evenly over your Turkish pastry. Every layer should be adequately moist after brushing. 
  • Slice before baking: Slicing the borek pastry before it goes into the oven will make cutting and serving much easier. Simply slice the dough into your ideal portion sizes when you finish layering your borek.
  • Let the borek sit overnight: Though this step is optional, I highly recommend letting your borek recipe sit in the fridge overnight. Allowing your borek to rest will give your phyllo dough time to absorb the flavorful liquid, giving your pastry extra moisture and savoriness.
  • Strain your veggie mixture: If your sautéed veggie mixture has any liquid, I suggest straining it in a colander before adding it to your borek. Too much liquid will turn your pastry soggy.
  • Prewashed baby spinach: If you have a busy schedule or simply don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen, prewashed baby spinach will save you oodles of time.
  • Phyllo dough vs. puff pastry: Though phyllo dough and puff pastry can be found in the same section of the grocery store, they are not interchangeable. French puff pastry contains many layers of dough and butter, which rise and become airy in the oven. By contrast, phyllo pastry is paper-thin and bakes to a super fine, flaky texture.
Learn how to make Turkish Spinach and Feta Cheese Borek recipe - Borek served with Turkish Tea.

FAQs

You don’t have to be Turkish to be a borek buff. This handy FAQ will answer all your questions about my recipe for Turkish borek, from the dish’s national origins to its nutritional content.

Is borek the same as spanakopita?

Turkish borek and Greek spanakopita come from the same family of pastry. However, the two often differ in preparation and texture, with Greek spanakopita often having a flakier, puffier crust. 

Is it burek or borek?

Both spellings of this pastry are technically correct, depending on the country. Turkish people tend to spell the name as “borek,” while “burek” is more common in the Balkans.

What countries have burek?

Many may think of borek as Turkish food. However, you can find this iconic dish in numerous countries across the former Ottoman Empire. This area includes countries in the Balkans, Middle East, and Northern Africa.

Is spinach borek healthy?

This recipe for burek with cheese isn’t the healthiest, with many calories coming from fats and carbs. However, borek can provide essential nutrients from its vitamin-rich spinach and calcium-rich feta when enjoyed in moderation.

How do you eat borek?

 Traditionally, people have Turkish cheese borek for breakfast or brunch during family gatherings. However, you can eat borek alongside any meal in place of bread.

Other Turkish Recipes You Might Like:

If you try this Turkish Borek recipe or any other recipe on Foolproof Living, please take a minute to rate the recipe and leave a comment below. It is a great help to others who are thinking of making the recipe. And if you took some pictures, be sure to share them on Instagram using #foolproofeats so I can share them on my stories.

person serving spinach and feta cheese borek
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Spinach and Feta Cheese Börek – Turkish Borek Recipe

Learn how to make Spinach and Feta Cheese Borek – A classic Turkish Borek recipe made with stuffing phyllo sheets with spinach and feta. This authentic and simple recipe can be made ahead and baked right before serving for a warm and delicious breakfast or brunch recipe.
Course Appetizer, Breakfast
Cuisine Turkish
Diet Vegetarian
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings 12 slices
Calories 174kcal

Ingredients

For the Spinach and Feta filling:

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil or any vegetable oil such as avocado oil
  • 1 medium-size onion peeled and chopped
  • 16 oz. baby spinach leaves washed and dried
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt*
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 8 oz. crumbled feta cheese

For The Milk Yogurt Mixture:

  • 3 tablespoon olive oil or any vegetable oil such as avocado oil
  • ½ cup whole milk
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 tablespoons plain whole-milk yogurt
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

For The Layers:

  • 1 package of Phyllo Dough* thawed overnight in the fridge
  • 2 egg yolks
  • 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
  • ½ teaspoon Nigella seeds optional

Instructions

  • Cook the filling: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large pan at medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook, stirring frequently, until translucent, 4-5 minutes. Add the spinach, salt, and pepper. Cook it, tossing it every few minutes using kitchen tongs, until the spinach loses most of its volume, around 5 minutes. Give it a stir and turn the heat off. Let it cool for 15 minutes.
  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Make the yogurt milk mixture: Whisk olive oil, milk, egg, yogurt, salt, and black pepper in a bowl until combined.
  • To assemble: Line a baking sheet (mine is 12X17) with parchment paper. In a single layer, place sheets of phyllo dough onto the parchment paper. Use as many sheets as you need to make sure that the pan’s whole surface is covered. It is okay if some filo is overhanging on the sides.
  • Place another layer of phyllo on top of the first, again making sure that the bottom of the pan is covered. Pour 3-4 tablespoons of the milk mixture on the top layer of dough and brush it over the filo sheets, making sure that it is evenly spread.
  • Stack another two layers of phyllo dough on top of the first two. Again, brush the milk mixture over the top phyllo sheet. Then, cover the top sheet with one more layer of phyllo dough—not two. Do not brush the top sheet with the milk mixture again.
  • Spread the now-cooled spinach and crumbled feta cheese evenly over the top layer of phyllo sheets.
  • Place another two layers of phyllo sheets over the filling, covering it completely. Brush another 3-4 teaspoons of the milk mixture over the topmost sheet. Then, place two final layers of phyllo dough on top of the washed layer, and brush the top with the milk mixture. You should have 9 layers of dough in total.
  • If there are sheets overhanging on the side, fold them in towards the pastry’s center and make sure that they are brushed with the milk mixture. At this point, the borek should look nicely moist and tightly packed.
  • Using a sharp knife, pre-slice borek into 12 equal pieces (please refer to the video for a visual).
  • Mix egg yolks in a bowl.
  • Brush each slice with egg yolk and sprinkle with sesame seeds and nigella seeds if using.
  • Bake in the oven for 30-35 minutes or until it turns golden brown.
  • Let it cool for a few minutes, slice, and serve while it is still warm.

Video

Notes

  • Prior to adding salt to the filling, it is good to taste your feta cheese and determine if you need more salt or not.
  • If you have time, I recommend letting your borek rest before baking it. Simply cover the baking sheet with plastic wrap and place it in the fridge. Let the pastry rest for a few hours or up to overnight. Then, bake as usual.
  • Depending on the size of the sheet pan you are using, you may not need to use the whole package of phyllo dough. 
  • Strain your veggie mixture: If your sauteed veggie mixture has any liquid, I suggest straining it in a colander before using it as a filling. Too much liquid will turn your pastry soggy.
  • Don’t worry about torn phyllo dough: Phyllo dough is so delicate that it may tear while you work with it. Don’t worry! You can easily pinch phyllo dough back together, and a few tears won’t ruin the dish.

Nutrition

Calories: 174kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 87mg | Sodium: 503mg | Potassium: 481mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 6851IU | Vitamin C: 21mg | Calcium: 219mg | Iron: 3mg

This recipe was originally published in November 2013. It has been updated in June 2022 with new text, photos, and a how-to video with very minor edits (mostly for clarification) to the originally published recipe.

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Almond Flour Lemon Cake https://foolproofliving.com/almond-flour-lemon-cake/ https://foolproofliving.com/almond-flour-lemon-cake/#comments Fri, 08 Apr 2022 22:10:38 +0000 https://foolproofliving.com/?p=49733 You all know how much I am a fan of recipes with ground almonds instead of flour. With respect to my almond flour carrot cake, strawberry almond cake, almond flour vanilla cake, and chocolate almond cake, this almond lemon cake recipe is another one to add to my library of easy almond flour recipes. If you are a fan of ground almond recipes and want to try your hand at...

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You all know how much I am a fan of recipes with ground almonds instead of flour. With respect to my almond flour carrot cake, strawberry almond cake, almond flour vanilla cake, and chocolate almond cake, this almond lemon cake recipe is another one to add to my library of easy almond flour recipes.

If you are a fan of ground almond recipes and want to try your hand at making the ultimate spring dessert, read on! 

Almond Flour Lemon cake garnished with fruit from the top view

Why Should You Try This Recipe?

This flourless lemon cake made with almond flour is such a cinch to make. You’ll love it because:

  • Bursting with lemon flavor: We make good use of lemon zest from fresh lemons in this recipe and the end result is well worth the effort.
  • Light, bright, and sunny almond lemon cake: Nothing says spring and summer more than citrus cake, and this one surely hits the spot.
  • Serving is super versatile: Enjoy it plain as a simple breakfast or afternoon snack, or really jazz it up for a showstopping dessert for dinner parties, Easter, picnics, and more.
  • Special diet friendly: This refined sugar free and low carb lemon cake is a great recipe to have on hand to satisfy your sweet tooth if you are following a low sugar and low carb diet.

Ingredients

This gluten-free lemon almond cake recipe is made with only 10 simple ingredients. Gather together large eggs, maple syrup, vanilla extract, almond extract, almond flour, cornstarch, baking powder, lemon zest, fresh lemon juice, and fine sea salt.

ingredients for flourless cake with lemon

Ingredient Substitutions and Notes

  • Sweetener: Replace the maple syrup with an equal amount of honey instead for a delicious lemon almond flour honey cake.
  • Extract: Omit the almond extract, if you are not a fan or don’t have any on hand.
  • DIY Almond flour: Use your favorite brand of almond flour or follow my easy guide on how to make almond flour at home.
  • Almond flour vs. Almond Meal: You can use almond meal instead of almond flour in this recipe. However, be aware that lemon and almond meal cake is a bit denser and less airy than its version made with almond meal.
  • To make it paleo diet friendly: Keep it paleo by replacing the cornstarch with arrowroot powder or tapioca starch, and the baking powder with ½ teaspoon cream of tartar and ¼ teaspoon baking soda.
  • Cream of tartar: Rather than lemon juice, make good use of cream of tartar once more when whipping the egg whites.

How to Make

Patience is key with this gluten free lemon cake using ground almonds since much of the lift and texture comes from whipped egg whites. Here’s how to make this healthy lemon cake with almond flour in just a few easy steps:

Step by step photos of how to make the recipe
  1. Prep equipment: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Place a circle of parchment paper on the bottom of an 8 or 9-inch cake round pan or springform pan. Lightly grease the paper and sides of the pan with oil and set it aside.
  2. Separate the eggs: Separate the egg yolks and whites, placing the egg whites in a large mixing bowl and the egg yolks in a separate bowl.
  3. Whisk wet ingredients: In the bowl with the egg yolks, add the maple syrup, vanilla extract, and almond extract, if using, and whisk until smooth.
  4. Make batter: In a separate bowl, whisk together the almond flour, cornstarch, and baking powder. Fold into the egg yolk mixture, along with the lemon zest. The batter will be thick.
Steps showing how to make the batter for the cake
  1. Whip egg whites: To the bowl of egg whites, add the lemon juice and salt. Beat with the whisk attachment or hand mixer on medium-high speed until soft peaks form, about 2-3 minutes.
  2. Lighten up the batter: Stir ⅓ of the beaten egg whites into the batter to lighten it. Then, gently fold the remaining egg whites in with a rubber spatula until just combined. The batter should be evenly moistened with no streak of egg whites remaining, but it will not be completely smooth. Do not overmix. Transfer the batter to the prepared pan and gently spread it into an even layer.
  3. Bake: Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges of the cake have begun to pull away from the pan, the top is golden brown, and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Place the pan on a wire rack and let cool for 15 minutes.
Almond flour lemon cake cooling on a wire rack
  1. Serve: To serve, run a sharp knife around the cake to loosen it. If using a springform pan, release the sides of the pan. If using a cake pan, gently flip the cake onto a plate, peel away the parchment, then flip it back over onto a serving plate. Serve warm by itself or at room temperature, topped with whipped cream, berries (or any other seasonal fruit), and small lemon slices, if desired.

How to Serve

This citrus almond cake can be served warm or at room temperature. Some of my favorite ways include:

  • Plain and simple: Slice and enjoy with a hot cup of coffee or tea.
person showing how to assemble cake with whipped cream topping
  • Whipped cream and berries: Allow the cake cool completely, then layer the top of the cake with maple whipped cream and summer berries.
  • Blueberry Sauce or puree: It is no secret that lemon and blueberries go so well together. If you want to change it up serve it with homemade blueberry sauce or blueberry puree on the side or as a drizzle on top.

Variations

  • Lemon Cardamom: Add ½ teaspoon ground cardamom powder along with the dry ingredients.
  • Lemon Poppyseed: Add 1 Tablespoon poppy seeds into the dry ingredients for more of an Italian Lemon Almond Flour Cake recipe.
  • Honey Cake: Swap out the maple syrup for an equal amount of honey.
  • Winter Citrus Cake: Get creative with citrus and use orange, grapefruit, clementine, or tangerine zest, or Meyer lemons when in season.
  • Paleo Birthday Cake: Use my notes for making it a paleo layer cake, make a double batch, and layer it with coconut whipped cream and fresh berries.
  • Keto Lemon Cake: Use an equal amount of a keto-approved liquid sweetener.
  • Muffins: Scoop the batter into a parchment-lined muffin tin. Bake 15-18 minutes, or until the center springs back to the touch. The recipe will make 10-11 muffins.

How to Store

This healthy flourless almond cake will keep well on the kitchen counter, in the fridge, or even frozen for later. Here’s how:

  • Room temperature: Keep it under a cake dome or wrapped in plastic wrap for up to two days.
  • Fridge: Store in an airtight container or wrapped in plastic wrap for up to 1 week.
  • Freezer: Double-wrap the cooled almond cake in plastic wrap, then wrap in aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge or right on your kitchen counter.
A slice of Lemon Almond Cake from the front view

Expert Tips

  • Use a metal or glass bowl for whipping egg whites. Egg whites don’t whisk properly in plastic bowls.
  • Use room temperature ingredients. This ensures the lemon and almond meal cake batter is mixed properly. I pull out the eggs and maple syrup from the fridge while I gather the remaining ingredients.
  • Separate the eggs while still cold. Use gentle hands and make sure there is no yolk present in the bowl.
  • Make sure the bowl and whisk are squeaky clean. Egg whites will not whisk to stiff peaks if there is even a speckle of fat or dust on your bowl or whisk. Clean and dry thoroughly just before using.
  • Fold in the lemon zest with a spatula. I like to add the lemon zest along with the dry ingredients and fold them in with a spatula. This prevents it from getting stuck in the wires of your whisk.
  • Use precut parchment paper: If you are a regular baker and like me, not a fan of having to cut parchment to fit in the cake tin, use 9-inch precut parchment paper (affiliate link). It is surely a timesaver.
  • Cool cake completely on a cooling rack if you are planning to spread it with whipped cream.

FAQs

Is almond flour good for cakes?

Almond flour adds texture and a subtle nutty flavor that is much loved by those who follow a gluten-free or paleo lifestyle. I make it the star in many of my easy almond flour cake recipes.

Why is almond flour used in cakes?

Almond flour adds a mild sweetness and delicate texture to cakes. Plus, the added fat extends the shelf life, ensuring the baked goods retain moisture.

Can I substitute almond flour for regular flour in a cake?

No, you cannot substitute almond flour for regular flour with the same results. Since almond flour is gluten-free, it requires a higher amount of eggs to bind the batter.

Does almond flour bake like regular flour?

es, almond flour is a wonderful flour to bake with and a great substitute for all-purpose flour. That being said (and as mentioned above), it cannot be swapped for a one-to-one or cup-for-cup measure in recipes that call for wheat flour or gluten-free flours

Other Ground Almond Recipes You’ll Enjoy:

If you try this Flourless Lemon Almond Cake recipe or any other recipe on Foolproof Living, please take a minute to rate the recipe and leave a comment below. It helps others who are thinking of making the recipe. And if you took some pictures, be sure to share them on Instagram using #foolproofeats so I can share them on my stories.

Almond Flour Lemon Cake recipe from the top
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Almond Flour Lemon Cake Recipe

This Almond Flour Lemon Cake recipe is an easy to make flourless cake that can be served by itself or with whipped cream and berries on top. Light, fluffy and refreshing, it is also a gluten free, grain free and paleo-friendly cake that is perfect for spring and summer.
Course Naturally sweetened dessert
Cuisine American
Diet Gluten Free
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Cooling time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 50 minutes
Servings 8 slices
Calories 231kcal

Ingredients

  • 4 large eggs separated and at room temperature
  • ½ cup maple syrup * at room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon almond extract optional
  • 1 ¾ cups almond flour (7.35 oz)
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch use arrowroot starch for grain-free version
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder (see notes for paleo option)
  • 2 tablespoons lemon zest (about 2 lemons)
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice or ½ teaspoon cream of tartar
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt

Optional Toppings

Instructions

  • Prep equipment: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Place a round of parchment paper on the bottom of an 8 or 9-inch cake pan or springform pan. Lightly grease the paper and sides of the pan with oil and set it aside.
  • Separate the eggs: Separate the egg yolks and whites, placing the egg whites in a large bowl and the egg yolks in a separate mixing bowl.
  • Whisk wet ingredients: In the bowl with the egg yolks, add the maple syrup, vanilla extract, and almond extract, if using, and whisk until smooth.
  • Make the batter: In a separate bowl, whisk together the almond flour, cornstarch, and baking powder. Fold into the egg yolk mixture, along with the lemon zest. The batter will be thick.
  • Whip egg whites: To the bowl of egg whites, add the lemon juice and salt. Beat with the whisk attachment or hand mixer on medium-high speed until soft peaks form, about 2-3 minutes.
  • Lighten up the batter: Stir ⅓ of the beaten egg whites into the batter to lighten it. Then, gently fold the remaining egg whites in with a rubber spatula until just combined. The batter should be evenly moistened with no streak of egg whites remaining, but it will not be completely smooth. Do not overmix. Transfer the batter to the prepared pan and gently spread it into an even layer.
  • Bake: Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges of the cake have begun to pull away from the pan, the top is golden brown, and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Place the pan on a wire rack and let cool for 15 minutes
  • To serve, run a knife around the cake to loosen it. If using a springform pan, release the sides of the pan. If using a cake pan, gently flip the cake onto a plate, peel away the parchment, then flip it back over onto a serving plate. Serve warm or at room temperature, topped with whipped cream and berries, if desired.

Video

Notes

  • To make it paleo diet friendly: Keep it paleo by replacing the cornstarch with arrowroot powder or tapioca starch, and the baking powder with ½ teaspoon cream of tartar and ¼ teaspoon baking soda.
  • Sweetener: Replace the maple syrup with an equal amount of honey instead for a delicious lemon almond flour honey cake.
  • Turn them into muffins: Scoop the batter into a parchment-lined muffin tin. Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until the center springs back to the touch. The recipe will make 10-11 muffins.
  • DIY Almond flour: Use your favorite brand of almond flour or follow my easy guide on how to make almond flour at home.
  • Almond flour vs. Almond Meal: You can use almond meal instead of almond flour in this recipe. However, be aware that lemon and almond meal cake is a bit denser and less airy than its version made with almond meal.
  • Separate the eggs while still cold. Use gentle hands and make sure there is no yolk present in the bowl.
  • Storage Instructions
    Room temperature: Keep it under a cake dome or wrapped in plastic wrap for up to 2 days.
    Fridge: Store in an airtight container or wrapped in plastic wrap for up to 1 week.
    Freezer: Double-wrap the cooled almond cake in plastic wrap, then wrap in aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge or right on your kitchen counter.

Nutrition

Calories: 231kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 82mg | Sodium: 159mg | Potassium: 80mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 120IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 117mg | Iron: 1mg

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Turkey Bacon in Air Fryer https://foolproofliving.com/turkey-bacon-air-fryer/ https://foolproofliving.com/turkey-bacon-air-fryer/#respond Tue, 05 Apr 2022 19:37:06 +0000 https://foolproofliving.com/?p=49688 Why Should You Try This Recipe? Perfect for busy mornings, this air fryer turkey bacon recipe will soon become a favorite to serve along with your favorite breakfast, sandwich, and snack recipes. Ready in just 10 minutes, this method is quick and easy with minimal prep time. Plus, the end result is deliciously crispy turkey bacon that everyone will love. Less mess and easy cleanup thanks to the convenience of...

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Why Should You Try This Recipe?

Perfect for busy mornings, this air fryer turkey bacon recipe will soon become a favorite to serve along with your favorite breakfast, sandwich, and snack recipes.

  • Ready in just 10 minutes, this method is quick and easy with minimal prep time. Plus, the end result is deliciously crispy turkey bacon that everyone will love.
  • Less mess and easy cleanup thanks to the convenience of air fryer technology.
  • It’s a hands-off recipe with a simple cooking process. Just pop the bacon in the hot air fryer basket and wait for it to crisp up!
  • It is a healthier choice and a great alternative to traditional bacon fried in a pan.
  • It works perfectly in recipes like omelets, skillets, and quick breakfast sandwiches, or as a side with pancakes or French toast. And it’s not just for breakfast: try using it in soups and salads for lunch or dinner.
Crispy turkey bacon cooked in air fryer is held by a woman

Ingredients Notes

For this recipe, you’ll need a 12-oz package of turkey bacon. 

uncured Turkey bacon brands from a local grocery store

I prefer uncured turkey bacon because the cured options use harsh chemical preservatives, such as sodium nitrates. If you are in need of suggestions for the best turkey bacon options in US grocery stores, I recommend checking out Trader Joe’s, Wellshire, and Applegate turkey bacon brands.

With that being said, I think you can find the best brand of turkey bacon by buying a few different ones from your local grocery store and trying them out. 

How to Make

Below is my step by step instructions on how to make turkey bacon in air fryer:

Steps showing how to make turkey bacon in the air fryer
  1. Preheat your air fryer to 360 degrees F (182 C)
  2. Place the slices of turkey bacon in the preheated air fryer basket, making sure they do not overlap. If they don’t fit in a single layer, it is best to cook them in multiple batches.
  3. Cook for 5 minutes, flip each one of the turkey bacon strips one by one and cook for another 5 minutes. Please note that cook time might change slightly based on the air fryer you are using. The best way to gauge doneness is by checking it after the cooking time is complete and adjusting the timing as necessary.
  4. Serve immediately.

How to Store

Since turkey bacon is easy to make and tastes best hot from the air fryer tray, I suggest eating it right away. If you have leftovers, let them reach room temperature and then store them in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Ways to Serve

Expert Tips

  • Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket. If the pieces overlap or stack, the bacon won’t cook evenly. If necessary, cook any extra bacon in a second batch.
  • Make turkey bacon fresh. While this dish keeps for up to 3 days in the fridge, it tastes best straight out of the air fryer. 
  • If the bacon isn’t crispy enough after the 10 minute mark, continue to cook in 1-minute increments until it reaches your desired texture. In my recipe tests, 10 minutes was the perfect cooking time, but different air fryers cook differently so make sure the texture of the final product fits your personal preference.
Air fried turkey bacon on a plate from the top view

FAQs

How long to cook turkey bacon in air fryer?

The total time to cook air fryer turkey bacon is 10 minutes, 5 minutes on each side.

What is the ideal temperature for frying turkey bacon in the air fryer?

Air fry turkey bacon at 360 degrees Fahrenheit (182 Celsius).

Other Air Fryer Recipes You’ll Enjoy

If you try this Air Fryer Turkey Bacon recipe or any other recipe on Foolproof Living, please take a minute to leave a star rating and comment below. It helps others who are thinking of making the recipe. And if you took some pictures, be sure to share them on Instagram using #foolproofeats so I can share them on my stories.

Air fryer turkey bacon on a plate close up
Print

Turkey Bacon in Air Fryer Recipe

Cooking Turkey Bacon in the air fryer is easy and quick. The best part is that it delivers the crispiest turkey bacon without any of the mess.
Course Breakfast
Cuisine American
Diet Gluten Free
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings 12 slices
Calories 126kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1 package Turkey Bacon (12 ounces)

Instructions

  • Preheat air fryer to 360 degrees F.
  • Place as many slices of bacon as possible in the air fryer basket making sure that they are not overlapping. If you need to air fry more bacon you may have to do it in several batches.
  • Cook for 5 minutes and then flip the turkey bacon and cook for another 5 minutes.
  • Carefully remove the cooked turkey bacon from the air fryer and serve while it is still hot.

Notes

  • Storage: I find that turkey bacon is best right after it is out of the air fryer and while it is still hot. However, you can store the leftovers in the fridge in an air tight container for up to 3 days.
  • Check on doneness: Cook time might slightly vary based on the air fryer you are using. 

Nutrition

Calories: 126kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 32mg | Sodium: 754mg | Potassium: 130mg | Calcium: 3mg | Iron: 1mg

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How To Cook Turkey Bacon In The Oven https://foolproofliving.com/how-to-cook-turkey-bacon-in-the-oven/ https://foolproofliving.com/how-to-cook-turkey-bacon-in-the-oven/#comments Fri, 18 Feb 2022 22:47:24 +0000 https://foolproofliving.com/?p=48600 Why is this the Best Technique? This turkey bacon oven recipe is a godsend for home chefs searching for simple meal solutions. Who wouldn’t want to learn how to bake turkey bacon in the oven like a pro? Get crispy, evenly cooked turkey bacon in less than 15 minutes with this super simple, mess-free recipe. Say goodbye to bacon grease splatters and waiting by the stove with this effortless method....

The post How To Cook Turkey Bacon In The Oven appeared first on Foolproof Living.

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Why is this the Best Technique?

This turkey bacon oven recipe is a godsend for home chefs searching for simple meal solutions. Who wouldn’t want to learn how to bake turkey bacon in the oven like a pro?

  • Get crispy, evenly cooked turkey bacon in less than 15 minutes with this super simple, mess-free recipe.
  • Say goodbye to bacon grease splatters and waiting by the stove with this effortless method. Hands-off and easy to clean, this oven-baked turkey bacon recipe is a cinch to prepare compared to stove-top bacon.
Person serving crispy turkey bacon in a plate

Ingredients – The Best Turkey for Baking in the Oven

When making oven-baked turkey bacon, you’ll need one package (12 oz.) of—you guessed it!—turkey bacon. I prefer uncured bacon because it uses natural ingredients instead of harsh chemical compounds as preservatives. When cooking uncured turkey bacon, my go-to brands are Trader Joe’s, Applegate Naturals, and Wellshire (made with turkey thighs).

three different supermarket turkey bacon placed on the kitchen counter

Though I use uncured meat, this baked turkey bacon recipe will also work with cured and smoked turkey bacon. Different brands of turkey bacon, like Turkey Rashers, Oscar Meyer Turkey Bacon, and Butterball Turkey Bacon, can also be used.

How To Make it?

We can all agree that the best way to cook turkey bacon is easy and delicious. Out of all the ways to cook turkey bacon, my method will get you mess-free, crispy strips every time. 

turkey bacon oven directions shown in four photos with how to text on the image
  1. Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
  2. Prepare the baking sheet: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper (or aluminum foil) and place a wire rack on top of the prepared baking sheet.
  3. Position the turkey bacon: Line the raw turkey bacon on the wire rack in a single layer. Make sure no strips overlap one another. 
  4. Bake: Place strips of turkey bacon in the preheated oven for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, flip the bacon strips over one by one, and bake them for another 5 minutes.

What if I Don’t Own a Wire Rack?

If you don’t have a baking rack, bake your turkey bacon on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper. Then, cook the strips according to the above-listed turkey bacon oven directions: 10 minutes of baking followed by a quick flip and an additional 5 minutes in the oven.

To bake turkey bacon crispy without a wire rack, flip the strips one more time after their first 15 minutes in the oven and bake them for 2 additional minutes. 

How to Make Turkey Bacon Crispy in the Oven?

Every chef dreams of making the perfect bacon in the oven. With these simple tips, now you can! Never settle for chewy turkey bacon strips with these ingenious tips.

  • Dry the turkey bacon strips: When you first remove the turkey bacon from its packaging it might be a little wet. Pat dry it on both sides using a sheet of paper towel to remove extra moisture before putting it in the oven.
  • Use a wire rack: Cooking your turkey bacon on a wire rack allows your oven’s hot air to circulate both sides of the strips throughout the baking process. Not only does this circulation help cook your turkey bacon evenly, but it also helps remove any liquid released during the baking process.
  • Flip your turkey bacon: Remember to flip your turkey bacon slices at least once during the cooking process. This movement will help evaporate any extra juices released by the strips.
  • Watch for visual cues: Not every oven is the same, so it’s essential to keep an eye on your turkey bacon to achieve the right ​​level of crispiness. Bubbles and dripping liquid are a good sign because they indicate that the turkey bacon is getting rid of excess liquid and crisping up.
  • Broil your turkey bacon: If you choose to broil turkey bacon at the end of the baking process, cook it for no longer than 1 minute and be sure to keep an eye on it. Though broiling is an easy way to make your bacon extra-crisp, too much may lead to burning.
baked crispy turkey bacon on a wire rack

How to Store

Warm, crispy, and irresistible, the perfect turkey bacon is best on the day it’s baked. However, leftover bacon will stay fresh in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Just let it reach room temperature before storing.

Expert Tips

Cooking turkey bacon in the oven doesn’t need to be a hassle. With these simple methods, you’ll be baking turkey bacon like a pro, whether you’re a beginner chef or just a bacon-lover.

  • Don’t overlap: Make sure your turkey bacon strips don’t overlap when you line them on your wire rack. Layered turkey bacon won’t get crispy. Therefore, if you want to make more than one package’s worth of strips, I recommend cooking them in batches.
  • Add extra flavor: A great way to add bold, spiced flavor is to sprinkle your cooked bacon strips with freshly ground black pepper. (If you’re a pepper freak, this tip is for you!)
  • Cook in a toaster oven: If you want to make turkey bacon in a toaster oven, make sure you don’t overcrowd your strips. Baking your turkey bacon in batches will help clear space for proper cooking.
  • Line your baking sheet: Line your sheet pan with aluminum foil or parchment paper before cooking your turkey bacon for super easy cleanup. Even if you use a wire rack, I recommend lining the sheet pan underneath.

Recipes You Can Use Oven-Baked Turkey Bacon

Turkey bacon recipes are versatile, flavorful, and positively mouthwatering. Top your favorite meals with turkey bacon or eat it by itself. However you serve them, these great recipes are sure to please!

  • As a topping for soups: Nothing adds more scrumptious, savory depth to a bowl of soup than crisp turkey bacon. Just chop up your oven baked turkey bacon into bite-sized crumbles and add them to your bowl.
  • As a topping for salads: Want to add a delectable crunch to your five-star salad? Turkey bacon is the way to go! Add delicious turkey bacon crumbles to any salad recipe—like my Broccoli and Cauliflower Salad—and you’ll want to lick your bowl clean.
  • With eggs for breakfast: No breakfast is complete without a few slices of turkey bacon. Start your day off right with this rich, protein-packed addition.

FAQs

Whether you want to know whether you can cook turkey bacon in the oven or how to cook turkey bacon healthy, this collection of most-asked questions is just for you!

Is turkey bacon healthy?

Though it’s delicious, turkey bacon is processed meat that often contains chemical preservatives and lots of sodium. Similar to traditional bacon turkey bacon isn’t the most nutritious food option. Still, it has a lower fat content and fewer calories than regular pork bacon, making it a healthier option.

How long to cook turkey bacon in the oven?

Depending on the temperature, your turkey bacon cook time will vary. Generally, turkey bacon will need 15-17 minutes in the oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit and about 20 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

What temperature to cook turkey bacon in the oven?

I suggest cooking your turkey bacon at 400 degrees F to ensure maximum crispiness. However, you can also cook it at 350 degrees Fahrenheit if you prefer a lower temperature.

How long to bake turkey bacon at 400?

Prefer to cook your turkey bacon at high heat? Your turkey bacon will need to cook for 15-17 minutes in a 400-degree oven. You’ll also need to flip your strips after the first 10 minutes of baking.

How long to bake turkey at 350?

Want to bake your turkey bacon at a lower temperature? No problem! You’ll need to cook your bacon for about 20 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Remember to flip your strips after the first 15 minutes.

How to know when turkey bacon is done?

To know if turkey bacon is cooked, check its color. Though cooking times may vary, cooked turkey bacon should be a crispy, rich brown. When you remove your turkey bacon from the oven, you should not see any pink or translucent meat.

If you try this Baked Turkey Bacon recipe or any other recipe on Foolproof Living, please take a minute to rate the recipe and leave a comment below. It helps others who are thinking of making the recipe. And if you took some pictures, be sure to share them on Instagram using #foolproofeats so I can share them on my stories.

Cooked turkey bacon on a plate
Print

How To Cook Turkey Bacon In The Oven Recipe

Learn how to bake turkey bacon in the oven with these easy steps. To me, this is the best way of cooking turkey bacon and it produces the crispiest turkey bacon in the end.
Course Breakfast
Cuisine American
Diet Gluten Free
Prep Time 2 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 17 minutes
Servings 8 Bacon Strips
Calories 53kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 package Uncured Turkey Bacon (8 ounces)

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Line turkey bacon slices on the wire rack making sure not to overlap.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes. Remove from oven, flip them and bake for another 5 minutes.

Notes

  • What if I don’t have a wire rack? If you do not have a wire rack, cook them on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper following the same procedure: Bake for 10 minutes and then flip and bake for another 5 minutes. At the end of the second 5 minutes, flip the bacon one more time and bake for 2 more minutes. Flipping them twice delivers the crispiest turkey bacon.
  • The calorie information listed is for one strip of turkey bacon.
  • It is best to serve baked turkey bacon on the day that it is cooked. However, it can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Nutrition

Calories: 53kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 14mg | Sodium: 320mg | Potassium: 55mg | Calcium: 1mg | Iron: 1mg

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Coconut Sugar Cookies https://foolproofliving.com/coconut-sugar-cookies/ https://foolproofliving.com/coconut-sugar-cookies/#comments Fri, 17 Dec 2021 11:53:00 +0000 https://foolproofliving.com/?p=11734 Why Should You Try This Recipe? If you are new to baking with coconut palm sugar and are in need of a good cookie recipe with coconut sugar you are in the right place. This recipe is awesome because: No special equipment is needed: All you need is two bowls and a whisk. You do not need to chill the dough: Ready in 30 minutes, it requires no chilling time....

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Why Should You Try This Recipe?

If you are new to baking with coconut palm sugar and are in need of a good cookie recipe with coconut sugar you are in the right place. This recipe is awesome because:

  • No special equipment is needed: All you need is two bowls and a whisk.
  • You do not need to chill the dough: Ready in 30 minutes, it requires no chilling time. And with my foolproof instructions, it is easy to make even for beginner bakers.
  • Great recipe if you are new to desserts with coconut sugar: Got a bag of coconut sugar waiting to be used in the depths of your pantry? This coconut sugar cookie recipe is a great one to use. With its addictive chewy texture, this is the perfect sugar cookie recipe for the holiday season and gifting.
Coconut sugar cookies placed on top of each other photographed from the top view.

Ingredients

To make these coconut palm sugar cookies, you will need seven simple pantry staple ingredients. Gather all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, kosher salt, unsalted butter (melted and cooled), coconut sugar, large eggs, and pure vanilla extract.

The ingredients for the recipe portioned and photographed from top view

Helpful notes for ingredients:

  • Coconut sugar: If you are new to recipes using coconut sugar (and coconut sugar in general), compared to your usual granulated sugar, the sugar particles of coconut sugar are larger. Some recipes even ask that you run it through a food processor to break some of those larger particles. The good news is that you do not need to do that for this recipe. Thanks to the melted butter and eggs you have enough liquid to make sure that it melts into the cookie throughout the baking process.
    My favorite coconut palm sugar is this organic brand. You can also find it in your local grocery stores.
  • Salt: As it is with all my recipes, I used Diamond kosher salt in this recipe. If you are using Morton kosher salt or table salt, use half of the salt listed in the recipe.

How To Make? Step by Step Instructions:

The perfect sugar cookie recipe with coconut sugar is no different than any other cookie recipe. With these easy steps making these coconut sugar sugar cookies is a breeze. Here is how:

A collage of four photos showing how to make the recipe
  1. Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, mix all purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt.
  2. Whisk wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk melted butter, 1 ¾ cups of coconut sugar, egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract until fully combined and no lumps remain.
  3. Mix them together: Pour the wet ingredients into the flour mixture. Using a spatula, stir to ensure no flour pockets remain. You may have to scrape the sides of the bowl to ensure that all ingredients are evenly distributed.
person portioning out cookies to bake them
  1. Portion cookies: Place the reserved ¼ cup coconut sugar on a plate. Divide dough into 24 portions, each about 2 tablespoons, rolling between hands into balls. 
coconut palm sugar cookies baked- showing stages in a collage
  1. Coat them with coconut sugar: Working in batches, gently roll each cookie ball in the coconut sugar making sure each ball is coated with the sugar.
  2. Arrange cookies on baking sheets: Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Place coconut sugar cookies on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart, 12 dough balls per sheet. Using the back of a glass or a ramekin, lightly press on each cookie to slightly flatten.
  3. Bake cookies: Bake cookies, in a preheated 350 degrees F oven, one sheet at a time until they are browned and edges have begun to set but centers are still soft, 12 to 14 minutes, rotating baking sheet halfway through baking. When they first come out of the oven they will look like they are underbaked. This is normal. Resist the temptation to bake them longer. 
  4. Let them cool: Cool coconut cookies on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. And then transfer them to a wire rack and let them cool to room temperature before serving.

How To Store, Freeze, and Thaw?

One of my favorite things about these refined sugar cookies is that they store and freeze well. So, go ahead, make a batch, bake some right away and freeze the rest to bake later. Here is how:

  • To Store: Let the cookies come to room temperature on the cooling rack. Place them in an airtight container or a cookie jar with a tight fitting lid. They should keep fresh upto 3 days.
  • To Freeze: Place raw portioned cookies on a baking sheet and place in the freezer. Let them freeze for at least 4 hours or overnight. Transfer them into a freezer safe container (or freezer bag), get the air out as much as possible and store in the freezer. They should be good for up to a month.
  • To Thaw: You do not need to thaw these cookies overnight. Instead, take them out before you preheat the oven. Place them on the cookie sheet and let them sit on the counter while the oven is preheating. Add only 1 more minute of baking time.
Coconut sugar cookies on a cooling rack from top view

Expert Tips:

  • Use a cookie scoop: For perfectly portioned and even baked cookies, I recommend using a cookie scoop. I own and recommend this one (affiliate link). With that being said, if you do not have one you can use a tablespoon measure and portion 2 tablespoons of cookie dough for each cookie.
  • When mixing the dry ingredients with the wet ones at first you might think that there is not enough liquid but I have tested this recipe many times and can assure you that the amount of liquid is just the right amount for perfectly buttery and simple sugar cookies.
  • Don’t be alarmed if they look underbaked: As I mentioned earlier, when they first come out of the oven, they will look underbaked. Resist the temptation to bake them longer. I learned this the hard way during my recipe testing. If you let them bake longer than 14 minutes they become hard. 
  • Make sure your ingredients are at room temperature: As it is with most cookie recipes, having your ingredients at room temperature will allow them to bake evenly. I usually take out the ingredients in the morning and let them sit on the counter until I am ready to bake.
  • Melted butter: I recommend starting with melting the butter first so that it will cool while you are getting the rest of the ingredients ready.
  • Want to gift them? These cookies are perfect edible gifts for the holiday season. I usually make a batch, bring them to room temperature and pack a few in cellophane bags (affiliate link). I also include the recipe (title it as Coconut Christmas Cookies) on a cute card so that they can make it again if they wish to do so.

FAQs

How To Bake with Coconut Sugar?

While this doesn’t apply to every single recipe, most times you can use coconut sugar as a 1:1 substitute granulated sugar. Your baked goods will have a brown color with a deeper caramel-like flavor.

Can I use coconut sugar instead of brown sugar?

Yes. You can use coconut sugar as a 1:1 brown sugar substitute and it has a very similar brown sugar flavor. However, be aware that coconut sugar does not have any molasses and it will not hold as much moisture compared to baked goods made with brown sugar. Therefore, depending on the recipe you use, you might need to increase the amount of oil/butter or liquid you use in your recipe to make sure that it will have a moist texture.

Is coconut sugar good for you?

According to this article from Healthline, compared to white granulated sugar and high fructose corn syrup, coconut sugar has a lower glycemic index (doesn’t spike up your blood sugar levels too fast) and it includes some nutrients including iron, zinc, calcium, and potassium. However, its high sugar content outweighs any potential benefits so as it is with any sugar, it should be consumed in moderation.

Is Coconut sugar good for cookies?

Absolutely. Sugar cookies with coconut sugar are just as delicious as their version made with granulated sugar or even cane sugar. With the right recipe, you can make the most delicious cookies without breaking a sweat.

Other Coconut Sugar Baking Recipes You Might Like:

Whether you are looking for adding a new recipe to your collection of holiday cookies or are in need of a simple yet tasty cookie recipe, I have many other coconut palm sugar cookie recipes for you. So, if you are trying to figure out what to do with coconut sugar you are in the right place.

My other favorite flour to bake with is almond flour so the recipes below are all made with almond flour. I find that coconut sugar works perfectly with almond flour so if you are in need of a gluten-free cookie recipe instead, you can use these recipes as well.

Other Healthier Baked Goods You Might Like:

Note text

If you try this Coconut Sugar Cookies recipe or any other cookie recipes on Foolproof Living, please take a minute to rate the recipe and leave a comment below. It helps others who are thinking of making the recipe. And if you took some pictures, be sure to share them on Instagram using #foolproofeats so I can share them on my stories.

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Coconut sugar cookies on a wire rack top view
Print

Coconut Sugar Cookies Recipe

These Coconut Sugar Cookies are similar to your delicious buttery sugar cookies but made with coconut sugar instead. Ready in 30 minutes and made with only 7 ingredients.
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Diet Vegetarian
Prep Time 16 minutes
Cook Time 13 minutes
Total Time 29 minutes
Servings 24 cookies
Calories 103kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 cups all purpose flour 10 oz.
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 14 tablespoons unsalted butter – 1 ¾ sticks or 7 oz. – Melted and cooled
  • 1 ¾ + ¼ cups packed coconut sugar divided (9.55 oz. + 1.30 oz.)
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 large egg yolk
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Set aside.
  • In a large mixing bowl, mix all purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt.
  • In a separate bowl, whisk melted butter, 1 ¾ cups of coconut sugar, egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract until fully combined and no lumps remain.
  • Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Using a spatula, stir to ensure no flour pockets remain and ingredients are evenly distributed. At first, you might feel like there is not enough liuid to the amount of flour, but the recipe is correct.
  • Place the reserved ¼ cup coconut sugar on a plate. Divide dough into 24 portions, each about 2 tablespoons, rolling between hands into balls. Working in batches, gently roll each cookie ball in the coconut sugar making sure each ball is coated with the sugar.
  • Place coconut sugar cookies on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart, 12 dough balls per sheet. Using the back of a glass or a ramekin, lightly press on each cookie to slightly flatten.
  • Bake one sheet at a time until cookies are browned and edges have begun to set but centers are still soft , 12 to 14 minutes, rotating baking sheet halfway through baking. When they first come out of the oven they will look like they are underbaked. This is normal. Resist the temptation to bake them longer.
  • Cool cookies on a baking sheet for 5 minutes. Using a metal spatula, transfer cookies to a wire rack and cool to room temperature.

Notes

  • Don’t be alarmed if they look underbaked: When they first come out of the oven, they will look underbaked. Resist the temptation to bake them longer. I learned this the hard way during my recipe testing. If you let them bake longer than 14 minutes they become too hard.
  • If you want to bake with less sugar, you can skip the part where you roll them in sugar before baking.
  • Melted butter: When getting all the ingredients ready, I recommend starting with melting the butter first so that it will cool while you are getting the rest of the ingredients ready.
  • To Store: Let the cookies come to room temperature on the cooling rack. Place them in an airtight container or a cookie jar with a tight fitting lid. They should keep fresh up to 3 days.
  • To Freeze: Place raw portioned cookies on a baking sheet and place in the freezer. Let them freeze for at least 4 hours or overnight. Transfer them into a freezer-safe container (or freezer bag), get the air out as much as possible and store in the freezer. They should be good for up to a month.
  • To Thaw: You do not need to thaw these cookies overnight. Instead, take them out before you preheat the oven. Place them on the cookie sheet and let them sit on the counter while the oven is preheating. Add only 1 more minute of baking time.
  • An earlier version of this recipe was different than this version. After hearing from a few readers I decided to test it and change it into a different, hopefully better, coconut sugar cookie recipe.

Nutrition

Calories: 103kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 33mg | Sodium: 80mg | Potassium: 17mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 225IU | Calcium: 8mg | Iron: 1mg

This recipe was originally published in 2016, but updated with new photos and recipe in December 2021.

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Almond Flour Biscuits https://foolproofliving.com/almond-flour-biscuits/ https://foolproofliving.com/almond-flour-biscuits/#comments Tue, 02 Nov 2021 18:39:53 +0000 https://foolproofliving.com/?p=45048 Why Should You Try This Recipe? If you follow a low-carb, gluten-free, paleo, or keto diet, you’ve probably wondered, Can you make biscuits with almond flour? Not only can you make them, but you should! Here’s why: Quick, easy, and cost-effective, these gluten-free almond biscuits come together with 1 bowl, 5 ingredients, and less than 35 minutes! No need to dirty your food processor or any other equipment. Perfect for...

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Why Should You Try This Recipe?

If you follow a low-carb, gluten-free, paleo, or keto diet, you’ve probably wondered, Can you make biscuits with almond flour? Not only can you make them, but you should! Here’s why:

  • Quick, easy, and cost-effective, these gluten-free almond biscuits come together with 1 bowl, 5 ingredients, and less than 35 minutes! No need to dirty your food processor or any other equipment.
  • Perfect for those following a special diet following a gluten-free or grain-free diet, this versatile recipe works for anyone on any occasion, from afternoon keto tea biscuits to gluten-free Thanksgiving rolls.
  • Like my other homemade biscuits recipes, Sweet Potato Biscuits and Whole Grain Biscuits, these easy paleo biscuits can be served in place of bread whenever you need a savory, stress-free side.
  • This sugar-free biscuits recipe makes healthy living a cinch, whether you’re trying to cut back on sweets or accommodate a diabetic lifestyle.
Low carb biscuits on a plate close up

Ingredients

Only 5 simple ingredients are necessary to make these keto almond flour biscuits: almond flour, baking powder, kosher salt, unsalted butter, and large eggs. Plus, if you do not have almond flour on hand, you can save yourself a trip to the grocery store by learning How to Make Almond Flour at home.

Ingredients for the recipe are placed on kitchen counter

Hungry for more mouthwatering options? Make this almond flour biscuit recipe your own with pantry-ready add-ins, like shredded cheddar cheese, honey, maple syrup, erythritol, garlic powder, chives, and more!

How to Make Almond Biscuits at Home

Once you learn how to make almond biscuits at home, you’ll never want to make another side dish again. In just 5 steps and 35 minutes from start to finish, these bite-sized treats will be ready to eat.

person showing how to make keto almond biscuits in four images
  1. Mix the dry ingredients: Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with a piece of parchment paper. In a large bowl, mix together almond flour, baking powder, and kosher salt together until they are fully combined. Then, add in the melted (and cooled) butter and eggs into the almond flour mixture.
  2. Fold the mixture: Fold the wet ingredients and dry ingredients together until the biscuit batter is smooth and evenly mixed.
  3. Place biscuits on a cookie sheet: Using a large ice cream scoop, scoop biscuit dough (~2 tablespoons each) onto a lined baking sheet. Position the biscuits at least 1-inch away from one another. 
  4. Bake: Place the baking tray in the hot oven for 25 minutes. Once the biscuits are fully baked, let them cool on a wire rack for 5-10 minutes.
  5. Serve!

Variations

The best part about these almond bread biscuits? Their versatility! From cheddar cheese to honey, a few easy add-ins can turn these traditional biscuits from a savory side to a sweet treat.

  • Keto Almond Flour Cheese Biscuits: Just add half a cup of shredded cheddar and 2 tablespoons of chopped chives for simple almond flour cheddar biscuits. Or, for a creamier option, you can even use shredded mozzarella cheese.
  • Paleo Biscuits: To give this sugar-free biscuits recipe a sweet twist, just add in 2 tablespoons of honey or maple syrup.
  • Almond Meal Biscuits: While blanched almond flour and almond meal can be used interchangeably in this recipe, the version with almond meal would be a bit more dense and darker in color. While the below version is made without any addition of sugar, you can add 2 tablespoons of honey, if you want it to be a bit sweeter.
  • Whole30: To make whole30 biscuits, just use ghee instead of melted butter.
grain free biscuits with almond flour are on a plate from the top view

How to Serve

Nothing beats a dish you can make for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Whether you’re looking for keto Thanksgiving biscuits or almond flour breakfast biscuits, this easy recipe can do it all!

  • For Breakfast: Start your day off right when you serve these Almond Flour drop Biscuits with cream cheese. If you are a lover of sweet biscuits for breakfast drizzle them with a little bit of honey.
  • Tea Time: Butter and jam make an irresistible pair with these keto tea biscuits.
  • Dinner Rolls: No time to bake bread? No problem! These keto dinner biscuits are the perfect side to serve alongside soups, salads, or even dinner meals in place of bread.
  • For Thanksgiving: Served with gravy, this 35-minute recipe will become your new holiday go-to.

How to Store, Freeze, & Thaw These Paleo Biscuits

Now that you’ve found the best paleo / low carb biscuit recipe out there, the last thing you want to do is let them go to waste. Savor every bite of this filling treat with these easy storage tips:

  • Storage: These almond flour biscuits can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days at room temperature.
  • Freezer: To freeze the biscuits, let them first reach room temperature. Then, place them in an airtight container or freezer bag and freeze for up to 2 months.
  • Thaw: When ready to eat, remove the biscuits from the freezer and let them rest at room temperature for 15-20 minutes. Then, place them in a 250-degree F. oven for 5-7 minutes.

Expert Tips

Knowing how to put together these grain-free biscuits with almond flour shouldn’t be a secret. That’s why I’ve put together my best foolproof tips on how to get this recipe perfect every time.

  • Use an ice cream or cookie scoop to make sure your biscuits are evenly sized. You don’t need to press the dough flat or use a pastry cutter, either.
  • Place your biscuits 1 inch apart on the baking sheet. Because Almond Flour Biscuits don’t spread like regular biscuits, you don’t have to worry about your dough running together.
  • Transfer each warm biscuit to a wire rack after removing them from the oven to cut their cooling time in half.
  • If you need to make more biscuits, you can double the recipe for a larger output. There’s a reason why this is the best almond biscuits recipe out there!

FAQs:

Want to know more about this almond flour biscuit recipe? You’ll find all you need to know about this customizable dish right here.

Are Almond Flour Biscuits healthy?

Yes! Rich in nutrients like vitamin E and magnesium, almond flour is a healthy alternative to other flours (and may even help lower cholesterol!)

How many carbs in Almond Flour Biscuits?

This low-carb biscuits recipe has 6 grams of net carbs per serving.

Can you freeze Almond Flour Biscuits?

Yes. Once your biscuits have reached room temperature, they can be frozen in an airtight container for up to 2 months. 

Can I substitute almond flour for regular flour in biscuits?

Though almond flour makes for a healthy, diet-friendly substitute for regular flour, it cannot be swapped on a one-to-one basis. Because almond flour doesn’t absorb liquid at the same rate as all-purpose, gluten-free, or wheat flour, you’ll need to find a conversion rate that works when baking biscuits made with almond flour.

Other Low Carb Recipes You Might Like:

Having been featuring almond meal recipes since 2016, this website has so many low-carb recipes you can choose from. Below are a few that are loved by readers:

If you try this Almond Flour Biscuits recipe or any other recipe on Foolproof Living, please take a minute to rate the recipe and leave a comment below. It helps others who are thinking of making the recipe. And if you took some pictures, be sure to share them on Instagram using #foolproofeats so I can share them on my stories.

low carb almond biscuits close up
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Almond Flour Biscuits Recipe

Almond Flour Biscuits recipe that happens to be gluten-free, paleo, and keto-friendly. Made with only 5 ingredients, this low carb biscuits recipe is going to be your favorite accompaniment to all your breakfast dishes, soups and stews.
Course Breakfast
Cuisine American
Diet Gluten Free
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings 8 biscuits
Calories 253kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 cups almond flour 8.4 oz.
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 5 tablespoons unsalted butter melted and cooled
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 tablespoon honey or keto friendly sweetener optional

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set it aside.
  • Mix together the dry ingredients, almond flour, baking powder, and kosher salt in a large bowl until no lumps remain.
  • Add in the wet ingredients, melted butter, and eggs. If using, add in your choice of sweetener. Stir until fully combined.
  • Using a large ice cream scoop, or 2 tablespoons measuring spoon, scoop biscuits onto the prepared sheet pan making sure that they are at least 1-inch apart from each other.
  • Bake for 25 minutes or until the top is lightly golden brown.
  • Transfer onto a wire rack to cool for 5-10 minutes.
  • Serve.

Video

Notes

  • Keto Almond Flour Cheese Biscuits: Just add half a cup of shredded cheddar and 2 tablespoons of chopped chives for simple almond flour cheddar biscuits. Or, for a creamier option, you can even use shredded mozzarella cheese.
  • Paleo Biscuits: To give this sugar-free biscuits recipe a sweet twist, just add in 2 tablespoons of honey or maple syrup.
  • Almond Meal Biscuits: While blanched almond flour and almond meal can be used interchangeably in this recipe, the version with almond meal would be a bit more dense and darker in color. While the below version is made without any addition of sugar, you can add 2 tablespoons of honey, if you want it to be a bit sweeter.
  • Whole30: To make whole30 biscuits, just use ghee instead of melted butter.
  • Storage: These almond flour biscuits can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days at room temperature.
  • Freezer: To freeze the biscuits, let them first reach room temperature. Then, place them in an airtight container or freezer bag and freeze for up to 2 months.
  • Thaw: When ready to eat, remove the biscuits from the freezer and let them rest at room temperature for 15-20 minutes. Then, place them in a 250-degree F. oven for 5-7 minutes.

Nutrition

Calories: 253kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 101mg | Sodium: 231mg | Potassium: 33mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 337IU | Calcium: 103mg | Iron: 2mg

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Nut and Seed Bread https://foolproofliving.com/pumpkin-cranberry-nut-loaf/ https://foolproofliving.com/pumpkin-cranberry-nut-loaf/#comments Fri, 08 Oct 2021 07:28:00 +0000 https://foolproofliving.com/?p=11056 Why Should You Make This Recipe?  If you are a fan of roasted nuts and enjoy consuming superfood-packed seeds, you are in for a treat. Because this healthy nut and seed bread recipe is packed with those and more. But that is not all! Here are a few more reasons why you should give it a go: Low carb: While all nut breads are high in protein, my nut &...

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Why Should You Make This Recipe? 

If you are a fan of roasted nuts and enjoy consuming superfood-packed seeds, you are in for a treat. Because this healthy nut and seed bread recipe is packed with those and more. But that is not all! Here are a few more reasons why you should give it a go:

  • Low carb: While all nut breads are high in protein, my nut & seed bread is also low carb! Served in slices, it is perfect for breakfast or an afternoon snack when you need an extra energy boost.
  • Gluten Free and Keto-Friendly: This vegan nut bread loaf is free of eggs, dairy, and flour. It’s gluten free and with a few minor adjustments, it’s easily adaptable to be keto-friendly, too! 
  • Easy to customize: You can take this basic recipe and customize it with what you have on hand. Don’t care for pumpkin puree? Use my unsweetened applesauce. Not a fan of walnuts? Use pecans (or even a mixture of nuts). Sky’s the limit to make it your own.
  • Wholesome and Nutritious: This gluten free seed bread is nutritious and packed with healthy fats and superfoods like chia seeds, pumpkin seeds, and flaxseeds. Plus, it’s high in protein, which means it is very filling and it goes great with any meal including your favorite soups and salads!
  • Perfect Meal Prep: It stores and freezes well so you can make a batch over the weekend and enjoy it throughout the week.
healthy nut and seed bread sliced from the front view

Ingredients:

This list of ingredients might look long, but they are mostly ingredients that you likely already have in your pantry.

Ingredients for the recipe are portioned out on a marble backdrop

To start, grab raw walnuts, pumpkin seeds, old fashioned rolled oats (gluten-free certified), dried cranberries, whole flaxseeds, psyllium husks (also known as psyllium whole husks), chia seeds, kosher salt, ground cinnamon and nutmeg, unsweetened pumpkin puree, water, maple syrup, and vegetable oil. 

Substitutions & Variations:

  • Switch up the nuts: The recipe below uses raw walnuts and pumpkin seeds (aka pepitas) but you can play with your favorite nut and seed combinations. Chopped raw almonds and raw sunflower seeds is another delicious combination.
  • Dried fruits: I used dried cranberries (sweetened with orange juice) but you can use any of your favorite dried fruits. Dried apricots, raisins, and even dried figs would work. 
  • Change up the spices: It’s easy to change the flavor profile of this recipe if you’re not a fan of cinnamon or nutmeg.Other spices like ground ginger, cardamom, or even cloves would all go well in this bread.
  • Vegetable Oil: You can use coconut oil (melted and cooled), avocado oil, a light olive oil, or sunflower oil in this recipe.
  • Pumpkin Puree: Be sure to use unsweetened pumpkin puree instead of pumpkin pie filling. If you are not a fan of pumpkin you can also use applesauce.
  • To make it keto friendly: If you’re on a keto diet simply omit the dried fruit in the recipe and use an equal amount of erythritol syrup instead of maple syrup to make this nut & seed bread keto-friendly. 
  • Whole flaxseeds: You do not need to grind your flaxseeds for this recipe.

A Quick Note on Psyllium Husks:

The one, somewhat unusual ingredient in this gluten-free bread recipe is psyllium husks. If you are not familiar, allow me to explain:

  • Psyllium husks, also named as Psyllium Whole Husks, is an ingredient used in keto and gluten-free baking in place of eggs because when it comes into contact with liquid it turns into a gel-like consistency. It is also a natural source of fiber that doesn’t include wheat. This Keto Dinner Rolls recipe is a good example of how it is used in a bread recipe.
  • It has multiple health benefits, but the most popular one is the fact that it acts like a sponge in the digestive tract, which means it can absorb toxins and bad bacteria. For that reason, it is also marketed as a “colon cleanser” for people with digestive difficulties.
  • It can be found in the gluten-free aisle of your local grocery store, natural health food stores, or online (affiliate link). 
  • If this is your first time consuming psyllium husks, it is recommended to try a small dose as various sources on the internet cautions people as some allergic reactions or side effects have been recorded.
  • As you are shopping for psyllium seed husks, you might see a similar product called Psyllium Husk Powder. They are not the same thing so be sure to purchase the correct one.

How to Make This Low Carb High Protein Bread?

walnuts and pumpkin seeds on a baking sheet
  1. Roast the nuts & seeds: Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Spread walnuts and pumpkin seeds on a baking sheet and roast until lightly browned, 10-15 minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool.
person mixing the dry and wet ingredients in a bowl
  1. Mix the dry ingredients: Place all the dry ingredients; cooled walnuts and pumpkin seeds, oats, cranberries, flaxseeds. Psyllium husks, chia seeds, kosher salt, ground cinnamon, grated nutmeg, in a large bowl. Toss to combine.
  2. Add in the wet ingredients: Stir in the pumpkin puree, water, maple syrup, and oil. Mix until all of the dry ingredients are mixed with the wet ones.
Bread is placed in a loaf pan and covered with stretch film.
  1. Let it rest: Line a 9X5 inch loaf pan with parchment paper and lightly grease with cooking spray. Transfer the dough into the loaf pan rounding slightly on top. Be aware that it will not rise in the oven as it bakes. Cover with stretch film and let it sit at room temperature for 2 hours upto 8 hours.
  2. Bake: When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. If preferred, sprinkle it with sesame seeds and bake it for 1 hour 15 minutes. Be aware that the finished product will turn golden brown and feel firm to the touch. Let cool completely and then slice before serving.

How to Serve 

There are so many great ways to serve this vegan nut bread loaf and below are a few of my favorite ways to share it with my family and friends:

  • Spread it with cheese: A generous amount of mascarpone or cream cheese spread over this nut and seed bread is guaranteed to satisfy. But if you want to treat yourself, then try my maple cream cheese frosting.
  • With your favorite nut butter and/or jam on top: If you prefer to take the vegan route, try it with a generous spread of your favorite almond or peanut butter or jam. 
  • Serve it as a part of your meat and cheese board: Slice it and make it a part of your holiday cheese boards to serve with your favorite fruits, dips and spreads.
High protein bread sliced from the top view

How to Store, Freeze, and Thaw

This no flour nut bread stores well, which is one of the reasons why I always include it as a part of my weekly meal prep.

  • To Store: Bring it to room temperature, slice it, enjoy some and place the leftovers in an air-tight container. Store it in the fridge for upto 2 weeks. When ready to serve, heat it in your toaster oven.
  • To Freeze: Slices of this nut and seed bread can be placed in an airtight container and frozen for up to two months. Just make sure it is fully cooled to room temperature before freezing.
  • To Thaw: Take it out of the freezer and let it sit on the counter for 10 minutes and toast in the oven or in your toaster.

Expert Tips

Here are a few helpful tips to help you make this healthy nut bread recipe:

  • Prep it before bed: If you think that the waiting part is the hardest, do what I do and make it right before bed. That way, when you wake up the next day all you have to do is to bake it and enjoy it for breakfast.
  • Roasting Nuts: I get it. Roasting nuts requires an extra few minutes and you can skip the roasting part. However, doing so brings out the earthy flavors of the nuts and IMHO worth the effort.
  • Let the bread cool completely: I know how hard it is to wait for freshly baked bread to cool, but it is a necessary step that should not be skipped.
  • Not sure what your bread will look like when it’s done? Because this recipe doesn’t use flour or a leavening agent (like baking soda or baking powder), it doesn’t rise. Spread your dough artfully and it will look the same way when it’s finished baking in the oven!

Other Bread Recipes You Might Also Like:

I adapted this recipe from my friend Alanna’s (of Bojon Gourmet) cookbook Alternative Baker. Her book and blog are my go-to sources for GF baking.

As she was creating this nut and seed loaf, she was inspired by the Adventure Bread made at Josey Baker’s The Mill in San Francisco.

And if you can’t get enough of delicious homemade bread, here are a few more recipes for you:

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Nut and Seed Bread Sliced from the front view
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Nut and Seed Bread

This nut and seed bread is a vegan, gluten-free, low-carb, high protein, and no flour recipe that you can make with 20 minutes hands on time. It stores well so you can make it a part of your weekly meal prep, use some right away and freeze the rest for later.
Course Bread
Cuisine American
Diet Gluten Free, Vegan
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Resting time 8 hours
Total Time 9 hours 35 minutes
Servings 8 Slices
Calories 488kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cups raw walnut halves (175 g)
  • 1 cup raw unsalted pumpkin seeds (140 g)
  • 2 ¾ cups GF old-fashioned rolled oats (250gr)
  • 1 cup dried cranberries (145 gr)
  • ½ cup flaxseeds (90gr)
  • 1/3 cup psyllium husks (30gr)
  • ¼ cup chia seeds (40gr)
  • 2 teaspoon kosher salt (9 gr)
  • ¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
  • 1 can unsweetened pumpkin puree (15-oz)
  • 1 cup water (235) ml
  • ¼ cup maple syrup (60ml)
  • ¼ cup vegetable oil (60ml) avocado, sunflower and light olive oil would all work
  • 1 tablespoon sesame seeds optional

Instructions

  • Pre-heat the oven to 325 F (165 C) degrees. Spread the walnuts and pumpkin seeds on a sheet pan and toast until golden, 10-15 minutes. Take it out of the oven and set aside.
  • Mix together the rolled oats, cranberries, flaxseeds, psyllium husks, chia seeds, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a large mixing bowl. Stir in the walnuts and pumpkin seeds.
  • Add the pumpkin puree, water, maple syrup, and oil. Using a wooden spoon, stir well to make sure that the all the ingredients are evenly distributed and the dough is moistened through.
  • Line a 9X5 (23cm X 13cm) loaf pan with parchment paper. Gently transfer the dough into the pan. Gently pack it into the pan while rounding it slightly on top. Cover it tightly with a piece of plastic wrap and let it sit in room temperature, 2-8 hours.
  • When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Bake the loaf for 1 hour 15 minutes. The top of the loaf will be deeply bronzed.
  • Let it cool completely.

Notes

Substitutions & Variations:

  • Switch up the nuts: The recipe below uses raw walnuts and pumpkin seeds (aka pepitas) but you can play with your favorite nut and seed combinations. Chopped raw almonds and raw sunflower seeds is another delicious combination.
  • Dried fruits: I used dried cranberries (sweetened with orange juice) but you can use any of your favorite dried fruits. Dried apricots, raisins, and even dried figs would work. 
  • Change up the spices: It’s easy to change the flavor profile of this recipe if you’re not a fan of cinnamon or nutmeg. Other spices like ground ginger, cardamom, or even cloves would all go well in this bread.
  • Vegetable Oil: You can use coconut oil (melted and cooled), avocado oil, light olive oil, or sunflower oil in this recipe.
  • Pumpkin Puree: Be sure to use unsweetened pumpkin puree instead of pumpkin pie filling. If you are not a fan of pumpkin you can also use applesauce.
  • To make it keto-friendly: If you’re on a keto diet simply omit the dried fruit in the recipe and use an equal amount of erythritol syrup instead of maple syrup to make this nut & seed bread keto-friendly.
  • Whole flaxseeds: You do not need to grind your flaxseeds for this recipe.
  • As you are shopping for psyllium seed husks, you might see a similar product called Psyllium Husk Powder. They are not the same thing so be sure to purchase the correct one.

Storage & Freezing Instructions:

  • To Store: Bring it to room temperature, slice it, enjoy some and place the leftovers in an air-tight container. Store it in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. When ready to serve, heat it in your toaster oven.
  • To Freeze: Slices of this nut and seed bread can be placed in an airtight container and frozen for up to two months. Just make sure it is fully cooled to room temperature before freezing.
  • To Thaw: Take it out of the freezer and let it sit on the counter for 10 minutes and toast in the oven or in your toaster.
  •  

Nutrition

Serving: 8slices from a 9X5 loaf pan. | Calories: 488kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 35g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Sodium: 591mg | Potassium: 353mg | Fiber: 15g | Sugar: 17g | Vitamin A: 19IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 143mg | Iron: 3mg

This recipe is adapted (with almost no changes) Alana Taylor-Robins cookbook – Alternative Baker.

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Paleo Pumpkin Bread Recipe https://foolproofliving.com/paleo-pumpkin-bread/ https://foolproofliving.com/paleo-pumpkin-bread/#comments Sat, 02 Oct 2021 13:21:00 +0000 https://foolproofliving.com/?p=35967 Today’s recipe, Paleo Pumpkin Bread with Almond Flour is the newest addition to my collection of almond flour recipes. If you are like me, and enjoy baking with healthier ingredients that are minimally sweetened with natural sweeteners this pumpkin bread recipe is one to try.  If you are a fan of gluten-free and paleo quick bread recipes, be sure to also check out my Almond Flour Zucchini Bread, Paleo Banana...

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Today’s recipe, Paleo Pumpkin Bread with Almond Flour is the newest addition to my collection of almond flour recipes. If you are like me, and enjoy baking with healthier ingredients that are minimally sweetened with natural sweeteners this pumpkin bread recipe is one to try. 

If you are a fan of gluten-free and paleo quick bread recipes, be sure to also check out my Almond Flour Zucchini Bread, Paleo Banana Bread with Almond Flour, Almond Flour Bread Recipe, and Paleo Apple Cake recipe.

Gluten Free Pumpkin Bread with almond flour sliced from the top view

Why Should You Make This Recipe?

  • Simple ingredients & 15 minutes of hands-on time: Packed with warm fall spices like pumpkin pie spice, and ground cinnamon, and sweetened with coconut sugar it comes together in less than 15 minutes and requires no special equipment. 
  • Make it a quick bread or serve it as a muffin: I based this recipe on my Paleo Pumpkin Muffins recipe that I shared a few years back. The recipe is versatile enough to make it a quick bread or a muffin.
  • Made with wholesome ingredients: While I am a huge fan of the traditional Pumpkin Bread made with butter, this almond pumpkin bread uses no oil. Plus, it is made with almond flour and sweetened a bit less than a cup of coconut sugar, it is the perfect loaf if you are in need of a healthy pumpkin bread recipe.

Ingredients You Will Need:

This gluten-free paleo pumpkin bread recipe is made with canned pumpkin puree (for convenience) and a handful of pantry ingredients broken up into dry and wet categories. They are all simple ingredients you probably have in your pantry.

Dry Ingredients:

Almond Flour Pumpkin Loaf dry ingredients placed on a marble backdrop

For the dry ingredients, gather together blanched almond flour (almond meal would also work), baking soda, pumpkin spice, ground cinnamon, and kosher salt.

Pro Tip: Do not have almond flour at home? No worries, you can easily make it at home using raw almonds in just a few quick steps. Check out my foolproof step-by-step guide to making almond flour at home.

Wet Ingredients:

For the wet ingredients, you will need large eggs (at room temperature), coconut sugar, pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling), and vanilla extract.

Wet ingredients for Paleo pumpkin loaf

Additionally, if you want you can use optional toppings like dark chocolate chips and pumpkin seeds.

A quick tip on using oil: You might be wondering if I forgot to add oil to the list of ingredients. Well, I promise you that it is not a typo.

One of my favorite things about baking with almond flour is that, in most cases, baked goods made with almond flour do not require an additional amount of oil. I learned this when I was testing my Almond Flour Chocolate Cake

While this is not the case with every almond flour recipe, I strive to minimize to use of any additional oil if I can. Luckily, this pumpkin bread with almond flour recipe worked perfectly without needing any oil added to the ingredients list. 

How To Make Paleo Pumpkin Bread?

All it takes is two bowls, a loaf pan, and a few easy steps to make this recipe for grain-free, gluten-free, and refined sugar-free pumpkin bread with almond flour. Simply:

Person mixing dry ingredients in a bowl from the top view
  1. Mix together the wet ingredients: Place almond flour, baking soda, pumpkin spice, ground cinnamon, and a pinch of salt in a large bowl. Give it a good whisk to break the chunks of almond flour and ensure that all dry ingredients are thoroughly mixed.
Person mixing the wet ingredients from the top view
  1. Whisk wet ingredients until emulsified: In a bowl, whisk together the eggs, coconut sugar, pumpkin puree, and vanilla extract until emulsified.
Person mixing the batter for clean pumpkin bread
  1. Make the batter: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ones and mix until everything is thoroughly mixed.
  2. Prepare the loaf pan: I used a loaf pan that is  8 ½ by 4 ½ but 9 by 5 would also work. Simply grease it generously with oil and line it with a piece of parchment.
Batter placed in a loaf pan ready for baking
Almond flour pumpkin loaf batter topped off with chocolate chips and pumpkin seeds
  1. Transfer the batter to the loaf pan and bake: Pour the pumpkin bread batter into the loaf pan. Distribute it evenly using a spatula (or the back of a spoon). If using, sprinkle with naturally sweetened chocolate chips and pumpkin seeds and bake in a preheated 350 F degree oven for 65-70 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Almond Flour Pumpkin Bread sliced on a cutting board
  1. Allow it cool and serve: Let the almond flour pumpkin loaf cool for 5-10 minutes, then remove it from the pan and place on a wire rack to cool completely. Slice it up and serve.

How To Store and Freeze?

  • Storage: If you have any leftovers of this refined sugar-free pumpkin bread, let pumpkin bread cool to room temperature, slice it, and wrap the slices in parchment paper. You can store them on the kitchen counter up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Pro Tip: I prefer using parchment paper instead of plastic wrap as using plastic traps moisture and makes your pumpkin bread overly wet.

  • Freezing: Alternatively, you can place individually wrapped slices in a freezer bag and store them in the freezer up to a month. When ready to serve, simply pop it in your microwave or oven to warm up.

How To Serve?

This easy paleo pumpkin bread is delicious enough to serve by itself with your morning cup of coffee or tea. However, you can also take it up a notch and spread it with a few tablespoons of:

You can also serve it with a cup of whole milk or homemade almond milk for the perfect fall treat for yourself.

Sliced sugar free pumpkin bread with almond flour from close up view

Recipe Variations:

  • Paleo Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread: I used a few tablespoons of my favorite naturally sweetened chocolate chips to top it off at the end. However, if you want you can also add in chocolate chips into the batter and turn it into a more chocolate-y pumpkin chocolate chip bread.
  • Whole30 Pumpkin Bread: Whole30 diet restricts any use of sugar or sugary things, but if you are in need of a treat without breaking the rules you can make this almond flour pumpkin bread recipe without coconut sugar.
  • Keto Pumpkin Bread: If you are following a ketogenic diet then you can swap coconut sugar with monk fruit sweetener (affiliate link) using the same amount (¾ cup). If you are new to using monk fruit sweetener in your baking this is a great article to learn more about it.

If you thought that you cannot make pumpkin bread without flour think again. Because let me tell you, this grain-free and gluten-free pumpkin bread recipe is just as good, if not better than the added sugar and oil-packed version of pumpkin bread that is sold at grocery stores. 

Can’t Get Enough Pumpkin? Here are a few more recipes:

If you try this Paleo Pumpkin Bread recipe or any other recipe on Foolproof Living, please take a minute to rate the recipe and leave a comment below. It helps others who are thinking of making the recipe. And if you took some pictures, be sure to share them on Instagram using #foolproofeats so I can share them on my stories.

Paleo pumpkin bread with almond flour sliced
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Paleo Pumpkin Bread with Almond Flour Recipe

Paleo Pumpkin Bread recipe that is also gluten-free, dairy-free, low-carb, refined sugar-free, grain-free, and keto and Whole30 friendly with a few adjustments. With only 9 ingredients, you can make this almond flour pumpkin bread with only 15 minutes of hands on time. Serve with a cup of coffee, milk or tea for a healthy breakfast or snack.
Course Breakfast Sweets, Dessert
Cuisine American
Diet Vegetarian
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings 8 slices
Calories 244kcal

Ingredients

For the dry ingredients:

  • 2 cups almond flour or almond meal 238 grams
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon pumpkin spice
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • Pinch of salt

For the wet ingredients:

  • 3 large eggs at room temperature
  • ¾ cup coconut sugar 100 grams
  • 1 cup pumpkin puree*
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Topping (optional)

  • A handful of pumpkin seeds
  • 2 tablespoons chocolate chips

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 F. degrees. Grease and line an 8 1/2 by 4 1/2 loaf pan (or 9X5 would also work) with parchment paper. Set aside.
  • Mix together all the dry ingredients in a large bowl.
  • In a separate bowl, whisk together all the wet ingredients.
  • Fold in the wet ingredients to dry ones and mix until they are fully combined.
  • Place the batter into the prepared loaf. Distribute it evenly using a spatula or the back of a spoon. Top it off with pumpkin seeds and chocolate chips, if using.
  • Bake for 65-70 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.
  • Let it rest on a wire rack for 5-10 minutes, remove from the pan, and let it cool before slicing.
  • Serve.

Notes

  • How To Store? If you have any leftovers of this refined sugar-free pumpkin bread, bring it to room temperature, slice it, and wrap the slices in parchment paper. You can store them on the kitchen counter up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
  • How To Freeze? You can place individually wrapped slices in a freezer bag and store them in the freezer for up to a month. When ready to serve, simply pop it in your microwave or oven to warm up.
  • Pumpkin Puree: You can use canned or homemade pumpkin puree. If you are using canned pumpkin puree make sure that it is not pumpkin pie filling.

Nutrition

Calories: 244kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 61mg | Sodium: 191mg | Potassium: 86mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 4855IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 80mg | Iron: 2mg

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Pumpkin Bread Pudding Recipe https://foolproofliving.com/pumpkin-bread-pudding/ https://foolproofliving.com/pumpkin-bread-pudding/#comments Mon, 27 Sep 2021 17:51:00 +0000 https://foolproofliving.com/?p=1448 Why Should You Try This Recipe? Can’t get enough of pumpkin recipes? If so, you are in the right place. This Pumpkin Pecan Bread Pudding is exactly what you need because it is: The perfect fall pumpkin dessert, not to mention it is comforting, pleasantly sweet, and amazingly delicious. A great way to use leftover pumpkin puree and leftover bread. Made with simple ingredients and easy to customize and make...

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Why Should You Try This Recipe?

Can’t get enough of pumpkin recipes? If so, you are in the right place. This Pumpkin Pecan Bread Pudding is exactly what you need because it is:

  • The perfect fall pumpkin dessert, not to mention it is comforting, pleasantly sweet, and amazingly delicious.
  • A great way to use leftover pumpkin puree and leftover bread.
  • Made with simple ingredients and easy to customize and make your own with various (optional) add-ins like dried fruit, nuts, and spices.
Pumpkin Challah Bread pudding freshly baked in a casserole dish a portion taken out with a bowl of creme fraiche on the side

The best bread for fall-inspired bread pudding

First and foremost, we must discuss the bread.

Challah bread is cut into cubes by a person from the top view

Homemade challah is my preferred enriched bread of choice. It’s soft, deeply golden, and super satisfying. Plus, this recipe offers a great excuse to use the version of challah bread with raisins. A loaf of French brioche is another great option.

Ingredients needed for this recipe

I swapped out a few ingredients from my original pumpkin maple bread pudding to provide a clean and healthy recipe without refined sugar.

Ingredients for the recipe are laid out on a marble backdrop

Gather together two cans of pumpkin puree, whole milk, heavy whipping cream, large eggs, maple syrup, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, kosher salt, vanilla extract, Challah bread, pecans, and raisins.

A few helpful tips on ingredients:

  • Pumpkin: Make sure to purchase Pure Pumpkin Puree (no added sugar) versus Pumpkin Pie Filling (added sugar and spices). Fresh pumpkin puree is another great option.
  • Milk + Heavy Cream: Full-fat of both dairy products adds body and richness. It is dessert, after all! Substitute 1 ⅔ cups half-and-half (half milk, half cream) for a slightly richer custard.
  • Maple Syrup: Any color (dark, amber, golden) of pure maple syrup is wonderful. Use whatever you have on hand. Alternatively, you can use a cup of brown sugar or even coconut sugar as a sweetener in this recipe.
  • Cinnamon, Nutmeg + Allspice: The touch of ground spices really make this pumpkin dessert recipe taste like fall. Feel free to use 2 teaspoons of Pumpkin Pie Spice (or pumpkin spice) instead.

How to make this recipe?

All it takes is one large bowl, a whisk, and a 9×13 inch baking dish (or a 9 or 10-inch pie plate) to get this pumpkin pudding mixed together and ready for the oven. Simply:

A woman is mixing the batter
  1. Whisk together the wet ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together pumpkin puree, whole milk, heavy cream, eggs, maple syrup, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, kosher salt and vanilla extract.
Person adding and mixing Challah into the batter
  1. Add bread and mix-ins. Add the Challah bread pieces, pecans, and raisins.
Person mixing pecans and raisins
  1. Soak. Give it a gentle toss. Cover with stretch film and let it soak for 30 minutes.
  2. Preheat and prep. Ten minutes before the soaking time ends, preheat the oven to 325 °F. Spray a 9X13 inch baking dish with oil.
Pumpkin Maple Bread Pudding before and after it is baked.
  1. Transfer. Transfer the challah pumpkin mixture into the greased baking dish. Spread it using the back of a spatula to make sure that it is in an even layer. Sprinkle with a few tablespoons of pecans, if using.
  2. Bake! Bake for 50 to 55 minutes. Let it cool for 15 minutes on a wire rack and serve while it is still warm or at room temperature.

Serving suggestions:

This pumpkin dessert recipe is so delicious, like you-can’t-stop-eating-it delicious.

Pumpkin Bread Bread Pudding topped off with creme fraiche in a bowl with a spoon

Variations for this pumpkin spiced bread pudding:

  • Pumpkin apple bread pudding: Wash, peel, core and dice 1-2 tart apples (such as Granny Smith) and saute over low heat in 1 Tablespoon butter. Cool and add to the pumpkin custard mixture.
  • Pumpkin chocolate chip bread pudding recipe: Add 1 cup dark, milk or white chocolate chips along with the mix-ins.
  • Switch it up by using different nuts: Add or replace the pecans with 1 cup chopped walnuts.
  • Pumpkin Bread Bread Pudding: I have seen a few recipes online for pumpkin bread bread pudding (say that 5x fast!) which uses leftover pumpkin bread. I have never tested this myself as I feel it would be too sweet and steal away from the silky pumpkin custard. However, if you want to give it a go, feel free to try using half Challah half pumpkin bread to add in more pumpkin goodness into the recipe.
  • Sweet Potato Puree: If you’d rather make this recipe with sweet potatoes use an equal amount of sweet potato puree instead of pumpkin puree.

Making Ahead & Dessert prep for Thanksgiving:

This recipe works wonders made ahead of time, which is why I always make sure to make it as a Thanksgiving dessert.

Simply prep it the night before, cover it tightly with plastic wrap, and set it in the fridge overnight.

Remove from the fridge an hour beforehand, then bake in the oven following the recipe card below. If baking directly from the fridge, simply add 5-10 minutes to the baking time.

Storage and reheating instructions

The leftovers of this easy bread pudding recipe will keep for up to 2 days in the fridge. Cover with plastic wrap and keep it in the same baking dish you made it in. Or, cut into individual portions and place in an airtight container with squares of parchment between each piece.

To rewarm, place the entire pumpkin casserole, covered (to prevent from drying out) in a 350-degree oven for 15-20 minutes or until it is thoroughly warmed.

For individual bread pudding squares, place on a parchment-lined baking sheet, tent with foil, and bake for 8-10 minutes or until warmed through.

Pumpkin Challah Bread pudding freshly baked in a casserole dish with a bowl of creme fraiche on the side

Expert Tips:

  • Use your favorite type of bread. Jewish Braided Bread and Brioche bread (aka buttery French bread) are soft, pillowy enriched breads that make for a tender, bouncy pudding. If using day-old stale bread, French baguette, savory country, or crusty artisan bread, I recommend adding an additional ⅓ cup milk or cream to the pumpkin custard.
  • Use fresh or canned pumpkin puree. Both work beautifully. Two cans equals approximately 3 ⅔ cups puree.
  • Do not use canned Pumpkin Pie Filling. This is sweetened with sugar and additional spices.
  • Push down the bread gently into the custard. If the custard doesn’t fully cover the bread cubes, give it a gentle nudge occasionally during the 30-minute soaking time.
  • Allow the bread pudding to sit for 30 minutes before baking. This allows the bread to soak up all those rich, custardy flavors.
  • Allow it to rest once baked. The bread further soaks up even more of the mixture.
  • The center will spring back to the touch when it’s ready. This ensures the eggs are fully cooked through.
  • If you prefer more of a simple, everyday recipe made without pumpkin, my all-time favorite one is my friend Jessica’s Bread Pudding recipe and this delicious Crustless Pumpkin Pie.

FAQs:

What is the ideal ratio of bread to liquid for bread pudding?

I found the best ratio of liquid to bread is 1 ¾ cup liquid: 10 cups 1-inch cubed bread. This bakes a pumpkin pudding that is not too dry, not too soggy. If you prefer your bread pudding wet (or if using day-old bread, French baguette, savory country, or crusty artisan bread), add another ⅓ cup of milk or cream.

Does a bread pudding qualify as a dessert?

Absolutely. This recipe can be served by itself or with ice cream, whipped cream, or cream Fraiche on the side.

What is the ideal temperature to serve bread pudding?

You can serve bread pudding warm fresh out of the oven, at room temperature, or even right out the fridge.

More Pumpkin Recipes You Might Like:

If you try this delicious pumpkin bread pudding recipe or any other recipe on Foolproof Living, please take a minute to rate the recipe and leave a comment below. It helps others who are thinking of making the recipe. And if you took some pictures, be sure to share them on Instagram using #foolproofeats so I can share them on my stories.

Pumpkin Bread Pudding Recipe in a casserole dish right out of the oven
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Pumpkin Bread Pudding Recipe

To me, this Maple Pumpkin Bread Pudding recipe is the dictionary definition of a scrumptious fall breakfast. Whether you want to treat your family over the weekend or you have leftover pumpkin puree from making pie, this pumpkin bread pudding is a treat. Made with challah bread and sweetened with maple syrup, it is easy and quick to put together and oh so delicious.
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Prep Time 45 minutes
Cook Time 55 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 40 minutes
Servings 6 servings
Calories 418kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 15 oz. cans Pumpkin Purée – no sugar added
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 2/3 cup heavy cream
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 cup maple syrup
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon all spice (or pumpkin spice)
  • 1/8 tsp kosher salt
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon butter – room temperature
  • 1 Challah 10 cups of Challah bread – cut in to small chunks
  • 1/2 cup pecans chopped
  • 1/2 cup raisins

Instructions

Whisk wet ingredients:

  • In a large mixing bowl, whisk together pumpkin puree, whole milk, heavy cream, eggs, maple syrup, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, kosher salt and vanilla extract.

Add in the mix ins and bread:

  • Add in the cubed Challah bread, pecans, and raisins in the bowl.
  • Give it a gentle toss. Cover with stretch film and let it soak for 30 minutes.

Preheat the oven:

  • Ten minutes before the soaking time ends, pre-heat the oven to 325 °F. Spray a 9X13 inch baking dish with oil.

Bake:

  • Transfer the challah pumpkin mixture into the prepared baking dish. Spread it evenly using the back of a spatula.
  • Sprinkle with a few tablespoons of pecans, if using.
  • Bake for 50 to 55 minutes. Let it cool for 15 minutes and serve while it is still warm (preferably with ice cream on top).

Video

Notes

  • Use your favorite type of bread. Jewish Braided Bread and Brioche bread are soft, pillowy enriched bread that makes for a tender, bouncy pudding. If using day-old stale bread, French baguette, savory country, or crusty artisan bread, I recommend adding an additional ⅓ cup milk or cream to the pumpkin custard.
  • Use fresh or canned pumpkin puree. Both work beautifully. Two cans equals approximately 3 ⅔ cups puree.
  • Do not use canned Pumpkin Pie Filling. This is sweetened with sugar and additional spices.
  • Push down the bread gently into the custard. If the custard doesn’t fully cover the bread cubes, give it a gentle nudge occasionally during the 30-minute soaking time.
  • Allow the bread pudding to sit for 30 minutes before baking. This allows the bread to soak up all those rich, custardy flavors.
  • Allow it to rest once baked. The bread further soaks up even more of the mixture.
  • The center will spring back to the touch when it’s ready. This ensures the eggs are fully cooked through.
  • To store: Leftovers will keep for up to 2 days in the fridge. Cover with plastic wrap and keep it in the same baking dish you made it in. Or, cut into individual portions and place in an airtight container with squares of parchment between each piece.

Nutrition

Calories: 418kcal | Carbohydrates: 50g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 150mg | Sodium: 100mg | Potassium: 368mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 35g | Vitamin A: 748IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 152mg | Iron: 1mg

This recipe is adapted with minor changes from Anne Burrell and Suzanne Lenzer’s “cook like a rockstar” cookbook.

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Almond Flour Apple Muffins https://foolproofliving.com/naturally-sweetened-apple-almond-muffins/ https://foolproofliving.com/naturally-sweetened-apple-almond-muffins/#comments Sat, 25 Sep 2021 13:57:00 +0000 https://foolproofliving.com/?p=11298 Why Should You Make This Recipe?  This easy recipe is a wonderful addition to my foolproof Almond Flour Desserts collection. If you have under an hour of free time, these paleo almond cinnamon muffins are a delicious and easy way to celebrate the fall season, one muffin at a time! Visually Impressive: These Almond Flour Apple Muffins are picture-perfect treats that will have all your guests fooled as to just...

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Why Should You Make This Recipe? 

This easy recipe is a wonderful addition to my foolproof Almond Flour Desserts collection. If you have under an hour of free time, these paleo almond cinnamon muffins are a delicious and easy way to celebrate the fall season, one muffin at a time!

  • Visually Impressive: These Almond Flour Apple Muffins are picture-perfect treats that will have all your guests fooled as to just how easy they are to make and decorate!
  • Minimally Sweetened: The natural sweetness of the apples and maple syrup means that there is no refined sugar in these healthy apple muffins. 
  • In Season: These delicious muffins are an easy way to bake with the in-season apples you pick this time of year! Seasoned with a hint of cinnamon and that natural apple flavor, this fall treat will warm you up on the inside.
Apple Almond Flour muffins on a plate
  • Quick Clean Up: This recipe only requires one large bowl, one small bowl, and one whisk, so no long and tedious clean up afterwards. Just one more thing that makes this recipe so easy!
  • Paleo, Gluten Free and Dairy-free: These apple muffins are paleo friendly and gluten free, so you can meet many dietary restrictions in group settings with just one simple recipe.

Ingredients:

These Almond Flour Apple Muffins only require 12 simple ingredients, many of which you likely already have in your pantry. 

Ingredients for the recipe are laid out on a marble backdrop

Gather your almond flour, baking powder, baking soda, kosher salt, ground cinnamon, eggs, maple syrup, oil, vanilla extract, apple slices, and chopped walnuts.

Helpful Ingredient Notes including Substitutions:

  • Oil:  I recommend using vegetable oil or melted coconut oil, but don’t use olive oil for this recipe!
  • Almond Flour: This recipe calls for almond flour, although you can use almond meal interchangeably. Almond meal is a bit thicker than almond flour, but either creates a smooth textured muffin. Don’t have access to almond flour? No problem, follow my recipe for a simple DIY almond meal or almond flour at home. 
  • Apples: Any of your favorite juicy apples will work in this recipe. My personal favorites are Gala Apples or Honeycrisp Apples, but if you prefer a more sour apple, Granny Smith Apples or Pink Lady Apples are great alternatives. You can also do a mix and match with different apples to get a balance of sweet, sour and tart!
  • Slicing Apples: When preparing your apples of choice, it is important to slice them very thinly with a mandoline or a knife. Slicing thinly and evenly will ensure that they cook completely and thoroughly. If you are baking for younger children, or just prefer smaller pieces, you can cut your apple slices in half.
  • Maple Syrup: Pure maple syrup and agave nectar can be used interchangeably, depending on your taste preference and availability!

How to Make?

This paleo apple muffin recipe takes just a few steps from start to finish and is completed in just under an hour. Because of how easy these are to prepare, you can make these in advance to enjoy throughout the week, or as a spontaneous treat on the weekend!

How to make gluten free apple muffins step by step photos
  1. Dry Ingredients: Measure out and add your dry ingredients to a mixing bowl and mix together until completely combined. 
  2. Wet Ingredients: Measure out and ddd your wet ingredients to a separate bowl and whisk until completely combined.
  3. Combine: Simply pour your wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix together until all the ingredients are fully combined. 
  4. Add Apples: Gently fold in the thinly sliced apple pieces into the muffin batter just until combined. 
Apple muffins in muffin tin showing how to garnish step by step
  1. Pour into Muffin Tins: Divide batter into your prepared muffin pan. Make sure you have 12 equally filled muffin tins with the apple pieces dispersed evenly. 
  2. Decorate: Although this step is optional, it creates for beautifully decorated apple almond muffins. Thinly slice half an apple (again, your choice of apple) and lay three slices on top of each muffin. Each apple slice can slightly overlap to create a fan effect for an additional visual appeal. 
  3. Add chopped walnuts: For an additional texture and nutty flavor, add a small handful of chopped walnuts onto each muffin as well. 
  4. Bake: Bake your muffins at 325 degrees F for 35 minutes, or until the tops of your muffins turn golden brown. Allow your muffins to cool completely, at least 30 minutes in the tin or on a cooling rack, before enjoying!

How To Serve:

  • Enjoy these gluten-free apple muffins with your morning coffee or tea, or serve with my Homemade Almond Milk on any brisk day this fall!
  • If you cannot get enough of apple goodness, try serving it with a few tablespoons of my unsweetened applesauce on the side.

How to Store, Freeze & Thaw

The best part about these paleo apple cinnamon muffins is that they store and freeze well. Simply follow the steps below for delicious apple muffins every time:

  • To Store: This recipe makes 12 apple almond muffins that can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days at room temperature, or up to 5 days in the refrigerator. If you keep it in the fridge, warm them in a low-heat (250 degrees F oven) for 5 minutes before serving.
  • To Freeze: You can freeze these muffins for up to one month after making them. Allow the baked muffins to reach room temperature before placing them into the freezer.
  • To Thaw: Once you are ready to enjoy the muffins, remove from the freezer and allow to thaw for 15 minutes before baking at 250 degrees F for 5-8 minutes, or until they are warmed through.
Paleo Apple Cinnamon Muffins on a cooling rack

Expert Tips

  • Slicing Apples: If you own a mandoline, this is a great time to use it to thinly slice your apples. Big apple chunks will not work for this recipe, as they will not bake thoroughly and evenly. If you are looking to purchase a mandoline, I suggest this mandoline. Of course, you can always use a knife to slice your apples.
  • Muffin Tin Liners: I love using parchment paper muffin liners for all of my muffins. If you use parchment paper muffin liners (affiliate link), you do not need to grease your muffin tins. However, if you use regular paper liners, I recommend greasing your tins so that your liners do not stick and result in messy clean up. 
  • Wet Ingredients: I suggest having your wet ingredients at room temperature so that you can develop a velvety smooth muffin batter and evenly baked paleo almond meal muffins. 
  • Do not skip on cooling: While I know that it is hard to wait, do not skip on the cooling process. These almond apple muffins need at least 20-30 minutes to cool for best results.
  • Apples & Maple Syrup: As I mentioned above, you can use your own preference of apples, or a mix of different types of apples like tart apples and sour apples. However, if you are using sweet apples, you can decrease the amount of maple syrup that you use so that your muffins are not overly sweet. Start with using two tablespoons of less maple syrup and go from there.
  • Decoration: The decoration on top is optional, but it is very simple to achieve and beautiful at the end! 
  • Coconut Flour: Do not replace your almond flour with coconut flour, as the batter consistency will be off and it will not work for this recipe.

Similar Gluten Free Muffins You Might Like:

If you enjoyed these apple muffins with almond flour, here are a few other paleo and gluten-free almond flour muffins recipes you might like:

Other Apple Recipes You Might Like:

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Gluten free almond flour apple muffins served on a plate
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Almond Flour Apple Muffins Recipe

These gluten-free and paleo Almond Flour Apple Muffins are perfect for the chilly mornings of autumn to accompany your coffee. Naturally sweetened with maple syrup and apples, they are a healthier alternative to muffins made with granulated sugar.
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Diet Gluten Free, Vegetarian
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Cooling Time 20 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings 12 muffins
Calories 229kcal

Ingredients

Dry Ingredients:

  • 2 cups almond flour (8.4 oz.)
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

Wet Ingredients:

  • 3 large eggs at room temperature
  • ½ cup +2 tablespoon maple syrup
  • 3 tablespoons coconut oil melted and cooled (avocado and grapeseed oil would also work)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Add Ins and Toppings:

  • 1 apple Medium sized & Thinly sliced + more as garnish
  • ½ cup walnuts chopped

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Line a 12-cup muffin pan with parchment liners.
  • Mix almond flour, baking powder, baking soda, kosher salt, and ground cinnamon in a bowl until no lumps remain.
  • In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs, maple syrup, coconut oil, and vanilla extract on a bowl until emulsified.
  • Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ones and mix until fully combined.
  • Fold in the sliced apples.
  • Divide the batter evenly in the muffin tin.
  • If preferred, top each muffin with 3 slices of apples (like I did in the pictures) and sprinkle them with walnuts.
  • Bake in the oven for 35 minutes or until the top of the muffins turn golden brown.
  • Let it cool for 30 minutes before serving.

Notes

  • Apples: Any of your favorite juicy apples will work in this recipe. My personal favorites are Gala Apples or Honeycrisp Apples, but if you prefer a more sour apple, Granny Smith Apples or Pink Lady Apples are great alternatives. You can also do a mix and match with different apples to get a balance of sweet, sour, and tart.
  • Slicing Apples: If you own a mandoline, this is a great time to use it to thinly slice your apples. Big apple chunks will not work for this recipe, as they will not bake thoroughly and evenly. If you are looking to purchase a mandoline, I suggest this one. Of course, you can always use a knife to slice your apples.
  • Muffin Tin Liners: I love using parchment paper muffin liners for all of my muffins. If you use parchment paper muffin liners, you do not need to grease your muffin tins. However, if you use regular paper liners, I recommend greasing your tins so that your liners do not stick and result in messy clean up. 
  • Wet Ingredients: I suggest having your wet ingredients at room temperature so that you can develop a velvety smooth muffin batter and evenly baked paleo almond meal muffins. 
  • Apples & Maple Syrup: As I mentioned above, you can use your own preference of apples, or a mix of different types of apples like tart apples and sour apples. However, if you are using sweet apples, you can decrease the amount of maple syrup that you use so that your muffins are not overly sweet. Start with using two tablespoons of less maple syrup and go from there.

Nutrition

Calories: 229kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 41mg | Sodium: 195mg | Potassium: 84mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 69IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 86mg | Iron: 1mg

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Vegan Apple Crisp Recipe https://foolproofliving.com/vegan-apple-crisp/ https://foolproofliving.com/vegan-apple-crisp/#comments Sat, 11 Sep 2021 08:59:00 +0000 https://foolproofliving.com/?p=35696 We just came back from our local orchard from a whole day of apple picking. As is the case with these fruit picking sessions, we came back home with the juiciest fresh apples, which means I have a full day of cooking ahead. In addition to this vegan apple crumble/crisp, I plan on making my unsweetened applesauce, apple salad, healthy apple crumble, and apple cinnamon oatmeal. I love this recipe...

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We just came back from our local orchard from a whole day of apple picking. As is the case with these fruit picking sessions, we came back home with the juiciest fresh apples, which means I have a full day of cooking ahead.

In addition to this vegan apple crumble/crisp, I plan on making my unsweetened applesauce, apple salad, healthy apple crumble, and apple cinnamon oatmeal.

Vegan apple crisp topped off with ice cream in a pie plate

I love this recipe because:

  1. This vegan dessert is the perfect fall dessert that happens to be minimally sweetened with maple syrup. It uses simple ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry.
  2. It is crumb heavy. My vegan crumble topping recipe is made with rolled oats, almond flour, and coconut oil, and it is nice and crispy. Not to mention it pairs beautifully with pillowy baked cinnamon apples. If you are like me, a fan of the crispy topping more than the fruit layer, you are in for a treat.
  3. It uses coconut oil (aka my favorite butter substitute for apple crisp). I find that coconut oil has a very mild flavor that compliments the rest of the ingredients. 
  4. It is probably one of the easiest desserts that you can make in under an hour.
Vegan apple crumble in a bowl with a spoon

Ingredients You’ll Need:

As it is with most fruit crumble recipes, this vegan crumble recipe has two parts: The fruit layer and the crumble topping.

The Apple Layer:

For the fruit layer, you will need four medium-sized cubed apples, maple syrup, lemon juice, ground cinnamon, salt, and arrowroot powder (or cornstarch).

Ingredients for the apple layer

The best apples for apple crisp: When it comes to apple desserts, I usually like to use various apples. In this plant-based apple crisp recipe, I used a combination of Ginger Gold and Honeycrisp apples.

With that being said, any type of apple would work in this recipe. My recommendation is to use two types to take advantage of the different flavor profiles. For example, if you like sweet apples be sure to combine them with a tart apple like Granny Smith apples for a delicious sweet and sour combo of flavors.

Crisp/Crumble Topping Ingredients:

Ingredients for vegan crumble topping

For the crumble topping, you will need gluten-free oats (not the quick-cooking kind), almond flour, shredded coconut, ground cinnamon, coconut oil, maple syrup, and a handful of pecans (or any other nuts you like).

Ingredient Substitutions:

  • Starch: If you do not have arrowroot powder you can use cornstarch.
  • Almond Flour: You can use almond flour and almond meal interchangeably in this recipe.
  • Oil: If you are not a fan of coconut oil, you can use melted and cooled vegan butter or avocado oil as well.
  • Ground oats (aka Rolled Oats): If you are after a gluten-free apple crisp recipe, make sure that the oats you use are gluten-free certified.
  • Nuts: Any nuts would work here.
  • Maple syrup: You can use agave nectar in place of maple syrup.

How To Make?

The process of making this vegan apple dessert has three folds:

Make The Apple Filling:

Apple layer being prepared by a person

To make the apple filling, place all the ingredients in a large bowl, and give it a gentle stir to make sure that the apples are evenly coated with the arrowroot mixture.

Make The Crisp Topping:

To make the crumble topping, place oats, almond flour, shredded coconut, ground cinnamon, coconut oil, maple syrup in a large mixing bowl, and mix.

Crumble layer for the apple desert prepared by a person in a bowl

At first, it might feel like you need more liquid, but trust me, you do not need more. Stir in the pecans.

Assemble:

To assemble the apple crisp:

Apple Crisp without butter being assembled in a pie plate from the top view
  1. Spread the apple mixture at the bottom of a 9 or 10-inch oven-proof baking dish (you can also use a 9X13 casserole dish)in an even layer. 
  2. Distribute the crumble topping evenly on top.
  3. Bake in a 350 degrees F preheated oven for 40- 45 minutes or until the top part turns golden brown.
Non Dairy Apple Crisp recipe fresh out of the oven in a pie plate

How to store and make ahead this apple crisp?

  • Storage: This recipe serves 6 servings. I doubt that you will have any leftovers, but if you do, place them in an airtight container and keep it in the fridge for up to 2 days. When ready to serve, warm it in a low heat oven (250-300 degrees F) for 5-10 minutes.
  • Make-ahead: You can prep the apples a day in advance and keep them in an airtight container in the fridge until you are ready to use them. They will probably brown a little bit, but since you will bake them, it shouldn’t be a problem. I do not recommend making the vegan crumble topping in advance as it could get soggy. Luckily, it takes no more than 5 minutes to put all the ingredients in a bowl and mix them.

How To Serve?

While this vegan apple crisp recipe is delicious enough to serve by itself, you can also top it off with vegan vanilla ice cream like my Coconut Milk Cashew Ice Cream or coconut whipped cream. If you don’t mind it being a vegetarian apple crumble recipe, you can also top it off with my homemade vanilla ice cream.

Vegetarian apple crumble ingredients and a portion topped off with ice cream

If you are serving it for breakfast, you can put it in a bowl and serve it with a glass of homemade almond milk.

FAQs:

Do I need to peel the apples?

It is totally up to you. I prefer not to peel mine, but either way would work.

What is the best way to cut apples?

You can either cut them into small ½-inch cubes or ¼ inch slices. The shape is up to you. However, I recommend making sure that they are in a similar size to ensure even baking.

Can I use less sugar?

This recipe uses one tablespoon of maple syrup for the apple layer and ⅓ cup for the crumble topping. I think that it is just the right amount.
However, if your apples are super sweet, you can omit the addition of maple syrup in the fruit layer and use ¼ cup of maple syrup in the crumble topping instead. Doing so is especially a good idea if you are planning to serve it with ice cream.

Vegan Apple Crisp placed in a bowl with milk on the side.

Check out these products and more at Shaw’s

There you have it friends, an easy-to-make vegan, gluten-free, refined-sugar-free apple crisp recipe perfect for fall and the upcoming holiday season. Next time you visit your closest Albertsons Companies family of stores, including ACME Markets, Jewel-Osco, Vons, Pavilions, Randalls, Tom Thumb, Shaw’s, Star Market, United Supermarkets, and Carrs/Safeway, be sure to check out their O Organics® and Open Nature® products for a rich collection of plant-based, gluten-free, high protein, biodegradable and compostable items.

And with their Delivery or Drive-Up and Go feature, I love that I can shop online and have it delivered to save a trip to the store.

Other Vegan Apple Recipes You Might Like:

If you enjoy these kinds of easy apple desserts, then you might also like the recipes below:

If you try this Healthy Apple Crips recipe or any other recipe on Foolproof Living, please take a minute to rate the recipe and leave a comment below. It helps others who are thinking of making the recipe. And if you took some pictures, be sure to share them on Instagram using #foolproofeats so I can share them on my stories.

Vegan apple crisp recipe topped off with vanilla ice cream
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Vegan Apple Crisp Recipe

The best vegan apple crisp recipe made without the use of butter and refined sugar (sweetened with maple syrup and fresh apples). Caramelized apples topped with almond flour-oat topping for a perfect vegan apple crumble for fall. Add this to your collection of apple desserts to make during the apple picking season every year.
Course Breakfast Sweets, Dessert
Cuisine American
Diet Vegan
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 6 servings
Calories 523kcal

Ingredients

For The Apple Layer:

  • 4 apples medium sized – cut into ½ inch cubes*
  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 2 gr
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 2 tablespoons arrowroot powder or cornstarch – 14 gr

For The Crisp Topping:

  • 1 cup rolled oats not the quick-cooking kind- 100 gr
  • 1 cup almond flour/meal 120 gr.
  • ½ cup shredded coconut 40 gr
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 7 tablespoons coconut oil melted and cooled
  • cup maple syrup
  • ½ cup pecans roughly chopped 50 gr

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

To prepare the apples:

  • Place apples, maple syrup, lemon juice, ground cinnamon, kosher salt, and arrowroot powder in a bowl. Give it a stir. Place it in a 9 or 10-inch baking dish.

To prepare the crisp:

  • Mix together the rolled oats, almond flour, shredded coconut, ground cinnamon, kosher salt, coconut oil, maple syrup and pecans in a bowl. Mix until well combined.

To Assemble & Bake:

  • Distribute the crisp topping onto the apples in an even layer.
  • Bake for 40-45 minutes or until the topping turns lightly golden.
  • Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a cup of almond milk on the side.

Notes

  • What kind of apples should I use? Feel free to use any kind of apples you like. I personally like to use two different kinds for different flavors but either way would work.
  • How to peel & cut? I personally don’t feel it necessary to peel the apples but it is a personal choice. Either way would work. You can slice them or cut them into cubes as I did.
  • Can I make it ahead? You can prep the apples a day in advance and keep them in an airtight container in the fridge until you are ready to use them. They will probably brown a little bit, but since you will bake them, it shouldn’t be a problem. I do not recommend making the vegan crumble topping in advance as it could get soggy. Luckily, it takes no more than 5 minutes to put all the ingredients in a bowl and mix them.
  • How to store the leftovers? This recipe serves 6 servings. I doubt that you will have any leftovers, but if you do, place it in an airtight container and keep it in the fridge for up to 2 days. When ready to serve, warm it in a low heat oven (250-300 degrees F) for 5-10 minutes.

Nutrition

Calories: 523kcal | Carbohydrates: 52g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 35g | Saturated Fat: 18g | Sodium: 314mg | Potassium: 286mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 30g | Vitamin A: 66IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 86mg | Iron: 2mg

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Best Challah Bread Recipe https://foolproofliving.com/challah-bread-recipe/ https://foolproofliving.com/challah-bread-recipe/#comments Mon, 06 Sep 2021 08:58:00 +0000 https://foolproofliving.com/?p=4040 I think we can all agree that there is something so satisfying about baking bread at home. Kneading the dough, letting it rise, and baking it to perfection is an easy way to reach the pinnacle of instant gratification that we are always craving. And when it comes to bread recipes, for me, this homemade Challah bread recipe is at the top. This is not only because it looks gorgeous but...

The post Best Challah Bread Recipe appeared first on Foolproof Living.

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I think we can all agree that there is something so satisfying about baking bread at home. Kneading the dough, letting it rise, and baking it to perfection is an easy way to reach the pinnacle of instant gratification that we are always craving. And when it comes to bread recipes, for me, this homemade Challah bread recipe is at the top. This is not only because it looks gorgeous but also because it is one of the easiest bread recipes to make. 

Looking at the pictures you might not think so (and even feel intimidated), but I assure you, after reading this post with all my tips and tricks and watching the video I made on making Challah from scratch, you will succeed in making this Jewish braided bread in your very own kitchen, even if this is your first time.

Challah loaf on a wire rack with toppings around

What is Challah bread?

Challah is a traditional Jewish yeast-risen egg bread served on Shabbath or throughout the year on Jewish religious holidays. What makes it different is that it is traditionally made by braiding strands of dough and it is surrounded by tradition and loaded with symbolism.

While most people refer to this bread as Challah bread, the proper name for this Jewish bread name is Challah. It is pronounced as haa.luh.

Throughout the history, it has also been referred to as:

  • Shabbath Bread
  • Jewish Celebration Bread
  • Jewish Knotted Bread
  • Hollow Bread
  • Kitke Bread
  • Rosh Hashanah Celebration Bread
  • Jewish Sweet Bread

Ingredients

The list of ingredients for my easy dairy-free challah recipe is as follows:

Ingredients for jewish braided bread on a white marble laid out
  • All purpose flour
  • Kosher salt
  • Dry rapid rise yeast (not active dry yeast)
  • Large Eggs (at room temperature)
  • Vegetable oil – I find that the best oil for Challah is an oil with very minimal flavor like avocado, grapeseed, or canola oil.
  • Lukewarm Water (80-90 degrees F)
  • Honey or sugar
  • Egg wash & optional toppings like sesame seeds and poppy seeds
  • Nonstick cooking spray or more oil to grease the bowl

How to make it using my easy foolproof method?

The process of making this braided Challah bread recipe has 6 steps:

  1. Prepare and mix the ingredients following my recipe for Challah dough
  2. Knead the dough
  3. Let it rise (twice)
  4. Roll the dough and braid
  5. Brush it with egg wash and let it rise
  6. Bake

Below you will find step-by-step instructions on how to make my honey Challah with helpful photos.

Prepare & Mix The Ingredients:

Start with the dough. To do so:

Mixing dry ingredients to make kinke bread
  1. Place flour, salt, and rapid rise yeast in a large mixing bowl.
a woman is mixing the dry ingredients to make Jewish braided loaf
  1. Give it a whisk to make sure it is thoroughly mixed.
Adding eggs into the bowl with dry ingredients from the top
  1. Add in the wet ingredients; eggs, vegetable oil, honey, and luke warm water.
person mixing everything with a wooden spoon
  1. Using a wooden spoon stir until combined. It will be sticky and messy but do your best to incorporate as much as you can.

How to knead the dough?

To knead Challah dough:

person kneading the dough
  1. Sprinkle your kitchen counter with flour and scrape the dough out of the bowl onto the countertop.
A woman is kneading Challah dough on a marble surface
  1. Begin kneading by pushing it down using the heels of your hands. Fold it in half towards yourself, press down, and continue kneading all the while lengthening and stretching to activate the gluten. 

    If it is getting sticky, add a little more flour. This is why I always set aside a cup of flour on the counter.
Smooth Challah dough after it is kneaded
  1. Continue to knead, fold and turn dough for about 10-12 minutes or until it is smooth and no longer sticky adding flour as needed.

How much additional flour should I use during the kneading process?

The answer to this question depends on a few things like the temperature of your kitchen, the humidity, and how large your eggs are. However, I find that for two loaves of Challah, 6 cups of flour with an additional cup on the side to use during kneading is a good place to start. 

As you are kneading, you can add in a little bit more flour at a time until the dough is easily rolling without sticking to the counter. At the end of 10 minutes, what we are looking for is a soft dough that is easy to knead without sticking to the surface.

And remember, we are not trying to incorporate more flour into the dough. Rather, using just enough to make sure it is no longer sticking to the counter as we are kneading it.

Let The Dough Rise

A woman is placing the dough in a lightly oiled bowl
A woman is covering the dough with kitchen towel.
  1. Place dough into a lightly oiled large bowl, turn it around to make sure it is coated with the oil, cover it with a clean kitchen towel (or plastic wrap), and let it rise in a warm place that is also a draft-free spot for about an hour and a half to two hours or until doubled in size.
Woman punching the risen dough to get the air bubbles out
  1. When ready, punch the dough to get all the air bubbles out pressing it and kneading it in the bowl, cover it with a kitchen towel and let it rise for a second time.

PRO TIP: While I highly recommend the second rise, I made this bread several times without letting it rise twice. If you are short on time, you can omit this step and move on to braiding after the first rise.

A woman is transferring Challah dough onto a marble surface
  1. Transfer dough onto a lightly floured work surface, knead it for a few more minutes before rolling out the strands.

Divide and roll the dough to prepare for braiding:

I find that the best way to get even strands is to use a kitchen scale, measuring the initial weight of the dough and dividing it into equal pieces to get even strands.

My egg challah recipe here makes two loaves. Since I am planning to make two six-strand braid loaves, I will need twelve strands. We would have to do a little math here, but I promise it is worth your time.

The total weight of the dough is 54.4 oz (1542 gr), which means I need each strand to be 4.5 oz (127 grams).

A woman is cutting the dough to make strands

On a lightly floured surface, divide the dough, measure one by one on a kitchen scale, and put them aside. 

When completed, roll each piece into a small ball, set aside, and cover with a clean kitchen towel to prevent them from drying as you are working on rolling out the strands and braiding.

A woman is covering small divided dough with kitchen towel to prevent them from drying

If you do not have a kitchen scale, you can eyeball it as well. Do the best you can to cut them in equal portions.

How to roll the strands?

When ready to roll, take each piece, gently push it into a small rectangular (using the heel of your palm) and roll it out by starting in the middle and toward the edges. Gently pinch the seam and continue to roll out.

person rolling jewish knotted bread to make strands
A woman rolling strands of jewish celebration bread

If at any point it becomes difficult to roll out just let it rest for 5 minutes and roll it again. In the end, we want our strands to be around 12 to 13 inches long.

How to shape it? (6-Braid Challah Shaping)

Challah is made in various sizes and shapes, all of which have a meaning. Braided Challah is the most common of all those shapes. Braids can have two, three, four, or six strands, which all have different meanings. 

Person braiding Challah bread

In this post, I am featuring my six-braided Challah recipe. Follow the written instructions below to braid or watch the quick how-to video below:

To braid:

  1. Lay the strands lengthwise on the counter, pinch them together at the top. 
  2. Start from the strand that is on the very left and bring over to the very right. 
  3. Then take the one next to it and bring it to the very left. 
  4. Next, bring the outside right strand in between the four strands that are at the bottom. 
  5. Move the second one from the left to the very right and then bring the on the very left into the between the strands at the bottom.
  6. Continue with repeating the same steps until you are no longer able to move strands.
  7. When you reach the end, bring them in, tie together underneath and pinch ends to make sure that they won’t come undone.

Step by step video showing you how to braid six braided Challah bread:

Challah Baking Instructions

Challah dough is being brushed with egg was

When your Challah is braided, transfer it onto a parchment paper-lined large baking sheet and brush it generously with an egg wash (one egg mixed in with 1 tablespoon of water). 

Let it rise, uncovered, in a warmer part of your house for 45 minutes to an hour or until it is almost doubled in size.

Before baking, brush it with the egg wash one last time and sprinkle it with sesame or poppy seeds, if using.

Woman sprinkling homemade Challah bread with poppy seeds

Place it in a preheated 350-degrees F temperature for 35 to 40 minutes or until golden brown. When you thumb the bread, it should make a hollow sound.

Immediately transfer it onto a wire rack and let it cool for at least 45 minutes before serving.

Can you make the dough the night before?

In his book, Artisan Bread Every Day (affiliate link), Peter Reinhart recommends letting the dough sit in the fridge overnight for a more flavorful Challah recipe.

If you decide to refrigerate your Challah dough, follow the below steps that I learned from his book:

  1. Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl.
  2. Cover with stretch film and immediately place in the fridge. Let it rest overnight.
  3. When ready to bake, take it out of the refrigerator and let it rest for at least 2 hours.
  4. Prepare the strands and braid it as I did in this recipe.
  5. Transfer onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, brush it with an egg wash and let it rise for an hour.
  6. Brush it again with the egg wash and let it rise again for one hour. In the end, it should increase by 1 ½ of its initial size.
  7. Follow the recipe for the rest of the Challah baking instructions.
Freshly baked Challah bread with a knife on the side from the front view

How to store & how long will it keep?

I think this Challah bread recipe is best on the day it is baked. However, it will still be good for the next 2-3 days if you keep it in an airtight container.

If you want you can freeze leftovers. To do so:

  1. Bring your braided loaf to room temperature on a wire rack.
  2. You can freeze Challah as a whole loaf or slice before freezing.
  3. Place in a freezer bag, get the air out as much as possible, and store in the freezer for up to a month.

When ready to serve, to defrost:

  1. Remove Challah from the freezer 4-5 hours before serving. Let it come to the room temperature on the counter.
  2. Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Heat it in the oven for 15-20 minutes or until it is warmed thoroughly.

I do not recommend freezing raw braided Challah bread.

Can I make Challah using a standing mixer?

You sure can. Simply place all the ingredients in the bowl of a stand mixer attached with the dough hook. Mix in medium-low speed (8-10 minutes) until the dough is fully mixed and no longer sticky. You may have to add in more flour based on the temperature of your kitchen and the humidity levels.

Recipe Variations

Challah recipe with honey versus granulated sugar:

Most people use honey as the sweetener and make a round Challah during the Rosh Hashanah celebrations. I prefer using honey as my sweetener as we follow a diet made with natural sweeteners only. 

If you want to use granulated sugar instead of honey, you would have to make a few simple adjustments. In the recipe below, you will find instructions to make it with granulated sugar as well.

Can I incorporate raisins or nuts into my Challah?

You sure can. Honestly, until recently I have never made Challah with raisins but after I was introduced to it by a local baker, now I am hooked. 

Honey Challah slices on a cutting board from the front

If raisins are not your thing, you can also fill your braids with chopped nuts, chocolate or go in the savory route and use chopped olives or even sun-dried tomatoes.

You can add the raisins to the dough during the kneading process or better yet incorporate them into the strands as you roll each one. To do so:

Person filling dough with raisins
  1. Take each piece of dough, gently push it into a small rectangular (using the heel of your palm) and fill it with 2 tablespoons of chopped raisins (or whatever you are using).
person pinching dough with raisins
  1. Roll it onto itself and pinch the ends to seal tightly.
person rolling dough with raisins
  1. Roll it out gently by starting in the middle and toward the edges until it is 12 inches long.

If, at any point, it becomes difficult to roll, let it sit for a few minutes and roll it again. And keep in mind that this is not going to be perfect, some raisins will bulge and that is perfectly fine.

A Few final tips for the best Challah bread recipe:

  • Still feeling intimidated? Remember one thing: this is a very forgiving dough. You see it, the strands for my bread and the braiding are not perfect. I shot the photos and filmed the video on a hot August day when the humidity was very high. However, even with not so perfect strands and braiding, my Challah turned out beautifully. So please know that even if it doesn’t look perfect, after it is risen and baked, it will look and taste great. 
  • The rising time: The exact rising time depends on the temperature of your kitchen. If you are making it on a hot summer day, your bread will rise much quicker than when you make it on a cold winter day. However, regardless of the time, for the best challah recipe, you want to make sure you let your bread rise fully. 
  • How would I know when it is ready to bake? You will know when it looks puffed up and at least, doubled in size. It should also slightly wobble as you are placing it in the oven.

FAQs:

What can you use as a substitute for challah bread?

The closest bread to challah is brioche as it is also made with eggs and oil so you can use substitute challah bread with brioche.

What does challah taste like?

Challah has a soft texture with a mild slightly sweet egg flavor with every bite.

How long do you bake Challah?

It takes about 35 to 40 minutes in a preheated 350 degrees F oven. To check doneness, you can thumb the bottom of the bread if it makes a hollow sound it is fully baked.

What to do with leftover Challah?

Use it to make Challah French Toast or use it in any of your bread pudding recipes.

How long does a freshly baked challah retain its flavor and texture?

As it is with most bread recipes, Challah tastes best on the day it is baked. However, if you store it in an airtight container after it is completely cooled to room temperature, it should retain its flavor and texture for up to 3 days.

How is brioche different than challah?

Brioche is usually made using melted butter whereas most challah recipes use vegetable oil.

What is another name for Challah bread?

Some other terms used for Challah are Shabbath Bread, Jewish Celebration Bread, Jewish Knotted Bread, Hollow Bread, Jewish Sweet Bread, and Rosh Hashanah Celebration Bread.

Other bread recipes you might also like:

If you loved this recipe for Challah bread, be sure to check out the bread recipes below to up your bread baking game:

If you try this somewhat Easy Challah bread recipe or any other bread recipes on Foolproof Living, please take a minute to rate the recipe and leave a comment below. It helps others who are thinking of making the recipe. And if you took some pictures, be sure to share them on Instagram using #foolproofeats so I can share them on my stories.

challah bread on a wire rack from front view
Print

Challah Bread Recipe

If you have always wanted to try your hand in making Challah at home, but never got around to it now is the time. Follow my easy to follow instructions and foolproof recipe to make the best ever Challah at home.
Course Bread
Cuisine Jewish
Prep Time 3 hours 30 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 4 hours 10 minutes
Servings 2 loaves
Calories 62kcal

Ingredients

  • 6 cups all-purpose flour (850 gr) Plus 1 cup to use during kneading
  • 1 tablespoon Kosher salt (17 gr)
  • 2 packets rapid rise yeast (14 gr) 1/2 oz.
  • 3 tablespoons honey
  • 1/3 cup vegetable oil Plus 1 tablespoon for greasing the bowl
  • 1 3/4 cup water (412 ml) – lukewarm to the touch – somewhere between 80-90 degrees F.
  • 3 large eggs at room temperature

For Egg Wash & Topping

  • 1 large egg at room temperature
  • 1 tbsp water
  • 3 tablespoons black and white sesame seeds optional

Instructions

Prepare the dough:

  • Place 6 cups of flour, salt, and yeast into a large mixing bowl. Give it a quick whisk.
  • Add honey, oil, water, and 3 eggs into the bowl.
  • Using a spatula (or a wooden spoon), mix until they are incorporated.

Knead the dough:

  • Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured kitchen counter and knead for 10-15 minutes.
  • Grease a clean bowl with 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil. Place the dough seam side down into the greased bowl. Turn the dough a few times to make sure it is coated with oil.
  • Cover it with a clean kitchen towel and let it rest in a warmer part of your house for one and a half hours until it doubles in size.
  • Punch down the dough to get all the air bubbles out. Cover it with a kitchen towel and let it rise again for 45-minutes to an hour.

Prepare the strands (for braiding):

  • Divide the dough into 12 equal pieces. I used a kitchen scale to weigh the dough and then to cut it into equal pieces. However, you can also eyeball it.
  • Roll each piece into a small ball and set them aside. Cover with a towel to make sure they won't dry out while you are working on the braiding.
  • To roll, take each piece, gently push it into a small rectangular (using the heel of your palm) and roll it out by starting in the middle and toward the edges. Gently pinch the seam and continue to roll out. If at any point it becomes difficult to roll out just let it rest for 5 minutes and roll it again. In the end, we want our strands to be around 12 to 13 inches long.

To Six Braid:

  • Lay the strands lengthwise on the counter, pinch them together at the top.
  • Start from the strand that is on the very left and bring over to the very right.
  • Then take the one next to it and bring it to the very left.
  • Next, bring the one that is at the very right in between the four strands that are at the bottom.
  • Move the second one from the left to the very right and then bring the on the very left into the between the strands at the bottom.
  • Continue with repeating the same steps until you are no longer able to move strands.
  • When you reach the end, bring them in, tie together underneath and pinch to make sure that they won’t come undone.
  • Transfer the braided Challah onto a parchement lined baking sheet.
  • Repeat the same process for the second set of strands (for the second Challah loaf)

Egg Wash & Rise & Toppings

  • Mix an egg with a tablespoon of water to make egg wash.
  • Brush each loaf with the egg wash and let it rise in the warmer part of your house for an hour.

To Bake Challah

  • Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
  • Right before baking, brush it with the egg wash one last time and sprinkle it with sesame or poppy seeds, if using.
  • Bake for 35-40 minutes or until the top turns to golden brown. Remove it from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack for 30-45 minutes before slicing.
  • Serve.

Video

Notes

  • Challah with raisins: If you’d like to make Challah with raisin, incorporate raisins into the strands as you roll them. Please check out the photos in the blog post for more information. I would start by 1 cup chopped raisins (2-3 tablespoons for each strand) and use more if needed.
  • To use granulated sugar instead of honey: Use 5 tablespoons of sugar instead of honey and increase the amount of oil to 1/2 cup. The rest of the ingredients and the process is the same.
  • To store leftovers: Place leftover bread in an airtight container. It should be fresh for up to two days.
  • To freeze Challah: Bring your braided loaf to room temperature on a wire rack. You can freeze Challah as a whole loaf or slice before freezing. Place in a freezer bag, get the air out as much as possible and store in the freezer for up to a month.

Nutrition

Calories: 62kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 33mg | Sodium: 363mg | Potassium: 18mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 48IU | Calcium: 17mg | Iron: 1mg

Recipe adapted (and scaled down) from Leah Cooks Kosher’s Challah recipe with changes to her recipe.

This recipe was originally published in August 2014. It has been updated with new photos, information and minor changes to the originally published recipe in September 2021.

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Almond Flour Zucchini Muffins https://foolproofliving.com/almond-flour-zucchini-muffins/ https://foolproofliving.com/almond-flour-zucchini-muffins/#comments Sat, 31 Jul 2021 15:03:51 +0000 https://foolproofliving.com/?p=43058 When my Almond Flour Zucchini Muffins hit the table, they’re gone in seconds, and it’s no secret why. Moist, chocolatey, and bursting with warm cinnamon flavor, these portable treats are as delectable as they are easy to make. This recipe also meets a wide range of dietary needs. Not only are these chocolate zucchini muffins low carb, but they’re also naturally sweetened, paleo-friendly, and gluten-free—just like my Almond Flour Zucchini...

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When my Almond Flour Zucchini Muffins hit the table, they’re gone in seconds, and it’s no secret why. Moist, chocolatey, and bursting with warm cinnamon flavor, these portable treats are as delectable as they are easy to make.

This recipe also meets a wide range of dietary needs. Not only are these chocolate zucchini muffins low carb, but they’re also naturally sweetened, paleo-friendly, and gluten-free—just like my Almond Flour Zucchini Bread recipe! And I made sure to include the keto version in the recipe.

Almond Flour Zucchini Muffins on a plate

Craving even more bite-sized almond flour desserts? Hit your sweet spot with my other scrumptious, gluten-free muffin recipes, like Almond Flour Pumpkin Muffins, Almond Flour Apple Muffins, and Almond Flour Blueberry Muffins.

Why Should You Try This Recipe?

When life gives you a recipe for easy low-carb zucchini muffins, it’s time to take out the muffin tin! You won’t believe how much there is to love about this oven-baked treat:

  • These zucchini almond muffins can easily be keto friendly. Simply substitute coconut sugar for an equal amount of monk fruit sweetener (affiliate link)
  • No fancy equipment is needed for this simple recipe. If you have two bowls, a whisk, and a grater, you’re good to go.
  • With 15 minutes of prep and 35 minutes in the oven, these healthy muffins are ready to eat in less than an hour. Not to mention, they make the best grab and go breakfast for busy mornings.
  • A good amount of zucchini makes this healthy zucchini muffin recipe a delicious way to get in your daily vegetables.

Ingredients

With healthy ingredients like all-natural coconut sugar and antioxidant-filled cinnamon, these high-fiber zucchini muffins are as good as they are good for you!

Ingredients for the recipe are laid out

Zucchini

For this recipe, you’ll need about 1½ cups (255 grams) of grated and squeezed zucchini. Because zucchinis vary so much in size and have a high water content, it’s best to use a kitchen scale or dry measuring cups to measure the squash after it’s grated and wrung out.

Wet Ingredients

The wet ingredients you need are eggs, grapeseed or coconut oil, coconut sugar, and vanilla extract.

Wet ingredients are laid out in small bowls

To make chocolate chip zucchini muffins, gather walnuts and chocolate chips, as well. My personal go-to for chocolate chips is Enjoy Life Semi-Sweet Morsels (affiliate link). However, you can also use other brands, like Lily’s (affiliate link), to make these zucchini chocolate chip muffins keto!

Dry Ingredients

For dry ingredients, gather baking soda, kosher salt, ground cinnamon, and almond flour. My favorite brand to use is Blue Diamond Almond Flour (affiliate link), but you can skip the grocery store all together with my easy recipe for how to make almond flour at home!

Dry ingredients from top view

Also, almond flour and almond meal can be used interchangeably to make these healthy zucchini muffins.

How To Make

Gluten-free zucchini chocolate muffins may be unbelievably delicious, but they’re also unbelievably easy to make! You can have these treats ready to serve in seven simple steps.

  1. Prep the equipment: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. and insert muffin liners (affiliate link) into a 12-cup muffin tin.
Photos showing how to remove excess water from zucchini
  1. Prep the zucchini: Use the large holes of a box grater to shred the zucchini. Then, place the shredded zucchini in the middle of a clean kitchen towel and collect the edges. Over a large bowl or kitchen sink, wring out as much excess water as possible.
Person showing the steps of making these healthy zucchini muffins
  1. Mix the dry ingredients: Whisk together the almond flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon in a large mixing bowl. 
  2. Mix the wet ingredients: Whisk together the eggs, oil, coconut sugar, and vanilla extract in a separate bowl. Continue mixing until the liquid is smooth and thoroughly blended.
  3. Make the batter: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and gently mix. When the mixture is just combined, fold in the grated zucchini and the walnuts.
  4. Bake the muffins: Spoon equal amounts of batter into the tin’s 12 muffin cups. Then, sprinkle chocolate chips over the muffin tops and press them gently into the batter. Bake the muffins for 35 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean from their centers. 
  5. Cool and serve: Let the muffins rest for 5-10 minutes before removing them from the muffin pan. Leave them on a wire rack until completely cool, and then they’re ready to eat!

Quick Tip: After mixing together the wet and dry ingredients, it will look like you don’t have enough batter. However, the batter will grow once you add the zucchini because of all the extra moisture it adds. Plus, walnuts and chocolate chips will take up significant space in your batter, once added.

paleo zucchini muffins almond flour in muffin tip after they are baked

Variations:

Whether you want to take your spice rack for a spin or keep to a new diet, this sugar-free zucchini muffins recipe can be adjusted to meet your every need.

  • Want a recipe for keto chocolate zucchini muffins made with almond flour? To make this treat keto-friendly, all you have to do is swap out coconut sugar for a monk fruit sweetener (affiliate link) and use a brand of chocolate safe for keto diets, like Lily’s (affiliate link).
  • Leave out the nuts and chocolate: A great thing about this recipe is that it’s just as delectable without walnuts and chocolate.
  • Try out new spices: Tired of cinnamon? Add cardamom and/or ginger instead to add a zesty and bold note to these paleo zucchini muffins.
  • Change up which nuts you use: Sliced almonds and pistachios work just as well as walnuts in this recipe.
  • Make it a quick bread: You can use the same batter to make it as a quick bread. Simply follow my recipe for Almond Flour Zucchini Bread.

Other Zucchini Dessert Recipes You Might Like

From chocolate zucchini bread to gluten-free zucchini muffins, you can find every recipe you need right here the next time you want to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Almond flour zucchini muffins on a plate from top view
Print

Almond Flour Zucchini Muffins Recipe

Healthy Zucchini Muffins made with almond flour and sweetened with coconut sugar. Easy to make, gluten, dairy, and grain-free. They are the perfect moist and fluffy muffins you can make during the zucchini season
Course Naturally sweetened dessert
Cuisine American
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings 12 muffins
Calories 234kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cups Shredded Zucchini (255 gr)

Dry Ingredients:

  • 2 cups almond flour or almond meal (240 gr)
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

Wet Ingredients:

  • 2 large eggs at room temperature
  • ¼ cup grapeseed or coconut oil melted and cooled
  • ½ cup coconut sugar (66gr)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Optional Add Ins:

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and line 12 cup muffin tin with muffin liners.
  • Shred zucchini using the large section of a box grater. Place it in the middle of a kitchen cloth, collect it from the edges, and squeeze as much liquid as possible. Set it aside.
  • Whisk together the almond flour, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon in a bowl.
  • Whisk together eggs, oil, coconut sugar, and vanilla extract in a separate bowl.
  • Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ones and mix until combined.
  • Fold in the shredded zucchini and walnuts.
  • Divide the batter in amongst the cups of the muffin tin.
  • Sprinkle each cup with chocolate chips.
  • Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  • Remove from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes on the counter. Remove the zucchini muffins from the muffin tin and let them cool completely on a wire rack or on the counter.
  • Serve while still slightly warm.

Notes

  • Storage & Freezing: Be sure to bring them to room temperature before storing. Cover with plastic wrap and store them in the fridge for 4-5 days. Or, you can keep them in an airtight container for up to 3 months in the freezer.
  • Serving: When you’re ready to eat these muffins, you don’t have to worry about letting them thaw. Just leave them on the kitchen counter until they’re room temperature or microwave them until warm.
  • To make these keto-friendly: Swap coconut with an equal amount of Monk fruit sweetener and use Lily’s chocolate chips.
  • My favorite muffin liners are these parchment muffin liners. They are so easy to remove from the muffins after they are cooled down. Not to mention, they make the clean up after a breeze.

Nutrition

Calories: 234kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 28mg | Sodium: 213mg | Potassium: 94mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 74IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 54mg | Iron: 1mg

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Paleo Zucchini Bread with Almond Flour https://foolproofliving.com/paleo-zucchini-bread/ https://foolproofliving.com/paleo-zucchini-bread/#comments Sat, 10 Jul 2021 07:55:00 +0000 https://foolproofliving.com/?p=33982 Over the years of writing this blog, I have already shared the recipes for my favorite Classic Zucchini Bread and Vegan Zucchini Bread recipes on this blog. This time, I wanted to put my current favorite baking flour, almond flour, to good use to create a recipe for a gluten-free, grain-free, low-carb, naturally-sweetened (refined sugar-free), and paleo version of zucchini bread. I also wanted to add this recipe along with...

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Over the years of writing this blog, I have already shared the recipes for my favorite Classic Zucchini Bread and Vegan Zucchini Bread recipes on this blog. This time, I wanted to put my current favorite baking flour, almond flour, to good use to create a recipe for a gluten-free, grain-free, low-carb, naturally-sweetened (refined sugar-free), and paleo version of zucchini bread.

I also wanted to add this recipe along with my Almond Flour Zucchini Muffins recipe into my ever-growing library of Almond Flour recipes.

A sliced paleo zucchini bread with almond flour from the front view

After taking some inspiration from my other paleo quick bread recipes like Almond Flour Banana Bread, Paleo Apple Cake, and Paleo Carrot Cake, this almond flour zucchini bread recipe came to be. Moist, tender, and full of healthy ingredients, I prefer it much more to standard zucchini bread. Plus, it is a great way to use extra zucchini you have on hand if you are growing them in your backyard.

Ingredients

This flourless zucchini bread recipe is made with farm-fresh zucchini and a handful of pantry ingredients broken up into dry and wet categories.

For the dry ingredients, gather together almond flour, baking soda, kosher salt, and ground cinnamon.

For the wet ingredients, you will need eggs, grapeseed (or coconut) oil, coconut sugar, and vanilla extract.

Optional add-ins include walnuts and chocolate chips.

A few helpful tips for ingredients:

  • Zucchini. Select zucchini that are firm and heavy for their size, with green, glossy skin and no blemishes. To ensure success with this recipe, once grated, place the zucchini in a clean kitchen towel and wring out as much water as possible.

PRO TIP: The number of zucchini you need depends on the size. As with all vegetable and fruit quick breads, I recommend using a digital kitchen scale for the grated zucchini (dry measuring cups are the second best option). For the recipe, you need about 1 ½ cup of (or 255 grams) of shredded and squeezed zucchini.

  • Almond Flour. I prefer to use almond flour made at home, but on those days when I am short on time, Blue Diamond Almond flour (affiliate link) is my go-to brand of choice. Almond flour (made blanched almonds) and almond meal (almonds with their skin) can be used interchangeably.
  • Chocolate Chips. Chocolate chips are a completely optional garnish but highly recommended. My favorite brand is Enjoy Life Semi Sweet Morsels (affiliate link). They contain two ingredients – unsweetened chocolate and cane sugar. For paleo (and keto) approved chocolate chips, Lily’s (affiliate link) are a great option and come in a variety of cocoa percentages.

How to make?

All it takes is two bowls, a loaf pan and a few easy steps to make this recipe for grain free, paleo, and gluten free paleo zucchini bread. Simply:

Step by step photos of how to get the liquid out of zucchini
  1. Prep and shred the zucchini. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, then grease and line a loaf pan with parchment paper. Use the large holes of a box grater to grate the zucchini.
  2. Squeeze the zucchini to remove the excess moisture. Place the shredded zucchini onto the center of a clean kitchen towel, collect it from the edges and wring out as much liquid as possible over a large bowl or the kitchen sink.

Dry ingredients from the top view
person mixing dry ingredients in a bowl
  1. Mix the dry ingredients. In a large bowl, whisk together the almond flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon.
wet ingredients from top view
A woman is whisking the wet ingredients
  1. Whisk the wet ingredients. In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, oil, coconut sugar and vanilla extract until smooth, silky and emulsified.
The rest of the ingredients for almond flour zucchini bread with no banana
A woman is mixing the bread batter
  1. Make the zucchini batter. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Fold in the zucchini and walnuts.

QUICK TIP: As you fold the batter it will feel somewhat thick. That is normal. As a matter of fact, this is something that we want because zucchini will release more of its juices as it bakes in the oven, which in turn will yield a perfectly moist loaf rather than a soggy one.

paleo chocolate zucchini bread in a loaf pan being held by a woman
  1. Bake! Transfer the batter into the prepared loaf pan and sprinkle with chocolate chips (if using), gently pressing into the surface. Bake for 55-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  2. Cool and slice. Allow to cool in the pan for 5-10 minutes, then remove the almond zucchini bread from the pan and place on a wire rack to cool completely. Slice and enjoy!

How To Store?

Once cooled completely, this low carb zucchini bread can be stored wrapped in parchment paper or in an airtight container on the kitchen counter for up to 2 days or in the fridge for up to 5 days.

I would not recommend wrapping the loaf in plastic wrap as it will trap too much moisture and make the bread soggy (almond flour contains an extra dose of fat and moisture as compared to regular wheat flour).

A sliced paleo chocolate almond flour zucchini bread from the top view

How to freeze and thaw?

This zucchini bread freezes beautifully, too.

To store properly in the freezer, cool completely, slice into eight thick pieces and follow one of two methods:

  1. Place into a large plastic freezer storage bag with small squares of parchment paper between each slice (this facilitates easy removal of each slice) and seal tight.
  2. Wrap each piece individually with pre-cut parchment paper, then tightly in plastic wrap.

Label, date, and freeze for up to 3 months.

When ready to enjoy, there is no need to thaw before defrosting. Simply leave out on your kitchen counter to bring to room temperature or pop a slice in your toaster until warmed through.

Add Ins & Substitutions

You can easily switch things up by:

  • Use different spices: Swap ground cinnamon with cardamom and/or ginger
  • Add chocolate into the batter: If you like your zucchini bread more chocolate-y, add 1/4 cup chocolate chips into the batter and then some more on top in the end.
  • Use different nuts: Use sliced almonds or pistachios instead of walnuts.
  • Don’t care for nuts or chocolate? No problem. Simply omit using them.

FAQs

How to transform it into keto zucchini bread?

The foundation of this zucchini bread recipe is Gluten-Free, Low-Carb and Paleo, but to turn it into a keto-friendly quick bread, simply replace the coconut sugar with an equal amount (1:1) of monk fruit sweetener (affiliate link) and use a keto-approved brand of chocolate chips such as Lily’s (sweetened with erythritol and stevia). If you are new to using keto sweeteners like I am, you can find this article on monk fruit sweeteners helpful.

Can I use the same batter to make paleo zucchini almond muffins?

You can transform the zucchini loaf cake into individual almond flour zucchini muffins. Simply, scoop the batter into a 12-cup muffin tin lined with parchment paper cupcake liners. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the center springs back to the touch.

Other Zucchini Recipes You Might Like:

If you enjoyed this paleo zucchini bread recipe you might also like these zucchini season favorites.

A sliced almond flour paleo zucchini bread from the front view
Print

Paleo Zucchini Bread with Almond Flour (No Banana)

Paleo Zucchini Bread with almond flour that is also gluten free, dairy-free, and with a minor adjustment keto friendly as well. It is a deliciously moist and flavorful quick bread recipe that is topped with chocolate chips.
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings 8 slices
Calories 369kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cups shredded zucchini (255gr) ~ 2 medium zucchini

Dry Ingredients:

  • 2 cups almond flour 240 gr
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

Wet Ingredients:

  • 2 large eggs at room temperature
  • ¼ cup grapeseed or coconut oil melted and cooled
  • ½ cup coconut sugar (66gr)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Optional Add Ins:

  • ½ cup walnuts chopped
  • ¼ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips as a garnish

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and line a 8X4 or 9X5 loaf pan with parchment paper.
  • Shred zucchini using the large section of a box grater. Place it in the middle of a kitchen cloth, collect it from the edges, and squeeze as much liquid as possible. Set it aside.
  • Whisk together the almond flour, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon in a bowl.
  • Whisk together eggs, oil, coconut sugar, and vanilla extract in a separate bowl.
  • Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ones and mix until combined.
  • Fold in the shredded zucchini and walnuts.
  • Transfer the batter into the loaf pan.
  • Sprinkle it with chocolate chips, if using.
  • Bake 55-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  • Remove from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes on the counter. Remove the zucchini loaf from the pan and let it cool completely on a wire rack or on the counter.
  • Slice and serve.

Video

Notes

  • To turn this into Paleo Zucchini Muffins: Scoop the batter into a 12-cup muffin tin lined with parchment paper cupcake liners. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the center springs back to the touch.
  • Best way to store: Once cooled completely, this low carb zucchini bread can be stored wrapped in parchment paper or in an airtight container on the kitchen counter for up to 2 days or in the fridge for up to 5 days.
  • Best way to freeze: Let it cool completely. Wrap each piece individually with pre-cut parchment paper, then tightly in plastic wrap. Label, date and freeze up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Calories: 369kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 29g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 47mg | Sodium: 332mg | Potassium: 142mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 114IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 80mg | Iron: 2mg

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Heirloom Tomato Galette https://foolproofliving.com/tomato-galette/ https://foolproofliving.com/tomato-galette/#comments Wed, 26 May 2021 09:07:00 +0000 https://foolproofliving.com/?p=35201 This post is sponsored by Vermont Creamery. As always, all opinions are my own. Today, we are putting delicious fresh summer tomatoes to good use in a savory tomato galette recipe. This is one of my go-to recipes that I make during the summer months when fresh tomatoes are in abundance.  If you are like me, a fan of sweet galette recipes like my Peach Galette, you will love this...

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This post is sponsored by Vermont Creamery. As always, all opinions are my own.

Today, we are putting delicious fresh summer tomatoes to good use in a savory tomato galette recipe. This is one of my go-to recipes that I make during the summer months when fresh tomatoes are in abundance. 

Tomato Galette recipe sliced fresh out of the oven from the top view.

If you are like me, a fan of sweet galette recipes like my Peach Galette, you will love this savory version made with heirloom tomatoes, a simple goat cheese spread and a flaky crust.

What Is Galette?

If you are not familiar with a galette, it is a free-form pie (or tart). However, instead of filling and baking the dough in a pie plate, you do all of that on a sheet pan.

The process is simple; roll the dough, spread it with whatever you want, arrange the toppings in the middle, roll the dough’s edges towards the middle, and bake on a sheet pan.

There is no stressing about fitting the dough into the tart pan or cramping the sides to make it look picture perfect. 

In addition to being easy to make, you end up with a rustic tart that is as delicious as a tomato tart that takes quite a bit of effort to make.

Easy tomato galette fresh out of the oven garnished with herbs from the top view

Quick Trivia: 

The term galette comes from the Norman word gale, a term used in French cuisine to identify a flat round cake made of pastry dough or bread. (Source

While the French call this free-form single-crust pastry Galette, Italians call it Crostata. 

Homemade Galette Dough

I suspect that you might think that tomato galette with puff pastry, similar to my Asparagus Tart (made with puff pastry), might be easier and quicker to make. 

While I understand that making the galette crust is an additional step, I promise you that nothing beats the deliciousness of homemade galette dough. And with my Galette Dough recipe, you have nothing to worry about because my method here is as foolproof as it can be.

How To Make Galette Dough?

To make the galette dough:

Prepare The Ingredients:

Ingredients for homamade galette dough

All you need is all-purpose flour, cold butter (cut into small pieces), ice water, and salt. I use Vermont Creamery’s unsalted butter and add my own salt, but you can always omit salt and use their salted butter. 

As it is with every pie dough recipe, to get that flaky delicious buttery dough, your butter and water must be cold. 

Process Everything in a Food Processor:

galette dough in food processor step by step photos
  • Place flour and salt in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse to combine.
  • Add the butter into the processor and pulse 8-10 times until butter resembles small clumps.
  • Turn the machine on and add in 4 tablespoons of ice-cold water in one tablespoon increments. At this point, it should start to come together and form into a ball. If not, add in the rest of the water in one tablespoon increments until it does. 
person shaping the galette dough
  • Transfer onto a lightly floured surface, form it into a 4-inch disk, and wrap with plastic. Place it in the fridge for at least an hour or overnight.

Tomato Galette Ingredients

Once you have your galette dough ready, the rest is a breeze. 

Ingredients for the recipe from the top view

Goat Cheese Mixture:

In terms of the ingredients, you will need to make a goat cheese mixture to spread on the galette dough. While you can spread the fresh goat cheese all by itself, I chose to flavor with a little bit of lemon zest, lemon juice, and thinly sliced scallions. 

I used Vermont Creamery’s plain fresh goat cheese that has a nice mild flavor and smooth texture. If you are a fan of goat cheese, be sure to check out my library of Goat Cheese Recipes to learn more creative ways to use it in your cooking.

Fresh Tomatoes:

As you can see in the pictures, I used fresh, colorful heirloom tomatoes as they are currently in abundance to make this roasted tomato galette recipe. I prefer semi ripe tomatoes as they are easier to work with and taste delicious.

Heirloom tomatoes from the top view with goat cheese mixture on the side.

However, you can use whatever tomatoes you have on hand. Roma tomatoes and cherry tomatoes would also work. 

How to make It?

The steps to making this fresh tomato galette recipe are six folds:

Person making the goat cheese mixture
  1. Make The Goat Cheese Mixture: Place goat cheese, scallion, lemon zest, lemon juice, kosher salt, and pepper in a bowl. Give it a mix until thoroughly combined.
Person salting tomatoes placed on a sheet of paper towel
  1. Prepare The Tomatoes: Line a small sheet pan with a sheet of paper towel. Place tomato slices on top. Sprinkle tomatoes with salt and pepper. Let it sit for 10 minutes.

PRO TIP: I learned the trick of lightly salting the tomatoes from Bon Appetit’s tomato galette recipe. It is such a quick and easy way to get rid of some of their juices (the excess moisture.)

The following is from their site:

“Salting the tomatoes ahead of time and letting them release some of their liquid is essential. It will allow the tomatoes to caramelize and ensures that the bottom of the crust stays flaky.” 

A woman rolling out the galette dough
  1. Roll Out The Galette Dough: Bring in a sheet of parchment paper and sprinkle it with a little bit of flour. Roll dough to a 12-inch circle. Transfer the dough onto a rimmed baking sheet to start assembling the galette.

PRO TIP: I find it easier to roll out the galette dough on a parchment sheet. It helps with preventing the dough from sticking to the surface. It also makes it easier to transfer the dough onto the baking sheet in one piece.

Person showing how to assemble goat cheese tomato galette
  1. Assemble The Galette: To assemble this tomato cheese galette recipe, spread the creamy goat cheese mixture evenly over the galette dough (leaving a 2-inch border), arrange the tomatoes in a single layer over the cheese. It is okay if they overlap as they will shrink as the tomato galette bakes. Roll the sides of the dough overlapping as you go around and pleating the dough.
    Finally, brush the outer crust (or the folded edges of dough) with egg wash (one large egg mixed with a tablespoon of water).
Freshly baked tomato goat cheese galette
  1. Bake & Serve: Bake galette in a preheated 400 degree F oven for 40-45 minutes or until the crust turns golden brown. Transfer the galette onto a wire rack to cool before serving. If you have it, garnish it whatever fresh herbs you have on hand. Fresh basil leaves, dill, parsley, etc. would all work. If preferred, finish it off with a drizzle of olive oil.

How To Store Leftovers?

As it is the case with most pies and tarts, this tomato cheese galette is best on the day it is baked. However, if you place it in an airtight container after it is fully cooled down and keep it in the fridge it would still be good the next day.

When you are ready to serve, warm it in a low heat (250 to 300 F degree) oven for 8-10 minutes so it is nice and warm.

Fresh Tomato Galette Sliced with a knife on the side from the front view

Tips for the Best Tomato Galette Recipe:

  • Make the galette dough a day in advance:  If you want to make this recipe quickly, I recommend making the galette dough a day in advance and keeping it in the fridge. You can also make a few batches and keep them in the freezer for up to a month.
  • It is okay if the tomato slices overlap as you arrange them on top: As you will see in the how-to video below, I used only three heirloom tomatoes that are sliced in ½ inch thick slices. However, you can use one or two more small tomatoes and overlap the pieces for a more tomato-ey galette recipe. They do shrink quite a bit, so it shouldn’t be a problem.
  • Can I use other types of tomatoes? As you can see in the pictures, I used beautiful heirloom tomatoes, but Roma tomatoes or even cherry tomatoes would also work.
  • Ensure that the goat cheese is at room temperature: I find that it is much easier to mix and spread soft cheeses like goat cheese when it is at room temperature. Take it out of the fridge 30 minutes before you are ready to assemble your galette.
  • Top it off with pesto for breathtaking colors and deliciousness.
  • Customize the goat cheese mixture with whatever herbs you have on hand: You can add whatever fresh herbs you have on hand into the goat cheese mixture. I had some chives on hand, but fresh basil, parsley, and dill would also work. If you don’t care for herbs, you can omit it altogether as well.

What To Serve It With?

While this heirloom tomato galette is perfect by itself, I usually serve it with a simple green salad on the side. Below are a few favorites:

More Tomato Recipes You Might Also Like:

Got more tomatoes to use? Here are a few creative ideas to try:

Tomato Galette Recipe sliced and photographed with a knife on the side
Print

Tomato Galette Recipe

Tomato Galette Recipe: A free form galette spread with fresh sliced summer tomatoes, herbed goat cheese and baked in a homemade galette dough. It is great as a breakfast or a brunch dish when you want to impress.
Course Baked Goods, Breakfast
Cuisine American/French
Prep Time 1 hour
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 45 minutes
Servings 6 servings
Calories 354kcal

Ingredients

For The Galette Dough:

  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour (213 gr.) – more to flour the surfaces
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 10 tablespoons unsalted butter (142.5 gr.) – Cold – cut into small cubes
  • 4-5 tablespoons ice-cold water

For The Goat Cheese Mixture:

  • 4 oz. fresh goat cheese at room temperature
  • 1 scallion sliced thinly both white and green parts
  • ½ teaspoon lemon zest
  • ½ teaspoon lemon juice
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper

For The Tomato Galette:

  • 3 tomatoes sliced ½ inch thick – medium sizde
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 egg large
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • Fresh herbs

Instructions

To make the galette dough:

  • Place flour and salt in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse for a few times to mix. Add in the cold butter cubes. Pulse 8-10 times until butter resembles small clumps.
  • Turn the machine on and add in 4 tablespoons of ice-cold water in one tablespoon increments.
  • At this point, it should start to come together and form into a ball. If not add in the rest of the water until it does.
  • Transfer onto a lightly floured surface, form it into a 4-inch disk, and wrap with plastic. Place in the fridge for at least 1 hour or overnight.
  • Take it out of the fridge 10 minutes before you are ready to roll it out.

Preheat the oven:

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set it aside.

To make the goat cheese mixture:

  • Place goat cheese, scallion, lemon zest, lemon juice, kosher salt, and pepper in a bowl. Give it a mix until thoroughly combined.

To prepare the tomatoes:

  • Line a small sheet pan with a sheet of paper towel. Place tomato slices on top. Sprinkle it with salt and pepper. Let it sit for 10 minutes.

To assemble:

  • Sprinkle your work surface with a little bit of flour. Roll the galette dough to a 12- inch circle.
  • Spread the goat cheese mixture evenly over the galette dough leaving a 2-inch border.
  • Arrange the sliced tomatoes over the cheese. It is okay if they overlap as they will shrink as the tomato galette bakes.
  • Roll the sides of the dough overlapping as you go around and pleating the dough.
  • Brush the outer crust with egg yolk.

To bake:

  • Bake 40-45 minutes or until the crust turns golden brown. Transfer the galette onto a wire rack to cool before serving.

Video

Notes

  • To Store leftovers: As it is the case with most pies and tarts, this tomato cheese galette is best on the day it is baked. However, if you place it in an airtight container after it is fully cooled down and keep it in the fridge it would still be good the next day. When you are ready to serve, warm it in a low heat oven for 8-10 minutes so it is nice and warm.
  • It is okay if the tomato slices overlap as you arrange them on top? As you will see in the how-to video below, I used only three heirloom tomatoes that are sliced in ½ inch thick slices. However, you can use one or two more small tomatoes and overlap the pieces for a more tomato-ey galette recipe. They do shrink quite a bit, so it shouldn’t be a problem.

Nutrition

Calories: 354kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Cholesterol: 86mg | Sodium: 669mg | Potassium: 189mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 1350IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 47mg | Iron: 2mg

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Flourless Almond Butter Cookies https://foolproofliving.com/almond-butter-cookies/ https://foolproofliving.com/almond-butter-cookies/#comments Wed, 28 Apr 2021 07:34:00 +0000 https://foolproofliving.com/?p=1298 This post is sponsored by Shaw’s but all opinions are my own. It is no secret that I am a fan of baking with almond flour with over 20 recipes (and counting) on my blog, but truth be told, I am new to using almond butter in baking. When a reader, who loves my almond flour cookies, requested that I come up with a tasty almond butter cookies recipe I...

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This post is sponsored by Shaw’s but all opinions are my own.

It is no secret that I am a fan of baking with almond flour with over 20 recipes (and counting) on my blog, but truth be told, I am new to using almond butter in baking. When a reader, who loves my almond flour cookies, requested that I come up with a tasty almond butter cookies recipe I knew it was time to learn.

Almond butter cookies photographed right after they come out of the oven

Selfishly, it was a good excuse to add in yet another recipe to my collection of delicious cookies.

At around the same time, when folks at Shaw’s reached out to collaborate on a project I immediately said yes because honestly, I am a sucker for their Open Nature® Creamy Almond Butter. The good thing is that I was able to find everything I need after a quick trip to our local Shaw’s and got to create what I think is one of the most delicious refined sugar free cookies I have ever made.

A half eaten cookie with crumbs

Similar to my almond flour cookies, almond flour gingerbread cookies (aka almond molasses cookies), and almond flour and peanut butter cookie recipe this gluten-free almond nut butter cookies take just about 30 minutes to make and they are just so addictive. I serve them the old school way, with a cup of almond milk on the side, but my husband thinks that they are the best thing with his morning tea. 

Intrigued? Let’s break it down.

Ingredients for Almond Nut Butter Cookies

As in most baked goods, this paleo almond cookie recipe has two sets of ingredients: Dry and wet:

Ingredients for the recipe
milk butter flour

Dry Ingredients

  • Almond Flour: You need one and a half cup of almond flour in this recipe. I used the Open Nature’s almond flour that only contains almonds. It is also gluten-free certified. I love that the Open Nature line includes products that are perfect for someone like me who is interested in low-carb, plant-based and gluten-free baking. And this almond flour is just one of the many good quality products you can find within the store.
  • Baking Powder: You need one and three-quarters of a teaspoon baking powder in this recipe. It might sound like a lot but believe me, it works.
  • Sea Salt: To balance the sweetness and earthiness coming from the rest of the ingredients, you need half a teaspoon of sea salt. If you don’t have any, you can also use kosher salt. Plus, a little more for sprinkling on top.

Wet Ingredients

  • Almond Butter: You will need a quarter cup of creamy almond butter that is at room temperature. If it is not, you can warm it up in the microwave for 10-15 seconds until it is soft and creamy.
    In addition to providing a really nice roasted flavor, using almond butter eliminates the need to add any oil into the batter. I used Open Nature’s almond butter that is made without any artificial preservatives or ingredients. I love that the only ingredients they have in the jar are dry roasted almonds and a bit of sea salt.
    If you have it, you can also use homemade almond butter in this recipe.
  • Coconut Sugar: I used a cup of coconut sugar in this recipe. I love that it is a low glycemic index and can be used pretty much in all recipes in place of brown sugar. Not to mention, using coconut sugar makes this recipe paleo-friendly and refined sugar free.
  • Vanilla Extract: You only need a half a teaspoon of vanilla extract to enhance all the flavors in the cookie.
  • Eggs: You need two large eggs that are at room temperature. Sadly, this recipe will not work with a flax egg.

Optional:

  • Chocolate Chips: I am not going to lie, I wanted to give you the option to make a plain almond flour almond butter cookie but truth be told, a quarter cup of dark chocolate chips added at the end takes this recipe to a whole new level.
    I will say this (and I know it is bold) these almond butter chocolate chips cookies are pretty much the most amazing cookie in the world.
  • Almond Milk (to serve them with): If you are like me, totally old school and feel like cookie and milk combo is pretty much the most amazing thing in the world, serve this with a glass of almond milk.
    I served mine with O Organics®  USDA certified organic almond milk. I love that it is made with real almonds and I can pick from several flavor options like vanilla and plain unsweetened. 

How To Make Gluten-Free Almond Butter Cookies?

The process of making this paleo almond butter cookies could not be easier. Here are the steps:

Food processor showing how to make this recipe with steps
  1. Preheat the oven and prepare your baking sheets: Preheat the oven to 350 F degrees. Adjust the oven racks to middle and lower-middle positions. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. 
  2. Place all ingredients in the bowl of your food processor: Starting from the dry ingredients place all of the ingredients in the bowl of your food processor. 
  3. Pulse and process: Pulse 4-5 times to mix and then process for 45-60 seconds until the dough forms into a ball. You might have to stop the machine and scrape the sides a few times to make sure the dough batter is evenly mixed. Please be aware that this is a very sticky batter.
  4. Add in the chocolate chips: If you are adding the chocolate chips, transfer the dough into a bowl and mix in the chocolate chips to the flour mixture. If you are not adding them in, you can start scooping right off the bowl of your food processor.
Scooped batter on the sheet pan topped off with sea salt
  1. Scoop and transfer cookies onto the prepared baking sheets: Using a 2 inch cookie scoop (affiliate link) or two spoons, measure 2-tablespoon balls and place them 2-inches apart from one another on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat the same process for the second sheet.

Helpful tip for scooping the cookie batter/dough: As I mentioned earlier, this almond butter cookie dough is very sticky. To make it easier to scoop, you can brush your cookie scoop with a little bit of oil (any healthy oil like avocado or coconut oil would work perfectly.)

  1. Sea salt on top: As a final touch, sprinkle each cookie with a pinch of (about 1/16 of a teaspoon) sea salt.
  2. Bake: Bake cookies in the preheated oven for 13 minutes or until they spread slightly and turn golden brown making sure to rotate and swap the sheet pans mid-way through.
  3. Let them cool and enjoy: Let cool for 3 minutes in the sheet pan and then transfer onto a wire rack to cool completely.

This almond butter biscuits recipe makes about 14-16 cookie dough balls. I usually bake 12 cookies per sheet but you can also divide them equally in between 2 sheets.

Storing and Freezing Instructions:

  • To freeze: Measure and place them on a cookie sheet and place in the freezer for at least 4 hours or overnight. Place them in a freezer bag (or an airtight container) and store in your freezer up to a month. When ready to bake, place them on a baking sheet, sprinkle them with sea salt and bake 2-3 minutes longer.
  • To Store: These cookies are best on the day that they are baked. However, they keep their freshness up to 2 days as soon as they are kept in an airtight container on the kitchen counter.

FAQs:

Can I make this recipe without a food processor?

You sure can. I find that it is easier and quicker to mix the batter in a food processor but you can also mix everything in a bowl. If you decide to do so:
1. Mix the dry ingredients in a large bowl
2. Whisk the wet ingredients in separate bowl until they are fully incorporated
3. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ones and mix until the dough fully comes together. If using, add in the chocolate chips into the cookie batter.
4. Follow the rest of the instructions as written in the recipe.

Can I use peanut butter instead of almond butter in this recipe?

You sure can. As a matter of fact, I have gotten this question so many times so I created the perfect Almond Flour Peanut Butter Cookie recipe for you.

Flourless Almond Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies served with milk on the side

If you are a fan of easy gluten free and paleo cookie recipes made with almond flour, here are a few more recipes to help you satisfy your sweet tooth:

Below are the equipment that I used to make this recipe. Please know that these are affiliate links, and if you make a purchase, I will get a small commission at no cost to you:

almond butter cookies on a plate
Print

Almond Butter Cookies Recipe

Flourless Almond Butter Cookie recipe – Gluten-free, flourless, and paleo-friendly. Sweetened with coconut sugar, they are so easy and quick to make and addictive.
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 14 minutes
Total Time 29 minutes
Servings 14 -16 cookies
Calories 177kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cups almond flour 6.3 oz.
  • 1 ¾ teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt plus more for sprinkling
  • ¼ cup creamy almond butter, at room temperature 2.2 oz.
  • 1 cup of coconut sugar ~7.41 oz.
  • 2 large eggs at room temperature
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ¼ cup of bittersweet chocolate chips or chunks optional

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven and prepare your baking sheets: Preheat the oven to 350 F degrees. Adjust the oven racks to middle and lower-middle positions. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
  • Place all ingredients in the bowl of your food processor:
    Starting from the dry ingredients place all of the ingredients in the bowl of your food processor.
  • Pulse and process:
    Pulse everything for 8-10 times in 1-second increments just until all ingredients are fully mixed (as shown in the picture above.) You do not want to let it run for a long time. Since the dough is very sticky if you run it nonstop it could clog your food processor.
  • Add in the chocolate chips:
    If you are adding the chocolate chips, transfer the dough into a bowl and mix in the chocolate chips. If you are not adding them in, you can start scooping right off the bowl of your food processor.
  • Scoop and transfer cookies onto the prepared baking sheets:
    Using a cookie scoop* or two spoons, measure 2-tablespoon balls and place them 2-inches apart from one another on the prepared baking sheets. As I mentioned earlier, this is a very sticky batter. If you don’t mind the stickiness you can roll them in between your palms but it would also be fine if you didn’t. Continue with the rest of the cookie dough and evenly distribute them amongst two baking sheets.
  • Sea salt on top:
    As a final touch, sprinkle each cookie with a pinch of (about 1/16 of a teaspoon) sea salt.
  • Bake:
    Bake in the preheated oven for 13 minutes or until they spread slightly and turn golden brown making sure to rotate and swap the sheet pans mid-way through.
  • Let them cool and enjoy:
    Let cool for 3 minutes in the sheet pan and then transfer onto a wire rack to cool completely. Serve with a glass of milk.

Notes

  • Please know that the cookie batter is a very sticky one. For that reason, if you process it for too long it could clog your food processor. It should be sufficient to mix until the ingredients are mixed.
  • Helpful tip for scooping the cookie batter/dough: As I mentioned earlier, this almond butter cookie dough is very sticky. To make it easier to scoop, you can brush your cookie scoop with a little bit of oil (any healthy oil like avocado or coconut oil would work perfectly.)
FAQs & Answers:
  • Can I make this recipe without a food processor?You sure can. I find that it is easier and quicker to mix the batter in a food processor but you can also mix everything in a bowl. If you decide to do so:
    – Mix the dry ingredients in a large bowl
    – Whisk the wet ingredients in another bowl until they are fully incorporated
    – Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ones and mix until the dough fully comes together. If using, add in the chocolate chips into the cookie batter.
    – Follow the rest of the instructions as written in the recipe.
  • Can I freeze these cookies? You sure can. To do so, measure and place them on a cookie sheet and place in the freezer for at least 4 hours or overnight. Place them in a freezer bag and store in your freezer upto a month. When ready to bake, place them on a baking sheet, sprinkle them with sea salt and bake 2-3 minutes longer.
  • Best way to store them: These cookies are best on the day that they are baked. However, they keep their freshness upto 2 days as soon as they are kept in an airtight container on the kitchen counter.

Nutrition

Calories: 177kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 23mg | Sodium: 182mg | Potassium: 62mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 34IU | Calcium: 83mg | Iron: 1mg
A plate full of gluten free almond butter cookies served with milk
Ingredients photographed with the finished recipe

A Word on Shopping For Ingredients:

Living in a very small town in Southern Vermont, I rely heavily on our local Shaw’s. I know the store manager in person. Knowing what I do for a living, he came to my rescue when I needed an “uncommon” ingredient many times in the past.

I buy my O Organics® and Open Nature® products at my local Shaws, and you can also find them exclusively at the Albertsons Companies family of stores, including ACME Markets, Jewel-Osco, Vons, Pavilions, Randalls, Tom Thumb, Shaw’s, Star Market, United Supermarkets and Carrs/Safeway.

Visit shaws.com to find a store near you and discover meal prep tips and recipe ideas.

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Turkish Simit Recipe with Step-by-Step Instructions https://foolproofliving.com/simit/ https://foolproofliving.com/simit/#comments Sat, 20 Mar 2021 06:42:00 +0000 https://foolproofliving.com/?p=2967 If you have ever visited Turkey or are a fan of Turkish food, you know our version of a bagel, Turkish Simit bread. It is one of those iconic Turkish recipes, right up there with Turkish Coffee, Borek, and Turkish Bulgur Pilaf. Usually served with feta cheese, olives, and Turkish tea, simit is considered a breakfast staple in every Turkish household for centuries. Sadly, for those of us living outside...

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If you have ever visited Turkey or are a fan of Turkish food, you know our version of a bagel, Turkish Simit bread. It is one of those iconic Turkish recipes, right up there with Turkish Coffee, Borek, and Turkish Bulgur Pilaf.

Usually served with feta cheese, olives, and Turkish tea, simit is considered a breakfast staple in every Turkish household for centuries. Sadly, for those of us living outside of Turkey, it is not easy to find (unless you are living in a town with a great Turkish restaurant.) The good news is that making simit at home is easy with my foolproof method.

Turkish Simit in a large bowl from the front

What Is Simit?

Simit also referred to as gevrek or gjevrek, is a sesame-bathed, circular Turkish bread. It is similar to American bagel in how it looks, but crustier on the outside and softer on the inside.

Because it is mainly served for breakfast, I’ve heard some people in the US refer to it as “Turkish Bagel.”

Traditionally sold by street vendors on the streets of Turkey for no more than $0.50, it is usually made by twisting simit dough and dipping it in molasses and toasted sesame seeds before baking it in the oven.

Ingredients Needed:

To make it easier, I will divide the simit ingredients into three parts.

Ingredients needed to activate the yeast
  1. The Yeast & Milk Mixture: You will need water at 110 F degrees (43 Celsius), 1 cup whole milk (or heavy cream) at room temperature, and 2 tablespoons or 3 (1/4 oz.) packets of active dry yeast (I used Fleischmann’s) and granulated sugar.

A quick note on using whole milk versus heavy cream: You can use milk and heavy cream interchangeably in this recipe. The version of simit bagel made with heavy cream is richer due to the higher fat content of heavy cream. Still, if you can’t find it, you can substitute it with whole milk. I would not recommend substituting plant-based milk in this recipe.

Ingredients for simit dough recipe
  1. The rest of the ingredients: Gather all-purpose flour, a large egg, kosher salt, and vegetable oil (avocado oil, canola oil, or grapeseed oil would all work).

A quick note on the flour I used: I tested this recipe with several all-purpose flour brands, and the results were similar. I personally like King Arthur Flour as it has a higher amount of protein which is ideal for making bread. The recipe below starts with 5 cups, but you will need at least 1 to 1 ½ cups or more flour to use on the surface as you are kneading the simit dough.

Ingredients to dip the raw dough
  1. The dipping ingredients: Molasses (I used Grandma’s Molasses (affiliate link) and white sesame seeds. Alternatively, you can also use grape or pomegranate molasses if you can get your hands on them, which is traditionally used in Turkey.

How To Make Simit?

This Simit bread recipe below makes 10 simits. Even though the steps look like a lot, the process of making simit is quite simple.

person filling a measuring cup with the ingredients to activate the yeast
  1. Activate the yeast: Place water, milk, sugar, and active dry yeast into a measuring cup. Give it a quick whisk, cover it with stretch film, and let it sit on the counter for 10 to 15 minutes or until bubbles form on top.
Person showing how to make the simit dough recipe
  1. Make the simit dough: Place 5 cups (700 grams) of all-purpose flour, kosher salt, oil, egg, and now-risen yeast-milk mixture in a large mixing bowl. Start mixing by hand until it comes together. Lightly dust the counter with flour and dump the dough onto the surface. Knead by hand to form a smooth and elastic dough until the dough is not sticking to your fingers. This may take around 15 -17 minutes.
Showing the simit dough before and after it is risen
  1. Let the simit dough rise: Lightly wet a kitchen towel with hot tap water and place it over the dough. Let it sit on the kitchen counter until it doubles in size, 30-45 minutes.
person toasting sesame seeds in a skillet top view
  1. Toast sesame seeds: While the dough is rising, place sesame seeds in a large non-stick skillet over medium heat, stirring constantly, and toast until they turn golden brown, 20-25 minutes. Transfer into a large shallow plate to cool. 
Person showing how to roll the dough into a cylinder
  1. Turn the dough into a cylinder: Fold the dough from each end onto itself towards the middle, gently pinch, and roll into a cylinder of roughly 20-inches (51 cm.)
Person dividing the  Turkish bagel dough into small pieces and placing on a sheet
  1. Divide the now-risen dough: Using a sharp knife or a pastry scraper, divide the dough into 10 equal pieces and transfer onto a sheet pan (lined with parchment paper and sprinkled with flour.) Cover it with a clean kitchen towel (to prevent them from drying as you work on each piece.) 
  2. Preheat the oven to 400 F degrees. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
Person showing how to shape and twist Turkish bread recipe
  1. Shape each simit dough: Roll each dough ball into a roughly 40-inch (102 cm) long strand. Fold the string onto itself using your finger to hold it in the middle. Twist the dough in the opposite direction to form a spiral rope. Roll it into a 5-inch diameter ring and gently pinch the end to seal. 
Shaped dough on a sheet pan
  1. Let the simits rest: Transfer the now-shaped dough onto the parchment-lined baking sheet. Repeat the same process for the rest of the dough balls. Let them rest until they rise for 30 minutes. How much they rise depends on the temperature of your kitchen. (You can learn more about this in the tips section below)
Person dipping Turkish Simit bagel into molasses and sesame seeds
  1. Dip simit into molasses and sesame seeds: Mix together molasses with water in a large shallow plate. Bring in the sesame seeds. First, dip simit into the molasses mixture (on both sides) and then into the sesame seeds making sure that all sides are fully covered with sesame seeds. Transfer onto a baking sheet and repeat the same process for the rest of the limit.
Baked Turkish simit on a sheet pan
  1. Bake: Bake both sheets in the oven for 18-20 minutes or until golden brown making sure to rotate them from top to bottom halfway through the baking process. Let them cool for 5 minutes and serve while still warm.

What To Serve it with?

Traditionally, we serve simit bread for breakfast with feta cheese, olives, sliced tomatoes and cucumbers, and Turkish tea. With that being said, you can serve it with any cheese and even with your favorite jams or preserves.

Showing ways to serve Turkish simit

Alternatively, you can make a simit sandwich by slicing it horizontally in half and place cheese, sliced tomatoes, and cucumbers in the middle.

Simit sandwich on a plate layered with feta cheese and tomatoes

How To Store and Freeze?

The best part of this recipe is to make a batch, eat some right away, and freeze the rest for later.

  • To store leftovers: Bring simit to room temperature, place in a plastic bag, remove the air out as much as you can, and store at room temperature. It should be fresh for up to 2 days. You can toast it for a few minutes before serving.
  • To freeze: Repeat the same process but place in the freezer instead. When ready to serve, let it thaw for 10 minutes on the counter, and then heat it in a preheated 300 F degree oven for 10-12 minutes.

Tips For Success & Troubleshooting:

  • The shape doesn’t matter:  If this is your first time trying your hand in making this Turkish simit recipe and if your simit strands don’t look like the ones in the pictures, do not worry. I promise that they will look better as they rise, and regardless of their appearance, they will taste great after they are baked. You will get the hang of it after you make it a few times.
  • The temperature of the water & milk: For the active dry yeast to get activated, your water must be around 110 F degrees (43 Celsius), and your milk (or heavy cream) is at room temperature. If they are colder or warmer, the yeast might not get activated, and as a result, your simit Turkish bread might fall flat.
  • The temperature of your kitchen: As it is with any bread recipe (like I explained in my Challah bread recipe), the temperature of your kitchen (or the time of the year) will affect how much your dough rises. If you are making simit on a hot summer day, it will likely double in size. However, I have made this recipe several times all throughout the year, and it consistently delivered great results.
  • The temperature of your oven: Most Turkish simit recipes start with a 400 F degree oven, bake for 20-25 minutes, raise the temperature to 425 to 450 F degrees and then bake a little longer (usually 5-7 minutes). I tested this recipe several times and did not think it was necessary to bake it in two stages. However, I recommend keeping an eye on it after the 18th-minute mark.
  • Sesame seeds cook faster than the simit dough: Be careful when you open the oven door at the end of the baking process as some smoke might come out due to sesame seeds cooking faster than the limit. 
  • Istanbul Simit vs. Street Simit: If you ever visit Turkey, you will see that the simit sold on the street does not have this much sesame seeds because sesame seeds are costly. My mom, who grew up in Istanbul, always made simit with a lot of sesame seeds, similar to how I did here. If you are not a fan, you can adjust the amount and use less.

Frequently Asked Questions:

How is Turkish simit different from American Bagel?

Compared to American bagels, the Turkish simit is lighter and crustier. Also, there is no boiling done during the process of making simit. Instead, we dip simit dough in a water-molasses mixture and coat it in sesame seeds before baking.

What does simit taste like?

It tastes like a lightly sweetened, savory crusty bread with a very pronounced sesame flavor.

Can I make this recipe without molasses?

While it is not traditional, you can use honey instead of molasses. However, please be aware that the taste might be slightly different. To do so, use a mixture of 5-6 tablespoons of honey and 4 tablespoons of water instead.

Can I use a stand mixer (like KitchenAid) instead of kneading the simit dough by hand?

Yes, you can, and I recommend using the dough hook to knead. Also, you might have to adjust the amount of flour by adding more until the dough no longer sticks to the bowl.

How many calories per serving?

Each serving of this recipe is 370 calories.

Other bread recipes you might also like

Other Turkish recipes you might like

Turkish simit bread placed in a bowl from the top
Print

Turkish Simit Recipe (Turkish Bagel)

Learn how to make Turkish bread recipe using my foolproof method. Traditionally served for breakfast, our version of bagel is easy to make with my step by step instructions.
Course Breakfast
Cuisine Turkish
Prep Time 1 hour
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings 10 simits
Calories 370kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 cup water at 110 F degrees (43 Celsius)
  • 1 cup whole milk at room temperature (or heavy cream)
  • 2 tablespoons active dry yeast Or 3 (1/4 oz.) packets
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg at room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 3 tablespoons vegetable oil (Canola, avocado, and grapeseed oil would all work)
  • 5 cups all purpose flour (25 oz.) plus more for when kneading the dough and for the surface
  • 3 cups sesame seeds (12 oz.)
  • 7 tablespoons molasses diluted with 5 tablespoons of water

Instructions

  • Activate the yeast: Place water, milk, sugar, and active dry yeast into a measuring cup. Give it a quick whisk, cover it with stretch film, and let it sit on the counter for 10 to 15 minutes or until bubbles form on top.
  • Make the dough: Place 5 cups (700 grams) of all-purpose flour, kosher salt, oil, egg, and now-risen yeast-milk mixture in a large mixing bowl. Start mixing by hand until it comes together. Lightly dust the counter with flour and transfer the dough onto the surface. Knead by hand to form a smooth and elastic dough until the dough is not sticking to your fingers. This may take around 15 -17 minutes.
  • Let the simit dough rise: Lightly wet a kitchen towel with hot tap water and place it over the dough. Let it sit on the kitchen counter until it doubles in size, 30-45 minutes.
  • Toast sesame seeds: While the dough is rising, place sesame seeds in a large non-stick skillet over medium heat, stirring constantly, and toast until they turn golden brown, 20-25 minutes. Transfer into a large shallow plate to cool.
  • Roll The Dough into a Cylinder: Fold the dough from each end onto itself towards the middle, gently pinch, and roll into a cylinder of roughly 20-inches (51 cm.)
  • Using a sharp knife or a pastry scraper, divide the dough into 10 equal pieces, transfer onto a sheet pan (lined with parchment paper), and cover it with a clean kitchen towel (to prevent them from drying as you work on each piece)
  • Preheat the oven to 400 F degrees. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
  • Shape the dough and let it rest: Roll each dough ball into a roughly 40-inch (102 cm) long strand. Fold the string onto itself using your finger to hold it in the middle. Twist the dough in the opposite direction to form a spiral rope. Roll it into a 5-inch diameter ring and gently pinch the end to seal.
  • Transfer the now-shaped simits onto the parchment-lined baking sheet. Repeat the same process for the rest of the dough balls. Let them rest until they rise for 30 minutes. How much they rise depends on the temperature of your kitchen. (You can learn more about this in the tips section below)
  • Mix together molasses with water in a large shallow plate. Bring in the sesame seeds. First, dip simit into the molasses mixture (on both sides) and then into the sesame seeds making sure that all sides are fully covered with sesame seeds. Transfer onto a baking sheet and repeat the same process for the rest of the limit.
  • Bake both sheets in the oven for 18-20 minutes or until golden brown making sure to rotate them from top to bottom halfway through the baking process. Let them cool for 5 minutes and serve while still warm.

Notes

  • To store leftovers: Bring simit to room temperature, place in a plastic bag, remove the air out as much as you can, and store at room temperature. It should be fresh for up to 2 days. You can toast it for a few minutes before serving.
  • To freeze: Repeat the same process but place in the freezer instead. When ready to serve, let it thaw for 10 minutes on the counter, and then heat it in a preheated 300 F degree oven for 10-12 minutes.
  • The shape doesn’t matter:  If this is your first time trying your hand in making this Turkish simit recipe and if your simit strands don’t look like the ones in the pictures, do not worry. I promise that they will look better as they rise, and regardless of their appearance, they will taste great after they are baked. You will get the hang of it after you make it a few times.
  • The temperature of the water & milk: For the active dry yeast to get activated, your water must be around 110 F degrees (43 Celsius), and your milk (or heavy cream) is at room temperature. If they are colder or warmer, the yeast might not get activated, and as a result, your simit Turkish bread might fall flat.

Nutrition

Calories: 370kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 19mg | Sodium: 494mg | Potassium: 462mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 67IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 499mg | Iron: 7mg

This Turkish Simit recipe post was originally published in April of 2014. It has been updated with new photos and minor changes to the originally published recipe in March of 2020.

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Asparagus Tart with Goat Cheese and Mushrooms https://foolproofliving.com/asparagus-tart/ https://foolproofliving.com/asparagus-tart/#comments Mon, 15 Mar 2021 20:21:00 +0000 https://foolproofliving.com/?p=23875 This post has been sponsored by Vermont Creamery, but all opinions are my own. Today’s recipe, Puff Pastry Asparagus Goat Cheese Tart, is a celebration of the new season with my favorite spring produce, asparagus. If you are a lover of this delicious vegetable like I am, you are in for a treat. Because this super easy to make appetizer/brunch recipe is quick to make and oh so delicious. If...

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This post has been sponsored by Vermont Creamery, but all opinions are my own.

Today’s recipe, Puff Pastry Asparagus Goat Cheese Tart, is a celebration of the new season with my favorite spring produce, asparagus. If you are a lover of this delicious vegetable like I am, you are in for a treat. Because this super easy to make appetizer/brunch recipe is quick to make and oh so delicious.

If you are a fan of asparagus be sure to also check out my Roasted Asparagus, Asparagus Salad, Air Fryer Asparagus, Steamed Asparagus, and Simple Sauteed Asparagus.

Asparagus Tart with puff pastry sliced with a knife on the side

LOVE GOAT CHEESE? Get all my best creamy and tangy Goat Cheese Recipes.

Ingredients You’ll Need:

To make it easier, I will divide the ingredients into 2 parts. The toppings and the tart.

Ingredients: Scallions, asparagus, goat cheese, butter, mushrooms photographed from the top view

The Toppings:

  • Mushrooms: I used shiitake mushrooms but any mushroom would work here. If you are new to preparing them, here is how to clean shiitake mushrooms.
  • Use other types of mushrooms, such as roasted portobello mushrooms.
  • Asparagus: I recommend buying asparagus that is not too thin as the cooking time will be different.
  • Goat Cheese: In terms of goat cheese, I used my favorite Vermont Creamery’s fresh goat cheese. I love them, not only because they are a Vermont-based company, but also because I have been so lucky to have attended one of their cheese camps years ago and experienced the awesomeness of their products first hand by eating my weight in goat cheese. Make sure that it is at room temperature.
  • Other toppings for flavoring: You will need garlic, scallions, and other optional toppings like prosciutto and arugula.

Puff Pastry:

I used a 9X9 sheet of store-bought puff pastry in this recipe. Make sure that it is thawed in the fridge overnight so that it will be easy to roll out when you are ready to assemble your asparagus tart.

How to make Asparagus Tart?

The process of making this asparagus cheese tart has 3 parts.

The filling ingredients (asparagus, scallions, goat cheese, garlic, and mushrooms) are photographed from the top view
  1. Make the mushroom filling: As the name of the recipe suggests, this recipe uses mushrooms and asparagus as the filling. Simply saute them with a little bit of butter until they are softened and set them aside to cool. Alternatively, you can roast shiitake mushrooms in the oven.
  2. Prepare the asparagus: Trim the ends of the asparagus spears and cut them into smaller, ¼ inch thick pieces. Then, mix it with thinly sliced scallions, olive oil, and salt and pepper.
  3. Make the Goat Cheese Spread: Mix olive oil with the goat cheese.
  4. Prepare the puff pastry: Lay out a thawed (store-bought) puff pastry sheet onto a lightly floured surface. Roll it out to a square using a rolling pin and spread it evenly with the goat cheese leaving one inch on each side.
A woman is photographed as she is making adding ingredients onto the puff pastry from the top view
  1. Assemble the asparagus puff pastry recipe: Spread mushrooms and asparagus mixture on top. Roll each side onto itself towards the middle to create a frame and transfer it to a baking sheet
  2. Bake in a 425 F degree oven for 15 minutes or until the sides turn golden brown. Slice and serve while it is still warm.
Asparagus and Cheese Tart Recipe is photographed as it is being sliced

Faqs:

Here are a few of your FAQs answered for the best goat cheese and asparagus puff pastry tart recipe:

  • Can I make this asparagus appetizer in advance? Yes, you can. However, I recommend getting all the ingredients ready a day before, storing them separately, and assembling it right before you are ready to bake it.
  • How much time do I need for the frozen puff pastry to thaw? It depends on the brand of puff pastry you are using, but usually, 30-40 minutes on the counter should be more than enough. If it is too soft, feel free to pop it back in the freezer for a few minutes before rolling it out.
  • What do I do with the leftovers? You can store leftovers in an airtight container for 1 more day. However, as in most recipes made with puff pastry sheets, I think this asparagus tart is the most delicious right after it comes out of the oven.
  • Can I used other cheeses than goat cheese? Yes, you can. However, while you can make this tart with other cheeses like gruyere, ricotta, blue cheese, parmesan cheese, etc. , I highly recommend trying this version made with fresh goat cheese. In my opinion, there is something so magical in the tart and earthy flavors of goat cheese when it is mixed in with the woodsy and fresh flavors of mushrooms and asparagus.
a slice of Asparagus Tart with puff pastry and goat cheese

A Surprising Topping You Should Try:

In preparation for this post, I made this asparagus tart recipe several times. On the day that I photographed it, as we were getting ready to eat it, my husband suggested that we top them off with some thinly sliced prosciutto. Luck would have it, we had some in the fridge so we went ahead and put some on top of each slice.

Oh my! We were both like, how is it that we didn’t think of this before??

It was SO delicious. I took the photo below at the last minute. So keep in mind that you can also serve this easy asparagus appetizer with puff pastry with a slice of prosciutto if you are not serving it to a vegetarian crowd.

Asparagus Puff Pastry Prosciutto and Goat Cheese placed in a tray and photographed from the top view.

If you liked this recipe you might also like:

GOAT CHEESE AND MUSHROOM ASPARAGUS TART Recipe image
Print

Easy Asparagus Tart Recipe with Goat Cheese and Mushrooms

A delicious and easy to make Goat Cheese and Mushroom Asparagus Tart with Puff Pastry: Goat cheese spread on a buttery puff pastry sheet, topped off with mushrooms and asparagus and baked for perfection. Ready in less than 30 minutes, this easy to make asparagus puff pastry appetizer is perfect for any of your upcoming spring picnic, potluck, and dinner parties.
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 4 servings – One 10-inch square tart
Calories 601kcal

Ingredients

For The Mushrooms:

  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 6 ounces shiitake mushrooms thinly sliced
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt

For The Asparagus Topping:

  • 6 ounces asparagus trimmed and sliced ¼ inch thin (approx. 1 cup)
  • 2 scallions both white and green parts thinly sliced
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 clove of garlic minced
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper

For The Tart:

  • 4 oz. goat cheese at room temperature – divided
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 sheet of puff pastry 9×9 ½, thawed

Optional Toppings:

  • Handful of fresh arugula
  • 9 slices Prosciutto

Instructions

  • Pre-heat the oven to 425 F degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
  • Melt butter in a skillet. Add in the mushrooms. Cook, stirring frequently, until they are softened and reduced in size. Season with salt and set aside to cool.
  • To make the asparagus topping: Gently mix asparagus, scallions, garlic, salt and pepper in a bowl.
  • Reserve 1 tablespoon of the goat cheese and set aside.
  • Mix the rest of the goat cheese and olive oil in a bowl.
  • To assemble the tart: Carefully unfold the puff pastry on a lightly floured surface. Using a roller, roll it into a 10×10 square dough. Transfer it onto the parchment lined sheet.
  • Spread goat cheese-oil mixture over the puff pastry leaving 1-inch border throughout the sides. Top it off with mushrooms and asparagus mixture making sure that they are evenly distributed throughout the tart.
  • Brush sides with a little bit of water and fold it onto itself, towards the middle, on all sides.
  • Bake in the oven for 15 minutes or until the sides of the tart turn golden brown.
  • Let it cool for 5 minutes. Scatter the reserved goat cheese in small chunks all over the tart.
  • If using, garnish with arugula and prosciutto.
  • Slice it into smaller pieces and serve while it is still warm.

Video

Notes

  • The nutrition values below assumes that you slice this tart into 9 pieces. However, you can cut into 4 squares as well.
  • Can I make this asparagus appetizer in advance? Yes, you can. However, I recommend getting all the ingredients ready a day before, storing them separately, and assembling it right before you are ready to bake it.
  • How much time do I need for the frozen puff pastry to thaw? It depends on the brand of puff pastry you are using, but usually, 30-40 minutes on the counter should be more than enough. If it is too soft, feel free to pop it back in the freezer for a few minutes before rolling it out.
  • What do I do with the leftovers? You can store leftovers in an airtight container for 1 more day. However, as in most recipes made with puff pastry sheets, I think this asparagus tart is the most delicious right after it comes out of the oven.

Nutrition

Calories: 601kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 47g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Cholesterol: 32mg | Sodium: 673mg | Potassium: 305mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 762IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 60mg | Iron: 3mg

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Almond Flour Chocolate Chip Cookies {Vegan} https://foolproofliving.com/almond-flour-cookies/ https://foolproofliving.com/almond-flour-cookies/#comments Mon, 30 Nov 2020 16:35:16 +0000 https://foolproofliving.com/?p=26715 It’s one of the most fun and festive times when a simple cookie can bring such joy. And let me tell you, this Almond Flour Cookies recipe is definitely simple. With only six ingredients (most of them probably already in your pantry) and one bowl, you can have these almond flour chocolate chip cookies whisked together in under 30 minutes! And if you are a fan of the chocolatey almond...

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It’s one of the most fun and festive times when a simple cookie can bring such joy. And let me tell you, this Almond Flour Cookies recipe is definitely simple. With only six ingredients (most of them probably already in your pantry) and one bowl, you can have these almond flour chocolate chip cookies whisked together in under 30 minutes!

And if you are a fan of the chocolatey almond flour desserts, be sure to try our Almond Flour Brownies recipe as well.

almond flour cookies with chocolate chips (Healthy, vegan and gluten free) are photographed from the front view on a plate.

My husband and I just couldn’t get enough! One bite and you’ll know why!

Made with simple ingredients, it’s also the perfect nut flour cookie to bring to your next holiday cookie exchange. Quick, easy, low carb, glutrn-free, refined sugar-free and delicious, it’s one of the best cookie recipes for the holiday season or any time of the year!

Recipe Ingredients

Ingredients are photographed from the top view
  • Almond Flour – Also known as almond meal, fine almond flour, ground almonds, or almond powder, it is a protein-rich flour made from ground almonds. I like to use DIY Almond Flour, but store-bought (affiliate link) will work just as well. Nowadays, most grocery stores carry almond flour in their specialty or gluten free section. There are two varieties, made blanched almonds, meaning the skins have been removed, and made with unblanched, which still have the skins intact. I like the aesthetic look of blanched almond flour since it produces a golden brown cookie, but feel free to use either variety.
  • Kosher SaltDiamond Crystal (affiliate link) is my favorite kosher salt since the salt granules are just the right size to dissolve into the almond flour cookie dough. If you use fine sea salt, reduce the salt to ¼ teaspoon.
  • Baking Soda – A small bit of baking soda helps give these crispy almond flour cookies a golden brown color, special crunch and just a bit of lift.
  • Coconut Oil – The subtle, sweet flavor of coconut oil blends perfectly with the nutty almond flour. Make sure to melt the coconut oil and cool completely before adding to the batter. I have also tested these nut flour cookies with grapeseed oil and it worked just as well. 
  • Maple Syrup – A bit of sweet, smoky goodness is what makes these cookies shine. Since it is late in the maple season here in Vermont, I like to use Dark Amber, Grade A, which has a more robust maple flavor. But feel free to use a light amber maple syrup for a more delicate flavor.
  • Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips – I used vegan semi-sweet chocolate chips (affiliate link), but you can also use any chocolate chips you have on hand. We will touch more on chocolate in a bit!

How to make these cookies?

This recipe for almond powder cookies comes together in 3 folds.

First, preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

The dough is photographed from the top view as a woman is mixing it.

Second, in a large mixing bowl, whisk together the almond flour, salt, and baking soda. Pour in the melted coconut oil and maple syrup and mix until just combined.
As you mix the batter you might feel like the amount of liquid is not enough, but believe me, it will come together as you continue to mix it.

Fold the chocolate chips into the batter and mix until they are equally distributed.

paleo chocolate chip cookies made with almond flour are portioned on a cookie sheet and decorated with an almond photographed from the top view.

Lastly, scoop onto the prepared baking sheet using a tablespoon cookie scoop (affiliate link) and flatten gently with your hands. I got 15 cookies, but you should get a range between 12-15. Bake for 12-14 minutes, or until lightly brown.

Let them cool on a wire rack for 10-15 minutes and serve.

Step By Step Video Instructions

PRO TIP: Whether you call it almond flour, almond meal or almond powder, the choice is up to you. But one tip I highly recommend is to make your own almond flour at home. Yes, it is a bit of an additional task to make a simple cookie, but I think it is good to know that you can easily make your own in your food processor or blender.

Almond flour and almond butter cookies

Please note, this recipe is based on almond flour, not almond butter. Almond butter (any nut butter in general) tends to be a bit too expensive and you can get so much more use out of almond flour, so I thought it best to create a super simple recipe that helps this nut flour shine.

However, if you want a version of this cookie made with almond butter (and grain free flours and other gluten free ingredients), be sure to check out my almond butter cookies recipe. And if you are more of a fan of peanut butter, you might also like my almond peanut butter cookie recipe.

The best chocolate for no flour shortbread cookies

These almond cookies with almond flour are plant-based, low carb, and refined sugar-free. I used this vegan and paleo certified semi-sweet chocolate chips (affiliate link) but you can use whatever you have on hand. If you are more of a dark chocolate lover, you can totally swap them with bitter-sweet chocolate chips as well. Either way, this is a simple and healthy almond flour cookie recipe that you can make for any occasion.

If you buy a pack and end up with leftover chocolate chips, be sure to try and use them in my Almond Flour Banana Bread recipe.

How To Store & Freeze?

What I love most about these vegan almond flour cookies is that they store well so you can make a batch, bake some right away and store the rest for later.

  • Storage: Leftover cookies can be store in an airtight container on the kitchen counter after they come to room temperature. They should be fresh for up to 3 days.
  • Freezing: Unbaked cookies can be stored in an airtight container in the freezer. Simply place them on a baking sheet lined with parchement paper. Place in the freezer for at least four hours. When it is hardened, cover it tightly with plastic wrap or place them in an airtight container on a single layer.
  • Thawing & Baking: You do not need to thaw these almond flour cookies in advance as ground almonds do not freeze (thanks to their high fat content). Instead, take them out of the freezer, place on a sheet pan or cookie sheet (as directed in the recipe), and bake as directed in the recipe. It might take a few extra (no more 2 or 3) minutes for them to bake. You will know that they are fully baked when they turn (lightly) golden brown.
Cookies are placed on a plate and served with a glass of milk on the side.

Tips for the best almond meal cookies

  • Can I swap maple syrup with coconut sugar? This recipe actually requires maple syrup as the sweetener because you need that extra bit of liquid to get the right consistency. However, if you are in need of a coconut sugar-sweetened almond flour cookie recipe, feel free to check out my almond flour coconut sugar cookies flavored with warm winter spices. They are paleo-friendly and sweetened with coconut sugar. Oh and perfect for the holiday season!
  • For an extra special touch, place a whole almond in the center of each cookie before baking. This way people will easily know that this is an almond cookie.
  • Can’t get enough of the almond flavors? Mix in ¼ teaspoon of almond extract to the batter when you add the wet ingredients for even more almond flavor.
  • How long do these no flour shortbread cookies good for? As long as they are kept in an airtight container, these cookies will last for 3-4 days.
  • Got some vanilla extract? If so, add in 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract for a subtle vanilla flavor.
  • It is traditional to serve cookies with milk. While a cup of cow’s milk work perfectly, if you are following a plant-based diet, I would recommend serving it with homemade almond milk.

Here are a few other cookie recipes to help you with your sweet tooth.

Other almond flour desserts you might like:

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Gluten free and Paleo Almond Flour Cookies with Chocolate Chips
Print

Almond Flour Cookies Recipe

Recipe for the best Almond Flour Cookies with Chocolate Chips. This gluten-free, refined-sugar free, paleo and vegan cookie recipe is the easiest one you could ever make. All you need is 6 ingredients, one bowl and 30 minutes (from start to finish.)
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Diet Vegan
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 14 minutes
Total Time 29 minutes
Servings 12 cookies
Calories 212kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 cups almond flour (240gr)
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ cup coconut oil melted and cooled
  • ¼ cup maple syrup
  • ½ cup vegan/paleo semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 12-14 whole almonds as garnish (optional)

Instructions

  • Pre-heat oven to 350 F degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set it aside.
  • Mix together almond flour, salt, and baking soda in a bowl. 
  • Stir in the oil and maple syrup into the batter. 
  • Fold in the chocolate chips.
  • Using a tablespoon-size measuring spoon, scoop the dough onto the prepared sheet pan. Gently press down to flatten. If preffered, place an almond in the center of each cookie.
  • Bake for 12-14 minutes until it is lightly browned on top. Serve.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 212kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 121mg | Potassium: 65mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 7g | Calcium: 54mg | Iron: 1mg

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Paleo Apple Cake Recipe with Almond Flour https://foolproofliving.com/paleo-apple-cake/ https://foolproofliving.com/paleo-apple-cake/#comments Thu, 29 Oct 2020 16:15:45 +0000 https://foolproofliving.com/?p=36151 Almond Flour Apple Cake: Ever since I started baking with almond flour a few years ago, I find myself gravitating towards fruity almond flour cake made with whatever fruit is in season. I know you like them as well, because my basic Almond Flour Cake, Almond Flour Chocolate Cake, Almond Flour Strawberry Cake, Flourless Lemon Cake, Almond Flour Banana Bread, and Almond Flour Carrot Cake recipes are amongst the most...

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Almond Flour Apple Cake:

Ever since I started baking with almond flour a few years ago, I find myself gravitating towards fruity almond flour cake made with whatever fruit is in season. I know you like them as well, because my basic Almond Flour Cake, Almond Flour Chocolate Cake, Almond Flour Strawberry Cake, Flourless Lemon Cake, Almond Flour Banana Bread, and Almond Flour Carrot Cake recipes are amongst the most popular posts on my blog.

With apples currently being in abundance, I knew it was about time to share a recipe for a paleo apple cake recipe made with almond flour. I mean who can say no to cinnamon and apple smells filling up the whole house. Am I right?

Paleo Gluten Free Apple Cake with almond flour sliced on a plate top view

So here I am with a deliciously moist, minimally sweetened, dairy-free, and gluten-free almond flour apple cake recipe that is easy to make and truly delicious.

Agreed? Let’s break it down.

Ingredients You Will Need:

As I mentioned earlier, the ingredients list for this easy paleo apple cake recipe is pretty short. There are only 10 ingredients in total and I bet you have them all in your pantry. 

Almond Flour Apple Cake dry ingredients top view

For the dry ingredients, gather almond flour, baking powder, baking soda, ground cinnamon, and salt. 

Wet ingredients for the recipe top view

For the wet ingredients, you will need eggs (at room temperature), maple syrup,  melted coconut oil, and vanilla extract.

A Few Helpful Notes About Ingredients:

  • Almond flour and almond meal can be used interchangeably in this recipe: You can use store-bought almond flour/meal or make almond flour at home (cheaper than almond flour sold at the store).
  • Wet ingredients should be at room temperature: As it is with most cake recipes, it is always best to have your wet ingredients at room temperature before mixing them up. I usually take out the eggs and the maple syrup a few hours before I am ready to bake.
  • Not a fan of coconut oil? Any vegetable oil would work here. I personally like using avocado oil or grapeseed oil if I do not have coconut oil on hand.
  • Can I use honey instead? I find that honey is a little stronger than maple syrup, especially when it is baked. Therefore I usually use less of it. In this recipe, I’d use only ½ cup of honey.

What Are The Best Apples For Baking This Apple Cake without Flour?

Finally, you will need a medium-sized (5 oz. or so) apple. While any type of apple you have on hand would work, I usually use honey crisp or pink lady apples.

If you have a mandoline, I highly recommend using it to ensure that the slices are thin and equal in size. If you do not have a mandoline, then use a sharp knife to slice them as thin as possible.

And if you are wondering whether or not to peel the apples, I’d say it is a personal preference. I usually give it a good wash, dry it off and use it with the skin on but you can certainly peel it off as well.

How To Make This Easy Paleo Cake? Step by Step Instructions:

You will need two bowls, a whisk, and a spatula to make this cake. Simply:

Person mixing dry ingredients to make flourless apple cake
  1. Mix dry ingredients: Mix almond flour, baking soda, baking powder, kosher salt, and ground cinnamon in a large bowl until no lumps remain.
Person mixing wet ingredients
  1. Whisk wet ingredients: Whisk together eggs, maple syrup, and coconut oil in a bowl until emulsified.
Wet ingredients added into dry ones by a person top view
  1. Combine the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients: Mix until just combined.
Person folding apples into gluten free apple cake top view
  1. Fold in the sliced apples: Add the thinly sliced apples in and fold them in until they are equally distributed within the batter.
Paleo apple cake batter in a pan being sprinkled with sliced almonds by a person top view
  1. Transfer the batter to a pan: Transfer the batter into an 8-inch springform pan (affiliate link) or a cake pan that is greased and lined with parchment paper. Using the back of a spatula distribute it evenly throughout the pan. Sprinkle with thinly sliced almonds.
  2. Bake: Bake in a preheated 325 F degree oven for 55-60 minutes.
gluten free apple cake with almond meal sliced from top view

For the best results, let your freshly baked Apple Almond Cake rest:

As it is with almost all my almond flour recipes, this paleo almond cake recipe is very soft and gooey when it first comes out of the oven. This is because almond flour behaves differently than your regular all-purpose flour. In short, it absorbs less liquid.

To top it off, we are also using juicy apples so there is a lot of moisture in the cake while it is still warm.

For the best results, I highly recommend letting the cake rest for at least 45 minutes before slicing. The additional time of rest allows the cake to cool down and set in for a perfectly moist flourless apple cake.

How To Store?

For best results, store this gluten-free apple cake in an airtight container or wrapped in parchment paper on the kitchen counter for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

I would not recommend wrapping it in plastic wrap, as doing so will trap moisture and make the bread too soggy.

Can I Freeze?

For longer storage, slice it up and place it into a large plastic freezer storage bag with small squares of parchment between each slice. 

Alternatively, you can also wrap them individually with pre-cut parchment paper. Seal tight, label, date, and store in the freezer for up to 3 months.

To enjoy, simply thaw to room temperature or pop it in a preheated 300 F degree oven for 5-10 minutes to warm it up.

Paleo Apple Cake recipe made with almond flour sliced on a plate

How To Serve?

A slice of this paleo apple cake is perfect by itself to serve with a cup of coffee or tea for breakfast or tea time. However, if you want to take it up a notch, you can also top it off with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Whether you are someone following a paleo diet or interested in baking with healthier ingredients in general, I hope you add this paleo apple dessert to your collection of fall baking recipes.

And if you are in need of a next-level apple pie recipe, check out Amanda’s Gluten-Free Apple Pie.

Can’t Get Enough? Here are a few more Apple Recipes with Almond Flour:

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Paleo apple cake with almond flour sliced from the top view
Print

Paleo Apple Cake Recipe

A foolproof Paleo Apple Cake recipe made with almond flour. Sweetened with apples and maple syrup, this gluten free apple cake recipe is also dairy free, grain free, and refined sugar free. All you need is two bowls and a whisk. Perfect for fall baking!
Course Dessert, Naturally Sweetened
Cuisine American
Diet Gluten Free
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings 8 slices
Calories 295kcal

Ingredients

Dry Ingredients:

  • 2 cups almond flour 8.4 oz.
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon table salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

Wet Ingredients:

  • 3 large eggs at room temperature
  • ½ cup +2 tablespoon maple syrup
  • 3 tablespoons coconut oil melted and cooled
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 apple medium-sized (5 oz. or so) – Thinly sliced

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 325 F degrees. Generously grease an 8-inch springform pan or a cake pan and line it with parchment paper. Set it aside.
  • Mix dry ingredients: Mix almond flour, baking powder, baking soda, kosher salt, and ground cinnamon in a large bowl until no lumps remain.
  • Whisk wet ingredients: Whisk together eggs, maple syrup, coconut oil, and maple syrup in a bowl until emulsified.
  • Combine the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients: Mix until just combined.
  • Fold in the sliced apples: Add the thinly sliced apples in and fold them in until they are equally distributed within the batter.
  • Transfer the batter to a pan: Transfer the batter into the prepared cake pan. Using the back of a spatula spread it evenly throughout the pan. Sprinkle with thinly sliced almonds.
  • Bake: Bake for 55-60 minutes*.
  • Let it rest & cool: Let it rest 5 minutes. Remove from the pan and allow it to cool on a wire rack for 45 minutes.
  • Slice and serve.

Notes

  • * When it first comes out of the oven, the cake will still be moist. Therefore, for the best results, I highly recommend letting the cake rest for at least 45 minutes before slicing. The additional time of rest allows the cake to cool down and set in for a perfectly moist paleo apple cake.
  • How to store? For best results, store this gluten-free apple cake in an airtight container or wrapped in parchment paper on the kitchen counter for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
    I would not recommend wrapping it in plastic wrap, as doing so will trap moisture and make the bread too soggy.
  • Can I Freeze? For longer storage, slice it up and place it into a large plastic freezer storage bag with small squares of parchment between each slice. Alternatively, you can also wrap them individually with pre-cut parchment paper. Seal tight, label, date, and store in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Calories: 295kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 61mg | Sodium: 292mg | Potassium: 92mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 101IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 121mg | Iron: 1mg

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Almond Flour Banana Bread (Gluten-Free) https://foolproofliving.com/almond-flour-banana-bread/ https://foolproofliving.com/almond-flour-banana-bread/#comments Mon, 18 May 2020 09:41:00 +0000 https://foolproofliving.com/?p=27444 It is no secret that banana bread is a classic. But what about banana bread made with almond flour? If you have been around for a while you know that I love baking with almond flour and have already featured similar almond flour quick bread recipes like Almond Flour Pumpkin Bread, Almond Flour Zucchini Bread, and my savory Almond Flour Bread recipe. Don’t get me wrong, I am already a...

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It is no secret that banana bread is a classic. But what about banana bread made with almond flour?

If you have been around for a while you know that I love baking with almond flour and have already featured similar almond flour quick bread recipes like Almond Flour Pumpkin Bread, Almond Flour Zucchini Bread, and my savory Almond Flour Bread recipe.

A sliced almond flour banana bread recipe photographed from the top view.

Don’t get me wrong, I am already a fan of regular banana bread. But after enjoying one too many banana bread slices, I knew I had to come up with a version that omitted the regular all-purpose or whole wheat flour, dairy, and refined sugar. That was the inspiration for this gluten-free banana bread made with almond flour.

Upon all the recipe testing, I discovered two tricks:

  1. Getting the right ratio of almond flour to mashed bananas.
  2. Adding a secondary “binder” to ensure the banana loaf is baked until light and springy, rather than dense and sunken.

The bonus is that this almond banana bread is naturally low-carb, paleo, gluten-free, grain-free, wheat-free, dairy-free, and with the right adjustments, keto-friendly, too!

How To Bake Bread With Almond Flour

This is a question I get a lot from readers. I finally was able to answer it with this Almond Flour Bread recipe. But today, I wanted to take it a step further and create a recipe for banana bread using almond flour that could be enjoyed as a sweet breakfast treat, afternoon snack, or even dessert.

It’s also another sweet treat I can add to my library of almond flour recipes.

Recipe Ingredients

All you need is a few healthy simple ingredients to make this banana almond loaf. As with all quick bread recipes, the following are broken down into two categories – wet ingredients and dry ingredients. You will need:

Wet ingredients for this banana bread recipe photographed from the top view
A woman is photographed as she is whisking the wet ingredients

Wet Ingredients:

  • Vegetable Oil – I used grapeseed oil, but avocado or coconut oil would also work. If you decide to go with coconut oil, melt the amount you need in a microwave-safe bowl in the microwave on HIGH for 30 seconds and allow it to cool as you prepare the rest of the ingredients.
  • Very-Ripe, Brown-Speckled Bananas – The more brown spots your bananas have, the better! This is an indication of overripe, naturally sweet bananas. As long as your bananas are sweet going into the batter, there is no need to add a ton of sugar. Either purchase yellow bananas a few days in advance and allow them to ripen on your kitchen counter or ask a grocery store salesman if they have a reduced produce rack. This is an underrated area of the grocery store where they place the produce that is past its prime – brown-speckled bananas included!

PRO TIP: Rather than relying on the number of bananas called for in the recipe, use a digital kitchen scale (affiliate link) or measuring cups for the mashed bananas. Since bananas vary so much in size, weighing or properly measuring out the mashed bananas will ensure accuracy and consistency every time.

  • Eggs – Three large eggs is the first binding ingredient. Make sure to bring them to room temperature.
  • Coconut Sugar – The only added sugar in this recipe is coconut sugar – no refined sugar in sight. I love baking with coconut sugar because it does not spike your blood sugar like conventional granulated sugar and includes an added dose of fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
  • Apple Cider Vinegar – The acid in the apple cider vinegar reacts with the baking soda to create carbon dioxide, which helps give this healthy gluten-free banana bread an extra lift.
  • Vanilla Extract – Make sure to use pure vanilla extract for a floral sweetness that brightens up all the flavors.

Dry Ingredients:

Dry ingredients for the best healthy banana bread with almond flour are laid out and photographed from the top view.
A woman is photographed from the top view as she is mixing the dry ingredients
  • Almond Flour – My favorite brand is Blue Diamond (affiliate link) and the one I recommend for all of my almond flour recipes. It is blanched almond flour that is light golden in color and subtly sweet in aroma, making it my go-to choice. If you prefer to use almond meal (almond flour with the skins still intact), I really like Barney. If all else fails, you can always make almond flour at home with raw, unsalted almonds.
  • Ground Flaxseed – This is the secondary “binder” and the second trick I learned when baking this easy banana bread recipe. Just like when you make a flax egg, the ground flaxseed naturally gels when mixed with the wet ingredients. This creates a better structure overall. Ground golden flaxseed will also work.
  • Ground Cinnamon – I first tested this almond flour banana cake with 2 teaspoons of cinnamon, but I felt the cinnamon overpowered all the other flavors. I found 1 teaspoon to be just the right amount while still being able to taste the banana flavor.
  • Baking Soda – As mentioned before, the alkaline properties of baking soda react with the apple cider vinegar to produce carbon dioxide bubbles. It also creates a darker, golden brown color.
  • Baking Powder – Flourless banana bread needs as much help as it can get in the leavening department to ensure a proper rise. Baking powder helps to make this possible. For the paleo version, in place of 1 teaspoon of baking powder, you can mix together 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda with 1/2 teaspoon of cream of tartar.
  • Fine Sea Salt – Fine sea salt or kosher salt will do. I find the fine sea salt granules dissolve better into the batter.
  • Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips (optional) – The chocolate chips are optional, especially if you are watching your sugar or following a Low-Carb, Paleo, or Keto diet. Enjoy Life (affiliate link) makes delicious dairy-free chocolate chips that I simply adore.
  • If you decide to opt-out of chocolate chips, you can also decorate the top with a few tablespoons of sliced almonds.
A woman is photographed from the top view as she is folding the dry ingredients into the wet ones
A woman is photographed from the top view as she is adding chocolate chips into the batter

How To Make Banana Bread with Almond Flour

You will need two bowls, a whisk, and a spatula to make this healthy banana bread with almond flour. Simply:

  1. Prepare the loaf pan. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and grease a 9×5 inch or 8×4 inch loaf pan with 1 teaspoon oil. Line the center with a piece of parchment paper hanging off the sides, as this helps for easy removal.
  2. Whisk the wet ingredients. In a medium bowl or large measuring cup, whisk together the coconut oil, mashed bananas, eggs, coconut sugar, apple cider vinegar, and vanilla extract.
  3. Whisk the dry ingredients. In a larger bowl, whisk together the almond flour, ground flaxseed, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
  4. Combine the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. Mix until just combined.
  5. Optionally, add the chocolate chips (or mix-ins). If using, gently fold in the chocolate chips (or any other mix-in) until just combined. Transfer to the prepared loaf pan and top with an additional 2 Tablespoons of chocolate chips or mix-in, gently pressing into the surface.
  6. Bake. Baking time is between 55 to 60 minutes, or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow to cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then gently transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.

PRO TIP: I recommend allowing the almond banana bread to cool completely, at least 1-2 hours. The almond flour and banana provide a lot of fat and moisture, so it will be very soft and gooey while still warm. The longer it sits, the more the ingredients can marry together, creating a balanced, flavorful banana bread.

A sliced almond banana bread photographed from the front view and served with a few cups of coffee.

Variations:

This flourless banana bread can be made with a few variations:

  • Banana Nut Bread: Add ½ cup unsalted, lightly toasted nuts, such as walnuts or pecans.
  • (Flourless) Banana Bread with Dried Fruit: Add ¼ – ½ cup dried cranberries, raisins or diced Turkish apricots.
  • (Gluten-Free) Banana Coconut Bread: Add ½ cup unsweetened, shredded coconut to really bring out all that coconut flavor!
  • Banana Spice Bread: As I mentioned before, I only used 1 teaspoon of cinnamon to keep the flavors cleaner. But if you enjoy banana bread with a kick of warming spices, add another 1 teaspoon cinnamon or mix it up with ¼ teaspoon each ground allspice, nutmeg and cloves.

How To Store, Freeze, & Thaw

For best results, store the wheat-free banana bread in an airtight container or wrapped in parchment paper on the kitchen counter for up to 3 days or in the fridge for up to one week.

I would not recommend wrapping this banana nut bread in plastic wrap, as this method will trap moisture and make the bread too soggy.

For longer storage, slice and place into a large plastic freezer storage bag with small squares of parchment between each slice. Alternatively, you can also wrap them individually with pre-cut parchment paper. Seal tight, label, date, and store in the freezer for up to 3 months.

To enjoy, simply thaw to room temperature or pop a slice in your toaster!

Expert Tips

Here are a few tips that will help you get the best almond flour banana bread on your first try:

  • Place a thin piece of parchment paper in the center of your loaf pan. This makes it easier to remove the banana bread from the pan without ruining those delicate chocolate chips on top.
  • For Paleo Banana Bread: For the paleo version, in place of 1 teaspoon of baking powder, you can mix together 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda with 1/2 teaspoon of cream of tartar.
  • Weigh or use measuring cups after mashing the bananas. I mention this tip again because it is the key to baking this quick bread recipe to the right texture.
  • If you do not have Apple Cider Vinegar on hand, replace it with an equal amount of freshly squeezed lemon juice.
  • For an alternative sweetener, try a mix of 2 Tablespoons coconut sugar and 2 Tablespoons maple syrup, honey or agave nectar. If you would prefer to use only a liquid sweetener (maple syrup, honey, agave), I would reduce it down to ¼ cup, to account for the added liquid.
  • For a Keto-friendly version, I read a few recipes that included no added sugar and relied only on the sweetness of the bananas. You can also replace the coconut sugar with 1/4 teaspoon of stevia powder for a keto banana bread recipe.

FAQs

How many calories is a slice of this gluten-free banana bread?

This banana nut bread yields 10 slices of banana bread, and according to my nutrition calculator, each slice is 254 calories. For more information, please see the recipe card.

Can I use coconut flour in place of almond flour in this recipe?

I would not recommend using coconut flour as it behaves differently. Since coconut flour requires more liquid, if you use it in place of almond flour you might end up with dry banana bread.

How to store almond flour banana bread?

Store almond flour bread in an airtight container or wrapped in parchment paper on the kitchen counter for up to 3 days or in the fridge for up to one week.

Can I Make Banana Muffins Using The Same Batter for this banana bread with almond flour?

You sure can. Simply divide the batter equally in a 12-cup muffin tin and bake in a pre-heated 375 F degree oven for 30-35 minutes.

Similar Baked Goods You Might Also Like:

Other Almond Flour and Banana Recipes You Might Like:

Other Almond Flour Cakes/ Quick Bread Recipes:

There you have it, friends. An absolutely delicious easy banana bread recipe with almond flour that you can serve everyone in your family. If you are in need of a quick visual, watch the quick how-to video I made for you in the recipe card.

Almond flour banana bread sliced on a plate with coffee on the side
Print

Almond Flour Banana Bread Recipe

The one and only Almond Flour Banana Bread recipe you need. Sweetened with a little bit of coconut sugar and ripe bananas, this low-carb banana almond loaf is gluten-free, dairy-free, wheat-free, and paleo friendly.
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings 10 slices
Calories 254kcal

Ingredients

Wet Ingredients:

  • 1 Tablespoon vegetable Oil, plus 1 teaspoon for greasing the pan (coconut oil, avocado oil, grapeseed oil would all work) (14g)
  • 2-3 Ripe Bananas Brown-Speckled, Medium Bananas, mashed, about 1 ¼ cups (300g)
  • 3 large eggs at room temperature
  • cup (70g) Coconut Sugar OR ¼ cup (84g) Maple Syrup/Honey
  • 1 Tablespoon Apple Cider Vinegar (15g)
  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract (4g)

Dry Ingredients:

  • 2 cups Almond Flour (240g)
  • ¼ cup Ground Flaxseed (28g)
  • 1 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon (3g)
  • ¾ teaspoon Baking Soda (4g)
  • 1 teaspoon Baking Powder* (4g)
  • ½ teaspoon Fine Sea Salt (2g)
  • ¼ cup Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips 60g plus 2 Tablespoons (30g) extra for sprinkling on top

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease an 8X4 or 9×5 inch loaf pan with 1 teaspoon oil and line with a piece of parchment paper in the middle, with excess hanging out of the sides (this helps for easy removal).
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the oil, mashed bananas, eggs, coconut sugar OR maple syrup/honey, apple cider vinegar and vanilla extract.
  • In a large bowl, whisk together the almond flour, flaxseed, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder and salt. 
  • Mix dry and wet ingredients together. Fold in the chocolate chips, if using.
  • Transfer to the prepared loaf pan, smooth the top and sprinkle with chocolate chips, if using, gently pressing them onto the surface. Bake 55-60 minutes, or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. 
  • Let cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.
  • Slice and serve.

Video

Notes

  • Want to turn these into muffins instead? If so, simply divide the batter equally in a 12-cup muffin tin and bake in a pre-heated 375 F degree oven for 30-35 minutes.
  • For the paleo version, in place of 1 teaspoon of baking powder, you can mix together 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda with 1/2 teaspoon of cream of tartar.
VARIATIONS:
  • Banana Nut Bread: Add ½ cup unsalted, lightly toasted nuts, such as walnuts or pecans.
  • (Flourless) Banana Bread with Dried Fruit: Add ¼ – ½ cup dried cranberries, raisins or diced Turkish apricots.
  • (Gluten-Free) Banana Coconut Bread: Add ½ cup unsweetened, shredded coconut to really bring out all that coconut flavor!
  • Banana Spice Bread: As I mentioned before, I only used 1 teaspoon of cinnamon to keep the flavors cleaner. But if you enjoy banana bread with a kick of warming spices, add another 1 teaspoon cinnamon or mix it up with ¼ teaspoon each ground allspice, nutmeg, and cloves.

Nutrition

Calories: 254kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 49mg | Sodium: 277mg | Potassium: 161mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 86IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 94mg | Iron: 2mg

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Goat Cheese Quiche with Caramelized Onions and Thyme https://foolproofliving.com/goat-cheese-quiche-with-caramelized-onions-and-thyme/ https://foolproofliving.com/goat-cheese-quiche-with-caramelized-onions-and-thyme/#comments Sat, 21 Mar 2020 11:27:00 +0000 https://foolproofliving.com/?p=3098 The first time I published this Goat Cheese Quiche recipe was back in May of 2014. Life looked much different back then. We were living on a small island in the Caribbean called Virgin Gorda. I was happy to be there but was missing life in the mainland, where there were restaurants, coffee shops, and social life in general. One of those restaurants was a charming French brasserie called Balthazar,...

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The first time I published this Goat Cheese Quiche recipe was back in May of 2014. Life looked much different back then. We were living on a small island in the Caribbean called Virgin Gorda. I was happy to be there but was missing life in the mainland, where there were restaurants, coffee shops, and social life in general.

Several servings of goat cheese quiche are photographed over the top view

One of those restaurants was a charming French brasserie called Balthazar, in New York City. If you have never been, Balthazar is an iconic spot in SoHo in Manhattan, where it is almost always guaranteed to spot a celebrity. Having been open since 1997, it is also one of those spots in the city that stood the test of time.

Their menu consists of various French dishes that are mostly catered for American clientele with classics like steak au poivre, beef stroganoff, French onion soup, profiteroles, and this goat cheese quiche with caramelized onion and thyme.

While it is usually hard to pick what to eat, I have always been a fan of this quiche and eventually found a way to make it in my own kitchen.

Since I published this recipe back in 2014, most of my readers must have thought so, because a quick glance in my analytics show that this is one of the most popular recipes on the blog, especially when it comes to breakfast and brunch.

So today, I am here to update this fan favorite with some new photos, more helpful information, and a quick update to the recipe.

A single serving of Caramelized onion and goats cheese quiche is served with a salad and photographed from the top view.

How to Make Goat Cheese Quiche

The recipe for this goats cheese quiche has 3 folds.

First, you make the crust. This is the only change that I make to the original recipe that I published back in 2014. However, if you have been a fan of that crust recipe, do not worry. Because you will still be able to find that version in the recipe card below.

The All-Butter Pie Dough

So you rightfully might ask, why do you change a crust recipe that works?

The original crust recipe, adapted from Cooks Illustrated cookbook (affiliate link), was made with vegetable shortening. While I have nothing against it, I made a decision to no longer use that ingredient in my cooking/baking a few years ago, mostly for health reasons.

Instead, nowadays my go-to crust recipe is this all-butter crust pie dough I used in this updated version. Nowadays, I use this recipe for all my tarts, pies, and quiches. It works every time and delivers great results.

Again adapted from the Cooks Illustrated, the magic ingredient in this all-butter crust dough is sour cream, which is what makes it tender and flaky. What I love about it the most is that it is an easy to handle crust recipe that even not-so-experienced-bakers like me can get good results.

The process of making the crust is pretty simple. Simply whisk together sour cream with water and set it aside. Then mix together flour, sugar, and salt in a food processor. Process a few times to make sure all dry ingredients are mixed well. Then add in the butter and process until butter is the size of large peas.

Add in the sour cream and water mixture through the tube as the machine is running and process until the dough holds together when pinched and no dry flour remains.

As with all crust recipes, it is imperative that all your ingredients are cold. If you want you can make several batches of this all-butter crust recipe and keep them in the freezer up to 2 months.

I usually make the crust a day before and keep it in the fridge until I am ready to assemble.

Single serving quiche crust is photographed from the top view.
a woman is photographed from the front view as she is mixing the filling.

Make The Filling

The second part of the process is preparing the filling. First, you cook the onions until they are fully caramelized. This can also be made a day in advance. You can place caramelized onions in an airtight container and keep it in the fridge until you are ready to use it.

As a matter of fact, every time I caramelize onions I make lots of them and add them in salads and soups for additional flavor throughout the week.

The liquid mixture is a classic quiche mixture where you use milk and heavy cream along with eggs and egg yolks for additional silkiness (and fat).

Assemble the Quiche

Last but not least, you assemble the quiche.

As the name of the recipe suggests, I used fresh goat cheese in the filling. I am a big fan of the caramelized onion-goat cheese- thyme combination and cannot recommend it enough.

To assemble, you roll out the dough, place it in a tart pan (more about baking it in different sized pans is below), line with aluminum foil, fill it with pie weights (or beans), and par-bake it for 30 minutes.

Once it is baked, remove the weights and aluminum foil, and scatter the crust evenly with goat cheese and caramelized onions. Then pour the milk-heavy cream-egg mixture over it. Don’t be alarmed if it is quite full. It will be fine after it is baked.

Quiche with goat cheese and caramelized onions is photographed from the top view as it is being assembled.

Can I Bake This Recipe In Smaller Pans?

When I first shared this recipe back in 2014, I made it in a 9-inch tart plate. However, in time I realized that this recipe is a great one to serve in individual portions, especially when it comes to entertaining.

I think a freshly baked single-serving quiche served with a simple green salad is one of the nicest presentations when it comes to treating your guests.

That is why nowadays I make this quiche in smaller tart pans. The recipe below makes three single-serving quiches with these 5-inch tart pans (affiliate link) or four with these 4-inch bottom tart pans (affiliate link.)

If you choose to use smaller tart pans, you will have roll the pie dough twice.

With this being said, you can still make this savory tart in a 9-inch tart/quiche pan.

Can I Make This Quiche with Goat Cheese Ahead?

Yes, you can. If you decide to do so, you have two options.

First, you can prep all components of the recipe; crust, caramelized onions, and filling in advance and store them in the fridge (wrapped tightly) a day in advance and assemble it right before baking.

Second, you can assemble and bake it. Let it come to room temperature, wrap tightly, and store in the fridge to serve the next day.

Admittedly, the freshly baked, right out of the oven goats cheese and onion quiche is better, but the one you serve the next day is still good.

Can I Freeze This Recipe?

Yes, you can. Simply bake the quiche and let it come to room temperature. Then cover it tightly with stretch film and freeze up to a month. To serve, unwrap and thaw at the kitchen counter for 4 hours. Reheat at a 250 F degree oven for 20-25 minutes.

Again, I find that the freshly baked and served version is the best, but if you are serving a crowd and need to make this ahead freezing is a great option.

A large (9-inch) Goat cheese and caramelized onion quiche is photographed from the front.

Can I Use Other Cheeses And Vegetables To Make Quiche?

Yes, you can take the recipe below as a basis simply by using the same crust and liquid filling and make it with different vegetables.

While I personally think that fresh goat cheese is what makes this recipe so delicious, you can use shredded cheddar, Swiss or even mozzarella cheese.

In terms of vegetables, I recommend using frozen spinach and steamed and chopped broccoli.

Alternatively, if you are serving meat eaters, you can add in prosciutto or ham into the filling as well.

If you Liked This Goat Cheese Quiche Recipe You Might Also Like:

Whether you make it treat your family over the weekend or serve it to a crowd for a special breakfast/brunch, this caramelized onion and goats cheese quiche is a delicious and visually impressive dish that is guaranteed to please.

 

Goat Cheese Quiche with Caramelized Onions Recipe
Print

Goat Cheese Quiche with Caramelized Onions and Thyme

Buttery crust filled with sweet caramelized onions, earthy goat cheese, and fresh thyme baked to perfection. This Goat Cheese Quiche with Caramelized Onions is a great breakfast or brunch dish that is guaranteed to please.
Course Brunch
Cuisine French
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings 8 servings - One 9-inch Quiche - 8 servings
Calories 320kcal

Ingredients

For The Crust:

  • 4 teaspoons sour cream
  • 4 tablespoons of ice water
  • 1 1/4 cups (6 1/4 ounces or 177 grams) all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 8 tablespoons unsalted butter cut into small pieces and frozen for 10 minutes

For The Filling:

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 medium onions sliced thinly into half-moon slices
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup whole milk
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 large egg yolk
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
  • 2 tablespoons fresh thyme chopped
  • 4 oz. fresh goat cheese crumbled

Instructions

  • To make the crust: mix sour cream and ice water in a bowl until combined. Set aside.
  • Place the flour, sugar, and salt into a food processor. Pulse 3-4 times to combine.
  • Scatter the small pieces of butter on the flour mixture and process for 10 1-second pulses until butter is the size of large peas.
  • Pour half of sour cream mixture over flour mixture and pulse until incorprated, about 3 pulses. 
  • Repeat with the remaining sour cream mixture and pulse 3 more times. 
  • Stop the machine and pinch the dough with your fingers. If it holds together, you are done. If not, add in 1 tablespoon of ice cold water and pulse until dough forms large clumps and no dry flour remains, 3 to 5 pulses. 
  • Turn the dough into a 4-inch disk and wrap tightly with stretch film. Refrigerate for at least an hour or overnight. 
  • Before rolling it out, let it sit on the counter for 10 minutes. 
  • When ready to bake, pre-heat the oven to 375 F Degrees.
  • Roll it out on a floured surface into a 1/4 inch thick, 11-inch circle. Drape it over a 9-inch tart pan. Tuck the excess 1-inch pieces underneath itself to form a neat and even edge.
  • Cover it with plastic wrap and place it in the freezer for 15-20 minutes until fully chilled and firm.
  • Take it out of the freezer. Place two layers of aluminum foil over the dough and fill it with pie weights or 2 cups of dry beans.
  • Transfer it into the oven and bake for 30 minutes.
  • Remove the pie weights and the aluminum foil, and bake for another 5 minutes. Take it out of the oven and set it aside. Do not turn the oven off.
  • To make the filling: While the crust is baking, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet, in medium heat. Add onions, and stirring often, cook for 15-20 minutes or until they turn into golden brown. Set aside.
  • Mix together the heavy cream, milk, eggs, egg yolk, salt and pepper in a small bowl.
  • To assemble: Scatter the crumbled goat cheese pieces, thyme, and caramelized onions over the pie crust. Pour the heavy cream, milk, and egg mixture over it.
  • Place it in the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes. When you first take it out of the oven it may look like the middle part of the quiche is not fully cooked. This is normal. It will continue to cook as it cools on the kitchen counter.
  • Allow it to cool for 10-15 minutes, slice, and serve while it is still warm.

Video

Notes

When I first published this recipe back in 2014, the pie crust recipe was a different one (made with vegetable shortening). The recipe was updated in April of 2019 with an all-butter crust recipe made without the use of vegetable shortening. However, just in case you are someone who prefers the original version, I am sharing the recipe below:
INGREDIENTS FOR THE CRUST:
  • 1 1/4 cups (6 1/4 oz.) all-purpose flour (plus more for the work surface)
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon table salt
  • 3 tablespoon vegetable shortening, cut into small pieces and refrigerated
  • 5 tablespoons of unsalted butter, cut into small pieces and cold
  • 4 tablespoons of ice water
METHOD:
  1. To make the crust: Place the flour, sugar, and salt into a food processor. Pulse 3-4 times to combine.
  2. Scatter the small pieces of vegetable shortening on the flour mixture and process for 10 seconds. It will look like coarse cornmeal.
  3. Add the butter pieces and pulse 10 times until it looks like coarse crumbs.
  4. Place the dough into a bowl. Add the ice water. Using a spatula mix until the dough sticks together.
  5. Cover the dough with a plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least an hour or overnight.
  6. When ready to bake, pre-heat the oven to 375 F Degrees.
  7. Take the dough out of the fridge and allow it to sit for 10 minutes on the counter. Roll it out on a floured surface into a 1/4 inch thick, 10-inch circle. Drape it over a 9-inch tart pan. Tuck the excess 1-inch pieces underneath itself to form a neat and even edge.
  8. Place it in the freezer for 15 minutes.
  9. Take it out of the freezer. Place two layers of aluminum foil over the dough and fill it with pie weights or 2 cups of dry beans.
  10. Transfer it into the oven and bake for 30 minutes.
  11. Remove the pie weights and the aluminum foil, and bake for another 5 minutes. Take it out of the oven and set it aside. Do not turn the oven off.
To make the quiche, you can follow the recipe from the 12th step in instructions. 
 

Nutrition

Calories: 320kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Cholesterol: 100mg | Sodium: 376mg | Potassium: 118mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 895IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 75mg | Iron: 2mg

The “all butter pie crust” part of this quiche is adapted from Cook’s Illustrated Cookbook (affiliate link.https://amzn.to/2Gz8lHt)

Goat Cheese Quiche with Caramelized Onions and Thyme placed on a plate

This post was originally published in May of 2014, but updated with new photos, more helpful information, and minor changes to the recipe in March 2020.

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The Best Homemade Chunky Granola Recipe https://foolproofliving.com/chunky-homemade-granola/ https://foolproofliving.com/chunky-homemade-granola/#comments Tue, 11 Feb 2020 22:42:53 +0000 https://foolproofliving.com/?p=483 While I know that it is convenient to purchase granola from the store, I hope that with my easy-to-follow steps, helpful tips (especially for the most addictive granola clusters) and foolproof recipe that uses wholesome everyday ingredients you will give this chunky granola recipe a try. And hopefully, put this easy granola recipe on the weekly rotation. If you are in, let’s break it down together. What’s in granola –...

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While I know that it is convenient to purchase granola from the store, I hope that with my easy-to-follow steps, helpful tips (especially for the most addictive granola clusters) and foolproof recipe that uses wholesome everyday ingredients you will give this chunky granola recipe a try.

A jar filled with homemade chunky granola recipe photographed from the top view.

And hopefully, put this easy granola recipe on the weekly rotation. If you are in, let’s break it down together.

What’s in granola – Recipe ingredients

This vegan granola recipe has three sets of ingredients. Wet ingredients, dry ingredients, and optional add-ins (i.e., dried fruit and superfoods.)

Wet Ingredients:

  • SweetenersMaple Syrup and Coconut Sugar: When I first started making this baked granola recipe, I used to use a combination of maple syrup and brown sugar. However, after deciding to stop using refined sugars in my cooking (back in 2016), I now make it with coconut sugar instead of brown sugar. I think the difference in taste is not recognizable. And I believe, as long as it is consumed in moderation, it is a healthier sweetener as it doesn’t spike up your blood’s glucose and insulin level like brown sugar does due to its low glycemic index value. (Source)
    In place of maple syrup, you can use the same amount of agave nectar and honey as well. 
  • Vanilla Extract: As in most sweet baked goods, the vanilla extract helps with enhancing the flavors of all the other ingredients used in the recipe.
  • Salt: Similar to vanilla extract, salt is an essential ingredient used in baking as it brings out the sweetness of the baked goods. Over the years, I used mostly Kosher and table salt to make this recipe. I think they all work well. 
  • Vegetable Oil: Any oil that you have on hand. When I feel like making this a coconut granola recipe, I use coconut oil to continue with the flavors coming from coconut sugar and unsweetened coconut flakes (that we add in the end.)
    However, in the past, I also made this recipe using other vegetable oils like avocado and grapeseed oil and thought that they all worked well.
Healthy Granola Recipe with Clusters photographed in a glass jar from the front view

Dry ingredients:

  • Old Fashioned Rolled Oats: This recipe only works with old fashioned rolled oats. I wanted to mention this because if you mistakenly pick up the quick-cooking oats this recipe will not work.
    I usually get my rolled oats from Trader Joe’s as they sell gluten-free certified rolled oats (affiliate link). Using their rolled oats comes handy when I want to make sure that this is a gluten-free granola recipe for my friends who suffer from celiac disease.
    However, you can also use rolled oats brands like Quaker Oats (affiliate link), or even Bob’s Red Mills’ extra-thick rolled oats (affiliate link).
  • A combination of your favorite nuts: This recipe uses 2 cups of chopped, unsweetened and unsalted nuts. The best part about it is that you can use any of your favorite nuts. I went for walnuts and almonds as I like the flavor combo, but feel free to use whatever you want or have on hand.
    Be sure to give them a good chop.

Optional Add ins

The following ingredients are optional to add-in to this chunky granola recipe after it is baked. The fact that you can easily change it up is what I like most about this basic granola recipe in that you can change it up with add-ins in any way you want.

Here are a few options:

  • Dried Fruit: The recipe below suggests adding 1 ½ cups of dried fruit into the granola after it is baked and cooled. Similar to nuts, you can use any dried fruit you like. I love raisins, dried cranberries (I love the orange juice sweetened version), dates, dried figs, and goji berries. 
    With this being said, if you are after a low sugar granola recipe, you can skip adding dried fruit. I think that this recipe is sweet enough without the addition of dried fruits. Alternatively, if you want more sweetness, you can pair it with fresh fruit when you are serving it.
  • Ground Spices: When I make this during the fall and later in the holiday season, I spice it up by adding ground spices like cinnamon, cardamom, allspice, ginger, and nutmeg.
  • Superfoods: I love adding superfoods like unsweetened coconut flakes, ground flaxseeds, chia seeds, and hemp seeds into my granola. I think it is such an easy way to make it a healthier and more nutritious snack option.
  • Chocolate Chips: Now, I know chocolate chips are not considered as a healthy ingredient, but we all need to treat ourselves every once in a while. If you feel like chocolate cravings are creeping up on you, feel free to add in a cup of your favorite chocolate chips in your granola. 

How to make your own granola:

There are just a few steps to putting it all together, and it happens in less than 10 minutes. Follow the steps below to make your own chunky granola recipe at home:

A woman is whisking ingredients for granola
  • Mix the wet ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together maple syrup, coconut sugar (or brown sugar), vanilla extract, vegetable oil, and salt.
  • Mix the dry ingredients: Either in that same large bowl or another one, mix together the rolled oats and nuts. 
  • Mix the wet and dried ingredients together: Using a spatula, mix them together until all the oats and nuts are covered with the wet ingredients.
A woman is using a ramekin to distribute Crunchy Homemade Granola evenly throughout the pan
  • Transfer it to a baking sheet: Lay a baking sheet with parchment paper or reusable silicone liner such as Silpat (affiliate link). Transfer the granola into the baking sheet and spread it with the help of a spatula. 
    Using a ramekin with a flat bottom press the granola gently and distribute evenly throughout the pan make it compact (More on why we do this is below).

3 Tips on how to make granola clusters:

If you are after those addictive homemade granola clusters (some people also call them clumpy granola) the tips below will help you get them in no time:

  1. Use a flat bottom ramekin: Once you spread the granola on the baking sheet, gently press on the granola with the bottom of a ramekin to make it compact. This might seem like an extra step, but doing so helps with getting those lovely clumpy granola pieces with every bite.
  2. Let it cool on the counter: I know it is no fun to wait, but resist the urge to dig in. Let it cool for at least 30 minutes (until it comes to the room temperature) before breaking the chunks.
  3. Be gentle as you break it into chunks: When ready to break it apart, use a large spatula to break it into chunks. I also recommend being gentle as you transfer it into a jar or another airtight container.
  4. Incorporate the additional goodies after it is cooled: Once your granola is baked and cooled, break it into clusters and transfer to another bowl. Add in whatever else you want to add (dried fruit, superfoods, etc.) and give it a gentle toss.
The Best Low Sugar Chunky Granola Recipe is placed in a bowl and photographed from the front view as it is being drizzled with milk

How to serve

While I mostly snack on this chunky granola just by itself, I also serve it as a part of my breakfast or when I need a pick-me-up in the afternoon. Here are a few of my favorite ways to serve to inspire you to make this easy and healthy granola recipe at home.

If you want to watch me prepare these, be sure to watch the video in the recipe card below.

  1. Serve it as a cereal: This is my favorite way to serve. Simply, fill a bowl with a few scoops of this homemade granola cereal and drizzle it with your favorite milk. I usually top it off with a spoon of almond (or peanut) butter and a handful of fresh fruit, especially if I am serving it for breakfast.
  2. Serve it with yogurt and make Greek Yogurt Parfaits: Layer yogurt, fresh fruit, and granola in mason jars for a grab and go snack, just like they do it in Starbucks. 
  3. Top your oatmeal off with granola: Whether you make overnight steel cut oats, slow cooker oatmeal, or almond milk oatmeal, this basic granola recipe is the perfect topping for your oatmeal in the morning.
Easy and Healthy Granola Recipe (Vegan and Gluten Free) placed on a bed of granola and fruit as a topping and photographed from the top view.

FAQs

What temperature to cook granola?

Over the years of baking this granola, I found that a lower temperature oven does a better job, so I bake my granola in a pre-heated 325 degree oven for 20-25 minutes.

How long to bake granola?

It takes about 20-25 minutes for this granola to bake. The visual cue is when it turns golden brown.

How long does homemade granola last?

This basic granola usually lasts about 5-7 days on the kitchen counter as long as it is stored in an airtight container. I usually store it in this glass jar (affiliate link), but any of your favorite containers would work. Keeping it in an airtight jar is the key to keeping your granola crunchy. If you want to include it in your kids’ lunch bag, these Stasher bags (affiliate link) are perfect for it.

Other creative granola recipes you might like:

Chunky Granola Recipe Image - A bowl of chunky granola topped off with fruit served in a bowl
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Chunky Granola Recipe

Recipe for a deliciously homemade chunky granola that you can make in less than an hour. Simply put everything in a bowl, give it a mix, bake in the oven and enjoy throughout the week. Once you try this recipe, you will never want to go back to store bought granola. Guaranteed.
Course Breakfast
Cuisine American
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 8 cups
Calories 470kcal

Ingredients

  • 1/3 cup maple syrup
  • 1/3 cup packed coconut sugar or brown sugar
  • 4 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon table salt
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil grapeseed, coconut, and avocado oil would all work
  • 5 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
  • 1 cup walnuts chopped
  • 1 cup raw almonds chopped
  • 1/2 cup raisins chopped
  • 1/2 cup cranberries chopped
  • 1/2 cup goji berries chopped
  • 1/2 cup dates chopped
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened coconut flakes

Instructions

  • Adjust the oven rack to upper middle position. Heat oven to 325 °F.
  • Line your sheet pan with parchment paper. (it helps tremendously when it is time to clean.)
  • Whisk maple syrup, brown sugar, vanilla, salt and oil in a BIG bowl.
  • Add the oats, almonds and walnuts in to the liquid mixture and fold until thoroughly mixed.
  • Transfer the oat mixture onto baking sheet and spread it to make an even layer.
  • Using the back of a ramekin* or a spatula, compress oat mixture until it is very compact.
  • Bake for 20-25 minutes rotating pan once halfway through baking.
  • Once baked, remove it from the oven and let it cool for 15-30 minutes.
  • Break cooled granola into pieces of your desired size.
  • Mix in the chopped dried fruit and shredded coconut.

Video

Notes

  • This granola recipe yields about 8-9 cups of granola.
  • Use a flat bottom ramekin: Once you spread the granola on the baking sheet, gently press on the granola with the bottom of a ramekin to make it compact. This might seem like an extra step, but doing so helps with getting those lovely clumpy granola pieces with every bite.
  • Let it cool on the counter: I know it is no fun to wait, but resist the urge to dig in. Let it cool for at least 30 minutes (until it comes to the room temperature) before breaking the chunks.
  • Be gentle as you break it into chunks: When ready to break it apart, use a large spatula to break it into chunks. I also recommend being gentle as you transfer it into a jar or another airtight container.
  • Incorporate the additional goodies after it is cooled: Once your granola is baked and cooled, break it into clusters and transfer to another bowl. Add in whatever else you want to add (dried fruit, superfoods, etc.) and give it a gentle toss.
  • Storing: This basic granola usually lasts about 5-7 days on the kitchen counter as long as it is stored in an airtight container. I usually store it in this glass jar (affiliate link), but any of your favorite containers would work. Keeping it in an airtight jar is the key to keeping your granola crunchy.

Nutrition

Calories: 470kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 35g | Saturated Fat: 16g | Sodium: 174mg | Potassium: 367mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 22g | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 73mg | Iron: 1mg

Recipe adapted from America’s Test Kitchen

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20+ “Foolproof” Almond Flour Recipes For Beginners https://foolproofliving.com/almond-flour-recipes/ https://foolproofliving.com/almond-flour-recipes/#comments Fri, 17 Jan 2020 15:37:05 +0000 https://foolproofliving.com/?p=18229 In addition to answering the question “What can I make with almond flour?”, below I will find answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about cooking and baking with almond flour and almond meal, also referred to as grain-free baking. If you have been following Foolproof Living for a while, you know that I have been very intentional about sharing recipes made with unrefined sugars. This was a...

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In addition to answering the question “What can I make with almond flour?”, below I will find answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about cooking and baking with almond flour and almond meal, also referred to as grain-free baking.

If you have been following Foolproof Living for a while, you know that I have been very intentional about sharing recipes made with unrefined sugars. This was a decision that I made back in 2016, simply because I wanted to learn to bake in a healthier way.

Almond Flour recipes - a collage of recipes using almond flour

The problem was that I had very little idea about baking without the use of conventional ingredients like all-purpose flour and granulated sugar. So I bought a few cookbooks related to the subject and started baking. Along the way, I have also been introduced to baking with almond flour.

Now after five years of recipe testing, almond flour (aka ground almonds) is one of my favorite flours to bake with. I also think that it is a great alternative to baked goods made with all-purpose flour. Not to mention, almond flour desserts are just as delicious yet healthier compared to sweets made with other flours.

Below, I am sharing a few of my favorite recipes made with almond flour that I make over and over again, and know for sure, that are “foolproof”. Feel free to click on the name of the dish or the photo to get the recipe.

In between the recipes you will also find the answers to some of the questions I had when I first started baking with almond flour. 

What is Almond Flour?

Almond flour is basically blanched almonds ground in a blender or food processor until they are pulverized. The only ingredient in almond flour is almonds.

What is the difference between almond meal and almond flour?

There are two differences between almond meal and almond flour. The first one is its texture. Almond flour is a more coarse grind than almond meal.

The second difference is that almond meal is made with grinding almonds with the skin on, whilst almond flour is made with blanched (skins removed) almonds.

The good thing is that unless otherwise noted, you can use almond flour and almond meal interchangeably in all of the recipes below.

What to Make with Almond Flour

DIY Almond Flour – How To Make Almond Flour At Home

Almond flour and almond meal in small containers from the front view.

I heard from so many of my readers that they would love to healthy baked goods more often using these almond flour desserts, but they found supermarket almond flour to be too expensive to use on a regular basis. As a food blogger, who tests recipes over and over again, I can totally relate.

That is why I wrote a whole post on how to make your own almond flour or meal at home. In that blog post, you will find my two methods to make almond flour cheaper: The first method is using a food processor and the second one is using a high-powered blender like Vitamix. 

This basic almond flour recipe is the one I use and test my recipes.

Recipes Using Almond Flour (Healthy Almond Flour Recipes)

Almond Flour Chocolate Cake (Maple Sweetened)

Almond flour chocolate cake topped off with strawberries as an example for almond flour desserts.

Is Almond Flour Healthy?

Before I answer this question, please know that I am a firm believer that the word “healthy” means different things to different people, so please take my response here with a grain of salt and listen to your doctor’s advice before mine. However, it is a fact that almond flour is low in carbs, high in fiber and plant protein, and it is gluten-free flour.

Additionally, if you are experimenting with Whole30-friendly or paleo baking, it is the perfect flour to use.

Though the reason why I love using almond flour in baking and think that it is a healthier alternative is because of its high-fat content. Almonds are a rich source of unsaturated fatty acids, which are the good kind. (source)

Due to its high-fat content, in the Almond Flour Chocolate Cake recipe above I was able to omit using any other fat (like butter, coconut oil, EVOO, etc.). The fat that came from the almond flour was enough to substitute any other fat and gave me a chocolatey and moist chocolate cake in the end.

Now, I have to warn you, this formula doesn’t work in every recipe, but I have been playing around with decreasing the amount of fat I use in my recipes and have found success often. If you are into experimenting, I recommend starting with my chocolate cake recipe and then playing around with some of your go-to recipes.

Almond Flour Cookies

These almond flour cookies are a great way to use almond flour in your baking.

These almond flour cookies are yet another great example of baking with almond flour without the need of adding a lot of oil. Due to its high-fat content, you can easily get away with using only 1/4 cup of oil to make delicious cookies.

Made with only 6 ingredients, these gluten-free almond flour cookies are an easy-to-make dessert. They come together in one bowl and take just about 30 minutes from start to finish. I added some chocolate chips, but you can easily make it without if that is what you prefer.

Almond Flour Brownies

Can’t get enough of chocolate? Then try my next-level Almond Flour Chocolate Brownies recipe. It is the top choice for those looking for desserts with almond flour.

Almond Flour Brownies sliced and placed on top of each other.

It is made in one bowl with only 6 ingredients. Plus, I have a few tricks to take it to a whole other level, especially for those who just can’t get enough chocolate.

Almond Flour Gingerbread Cookies

Gingerbread Cookies with almond flour on a plate.

Need more cookies with almond flour? I thought so.

These Almond Flour Gingerbread Cookies are my favorite Christmas cookies. They are lightly sweetened with coconut sugar and flavored with some warm spices like cinnamon and ginger.

And if you are a fan of cookies made with nut butters, try my Almond Flour Peanut Butter Cookies and Almond Flour Almond Butter Cookies.

Though I have to warn you. They are addictive so bake them at your own risk.

Paleo Zucchini Bread with Almond Flour

A sliced Almond flour Zucchini Bread with almond flour no banana from the front view.

Come summertime, when fresh zucchini is in season (and is everywhere), I make this paleo zucchini bread with almond flour. It is minimally sweetened with coconut sugar. And if you prefer, you can also make Almond Flour Zucchini Muffins using this recipe.

And during the fall, when pumpkin is in abundance, I make my paleo pumpkin bread with almond flour.

I like these recipes because they come together rather quickly and freeze well. I usually make a batch over the weekend and enjoy a slice with my morning coffee throughout the week.

Naturally-Sweetened Apple Almond Muffins

One of the recipes for Almond Meal Recipes Round Up: Naturally Sweetened Apple Almond Muffins.

Almond Flour Carrot Cake

A slice Almond Flour Carrot Cake is photographed from the front view.

If you are in need of a carrot cake recipe using almond flour (or almond meal) that is paleo-friendly and gluten-free, try this Almond Flour Carrot Cake recipe.

Sweetened with coconut sugar and fresh pineapples, it is perfect for all your spring gatherings. I spread it with vegan cream cheese frosting, but you can also use my maple cream cheese frosting as well.

Almond Flour Apple Cake

Almond Flour Apple Cake sliced with a knife on the side as an example for recipes with almond flour.

If you are a fan of fruity almond flour desserts, this almond flour apple cake recipe is a great one to try. Lightly sweetened with fresh apple slices and a little bit of maple syrup, it is the perfect gluten free coffee cake recipe, especially during the fall when apples are in abundance.

Can I use almond flour and almond meal interchangeably?

I hate to say it, but it depends on the recipe. While you can use them interchangeably in most almond flour dessert recipes, there are some that would not work. A good example is macarons. If you have ever tried your hand at baking macarons, you know that almond flour has to be very coarse, so, therefore, almond meal would not be a substitute.

The best way to know is to read the recipe. Luckily nowadays, most recipe testers specify it in their recipes. The recipe for Almond Ricotta Cake is one that you can use either or. And if you need an almond flour cake recipe from scratch, this is a great recipe to start with.

Speaking of cake recipes, you might also like my Almond Flour Lemon Cake recipe that is based on my go-to Almond Flour Cake. You can use almond meal and almond flour interchangeably in both of these recipes.

Almond Flour Bread – Gluten-Free & Low-Carb

almond flour bread recipe that is healthy

This almond flour bread is a great example of a recipe where you can use almond flour and almond meal interchangeably.

Based on my years of experience of baking with almond flour, I found that (unless otherwise is mentioned in the recipe) you can use almond flour and almond meal interchangeably when baking quick breads and muffins. Like I did with the almond flour banana bread recipe below.

Almond Flour Banana Bread

A few slices of Almond Flour Banana Bread served on a plate with two cups of coffee on the side photographed from the top view.

You cannot talk about recipes with almond flour and not feature a banana bread recipe. Am I right?

This easy-to-make gluten-free and refined sugar-free almond flour banana bread recipe is sweetened with coconut sugar and ripened bananas. I topped it off with chocolate chips but it is optional. It is incredibly moist and deliciously addictive.

Vegan Cranberry Almond Tart

Cranberry almond flour tart with a slice cut from the top view.

What is the best way to store almond flour?

If I am planning to use it right away, I store my almond flour in an airtight jar in my pantry. With that being said, you can freeze almond flour. If there is a sale or promotion going on in the market, I usually buy more than I need and store it in my freezer (up to 4 months). Since it is more expensive than most other flours, it makes it cost-effective to purchase more to use later in my baking.

If you decide to freeze your almond flour, it is best to take it out of the freezer and let it thaw on the counter overnight.

And if you need a vegan almond flour recipe, this Vegan Cranberry Almond tart is the best. Just sayin’.

Flourless Blueberry Muffins

Almond flour coconut flour blueberry muffins on a plate from the top view.

Can I use almond flour along with other types of flours in my baking?

You sure can. As a matter of fact, most recipes use almond flour along with other healthier flours like coconut and oat flours. The Flourless Blueberry Muffins (Almond Flour Blueberry Muffins Recipe) you see above is one of my favorite muffins of all times and it is made with mixing together almond flour with coconut flour.

Easy Banana Nut Muffins

almond flour dessert recipes.

These almond flour banana muffins are another good example of using almond flour with another flour in a recipe.

The combination of almond flour mixed in with coconut flour produces a soft and moist muffin recipe that is naturally sweetened with ripe bananas and coconut sugar.

Flourless Chocolate Cupcakes – AKA Almond Flour Chocolate Cupcakes

Almond Flour Chocolate Cupcakes topped off with strawberries.

Can I use almond flour interchangeably with other flours like coconut, oat, or all-purpose flours?

Again, it depends on the recipe. Each one of these flours has their own characteristics and it is really hard to give you an exact ratio. I found baking with coconut flour is the hardest as it absorbs liquid more than any other flours, whereas oat flour has been a much easier one to work with.

I have been experimenting with adding/removing and substituting almond flour in my favorite recipes with other flours, and sadly have not been able to find success in a formula that works for every recipe.

Gluten-Free Strawberry Cake

One of the recipes Ways to use almond flour Round Up: A woman is photographed from the front view as she is serving a strawberry almond flour cake.

I just can’t imagine a better dessert made with almond flour. This Almond Flour Strawberry Cake is my go-to birthday cake. You can easily make it in two 6-inch cake pans or in one 9-inch cake pan.

Most of the time, I use my maple whipped cream on top (and in between) and decorate it with whatever fresh fruit is in season.

Almond Flour Crust used in Strawberry Mascarpone Tart

An almond flour baked good, Strawberry Tart, is topped off with berries served by a woman.

Did you know you can make an almond flour pie crust that you can use for your favorite tart recipes? This Strawberry Mascarpone Tart uses an easy to make an almond meal pie crust that you can make both with almond flour and almond meal. It is my go-to almond flour crust recipe I use for all my baking needs.

Almond Flour Paleo Pumpkin Muffins

Need an idea for things to make with almond flour? These Paleo Pumpkin muffins are minimally sweetened and naturally gluten free.

Gluten-Free Blueberry Muffins with Almond Flour

Healthy almond flour dessert recipe from the top view.

Have you got 10 minutes, two bowls, and a whisk? If so, these almond flour blueberry muffins will take you to the blueberry muffin heaven.

These delicious Gluten-Free Blueberry Muffins with Almond Flour are sweetened with maple syrup and packed with juicy blueberries. The little pockets of warm, fresh blueberries and bright lemon flavor will keep you going back for more.

Almond Flour Pancakes

Almond Flour Pancakes made using almond flour.

Did you know you can still make delicious fluffy pancakes using almond flour or almond meal? This almond flour pancakes recipe is simply delicious and so easy to make.

Sweetened with a ripe banana, all of the ingredients come together in a blender and the batter is ready in less than 30 seconds. These delicious gluten and dairy-free almond flour pancakes are so delicious to make on a weekend morning for the whole family!

A collage of my favorite almond meal recipes

FAQs

Is almond flour okay to eat raw?

Yes, it is. Almond flour (and almond meal) are made by pulverizing whole almonds so it is basically eating almonds but in a powdered form.

What to do with almond flour?

You can use almond flour in dessert recipes such as cakes, cookies, and tarts. You can also use it as a coating in place of breadcrumbs in savory recipes and as a thickening agent in savory sauces.

I hope amongst some of my favorite healthy baked recipes you were able to find some almond flour dessert recipes you can make for your family. I plan on updating this post as I share newer almond flour recipes so feel free to check back to get more inspiration.

Gluten free and Paleo Almond Flour Cookies with Chocolate Chips
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Almond Flour Cookies – A reader favorite almond flour recipe

Almond Flour Cookies with Chocolate Chips – A reader favorite and the most popular almond flour recipe on Foolproof Living.
This gluten-free, refined-sugar free, paleo and vegan cookie recipe is the easiest one you could ever make. All you need is 6 ingredients, one bowl and 30 minutes (from start to finish.)
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 14 minutes
Total Time 29 minutes
Servings 12 cookies
Calories 212kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 cups (240gr) almond flour
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ cup coconut oil melted and cooled
  • ¼ cup maple syrup
  • ½ cup vegan/paleo semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 12-14 whole almonds as garnish (optional)

Instructions

  • Pre-heat oven to 350 F degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set it aside.
  • Mix together almond flour, salt, and baking soda in a bowl. 
  • Stir in the oil and maple syrup into the batter. 
  • Fold in the chocolate chips.
  • Using a tablespoon-size measuring spoon, scoop the dough onto the prepared sheet pan. Gently press down to flatten. If preffered, place an almond in the center of each cookie.
  • Bake for 12-14 minutes until it is lightly browned on top. Serve.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 212kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 121mg | Potassium: 65mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 7g | Calcium: 54mg | Iron: 1mg

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Almond Flour Paleo Gingerbread Cookies https://foolproofliving.com/paleo-gingerbread-cookies/ https://foolproofliving.com/paleo-gingerbread-cookies/#comments Mon, 09 Dec 2019 20:04:45 +0000 https://foolproofliving.com/?p=26671 Now that all the Thanksgiving cooking is behind us I am in full-on baking mode. I spent the whole of last week in the kitchen testing one cookie recipe after another as a preparation for the holiday cookie season. So here I am with this season’s first refined sugar-free, gluten-free, dairy-free, grain-free, and healthy paleo cookie recipe, Almond Flour Gingerbread Cookies. If you are new to baking with almond flour,...

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Now that all the Thanksgiving cooking is behind us I am in full-on baking mode. I spent the whole of last week in the kitchen testing one cookie recipe after another as a preparation for the holiday cookie season. So here I am with this season’s first refined sugar-free, gluten-free, dairy-free, grain-free, and healthy paleo cookie recipe, Almond Flour Gingerbread Cookies.

A plate full of paleo gingerbread cookies are served with a glass of milk on the side.

If you are new to baking with almond flour, this paleo ginger molasses cookies recipe is a good one to start as it is just so easy. Everything comes together in a food processor with just a few ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry. I am talking about almond flour, coconut sugar, molasses, and warm winter spices to fill your home with the classic Christmas gingerbread smells.

A few Almond flour gingerbread cookies served with a glass of milk on the side.

These paleo ginger snaps are light, soft and chewy. Not to mention, they are perfect when served with a glass of milk. Just like we did when we were kids. But wait, who am I kidding, I still serve my cookies with a glass of milk.

Intrigued? Let’s break it down.

Ingredients for this healthy gingerbread cookies recipe

This gingerbread recipe uses only 10 ingredients:

Ingredients for almond flour gingerbread cookies
  • Almond Flour: I love my making my own blanched almond flour, but you can use store-bought almond flour as well. This brand (affiliate link) is my favorite.
  • Spices: I used ground cinnamon, ground ginger, and allspice in the recipe below, but you can also add in a pinch of ground cloves and nutmeg.
  • Blackstrap Molasses: I used this unsulphured blackstrap molasses (affiliate link).
  • Coconut Sugar: I love using coconut sugar in baking as it tastes very similar to brown sugar, but it has a low glycemic index that doesn’t spike up your blood sugar. However, if you do not have coconut sugar you can substitute it with brown sugar.
  • A Large Egg: You only need one large egg to get a great texture.
  • Coconut Oil: Most ginger snap cookies use a stick of butter, but here we are swapping it with just two tablespoons of melted and cooled coconut oil. With that being said, I have also tested this recipe with grapeseed oil and it worked perfectly.
  • Baking Soda: Only ½ teaspoon of baking soda for the perfect chewy and coarse texture.
  • Vanilla Extract: Only a tablespoon of vanilla extract to bring together and enhance all the flavors in the recipe.

Is ginger paleo?

If you are new to paleo baking you might be wondering whether or not ginger is a paleo-friendly ingredient. The answer is yes. With high levels of anti-inflammatory compounds called gingerols, both fresh ginger and ground ginger spice are paleo-friendly.

How to make gluten-free gingerbread cookies

The process of making these paleo almond flour molasses cookies has 3 folds. 

First, place almond flour, baking soda, coconut sugar, ground cinnamon, ground ginger, allspice, and a pinch of salt in the bowl of your food processor. Pulse a few times to mix. 

The dough for gluten free ginger cookies with almond flour photographed from the top view in the food processor.
Paleo ginger cookies dough arranged on a baking sheet and photographed from the top view before they went into the oven for baking.

Second, add in coconut oil, molasses, egg, and vanilla into the bowl of the food processor. Process until it forms into a ball and starts collecting on one side of the bowl. This takes about 15-20 seconds. Transfer the dough into a bowl, cover it with stretch film, and let it cool in the fridge for 30 minutes.

At this stage, there are two important things to mention:

  1. You will end up with a very sticky dough. This is normal so don’t be tempted to add in more almond flour. 
  2. Do not skip the chilling time. The time spent in the fridge helps solidify the fat in the cookies, which helps cookies to spread less as they are baking in the oven.

Finally, use a tablespoon measure to divide the cookie batter into equal pieces and arrange them on a parchment-lined large baking sheet leaving at least 2-inches of space in between each cookie. I used this (affiliate link) 40 mm ice cream scoop and ended up with 12 of these paleo ginger cookies

Bake in a 350 F degree oven for 10-12 minutes. Let it cool for 5 minutes and serve them with a glass of milk.

Can’t get enough of the gingerbread flavors? Try my refined sugar free and gluten-free gingerbread cake. Topped off with a delicious (maple sweetened) cranberry compote, it is a healthier cake recipe that you can make for the holidays.

The Best Gluten-Free Gingerbread Cookies made with almond flour served with a few glasses of milk.

A Few FAQs answered for the best gluten-free and paleo gingerbread cookies:

  • Can I use a flax egg in place of the egg? Every time I share a recipe with an egg I get emails from readers asking if they can substitute it with a flax egg (1 part ground flax seeds mixed in with 2 ½ parts water). This time I tested the recipe with a flax egg and it did not work so I do not recommend using flax eggs.
  • Can I dip the cookies in coconut sugar before baking? You sure can. 
  • Can I roll out the cookie dough and use a gingerbread cookie cutter to make gf gingerbread cookies? As I mentioned earlier, this cookie dough is a very sticky one. I didn’t try this, but I think it you can roll it out with a rolling pin in between two pieces of parchment paper spread with a little bit of arrowroot powder (here we use arrowroot powder to prevent it from sticking to the parchment paper). You might have to chill the dough again before cutting it with your cookie cutter. 
  • Can I freeze the cookie dough to bake it later? You sure can. To do so, form the cookie dough into mounds and place them on the baking sheet. Put it in the freezer. Once it is frozen, you can place them in a freezer bag to bake them later.

If you are in need of more cookie recipes, you are in for a treat because I am joined by a few of my favorite food blogger friends for a virtual cookie swap to spread the joy of baking during this holiday season.

Below are the links. Click around, get in the kitchen and bake the most delicious cookies for your friends and family.

Other almond flour recipes you might like

This recipe has been adapted with minor changes from Perhance to Cook.

paleo gingerbread cookies placed on a plate and photographed from the front view with a glass of milk in the background
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Paleo Gingerbread Cookies

The Best Paleo Gingerbread Cookies recipe that happens to be gluten-free, refined sugar-free, grain-free and dairy-free. Made with almond flour and sweetened with coconut sugar, these warm spiced healthy gingerbread cookies are the perfect treat to serve during the holidays.
Course Baked Goods
Cuisine American
Prep Time 40 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 52 minutes
Servings 12 cookies
Calories 179kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 cups (240gr) almond flour
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ cup coconut sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ground ginger
  • ¼ teaspoon allspice
  • Pinch salt
  • 2 tablespoons coconut oil melted and cooled
  • 3 tablespoons molasses
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  • Place almond flour, baking soda, coconut sugar, ground cinnamon, ground ginger, allspice and salt in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse 3-4 times to mix.
  • Add in the coconut oil, molasses, egg, and vanilla and process until a dough forms. This takes about 15-20 seconds.
  • Transfer the dough into a bowl, wrap with plastic, and let it rest in the fridge for 30 minutes.
  • Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
  • Remove the dough from the fridge. Using a spoon (or a small ice cream scoop) measure 1 ½ tablespoons of dough per cookie and arrange them 2 inches apart from each other on the baking sheet. 
  • Gently press on each cookie to slightly flatten. 
  • Bake in the oven for 10-12 minutes. Allow it to cool on the sheet pan for 5 minutes and serve.

Video

Notes

To important things to mention for the best results:
  1. You will end up with a very sticky dough. This is normal so don’t be tempted to add in more almond flour.
  2. Do not skip the chilling time. The time spent in the fridge helps solidify the fat in the cookies, which helps cookies to spread less as they are baking in the oven.

Nutrition

Calories: 179kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 14mg | Sodium: 72mg | Potassium: 78mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 20IU | Calcium: 53mg | Iron: 1mg

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Naturally Sweetened Pecan Shortbread Cookies Recipe https://foolproofliving.com/naturally-sweetened-pecan-shortbread-cookies/ https://foolproofliving.com/naturally-sweetened-pecan-shortbread-cookies/#comments Sat, 07 Dec 2019 16:46:13 +0000 https://foolproofliving.com/?p=11210 With the holiday baking season in full force, I am no different than most of you, in the kitchen baking up a lot of cookies. It is snowing outside and I just made a batch of this pecan shortbread recipe. It is rare that I bake something and write about it at the same time, but here I am writing this on my kitchen table as I am inhaling the...

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With the holiday baking season in full force, I am no different than most of you, in the kitchen baking up a lot of cookies. It is snowing outside and I just made a batch of this pecan shortbread recipe. It is rare that I bake something and write about it at the same time, but here I am writing this on my kitchen table as I am inhaling the addictive sugar and butter smells coming out of the oven.

Naturally Sweetened Butter Pecan Shortbread Cookies: A healthier alternative to shortbread cookies made with natural cane sugar. A woman is photographed from the top view as she is serving nut shortbread cookies.

If you are a lover of sandies shortbread cookies that we all grew up eating, you will probably love this shortbread recipe (made with pecans instead of walnuts). This recipe might be a little different than your grandma’s recipe in that it is minimally sweetened.

Unlike it is in most nut shortbread cookie recipes, in this version, the sweetness doesn’t take over the whole cookie. Instead, the flavors coming from butter, sugar, and pecans are equally balanced for the optimal shortbread cookie goodness.

Intrigued? Let’s break it down.

A woman is photographed as she is serving pecan shortbread cookies recipe

What is the difference between granulated sugar and cane sugar?

As the name suggests, these cookies are naturally sweetened. While there are several natural sweeteners out there, like coconut sugar, date sugar, maple syrup, raw, etc., in this recipe I used natural cane sugar (this brand in particular – affiliate link). 

If you are like me, new to baking with unrefined sugars, allow me to explain. The main difference between natural cane sugar (also called Sucanat) and granulated white sugar is the way that they were produced. While producing granulated sugar requires heavy-duty and mechanical processing with many steps, producing natural cane sugar requires far fewer steps and no chemicals to get from plant to packaging.

Now you may ask, is baking with natural cane sugar a healthier choice? Even though the answer is yes, I prefer to be cautious, as it is a proven fact that too much of any kind of sweetener, regardless of how natural it is, does not promote health. With that being said,  I think a small switch from granulated sugar to natural sweeteners like natural cane sugar, dates, maple syrup, honey or coconut sugar might be a healthier choice. Plus, as in every dessert, you should consume it in moderation.

This recipe is created by the talented cooks of America’s Test Kitchen and published on their cookbook Naturally Sweet (affiliate link). If you want to read more about natural sweeteners, how they are processed, and foolproof healthier sweets recipes, it is a cookbook that I recommend. I have been baking from it for many years and have always had amazing results.

A woman is taking a Healthy shortbread cookie from the table photographed from the top view.

How to make pecan shortbread cookies:

The recipe for shortbread cookies with pecans has 6 folds.

First, start with grinding natural cane sugar (aka Sucanat) in a spice or coffee grinder. This is an important step as unlike granulated sugar, Sucanat’s granules are irregular in size due to the way they were produced. Grinding it ensures that all the granules are in equal size, and as a result, the sugar gets distributed evenly within the cookie dough. If you skip this step, your cookies might end up being less sweet.

If you do not have a spice grinder, you can also use your food processor. It might take a few extra minutes to reach the ideal powdery “fine” texture we want, but it is totally doable. Once the cane sugar is ground set it aside.

Second, prep your wet ingredients; egg yolks, water, vanilla extract, and melted butter (that is cooled), by mixing them in a small bowl.

Third, reserve 30 pecans for decoration and grind the rest of them in your food processor. We want them finely ground. Add in the flour, cinnamon, salt, and nutmeg. Process until combined.

Fourth, pour the wet ingredients through the tube as the machine is running to thoroughly mix the dough. It is a good idea to stop the machine and scrape the sides of the bowl with a spatula a few times to ensure a cohesive and smooth dough.

Next, transfer the dough on to a clean kitchen counter. Bring it together and divide it in half. Using your hands turn each half into a log that is about 6-inches long and 2 inches thick.

Pecan nut cookies served with coffee on the side.

A Quick note for the home baker:

Don’t be alarmed if the cookie dough has a powdery texture, at least in the beginning. When I first tried this nut shortbread recipe, at this stage, I thought I did something wrong.

However, as you bring the dough together, it will start getting together easily with the help of your body heat. Since this was the one and only “tricky” part of this recipe, I thought it would be nice to show it to you in a quick video so be sure to watch it. It is located inside the recipe card below.

Finally, wrap each log tightly with plastic wrap, place in a glass or a jar, and chill for at least two hours, or even better, overnight. When you are ready to bake, preheat your oven to 325 F degrees, slice each log into ¼  inch thick slices. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and arrange cookies on the sheet making sure that there is at least ¾ inch distance in between each cookie.

As a finishing touch, place a pecan on each shortbread cookie for a special touch. Bake for 16-19 minutes or until the edges of the cookies starts to turn golden brown.

If you decide to bake both logs, I recommend using two separate baking sheets.

  • Make a few batches and store in the freezer: This is a great cookie recipe to freeze and forget. I make a few batches and store them in the freezer. When ready to bake, take them out of the freezer 30 minutes before baking, slice, and bake.
  • How long do these pecan nut cookies last? As long as they are stored in an airtight container (i.e. cookie jar with a tight lid), they should still be fresh up to 3 days.

Other naturally sweetened cookies you might like:

Want more recipes where you can use unrefined sugar for baking cookies? Here are a few of my favorites:

Butter Pecan Shortbread Cookies Image
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Naturally Sweetened Pecan Shortbread Cookies

Butter Pecan Shortbread Cookies made healthier by replacing granulated sugar with natural cane sugar. The cookie dough in this recipe comes together easily in the food processor. It can be made ahead, frozen, and baked right before serving for the most delicious fresh-out-of-the-oven healthy shortbread cookies.
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 19 minutes
Total Time 39 minutes
Servings 28 cookies
Calories 120kcal

Ingredients

  • ¾ cup (4 oz.) natural cane sugar
  • 1 cup pecans divided
  • 2 large egg yolks at room temperature
  • 2 tablespoons water at room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 8 tablespoons of butter melted and cooled
  • 2 ¼ cups (11 ¼ oz) all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 large egg white mixed with 2 tablespoons of water

Instructions

  • Using a spice/coffee grinder, ground the natural cane sugar in 3 batches until it is fine and powdery. Set aside.
  • Reserve 30 of the whole pecan-halves to use as garnishing. It should be ½ cup in total.
  • Whisk together egg yolks, water, vanilla extract, and butter in a small mixing bowl until combined. Set aside.
  • Place the rest of the pecans (approximately ½ cup) in the bowl of a food processor and process until coarsely ground. Add in the flour, cinnamon, salt, and nutmeg. Process until combined.
  • While the food processor is still running, add the butter mixture through the tube. Process until thoroughly combined. You may have to stop the food processor a few times and scrape the bottom of the bowl with a spatula.
  • Transfer the dough onto a clean work surface and knead until smooth. It might be a little powdery, but it will come together as you knead with the body heat from your hands.
  • Using a knife, divide the dough into two equal pieces.
  • Roll each dough into a 6-inch log that is about 2-inches thick. Wrap each log tightly using stretch film and place upright in tall glasses. Refrigerate until firm, at least 2 hours up to 2 days.
  • When ready to bake, pre-heat the oven to 325 F degrees. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
  • Working with one log of dough at a time, slice into ¼-inch thick cookies, turning log every few slices to prevent sides from flattening. Space them ¾-inch apart from each other on prepared sheets.
  • Brush cookies with the egg white-water mixture, then gently press the reserved pecan halves into center of each cookie.
  • Bake one sheet at a time, until the edges of cookies are beginning to brown and set, 16-19 minutes, rotating the sheet halfway through baking. Let the cool before serving.

Video

Notes

Notes: 1. The number of cookies you end up with might change with the size of your logs. 2. As you will see in the video, I only baked one of the rolls. I froze the second roll to see if it will still be good in a few days. Before I was ready to bake, I took the frozen dough out of the freezer, let it thaw in the fridge overnight, sliced, and baked it in the morning. It was just as good. So feel free to freeze them for fresh shortbread cookies for future.

Nutrition

Calories: 120kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 23mg | Sodium: 45mg | Potassium: 28mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 120IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 7mg | Iron: 1mg

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Flaky Sweet Potato Biscuits https://foolproofliving.com/sweet-potato-biscuits/ https://foolproofliving.com/sweet-potato-biscuits/#comments Fri, 06 Dec 2019 13:46:14 +0000 https://foolproofliving.com/?p=26623 This post has been sponsored by Vermont Creamery, but all opinions are my own. I just checked and the temperature on my phone’s weather app is in single digits. The soup season is officially here. I have a big pot of vegetable beef soup simmering on the stove as I write this. I don’t know about you, but for me what I serve with soup is just as important as...

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This post has been sponsored by Vermont Creamery, but all opinions are my own.

I just checked and the temperature on my phone’s weather app is in single digits. The soup season is officially here. I have a big pot of vegetable beef soup simmering on the stove as I write this. I don’t know about you, but for me what I serve with soup is just as important as the soup itself.

healthy and homemade sweet potato biscuits are plated and photographed from the front view.

For years, I served my soups with either my cornbread muffins, almond flour biscuits, or whole wheat biscuits. While I still love and make those recipes, lately I have also been making these sweet potato biscuits. They are soft, fluffy, and subtly sweet all at the same time. The addition of sweet potatoes into the biscuit batter provides a surprising flavor and makes them deliciously moist.

With only six ingredients, this easy sweet potato biscuits recipe comes together in one bowl and requires no mixer. You can make them ahead and freeze to bake later. Serve them with soups, stews, chilis and even as a side dish for your holiday dinners. 

Intrigued? Let’s make them together.

Old fashioned sweet potato biscuits are place in a casserole dish and photographed from the top view.

Ingredients

First things first. Let’s gather the ingredients for our sweet potato flour biscuits recipe. As I mentioned earlier, you only need 6 ingredients to make it:

Ingredients for the best buttermilk sweet potato flour biscuits are laid out and photographed from the top view
  1. All-Purpose Flour: This recipe uses 2 cups of all-purpose flour
  2. Baking Powder: We use 4 teaspoons of baking powder to increase the volume and lighten the texture of the biscuits. I know it sounds like it is a lot, but trust me you need it for deliciously thick sweet potato biscuits.
  3. Kosher Salt: Only ½ teaspoon of salt to balance the sweetness.
  4. Unsalted Butter: I think we can all agree that butter makes everything delicious. And this recipe is no different. I used 6 tablespoons of my favorite, Vermont Creamery’s unsalted butter. They recently started selling their European style butter in sticks.
    If you are not familiar, European style butter has more fat than regular butter. If you have never tried butter with high content, I cannot recommend it enough. It is the secret to having delicious and flaky sweet potato biscuits. Make sure that your butter is very cold. 
  5. Mashed fluffy sweet potatoes: This recipe uses a cup of cooked and mashed sweet potato (I used one large sweet potato.) I recommend roasting one in advance and keep it in the fridge in an airtight container so that it will be nice and cold when you are ready to make your biscuit batter.
  6. Buttermilk: You can’t make Southern-style old fashioned sweet potato biscuits without buttermilk. We use buttermilk for its additional fat and liquid content as well as its acidity. When used in conjunction with leaveners, the acidity in buttermilk helps the dough rise.

Don’t have access to buttermilk? Use the below recipe to make your own buttermilk substitute at home:

Ingredients:
1 cup whole milk + 1 tablespoon white distilled vinegar (or freshly squeezed lemon juice)

Method:
Whisk the ingredients in a bowl. Place it in the fridge and let it sit for 5-10 minutes and use it in your baking.

Please note that this buttermilk substitute will not be as thick as the original one, but it will still yield a similar sweet potato biscuit recipe at the end.

How to make It From Scratch

The process of making this homemade sweet potato buttermilk biscuits has four folds. 

First, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and kosher salt in a large bowl. 

Second, cut the butter into small pieces and add them to the dry ingredients. Using a pastry blender (or the back of a fork), work the butter into the flour mixture until butter pieces are as small as peas. Fold in the mashed sweet potato and buttermilk with a wooden spoon. 

PRO TIP: At this stage, it might feel like you need more liquid but resist the urge to add in more. Believe me, it will come together beautifully as you continue to mix. If it is hard to mix in the bowl, you can transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface and shape it on there using your hands.

A woman is photographed from the top view as she is cutting the sweet potato biscuits dough.
Southern style sweet potato biscuits are cut and placed in a sheet pan ready to baked (or frozen).

Third, turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and shape it into a 1 ¼  to 1 ½ inch thick rectangular. Using a round biscuit or cookie cutter (I used a 2-inch round biscuit cutter) cut rounds and place them onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Gather the remaining scraps and repeat until all the dough is used.

If you have time, I highly recommend popping the sweet biscuits into the fridge for 30 minutes so that they can get really cold. You can do this before or after shaping them

Why? The following is from an article called “The Secret That Makes Your Biscuits Much Better” published on Mashed.com. It explains it best:

Cold ingredients, particularly the butter, is key to making better biscuits because it’s what makes gives them that flaky texture you’re aiming for. During the baking process, the intact bits of cold butter that are suspended in the flour are what create the layers of dough.

Alternatively, you can make prep the biscuits a day in advance, cover them tightly with stretch film, and keep in the fridge until you are ready to bake.

What Temperature To Bake Biscuits

Finally, preheat the oven to 375 degrees and bake the buttermilk sweet potato biscuits for 15 minutes or until they are golden brown. Take them out of the oven and let them cool for 5 minutes before serving.

That’s it. Just like Grandma’s sweet potato biscuits made from scratch in less than an hour!

How Long Will Biscuits Keep

I’ll be honest, these biscuits are best when they just come out of the oven. However, if you keep them in an airtight container, they will last for 1 to 2 days at room temperature or up to 5-6 days in the fridge. 

Buttery and flaky sweet potato biscuits are placed on a tray and photographed from the top view.

Can I Freeze These Biscuits

Yes, you can. I recommend freezing them before baking as I think it will produce the freshest sweet potato biscuits in the end. To do so, freeze the biscuits on a parchment-lined baking sheet first. Then once they are solid hard, place them into a freezer bag and get as much air out as possible. 

I love freezing them because you can bake one or more as you need them and have the most delicious warm sweet potato biscuits to serve with dinner whenever you want. Though be aware that they will need a few extra minutes (2-3 minutes max) of bake time. 

You can freeze them after baking as well. To do so, bring them to room temperature, place in a freezer bag, get the air out of the bag as much as you can, and place in the freezer. When ready to serve, reheat them in a 300 F degree oven for 10 minutes or until warmed thoroughly.

Sweet potato biscuits are spread with butter and photographed from the top view.

Tips For The Best Sweet Potato Biscuit Recipe:

  • Cold ingredients make the best biscuits: Make sure that your sweet potato, buttermilk, and butter are cold for the best crumbly, thick, and flaky biscuits.
  • Place the biscuit dough in the fridge before baking: I know this sounds like an extra step, but I promise you even a short 15 minute time spent in the fridge will make a big difference.
  • How to Keep Biscuits warm for a party: I think we can all agree that the best way to serve biscuits is when they are warm. I recently tried this method I found on TheKitchn.com and I thought it was a great idea:
    Simply, fill a small size pouch (I used a cotton J-Crew jewelry pouch) with rice. Heat it in the microwave for a minute. Place the now-warm rice pouch in a bread basket lined with a clean kitchen cloth and pile on the biscuits on top. Place another kitchen cloth to keep the heat inside.
  • Prefer a gluten free and paleo biscuit recipe instead? Try this Paleo Biscuits recipe.

Other Sweet Potato Recipes You Might Like:

 

The best buttermilk sweet potato biscuits recipe image
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Sweet Potato Biscuits Recipe

Recipe for the best flaky and light sweet potato biscuits. Made with buttermilk these easy sweet potato flour biscuits are just as good as grandmas. They are made in one bowl and with only 6 ingredients. They can be baked right away or frozen to bake later. Serve them as a side dish with soups, stews or just by themselves with butter on the side.
Course Bread
Cuisine American
Prep Time 50 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings 12 biscuits
Calories 154kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour plus more for the workspace
  • 4 teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter cold and cut into small pieces
  • 1 cup cooked and mashed sweet potato from 1 large sweet potato
  • ½ cup buttermilk cold

Instructions

  • Pre-heat the oven to 375 F (190 C) degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and kosher salt in a bowl. 
  • Add in the unsalted butter. Using the back of a fork or a dough cutter cut the butter into the flour until butter pieces resemble peas. 
  • Add in the mashed sweet potato. Pour in the buttermilk.
  • Give it a mix with a wooden spoon. *1
  • Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Mix until the dough is fully mixed and slightly sticky.  
  • Shape it into a 1 to 1 ½ inch thick rectangular.
  • Cut rounds using a biscuit cutter (I used a 2-inch biscuit cutter).  Gather the remaining scraps and repeat until all the dough is used. 
  • Transfer the biscuits onto a parchment-lined sheet pan.*
  • Bake for 15 minutes. Let it cool for 5 minutes before serving.

Video

Notes

*1- At this stage, it might feel like you need more liquid but resist the urge to add in more. Believe me, it will come together beautifully as you continue to mix. If it is hard to mix in the bowl, you can transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface and shape it on there using your hands. *2- If you have time, I highly recommend covering the biscuits with stretch film and let them cool in the fridge for 30 minutes.

Nutrition

Calories: 154kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 16mg | Sodium: 258mg | Potassium: 147mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 4676IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 104mg | Iron: 1mg

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Easy Pumpkin Bread Recipe https://foolproofliving.com/easy-pumpkin-bread-recipe/ https://foolproofliving.com/easy-pumpkin-bread-recipe/#comments Tue, 05 Nov 2019 19:23:21 +0000 https://foolproofliving.com/?p=26265 Why Should You Make This Recipe? After a few times of testing and tweaking, today I come to you with what I’d like to call the best pumpkin bread recipe from scratch. Here are a few reasons why you will love this recipe too: Made with every day ingredients: If you are someone who enjoys baking often you probably already have all the ingredients on hand. If not, a quick...

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Why Should You Make This Recipe?

After a few times of testing and tweaking, today I come to you with what I’d like to call the best pumpkin bread recipe from scratch. Here are a few reasons why you will love this recipe too:

  • Made with every day ingredients: If you are someone who enjoys baking often you probably already have all the ingredients on hand. If not, a quick trip to your local grocery store should be sufficient.
  • All you need is two bowls and a whisk: No special equipment or prior baking knowdledge is needed. If you can read, you can make this easy pumpkin bread.
  • Packed heartwarming fall spices: Sweetened with coconut sugar and made with canned pumpkin puree (though you can easily swap it with fresh pumpkin puree), it is packed with a ton of pumpkin flavor along with delicious fall spices like pumpkin pie spice and ground cinnamon.
Image of a sliced loaf of easy pumpkin bread

Intrigued? Let’s break it all down and answer all your questions on making the most delicious easy homemade pumpkin bread recipe.

A simple pumpkin bread recipe sliced and photographed from the front view.

Ingredients

As in most quick bread recipes, this pumpkin loaf recipe has 2 sets of ingredients: Dry and Wet.

Dry Ingredients

Dry Ingredients for single loaf pumpkin loaf are photographed from the top view
  • Flour: I used a combination of all-purpose and whole wheat pastry flour. I love the addition of earthy flavors coming from the whole wheat pastry flour.
    If you don’t have whole wheat pastry flour, you can replace the ⅔ cup whole wheat pastry flour used in this recipe with ⅓ cup all-purpose flour and ⅓ cup whole wheat flour. 
  • Baking Powder: To make it lighter.
  • Baking Soda: To make it rise.
  • Kosher Salt: To enhance and bring out the sweet flavors.
  • Spices: I opted for ground cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice for ease and convenience. However, you can also make your own pumpkin spice mix by mixing together ¼ teaspoon of (each) ground ginger, clove, nutmeg, and allspice.
  • Nuts: I added a cup of walnuts and roasted pepitas (on top) at the very end, but any nuts (pecans, pumpkin seeds, etc.) would work here. 

Wet Ingredients

Wet ingredients for pumpkin quick bread photographed from the top view
  • Eggs: I used two eggs to make the batter nice and fluffy
  • Coconut Sugar: I used coconut sugar not only because it is a healthier choice (because it causes a slightly lower rise in blood sugar than granulated white sugar – more on this later!), but also because it provides a delicious brown-sugar like flavor in the overall recipe. If you don’t have coconut sugar, you can substitute it with the exact amount of light brown sugar.
  • Pumpkin Puree: I used a cup of canned pumpkin puree as I always keep a few cans in my pantry, but if you have homemade fresh pumpkin puree on hand feel free to use it. 
    If you are in need of a good homemade pumpkin bread recipe, check out my friend, Traci’s Homemade Pumpkin Puree.
  • Vermont Creamery’s Unsalted Butter: While you can use any oil you like (i.e. coconut oil, vegetable oil, avocado oil, etc.), I opted for unsalted melted and cooled butter. I am a big fan of the luxurious creamy flavors of Vermont Creamery’s cultured butter. After trying this exact recipe with several types of oils, I decided that the version with butter was simply the best. 
  • Almond Milk: I used ¼ cup almond milk to thin the bread batter. However, any type of milk, coconut, oat, and even regular milk would all work here.
  • Vanilla Extract: I used pure vanilla extract to enhance all the flavors within the batter.

How to make this recipe from scratch

The process of making this healthy pumpkin bread recipe has 4 folds.

First, mix the dry ingredients in a small bowl.

Second, whisk together the eggs with coconut sugar in a large bowl. Add in the pumpkin puree, melted and cooled butter, almond milk, and vanilla extract. Give it a good whisk until fully incorporated.

healthy pumpkin bread recipe with canned pumpkin is photographed as it is being made.

Third, fold in the dry ingredients into the wet ones. I usually start with a whisk and continue with a spatula to avoid over mixing the batter.

Finally, stir in the walnuts and transfer the batter into a loaf pan. If preferred, sprinkle it with a handful of pepitas and walnuts as a garnish.

I used a full-size loaf pan (9X5), but this recipe also bakes beautifully in a smaller 8.5X4.5 loaf pan as well.

How to make pumpkin bread with fresh pureed pumpkin

As I mentioned earlier, you can use the exact amount (1 cup) of fresh pumpkin puree (which you can make by roasting and pureeing a whole pumpkin) instead of canned pumpkin puree in this recipe. The rest of the ingredients and the process would be the same.

In my testings, I was not able to recognize a big difference in taste between the version of pumpkin bread made with fresh pumpkin puree versus the one made with canned pumpkin.

Want to know more about fresh versus canned? This article, Fresh vs Canned Pumpkin, written by Handle the Heat, is a really interesting and helpful article on the subject.

Easy pumpkin bread recipe is being made by a woman. She is photographed as she is mixing the batter from the top view.
Pumpkin Spice bread loaf is photographed in loaf pan before it is baked

How long to cook/bake?

This pumpkin quick bread recipe bakes in a 350-degree oven for 55-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

How to make it moist?

The thing about this simple pumpkin loaf cake is that it is deliciously moist making you want a little more after each bite.

Though to get a better understanding of how to ensure that my pumpkin quick bread turns out moist every time, I asked the question to Jenifer. Being the amazing pastry chef that she is she provided me with the following explanation:

The pumpkin bread stays moist with the right balance of liquid to dry ingredients, fat, and leavening. Too much liquid to dry, the pumpkin bread will be soggy. Too much fat or leavening will cause the pumpkin bread to be coarse and crumbly.

How to store & freeze

  • Storage: You can keep this pumpkin spice bread at room temperature for up to two days. To do so, remove the pumpkin bread from the loaf pan and let it cool completely on a wire rack. Then, wrap it in a stretch film and place it in an airtight container (or in a plastic Ziploc bag) and seal closed.
    Alternatively, you can keep it in the refrigerator for up to one week. Just be sure to wrap it well and place it in an airtight container.
Healthy pumpkin bread recipe sliced and photographed from the top view from a close up distance
  • To Freeze: You can certainly freeze this pumpkin walnut bread. It will retain its freshness for up to three months in the freezer. To do so, wrap it tightly with stretch film, place it in a plastic freezer bag, and seal tightly. I personally like to slice it before freezing. That way I can enjoy a few slices here and there without having to thaw the whole loaf.

Variations:

I usually use this recipe as a base and change it up with different ingredients. Below are a few of my favorite variations:

  • Pumpkin Raisin Bread: Fold in ½ cup raisins in the batter right at the same time you add in the walnuts.
  • Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread: Fold in ½ cup of your favorite chocolate chips (I like mine bittersweet) at the last minute.
  • Dairy-Free Pumpkin Bread: While I prefer my pumpkin bread recipe with butter, you can use the same amount of coconut (melted and cooled) or vegetable oil for a dairy-free pumpkin loaf.
  • Pumpkin Bread Recipe without Spices: While I love my pumpkin spice, I understand that some people are not a big fan. If that is you, feel free to omit using any of the spices in the recipe below.
  • Pumpkin Bread without Eggs: If you’re looking for a vegan pumpkin loaf, replace the two eggs with two flax eggs to bind the batter.
    Don’t know how to make a flax egg? Simply combine 1 Tablespoon Ground Flaxseed with 3 Tablespoons warm water and allow to sit for 5 minutes until congealed.

FAQs:

Is pumpkin bread healthy?

While I am a true believer that every baked good that contains sugar should be consumed in moderation, I think my version of the easy and moist pumpkin recipe that I am sharing here is healthier than most other recipes because we are using coconut sugar. 
The beauty of coconut sugar is the lower impact it has on your blood sugar. Unlike refined white sugar, coconut sugar has all of its nutrients intact, like fiber, iron, zinc, calcium, potassium, and is packed with a number of antioxidants. This alone makes it all the more good for us – it’s light, sweet, fruity flavor is just the bonus!

What goes good with pumpkin bread

My favorite way to enjoy this easy moist pumpkin bread is with a cup of latte. However, if I am having it for breakfast, I spread it with some Vermont Creamery’s butter with my morning coffee.
Alternatively, you can also treat yourself with a dollop of maple whipped cream, maple syrup cream cheese frosting, or a healthier alternative, homemade unsweetened applesauce.

Can I use the same batter to make muffins?

Yes – but a few adjustments are necessary. To make this pumpkin loaf recipe into 12 muffins, increase the oven temperature to 375 and decrease the cooking time to 15-20 minutes. But again, use the toothpick test and keep an eye on the muffins. Once they start to look golden brown on top, you know they are just about ready!
And if you are after another good pumpkin muffin recipe, may I suggest my Maple-Sweetened Pumpkin Oat Muffins? It is one of the most popular fall recipes on the blog that has gotten raving reviews from several of my readers.
If you can’t get enough of these types of quick breads, be sure to try this delicious Banana Bread as well.

Other pumpkin bread baked goods you might like

Thinking about what else you can make with canned pumpkin? Here are some recipes you might also like:

Other pumpkin recipes you might like

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Easy pumpkin bread recipe image
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Easy Pumpkin Bread Recipe

This is a Simple Pumpkin Bread Recipe made from scratch without a mixer. Packed with warm autumn spices, this pumpkin quick bread is incredibly delicious and moist. Check out the blog post variations and freezing information.
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Diet Vegetarian
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 55 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings 8 slices (One 9X5 Loaf Bread)
Calories 333kcal

Ingredients

Dry Ingredients:

  • 1 cup all purpose flour
  • cup whole wheat pastry flour*
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon pumpkin spice

Wet Ingredients:

  • 2 large eggs lightly beaten
  • 1 cup coconut sugar*
  • 1 cup pumpkin puree
  • cup Vermont Creamery unsalted butter melted and cooled
  • ¼ cup milk almond, coconut, oat, and regular milk would all work
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

As Garnish:

  • 1 cup walnuts/pumpkin seeds a few tablespoons more for garnishing

Instructions

  • Pre-heat oven to 350 F degrees. Lightly butter a 9X5 loaf pan and set aside.
  • Mix together the dry ingredients; all-purpose flour, whole wheat pastry flour, baking soda, baking powder, kosher salt, ground cinnamon, and pumpkin spice,  in a small bowl. Set aside.
  • Lightly beat eggs in a large bowl. Whisk in the coconut sugar. Add in pumpkin puree, melted (and cooled) butter, almond milk, and vanilla extract. Whisk until thoroughly combined. 
  • Gently fold the wet ingredients into the dry ones. Do not overmix.
  • Fold in the walnuts.
  • Transfer to the prepared loaf pan. If preferred, garnish with more nuts on top.
  • Bake for 55-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.
  • When cool enough to handle, gently remove the loaf from the pan and let it cool on a wire rack for 30 minutes before slicing.

Video

Notes

*If you don’t have whole wheat pastry flour, you can replace the ⅔ cup whole wheat pastry flour used in this recipe with ⅓ cup all-purpose flour and ⅓ cup whole wheat flour.  *If you don’t have coconut sugar, you can substitute it with the exact amount of light brown sugar.

Nutrition

Calories: 333kcal | Carbohydrates: 49g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 62mg | Sodium: 321mg | Potassium: 206mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 21g | Vitamin A: 5074IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 52mg | Iron: 2mg

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Homemade No-Knead Olive Bread Recipe https://foolproofliving.com/olive-bread-recipe/ https://foolproofliving.com/olive-bread-recipe/#comments Thu, 17 Oct 2019 21:30:21 +0000 https://foolproofliving.com/?p=25985 I am going to be honest, I am not a baker. And I am certainly not a bread baker. But when I originally found the no-knead bread recipe published by Mark Bittman in the New York Times, originally created by Jim Lahey of Sullivan Street Bakery in Manhattan, the world of bread baking was completely transformed. Who knew you could bake a crusty loaf of bread in your home kitchen...

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I am going to be honest, I am not a baker. And I am certainly not a bread baker. But when I originally found the no-knead bread recipe published by Mark Bittman in the New York Times, originally created by Jim Lahey of Sullivan Street Bakery in Manhattan, the world of bread baking was completely transformed.

Who knew you could bake a crusty loaf of bread in your home kitchen without the technique of kneading? I was instantly amazed.

A loaf of olive bread sliced and photographed from the top view

But then I realized, the 4-ingredient no-knead bread recipe is such a fantastic base, why not make it more interesting? And since olives are one of my pantry staples, as they are so prominent in Mediterranean cuisine, I knew I was on to something. So I got to work.

Crusty and rustic looking Olive loaf bread photographed in a Dutch oven as soon as it was taken out of the oven.

After a few trials and errors, this olive loaf bread became my new favorite. Warm from the oven, my husband and I simply couldn’t get enough. Once we tried it with Olive Oil Bread Dip, it was simply perfection. It makes a great go-to bread to bring to all of our upcoming holiday parties, too! Just think of this rustic bread as a delicious way to impress all your friends!

What is Olive Bread?

Olive bread, sometimes referred to as olive loaf (not to be confused with the cold cut version studded with olives), is a bread where the loaf of bread is laced with whole or chopped olives. This ensures a quintessential olive artisan bread flavor.

Where did olive loaf originate?

From my research, the olive loaf recipe seems to have originated in the Mediterranean, mostly in Italian and Greek cultures. And it makes sense since olives are such a staple ingredient in this region. Many times, you will find artisan bread makers with a version of olive bread in their shops. But today, it can easily be made in your home kitchen!

What is an olive loaf made of?

Homemade olive bread requires 5 simple ingredients:

  • Bread Flour
  • Active Dry Yeast
  • Kosher Salt
  • Lukewarm Water (more on that later below)
  • Chopped Kalamata Olives (but you can use any of your favorite olives – more on that below)
What is olive loaf made of: Ingredients for rustic olive bread recipe are laid out and photographed from the top view.

How to make olive bread?

This no-knead olive bread comes together in 3 folds.

A woman's hand are photographed from the top view as she is making a homemade olive bread recipe
  • First, mix the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Pour in the lukewarm water. Mix with a wooden spoon. At this point, the dough will be sticky.
    Stir in chopped kalamata olives and ensure they are evenly distributed throughout the dough. (Feel free to also use your hands!) Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel and allow it to rest 18-24 hours in a warmer part of your kitchen.

PRO TIP: Warm water is very important to activate the yeast. Though you might ask, what is the exact temperature you are referring to when you say, “lukewarm water”?

Typically, this is a temperature between 100-110 degrees. You can use an instant-thermometer to know for sure. If you don’t have one, you can simply stick your finger in the center, if it feels slightly warm to the touch, you are good to go!

Learn how to make olive bread with Step by step photos
  • Second, transfer the dough from the bowl onto a lightly floured surface. It will be sticky. But if you gently remove the olive bread dough from the bowl, you will notice it will all come out easy and fold onto itself. If you need a visual, be sure to check out the quick how-to video in the recipe card below.
    Form the dough into a ball by tucking the sides of the dough under. Transfer to a large piece of parchment paper, lightly dust with flour, cover with a kitchen towel and allow to rise once more in a warmer part of your kitchen until doubled in size, 1-2 hours.
The olive loaf dough is resting
  • Lastly, towards the end of rising time, place your dutch oven in the oven and preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. When ready to bake, remove the very hot dutch oven from the oven with potholders.
    Using the edges of the parchment paper, carefully place the dough in the dutch oven, cover and bake for 30 minutes. Then, remove the lid and bake another 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove the olive loaf from the dutch oven and place it on a cooling rack to cool for 30-45 minutes before slicing.

PRO TIP: To know for sure that your bread is fully cooked through, once you remove it from the dutch oven, gently lift it over and tap the bottom of the bread loaf. If it sounds hollow, it’s done!

An important tip for using olives

Make sure the kalamata olives are completely drained as this rustic loaf recipe is already very moist and sticky. To ensure your olives are completely dry, chop first and pat them with paper towels to get rid of excess liquid.

Is olive bread healthy?

Yes, especially a dutch oven olive bread. Since olives have heart-healthy fats and we are making the bread from scratch with top-quality bread flour, it is good and good for you! So go ahead, have two, ahem, three slices!

What to serve with olive bread?

The rustic olive bread recipe is absolutely divine with Olive Oil Bread Dip (and a glass of wine!). But with the colder months coming, it also pairs perfectly with hearty fall and winter soups. Try it with Vegan Butternut Squash Soup, Ribollita Soup, Lentil Soup, Turkish Red Lentil Soup, or Homemade Vegetable Beef Soup.

Dutch oven no knead olive loaf recipe is photographed right after it came out of the oven

Olive Loaf Variations

The beauty of this rustic olive bread recipe is the number of variations you can make. I would recommend replacing the olives altogether or adding one additional ingredient to keep it simple. Here are a few of my favorites:

  • Olive Cheese Bread: Add 1 cup shredded white cheddar
  • Green Olive Bread Recipe: Replace the purple kalamata olives with chopped green olives
  • Olive and Herb Bread: Add 1 teaspoon each dried thyme and oregano to the dry ingredients
  • Olive Garlic Bread: Add 1 tsp garlic powder to the dry ingredients
  • Black Olive Bread: Replace the kalamata olives with black olives. I especially like the extra special briny bite of pitted, black oil-cured olives.
  • Sun-Dried Tomato and Olive Bread Recipe: Add 1 cup sliced sun-dried tomatoes
  • Olive Tapenade Bread: Replace the chopped olives with ½ cup strained olive tapenade
  • Rosemary Olive Bread Recipe: Add 2 teaspoons dried rosemary
  • Walnut Olive Bread: Add 1 cup chopped, toasted walnuts

A few tips for making the best recipe

  • Can I freeze this olive bread? You sure can. As a matter of fact, I usually make a few loaves on the same day. Let them cool completely, slice, place in freezer bags, and freeze until I am ready to use. When ready to serve, I toast a slice (or more) and serve.
  • Do I have to slice it before I freeze? Can I freeze the whole loaf? You can. However, (1) be sure to place it in an airtight container (I usually wrap it in a clean kitchen towel, place it in a freezer bag, and get as much air out as possible), and (2) be sure to thaw it in the fridge overnight before serving.
  • What is the best size of the Dutch oven to bake this olive loaf? I have made this baked bread in 3 different sizes of Dutch ovens and brands and they all worked well. The brands and sizes are as follows (the links below are affiliate links)
    Le Creuset Signature Cast-Iron Round Dutch Oven, 3 1/2-Qt
    Lodge 6 Quart Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven
    Staub Cast Iron 5.5-Qt. Round Cocotte
  • A few requests for whole wheat olive bread have been mentioned. I have not tested this recipe with whole wheat flour as the structure and protein content is different than bread flour. If you are adventurous and want to try a whole wheat version of this bread on your own, I would start with replacing 25% of the bread flour with whole wheat and work your way up from there. I would love to know the results if you try it out!

Other bread recipes you might also like

Rustic Olive Bread Recipe
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Homemade No-Knead Olive Bread Recipe

This Homemade Olive Bread is a rustic and crusty no-knead bread recipe that anyone can make. Packed with Kalamata olives, this olive loaf comes together so easily in a Dutch oven.
Course Bread
Cuisine Mediterranean
Prep Time 18 hours
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 18 hours 50 minutes
Servings 8 slices (1 Loaf)
Calories 195kcal

Ingredients

  • 3 cups bread flour (360 gr. )
  • ¼ teaspoon active dry yeast
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt*
  • 1 ⅓ cup lukewarm water (between 100-110 F degrees) (316 ml)
  • 1 cup chopped kalamata olives drained well

Instructions

  • Mix the dry ingredients; bread flour, active dry yeast, and kosher salt, in a large mixing bowl. 
  • Pour in 1 ⅓ cups (316 ml.) lukewarm water.
  • Give it a mix using a wooden spoon. At this point, the dough needs to be quite sticky. Stir in the chopped olives and ensure that they are equally distributed throughout the batter. (Alternatively, you can use your clean hands to mix and feel the stickiness.)
  • Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel and let it sit in a warmer part of your house for 18-24 hours.In my tests, I found that the bread baked after 18 hours of rising time was perfect, but the 24-hour one was also good. One important thing to mention here is that at the end of the rising time you might see a thin (kind of hard – for the lack of a better word) layer at the top of the dough. Don’t be alarmed by that. In the next step, we will fold that into the dough and since it is a sticky one, the additional rising time will help soften it. 
  • Lightly flour a piece of parchment paper, gently remove the dough from the bowl, and place it onto the parchment. While removing, you will realize that it is quite sticky. However, if you take your time and gently pull it by folding it onto itself, you will see that it will come out easily without any dough remaining in the bowl. For a visual, be sure to watch the video below. 
  • Form the dough into a ball tucking the sides of the dough under. Lightly dust it with a little bit of flour, cover it with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise for 1-2 hours or until it doubles in size. Again, I recommend letting it sit in a warmer part of your house. 
  • Towards the end of the rising time, place your dutch oven in the oven and pre-heat it to 450 F degrees. 
  • When ready to bake, carefully take the now-very hot dutch oven out of the oven. Using the edges of the parchment paper place the dough into the dutch oven. Put the lid on and bake for 30 minutes. Then remove the lid and continue to bake another 20-30 minutes or until the top is nicely golden brown as you see in the photos. 
  • At the end of the baking, remove it from the dutch oven, place it onto a cooling rack and let it cool for 30-45 minutes before slicing.

Video

Notes

  • I use Diamond Kosher Salt. If you are using Morton Kosher Salt or table salt, please use half the amount of salt.
  • It is imperative that you drain the olives well. 
  • When using olives in any recipe, it is best to give them a taste. If they are too salty, I would recommend letting them soak in water for an hour or so. Obviously, the longer they sit in the water the less salty they will become. Alternatively, you can use less salt, but I personally prefer to adjust the saltiness of the olives instead of using less salt. Because I like my bread dough to be properly seasoned. 
  • Storage: After it comes to room temperature, cover it with a kitchen towel and keep it on the kitchen counter. It should still be good the next day.
  • Freezing: You can freeze the whole loaf or slice it before freezing. Just make sure that it is fully cooled before doing so. Additionally, be sure to place it in an airtight freezer bag and get the air out as much as you can to prevent freezer burn. 
  • Thawing: If you froze it sliced, you can warm the slices in your toaster without having to wait for it to thaw. If you froze it as a whole, it is best to let it thaw in the fridge overnight.

Nutrition

Calories: 195kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 845mg | Potassium: 54mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 66IU | Calcium: 16mg | Iron: 1mg

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Paleo Pumpkin Muffins https://foolproofliving.com/paleo-pumpkin-muffins/ https://foolproofliving.com/paleo-pumpkin-muffins/#comments Sat, 05 Oct 2019 15:44:36 +0000 https://foolproofliving.com/?p=20861 Who is in for some pumpkin goodness on this Monday morning? If so, you are in for a treat because we are making Almond Flour Pumpkin Muffins that are paleo friendly. Today, we are celebrating the 4th annual #VirtualPumpkinParty put together by Sara of Cake Over Steak, where over 60 awesome food bloggers come together and share a recipe made with pumpkin. So if you are need of some pumpkin...

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Who is in for some pumpkin goodness on this Monday morning? If so, you are in for a treat because we are making Almond Flour Pumpkin Muffins that are paleo friendly.

Today, we are celebrating the 4th annual #VirtualPumpkinParty put together by Sara of Cake Over Steak, where over 60 awesome food bloggers come together and share a recipe made with pumpkin. So if you are need of some pumpkin inspiration you are at the right place.

Paleo Pumpkin muffins photographed from the front view

Last year, I contributed to the party with this Pumpkin Turkey Chili recipe. This year, I am joining the crowd with this Paleo Pumpkin Muffins recipe. If you are like me, feel like you deserve a delicious baked treat with your morning coffee just because it is cold outside and doesn’t want to feel guilty of eating it, this healthy pumpkin muffin recipe is exactly what you need.

almond flour pumpkin muffins placed in a small plate

Made with almond flour, coconut sugar, and canned puree, it comes together in less than 10 minutes and bakes in less than an hour. It is freezer-friendly, gluten, dairy, and refined sugar-free.

Intrigued? Read on.

How To Make Paleo Pumpkin Muffins

Similar to most muffin recipes, this gluten-free pumpkin recipe has 3 folds.

First, you mix the dry ingredients: Almond flour (or almond meal would also work), baking soda, cinnamon, pumpkin spice and salt, in a large bowl.

Second, you mix the wet ingredients: Eggs, coconut sugar, canned pumpkin puree, and vanilla extract in another bowl.

 Dry Ingredients for gluten free pumpkin muffins

Third, you combine the wet ingredients with the dry ones and scoop them out to a 12-cup muffin tin lined with parchment muffin paper (this is my favorite brand affiliate link).

After 45-50 minutes, you will end up with the most delicious, healthier, and moist pumpkin muffins you can imagine.

Here I have to mention, I know it will be hard, but for the best almond flour pumpkin muffins, it is imperative to wait for them to completely cool down. Since they are super moist, if you serve them before they are cooled, your guests might think that they are not fully baked.

Wet Ingredients for Paleo Pumpkin Muffins with Almond Flour - Paleo Breakfast Muffins

A Word on Baking with Almond Flour

If you have been following my blog for a while you know that I am a big fan of using this gluten-free, low-carb, and full of good fats flour in my baking.

Another reason why I love it is because of its high-fat content. Most pumpkin muffin recipes you find online uses coconut oil, but in this recipe, since we are using almond flour there is no need for that. Similar to one of the most popular recipes on Foolproof Living, Almond Flour Chocolate Cake, this Almond Flour Pumpkin Muffins recipe has no added fat in it.

Yup, you heard it right. No additional butter, vegetable, or coconut oil. You don’t need it, because the fat content in almond flour and eggs are enough to provide you with all the fat these grain-free pumpkin muffins need.

On another note, if you are new to baking with almond flours, don’t know the difference between almond flour, almond meal, and superfine almond flour, and learn to make your own almond flour, check out the two posts below for a good place to start:

“Foolproof” Almond Flour Recipes for Beginners
How To Make Almond Flour

Mixing healthy pumpkin muffins with almond flour
healthy pumpkin muffins with almond flour photographed in the muffin tin

A Few Tips for the Best Flourless Pumpkin Muffins

  • No-Sugar Pumpkin Muffins: Or I should say, no refined sugar…
    I usually use maple syrup for most of my muffin recipes, but this time I opted for coconut sugar as I love that it is a natural (unrefined) sugar that has a lower glycemic index. In other words, it doesn’t spike up your blood sugar as fast as refined sugars do.
    As you will see in the recipe below, with only ¾ cup of coconut sugar these paleo pumpkin muffins are not overly sweet. If you are health conscious and want to minimize your sugar intake while still treating yourself with a delicious muffin in the morning, you might also be able to get away with using only ½ cup coconut sugar. Feel free to experiment.
  • What to do with leftovers and how to store them – If you are familiar with baking with almond flour, you know that muffins made with this gluten-free flour will deliver a very moist muffin. For that reason, it is important to keep the leftovers of this pumpkin breakfast muffins in an airtight container (or a plastic bag) in the fridge because otherwise, they will spoil easily. When you are ready to serve, you can warm them in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or in a 300-degree preheated oven 5-10 minutes.
  • Can I freeze these almond flour pumpkin muffins? – Yes, you can. Again, I recommend storing them in an airtight container after they come to room temperature. You do not need to thaw them before serving. You can simply warm them up in a 300 degree pre-heated oven 10-12 minutes.
  • Want to add some chocolate chips? Go for it! – If you are a lover of chocolate-pumpkin combination and want to turn this recipe into paleo pumpkin chocolate chip muffins, feel free to fold in a cup of your favorite chocolate chips into the mix at the very end.
  • The Best Topping for this Pumpkin Bread Muffins – I opted for pumpkin seeds as a topping, but any other nuts would work. You would also be totally fine without topping it off with anything.
gluten free pumpkin muffins with almond flour photographed from the top view

There you have it, friends. A simple pumpkin muffin recipe that you can make in no time and serve to everyone in your family. If you need a visual, be sure to scroll down and watch the quick how-to video that I made in the recipe card below.

Before I let you go, below are a few of my favorite recipes from this year’s Virtual Pumpkin Party. Check out Sara’s blog to see all of them and treat yourself with all the pumpkin inspiration you need to tackle the upcoming holiday entertaining coming your way:

Other Pumpkin Recipes You May Also Like:

 

Paleo Pumpkin Muffins Recipe Image
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Paleo Pumpkin Muffins Recipe

Recipe for Paleo Pumpkin Muffins. A healthy gluten free muffins recipe ready in less than an hour! Freezer friendly, grain-free and made without refined sugar.
Course Muffins/Baked Goods
Cuisine American
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 12 muffins
Calories 205kcal

Ingredients

For the dry ingredients:

  • 2 cups almond flour or almond meal
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon pumpkin spice
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • Pinch of salt

For the wet ingredients:

  • 3 large eggs at room temperature
  • ¾ cup of coconut sugar
  • 1 can 15 oz. pumpkin puree *
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Topping (optional)

  • Handful of pumpkin seeds

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 12-cup muffin tip with parchment liners. Set aside.
  • Mix together all the dry ingredients in a large bowl.
  • In a separate bowl, whisk together all the wet ingredients.
  • Fold in the wet ingredients to dry ones and mix until they are fully combined.
  • Divide the batter into the prepared muffin tin. Garnish each muffin cup with a few pumpkin seeds.
  • Bake for 45-50 minutes making sure to rotate the pan halfway through the baking process for even baking.
  • Let it come to room temperature before serving.

Video

Notes

  • The only ingredient in the pumpkin puree brand you choose should be pumpkin.

Nutrition

Calories: 205kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 41mg | Sodium: 241mg | Potassium: 70mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 65IU | Calcium: 61mg | Iron: 1mg

This recipe has been updated with additional helpful information and a video in October 2020. No changes have been made to the original recipe.

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Strawberry Rhubarb Breakfast Crisp https://foolproofliving.com/strawberry-rhubarb-breakfast-oat-crisp/ https://foolproofliving.com/strawberry-rhubarb-breakfast-oat-crisp/#comments Mon, 08 Jul 2019 18:00:41 +0000 https://foolproofliving.com/?p=9540 Before you think that this is yet another strawberry and rhubarb crisp breakfast recipe, allow me to explain. I know that the Internet is full of crisp recipes you can make throughout the year with whatever fruit is in season at the time. I also know that using strawberry and rhubarb combination in a crisp recipe is not a brand new idea that I came up with. Finally, I have...

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Before you think that this is yet another strawberry and rhubarb crisp breakfast recipe, allow me to explain. I know that the Internet is full of crisp recipes you can make throughout the year with whatever fruit is in season at the time.

I also know that using strawberry and rhubarb combination in a crisp recipe is not a brand new idea that I came up with. Finally, I have no intention to make you turn on the oven for a recipe that is mediocre; especially when it is 90 degrees outside as it is now as I type this.

Strawberry Rhubarb Breakfast Crisp recipe topped off with strawberries

I have been looking for an interesting, somewhat different crisp recipe that it a little bit out of the norm for some time now. As I was doing my research, I was hoping to find one that is not overly sweet (preferably made with natural sugars) and made with a topping that is just as delicious as the filling. Because I am that person, who likes the crust more than the filling and rather have more crust than filling. #addictedtobutter

two bowls of healthy rhubarb breakfast garnished with strawberries
Freshly baked rhubarb breakfast recipe with strawberries top view

Ingredients for the rhubarb strawberry crisp recipe

And my friends, I am here to tell you: This Strawberry and Rhubarb Breakfast Crisp is just that. A delicious summery strawberry and rhubarb filling topped off with a topping made with sliced almonds, whole wheat pastry flour, and rolled oats.

ingredients for healthy rhubarb breakfast

It is somewhere between a strawberry baked oatmeal, crisp, and a cobbler. In my opinion, what makes it so delicious, somewhat healthier, and different is that the topping doesn’t solely rely on butter. It gets a crunchy and earthy flavor kick from sliced almonds and rolled oats.

For the filling, I mixed strawberry and rhubarb together and I added some poppy seeds for an added crunchy taste and a little bit of honey for some additional sweetness. As it bakes in the oven the topping gets crispier while the filling gets bubbling and sweet.

Truly dreamy…

rhubarb breakfast recipes - a woman is drizzling honey over strawberries
ingredients for the recipe (almonds, oats, and fruit)

How to make healthy rhubarb breakfast

The recipe for this strawberry rhubarb breakfast crumble has 3 parts.

First, you make the topping. To do so, pulse 1 cup of the sliced almonds in a food processor fitted with the metal blade until you have a medium-fine almond meal, 25-30 seconds. Add in the flour, oats, baking powder, baking soda, coconut sugar, and salt. Pulse 4-5 time in one-second pulses.

Then add in the butter and pulse for 30 seconds until it resembles cornmeal. Finally, slowly pour in the buttermilk through the tube and pulse until all of the liquid has been added. Set it aside while you are prepping the fruit.

Second, you prep the strawberry rhubarb filling. To do so, place strawberries, rhubarb, lemon juice, and lemon zest in a bowl. Drizzle it with honey. Add in the poppy seeds and arrowroot powder (or cornstarch). Give it a gentle stir.

Finally, to assemble the rhubarb strawberry crisp simply spread the fruit filling at the bottom of a casserole dish and top it off with the oat-almond-butter topping.

Rhubarb breakfast bake served with add ins on the side

From start to finish, it took me 30 minutes to get it all together. After it was baked in the oven for 40 minutes, it was ready to serve.

The recipe below suggests waiting for 30 minutes, but I served it right away because the smell in my kitchen was so irresistible for us to wait that long.

A Few helpful notes for the best strawberry rhubarb breakfast bake

  • Best way to serve: While you can serve this rhubarb breakfast recipe by itself, I served it with plain yogurt. If you are following a vegan diet, you can serve it with coconut or almond yogurt as well.
  • What to do with the leftovers? You can place the leftovers in an airtight container and keep them in the fridge. It should be fine up to 2 days.
  • Can I serve this cold? You sure can. As a matter of fact, I sometimes serve leftovers on the next day with a scoop of ice cream on top.
    But if you prefer to serve it warm, you can warm it up in a microwave for 45 seconds or so before serving.
  • Can I swap the fruit you used with other summer berries? You sure can. The oat crips recipe you see below is my go-to recipe for all summer crisps and make it with whatever fruit I can get my hands on. My other favorite version of this breakfast is with peaches and blueberries.
  • Can I use frozen fruit when they are not in season? You sure can. And the best part, there is no need to thaw the fruit. Simply follow the recipe like you are making it with the fresh fruit.
Strawberry and Rhubarb Breakfast Oat Crisp

Other strawberry recipes you might like

Strawberry and Rhubarb Breakfast Oat Crisp
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Strawberry Rhubarb Breakfast Oat Crisp

This Strawberry Rhubarb Breakfast Oat Crisp is between a crisp and a cobbler made by topping off a strawberry-rhubarb-poppy seed filling with an almond-oats-butter topping. Ready in less than an hour it is a delicious and healthy summer breakfast.
Course Breakfast
Cuisine American
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 6 servings
Calories 439kcal

Ingredients

For The Topping:

  • 1 1/2 cups (120 gr) sliced raw almonds, divided
  • 1/2 cup (70gr) whole wheat pastry flour (or whole wheat flour)
  • 1/2 cup (50gr) rolled old fashioned oats
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 2 tablespoons coconut sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 6 tablespoons (85gr) unsalted butter, cut into smaller pieces – plus more for greasing the pan
  • 1/4 cup (60ml) buttermilk

For the filling:

  • 2 cups fresh strawberries hulled and sliced
  • 2 cups rhubarb chopped into smaller pieces
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons grated lemon zest
  • 1 tablespoon of honey
  • 2 tablespoons poppy seeds
  • 3 tablespoons arrowroot powder or corn starch
  • 4 cups of plain milk or coconut yogurt to serve with (optional)

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Butter an 11 by 7 size (or a similar size) baking dish. Set aside.
  • To make the topping: Pulse 1 cup of the sliced almonds in a food processor fitted with the metal blade until you have a medium-fine almond meal, 25-30 seconds. Add in the flour, oats, baking powder, baking soda, coconut sugar, and salt. Pulse 4-5 time in one-second pulses.
  • Add in the butter and pulse until it resembles corn meal, about 30 seconds.
  • Slowly pour in the buttermilk through the tube and pulse until all of the liquid has been added. Transfer it to a bowl and place it in the fridge while you are getting the filling ready.
  • To make the filling: Place strawberries, rhubarb, lemon juice and lemon zest in a bowl. Drizzle it with honey. Add in the poppy seeds and cornstarch. Give it a gentle stir.
  • To assemble and bake: Spread the fruit filling on the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Spoon the topping on top of the filling in an even layer. Sprinkle it with the rest of the sliced almonds. Bake until the top is golden brown and the fruit filling is bubbling, for 35-40 minutes.
  • Let it cool on the counter for 30 minutes before serving. Serve with a bowl of regular or coconut yogurt.

Notes

The nutrition values below do not include yogurt.

Nutrition

Calories: 439kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 32g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 31mg | Sodium: 355mg | Potassium: 538mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 408IU | Vitamin C: 32mg | Calcium: 280mg | Iron: 3mg

This recipe was originally published in July 2016. It has been updated in June 2020 with new information and a few (very minor) updates to the recipe.

This recipe is adapted (with minor changes) from Megan Gordon’s cookbook:Whole-Grain Mornings: New Breakfast Recipes to Span the Seasons.

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Healthy Banana Nut Muffins https://foolproofliving.com/easy-banana-nut-muffins/ https://foolproofliving.com/easy-banana-nut-muffins/#comments Sat, 18 May 2019 09:51:16 +0000 https://foolproofliving.com/?p=15318 Ever the multitasker, I love quick recipes that deliver delicious and nutritious food. This simple banana bread muffins recipe delivers across the board. It is perfect for entertaining a crowd or treating yourself to a freshly baked muffin with a cup of coffee in the morning. Not only are they gluten-free, but they are also refined sugar-free! They are only sweetened with ripened bananas and a half a cup of...

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Ever the multitasker, I love quick recipes that deliver delicious and nutritious food. This simple banana bread muffins recipe delivers across the board. It is perfect for entertaining a crowd or treating yourself to a freshly baked muffin with a cup of coffee in the morning.

A woman is about to take a easy and healthy banana nut muffin

Not only are they gluten-free, but they are also refined sugar-free! They are only sweetened with ripened bananas and a half a cup of coconut sugar, which makes them much healthier than the ones you would get at your local coffee shop.

Plus, most of the easy banana nut muffin recipes you would find online are made with a combination of all-purpose and nut flours and enhanced with chopped nuts to make them a “nut muffin.” My version here, on the other hands, is made with almond flour making it a nut muffin in its real sense.

So, grab those spotty bananas that have been sitting on your kitchen counter and join me in baking some next-level homemade banana nut muffins.

Easy Banana Nut Muffins are photographed from the top view in muffin tins.
A woman is topping off banana nut muffins batter with walnuts

How to make banana nut muffins from scratch

Making this easy banana muffins recipe is so fast and straightforward that you do not even need a mixer. Everything comes together in a bowl in less than 15 minutes.

The process of making them has three parts.

First, mix together the dry ingredients, combining the almond flour, coconut flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt in a bowl.

Next, mix the mashed bananas, vanilla extract, coconut sugar, whisked eggs, and coconut milk in a separate bowl.

Then simply incorporate the wet ingredients into the dry ones by stirring until everything is thoroughly combined. Stir in the chopped walnuts until they are evenly distributed.

Lastly, scoop the batter into a 12-cup muffin tin and pop them in the oven.

Easy and healthy banana nut muffins photographed on a table

How long to bake banana nut muffins

Bake the banana walnut muffins in a 350-degree oven for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the middle of a muffin comes out clean.

When reheating, place a muffin in the microwave for 30 seconds or 5 minutes in a 250-degree oven.

Did you run out of almond flour in your pantry or you don’t have access to almond flour in where you live? You can make almond flour at home. Depending on where you live, you could save some money and never have to worry about stocking it in your pantry.

How to make moist banana muffins

If you have ever baked with almond flour, you know that it behaves totally different than the all-purpose flour.

For one thing, it doesn’t absorb liquid in the same way, so much so that we need another flour (coconut flour) to help us get some of the liquid coming from the eggs absorbed.

Another thing that helps with ending up moist banana muffins is the chunks of bananas in the batter. They not only add some extra banana flavor but also help produce additional moisture.

Therefore, if you need a moist banana nut muffins recipe, this recipe is exactly what you need, lightly crusty on the outside and super moist on the inside.

Banana  Walnut Muffins - A beautiful morning along with healthy muffins and a cup of coffee. A woman is pouring milk in her coffee about to enjoy her muffins photographed from the front view.
Banana Nut Muffin Recipe Naturally sweetened and gluten-free muffins made with almond flour, walnuts, and coconut sugar.

A Few tips for the best almond flour banana muffins:

  • Use Ripe Bananas For Extra Sweetness: Most of the sweetness in this banana nut bread muffins recipe comes from bananas, so it is essential that you use ripe bananas. Mine was lightly brown with speckles on them.
  • Want these simple banana muffins to be nuttier? Add in a cup of walnuts: After you mix the wet and dry ingredients together, add a cup of chopped walnuts to take the nuttiness to the next level. You can do what I did and sprinkle some on top for an extra crunch. If you have time, roast the nuts for 5-10 minutes for extra nutty goodness. Roasted walnuts lose some of the bitterness found in raw walnuts while keeping them crisp and full of their health benefits.
  • How to Store and Freeze? – Like most muffin recipes made with almond flour, these banana nut bread muffins are best on the day they are made, but they will stay fresh for up to two days as long as they are kept in an airtight container in the fridge. To keep them longer, freeze the muffins for up to a month and thaw them when ready to eat.
  • Banana Nut Muffin Nutrition: This recipe makes 12 muffins and each has 341 calories. You can get more information on the nutritional data of these muffins underneath the recipe card below.

If You Liked this Healthy Banana Walnut Muffins, You Might Also Like

A Few Other Healthy Recipes To Use Up Bananas

 

Recipe for easy banana nut muffins: Naturally sweetened and gluten-free muffins made with almond flour, walnuts, and coconut sugar.
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Easy Banana Nut Muffins

These easy banana nut muffins are made with gluten-free almond and coconut flours and sweetened with ripen bananas and coconut sugar. It all comes together in less than 15 minutes and bakes in 30 minutes. Great recipe for entertaining a crowd or splurging on a freshly baked muffin for yourself.
Course Sweets
Cuisine American
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings 12 muffins
Calories 248kcal

Ingredients

For the dry ingredients:

  • 1 ½ cups 180gr almond flour
  • ½ cup 60gr coconut flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 cup 125gr walnuts, roughly chopped

For the wet ingredients:

  • 1 ½ cups mashed ripe bananas approximately 3 medium-sized bananas
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ cup 75gr coconut sugar
  • 3 large eggs light beaten
  • ¼ cup unsweetened full-fat coconut or almond milk

Instructions

  • Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with parchment muffin liners. Set it aside.
  • For the dry ingredients, place almond flour, coconut flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt in a bowl. Give it a mix. Set aside.
  • For the wet ingredients, place the mashed bananas, vanilla extract, coconut sugar, eggs, and coconut milk in a bowl. Mix until thoroughly combined. It is okay if there are small chunks of mashed banana pieces swimming in the mix.
  • Add in the wet ingredients into the dry ones. Stir until throughly combined.
  • Stir in the walnuts and make sure that they are evenly distributed within the batter.
  • Scoop the batter into the muffin tins (they will be pretty full) and bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle of one of the muffins comes out clean.
  • Let it cool for 15 minutes and serve while it is still warm.

Notes

  • These muffins will still be fresh up to 2 days as long as they are kept in an airtight container in the fridge. When ready to eat, simply warm them up for 30 seconds in the microwave or 5 minutes in a 250 degree oven.

Nutrition

Calories: 248kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 41mg | Sodium: 214mg | Potassium: 169mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 77IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 89mg | Iron: 1mg
Recipe for almond flour banana muffins: Naturally sweetened and gluten-free muffins made with almond flour, walnuts, and coconut sugar.

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Healthy Oatmeal Raisin Cookies https://foolproofliving.com/healthy-oatmeal-raisin-cookies/ https://foolproofliving.com/healthy-oatmeal-raisin-cookies/#comments Mon, 26 Nov 2018 21:03:55 +0000 https://foolproofliving.com/?p=21204 This post has been sponsored by American Greetings, but all thoughts and opinions are my own. Two years ago my husband and I decided to no longer buy each other material gifts for Christmas. Instead, we wanted to create experiences that we can enjoy together. Something like putting aside some money for our summer vacation or a quick getaway to one of the close by Vermont towns for a weekend....

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This post has been sponsored by American Greetings, but all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Two years ago my husband and I decided to no longer buy each other material gifts for Christmas. Instead, we wanted to create experiences that we can enjoy together. Something like putting aside some money for our summer vacation or a quick getaway to one of the close by Vermont towns for a weekend.

a woman is grabbing one of the Healthy Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

However, me being the romantic in the relationship, I still wanted to give him something on Christmas morning. After going back and forth for quite a bit, we finally decided to gift each other with a personally written love letter on that special day. This way, we could not only renew our love for each other with words of confirmation but also have something special to look back as we grow old as a married couple.

This year, in addition to my love letter, I plan on gifting him with these healthy oatmeal raisin cookies. Because, like most men, the road to my husband’s heart goes through his stomach. And what is better than a box full of cookies attached with a love letter for Christmas?

Healthy Oatmeal Cookies placed on a plate with tea in the background

Until last week I planned on writing my love letter on a piece of paper like I did last year. But then as I was shopping in Target, my eyes went to the greeting cards section and I couldn’t help myself but browse the beautifully displayed holiday cards by American Greetings.

And when I saw these ones that were tailored for a husband, I decided to pick one and make it the vessel for this year’s Christmas love letter. They were just so tasteful with a thoughtful message that was exactly what I wanted to say to him.

Now, onto the recipe…

About These Healthy Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

I don’t know about you but during the holidays I make sure that my cookie jar is full of cookies at all times. However, I also want to make sure that we are not filling ourselves with overly sweet and fatty cookies that are really not that good for you.

So I have been on the lookout for a cookie recipe that I can enjoy without any guilt attached to it. And I am happy to tell you that I finally found it.

a woman is grabbing a cup of tea with low fat oatmeal cookies
greeting cards to gift with these low sugar oatmeal raisin cookies

Because this healthy oatmeal raisin cookie recipe is:

  • Vegan: Uses ground flax seeds and chia seeds instead of eggs.
  • Gluten-Free & Made without flour: Made with a combination of ground oats and oat flour (that you can grind in your food processor)
  • Made without brown sugar: Most healthy oatmeal cookies are made with brown sugar. However, these ones are made without brown sugar. Instead, they are naturally sweetened with maple syrup, ripened bananas, and raisins.
  • Made without butter: Instead of butter, I used avocado oil. However, you can also use coconut or walnut oil as well.
  • Made without baking soda: This recipe uses no baking soda.
  • Easy to make: The whole process of preparing the batter takes no more than 15 minutes and requires no special equipment (like mixer or food processor). And it bakes in 18 minutes.

How To Make Healthy Oatmeal Cookies

The process of making this low-fat oatmeal raisin cookies recipe is no different than any other cookie recipe.

ingredients for oatmeal raisin cookies with flaxseed are laid out
how to make oatmeal raisin cookies - the dry ingredients in a bowl

First, you prep the dry ingredients: In this case, we mix together ground oats (I used gluten-free certified ground outs), oat flour (that I ground in my food processor), ground flax seeds, chia seeds, baking powder, and cinnamon.

wet ingredient for low sugar oatmeal cookies are laid out
a woman is mixing the batter for easy healthy oatmeal cookies

Second, you prep the wet ingredients: To do so, simply mash some ripened bananas and mix them with avocado oil ( or coconut oil would also work), maple syrup, and almond milk.

Finally, you mix them together, scoop them (with an ice cream scoop) out onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, and bake them for 18 minutes in a 325 F degree preheated oven.

greeting cards to gift with sugar free oatmeal cookies
a woman is scooping out the batter for paleo oatmeal raisin cookies

At the end of 18 minutes, depending on the size of your ice cream scoop (mine was 3-inch in diameter), you will end up with 12-13 deliciously chewy and low sugar oatmeal cookies.

my healthy oatmeal raisin cookie recipe and a cup of tea while writing greeting cards

Expert Tips

  • Can I freeze these cookies? Yes, you sure can. To do so, simply place them in an airtight container (or in a ziploc bag) and keep in your freezer up to a month. When ready to serve, take them out of the freezer and let them sit on the kitchen counter for 10 minutes and serve. No need to wait longer for them to thaw. Alternatively, you can place it in a preheated 250 degree oven for 10 minutes or so to warm it up.
  • Are oatmeal raisin cookies healthy? I believe the definition of healthy changes from person to person (diet to diet). However, as my version here is made with ingredients that are considered as superfoods (like flaxseeds, ground oats, chia seeds) and sweetened with natural sweeteners like bananas, maple syrup, and raisins, I think they can be considered healthy. With that being said, I recommend consuming them in moderation. I usually serve one with a cup of coffee in the morning or with my green tea in the afternoon.
  • Healthy Oatmeal Cookie Calories: I am no nutritionist, but thinking that you might want to know the comparison in calories between my version of oatmeal raisin cookies with flaxseeds, avocado oil, and maple syrup and other oatmeal raisin cookies made with all-purpose flour, sugar, and butter. Using my nutrition label generator software, I compared my recipe with the very first recipe that came up for oatmeal raisin cookies in Google and found out that my version is 315 (per serving) while the other version was 451 calories. If you want to cut down on calories, you can use a smaller scoop and make smaller cookies as well.
  • SUBSTITUTIONS: If you are not a fan of walnuts or raisins or just want to switch things up, you can use use any of your favorite nuts (i.e. pecans, pumpkin seeds, almonds, etc.) and dried fruits (i.e. dried cranberries, figs, apricots, etc.). Alternatively, you can use ¼ cup of dried fruit and add in ½ cup chocolate chips into the batter (if you want some chocolate-y goodness).

If You Liked This Healthy Oatmeal Cookies without Sugar, You Might Also Like These Naturally Sweetened Cookies

Healthy Oatmeal Raisin Cookies Recipe Image
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Healthy Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Healthy Oatmeal Raisin Cookies that are vegan, low-fat, gluten and refined sugar free. Made with oats, flax and chia seeds, these low sugar oatmeal raisin cookies are going to be your new favorite.
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 18 minutes
Total Time 33 minutes
Servings 12 cookies
Calories 276kcal

Ingredients

For The Dry Ingredients:

  • 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
  • 1 cup oat flour
  • ½ cup ground flax seeds
  • 2 tablespoons chia seeds
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon salt

For the Wet Ingredients:

  • 2 medium sized ripe bananas mashed (approximately 1 cup)
  • 1/3 cup coconut or avocado oil, melted and cooled
  • cup maple syrup
  • ¼ cup unsweetened almond milk

To Add In At The Last Minute

  • 1 cup walnuts roughly chopped
  • 2/3 cup golden raisins

Instructions

  • Pre-heat the oven to 325 F degrees. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper and set it aside.
  • Place all dry ingredients in a bowl and mix them until fully combined.
  • Place all wet ingredients in a bowl and stir until fully combined. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ones.
  • Fold in the walnuts and raisins. Using a large (2-3 tablespoon) ice cream scoop, scoop out the dough onto the parchment lined sheet pan. They don’t spread too much so you can line them 1-inch apart from one another.
  • Bake for 16-18 minutes or until the cookies turn lightly browned. Let them cool and serve.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 276kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 147mg | Potassium: 350mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 13IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 95mg | Iron: 2mg

This recipe has been adapted with minor changes from this Superfood Breakfast Cookies recipe by Wife Mama Foodie.

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Whole Wheat Biscuits https://foolproofliving.com/whole-wheat-biscuits/ https://foolproofliving.com/whole-wheat-biscuits/#comments Wed, 21 Nov 2018 16:39:36 +0000 https://foolproofliving.com/?p=21258 This post has been sponsored by Pleasant Hill Grain, but as always all opinions are my own. I’ll be honest. It takes a very long time and effort to build a food blog and be able to call yourself a full-time food blogger. But once you get there, this job offers some pretty cool perks. In the world we currently live in, a blogger is also considered an influencer. And...

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This post has been sponsored by Pleasant Hill Grain, but as always all opinions are my own.

I’ll be honest. It takes a very long time and effort to build a food blog and be able to call yourself a full-time food blogger. But once you get there, this job offers some pretty cool perks. In the world we currently live in, a blogger is also considered an influencer. And as a foodie influencer, sometimes you get to try some really cool kitchen tools.

Layers of Whole Wheat Biscuits photographed from the front view

Today’s recipe, Whole Wheat Biscuits is made with my current favorite kitchen gadget KoMo Mio Grain Mill that I was gifted by Pleasant Hill Grain.

Five years ago when I first started this blog, if you had told me that one day I am going to own a grain mill I would not believe you. But today, I am a proud owner of one and I am thrilled to be sharing this with you. Because let me tell you, baked goods made with freshly milled flour tastes 100% better than store-bought flour.

As you can see in the photos, my very first recipe using my new grain mill is a basic easy homemade biscuits recipe that is made with only 6 ingredients. I chose this recipe intentionally because I have made it using store-bought whole wheat flour many times before. Having known how it tasted, I could easily tell the difference.

whole wheat biscuit recipe photographed with flour mill

As soon as I received my new grain mill, I put my go-to homemade biscuits recipe to test. This time with freshly milled whole wheat pastry flour that I milled myself using organic soft white wheat berries. Aaaand it did not disappoint. This version was truly superior to the one that I was accustomed to making with supermarket whole wheat flour.

Also, on a quite selfish note, it was pretty awesome to know that I literally made it from scratch.

As we are approaching the gifting season if you know someone who loves to bake, have allergies to certain flours (like people who follow a gluten-free diet), and/or enjoy playing with different grains in their cooking, I cannot imagine a better gift than a KoMo Mio Grain Mill. Because someone with those interest would have so many opportunities to put this kitchen tool into good use.

Now onto the recipe…

a woman is putting grains into a flour milling machine to make flour for whole grain biscuits

Hard white wheat vs. soft white wheat

Before I start talking about how to make whole wheat flour biscuits, I’d like to take a moment and talk about what grain produces whole wheat flour. Because if I am being honest, I have always purchased my whole wheat flour from a supermarket and never milled my own at home.

Along with the grain mill, folks over at Pleasant Hills Grain sent me a box full of grains for me to try. Grains like kamut, oat groats, spelt, amaranth, buckwheat, einkorn, hard white wheat berries, and soft white wheat berries. All of which were organic.

Me being new in milling my own flours, I wasn’t sure whether I should use hard white or soft white wheat berries to make my whole wheat flour biscuits. After a little research, I found out that they were actually quite different.

Without going into too much detail, hard white wheat berries have a high protein (gluten) content and are mostly used in baked goods that use yeast as the rising agent. It produces what we call “Whole Wheat Flour” and is perfect for bread recipes made with whole wheat flour.

Its softer counterpart, soft white wheat berries, produces what we call “Whole Wheat Pastry Flour” after it is milled. Compared to hard white wheat, it has low protein content that produces tender whole grain pastries and is ideal for any recipe that uses baking soda and/or baking powder as the rising agent.

If you are making cookies, muffins, pancakes, or biscuits, whole wheat pastry flour produces a softer and more tender end product. This is exactly why, I used whole wheat pastry flour to make this whole wheat biscuit recipe.

How to make whole wheat biscuits at home

The process of making this recipe has 4 folds.

ingredients for whole wheat buttermilk biscuits

First, you cut your butter into small cubes, place in a bowl and place in the freezer while you are prepping the rest of the ingredients. Do not skip this step as it is imperative to have your butter cold for the most crumbly and tender whole wheat biscuits.

wheat biscuit recipe dry ingredients are being mixed by a woman

Second, you mix your dry ingredients; whole wheat pastry flour, baking soda, baking powder, and kosher salt in a mixing bowl. You can either sift them through a flour sifter or use a whisk to mix them.

Third, you work the cold butter into the flour using a pastry cutter (or the back of a fork) just until it resembles coarse crumbs. It is okay if there are large pieces of butter in the dough. Next, you add in the buttermilk and fold it in using a wooden spoon or clean hands.

Don’t have access to buttermilk? No worries! Use my favorite buttermilk substitute below: Ingredients: 1 cup whole milk + 1 tablespoon white distilled vinegar (or freshly squeezed lemon juice)
Method: Whisk the two ingredients in a bowl. Place it in the fridge and let it sit for 5-10 minutes and use in your baking. This buttermilk substitute will not be as thick as the original one, but it will still yield a similar wheat biscuit recipe at the end.

whole wheat pastry flour is mixed with butter and then shaped into a dough

Finally, you transfer the dough onto a lightly flour surface and pat it into a rectangular. Then fold it in over itself in thirds. Repeat this process one more time. Using a rolling pin, roll it out into a rectangular that is 1-inch to 1 ¼ inch thick.

I used a 2 ¾ inch cookie cutter, which yielded 8 whole wheat buttermilk biscuits at the end. However if you don’t have one, you can also use a jar to cut out your biscuits. Be sure to dip it in flour to be able to score the dough easily.

PRO Tip: While you can certainly roll the dough with your hands, using a rolling pin limits the possibility of overworking the dough and prevent your warm body temperature melt out the butter chunks that will help us produce a tender whole grain biscuit at the end.

However, be very gentle and roll only a 2 or 3 times until you get your whole wheat biscuit dough 1-inch thick.

If you use a similar size cookie/biscuit cutter, the first batch will yield 6 biscuits. Simply place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

You can repeat the same process with the remaining dough by kneading it gently and rolling it out to a rectangular one more time. However, be aware that each subsequent rolling and cutting of the dough yields tougher biscuits.

Learn how to make homemade biscuits recipe from scratch - A woman is cutting the dough using cookie cutters

What to do with the leftover whole wheat biscuit dough

After I get 8 biscuits, I roll the leftover dough and use a smaller cookie cutter to cut it. I freeze them for later to bake and serve with soups and stews. These thinner and smaller ones are more like crackers than biscuits, but nonetheless a great surprise to serve with your favorite dishes.

Alternatively, you can use a knife to cut out the dough into squares if you want to reduce the waste and additional work.

Cold biscuit dough and hot oven for the best homemade biscuits

A very hot oven is also key to good biscuits. I bake them in a 450 F degree countertop oven in 2 batches. It takes between 11-12 minutes or until the tops of the biscuits turn lightly golden brown.

I recommend turning on your oven when your biscuits are cut out and ready. While it is heating, place the baking sheet in the freezer to keep your biscuits cold.

If you are short on time, you can certainly skip this step and preheat your oven before you start making the recipe and bake them as soon as they are cut out and ready.

However if you have time, letting the whole wheat biscuits sit in the freezer for a few minutes delivers a more tender and crumbly end product.

Can I make these whole wheat biscuits using whole wheat flour instead?

As I was doing my research for this post, I saw a few people make these biscuits using a combination of whole wheat and all-purpose flour and just by using whole wheat flour. So I put the same exact recipe to test by only changing the flour.

Below are my findings:

  • 1 Cup Whole Wheat Flour + 1 Cup All Purpose Flour: Instead of using whole wheat pastry flour, I milled some hard white wheat berries and mixed the flour with 1 cup of all purpose flour. The biscuits made with this combination rose slightly higher than the version made with whole wheat pastry flour.
    However, they tasted more like bread and were less airy and crumbly.
  • 2 Cups Whole Wheat Flour: The version made with whole wheat flour rose to a similar height, looked almost the same, and had comparable earthy tones in taste with its version made with whole wheat pastry flour.
    However, while they weren’t bad, I thought the original version was softer and more crumbly.
Whole Wheat Biscuits made from whole wheat pastry flour placed on a plate with butter on the side

THE VERDICT – What Flour is Best for Biscuits?

I think the answer to this question depends on your personal preference. I personally liked the version made with whole wheat pastry flour. It was crumbly and very satisfying with its earthy flavors.

However, if the look is important to you and like your biscuits taller, then go with the one made with whole wheat and all purpose flours.

My least favorite one was the biscuits made with whole wheat flour. While they looked good, they were tougher and less crumbly.

Can I freeze these whole wheat biscuits and bake them later?

You absolutely can. As a matter of fact, I recommend doing so. During my testings, I found out that the additional resting time in the freezer yields biscuits that are slightly higher and more crumbly.
And let’s face it, what is better than freshly baked biscuits ready in 15 minutes on a Tuesday night?

To do so, freeze the cut out biscuits, uncovered, on the baking sheet until solid. Transfer them to a resealable plastic bag. You do NOT need to thaw them before baking. Instead, just bake a few minutes (no more than 2-3) more to the baking time.

What to do with the leftover whole wheat flour biscuits?

These homemade biscuits are best on the day that they are baked, which is why I only bake the amount I want to serve and freeze the rest.
However, if you have leftovers you can store them in an airtight container on the kitchen counter for one more day after they are fully cooled.

Are wheat biscuits healthy?

I am no doctor or nutritionist, but I think it is safe to say that these whole wheat pastry flour biscuits are healthier than store-bought biscuits, especially if you mill your own grains.

While I recommend consuming it in moderation, I think we can all agree on the fact that making them from scratch without any preservatives is much healthier than pre-made supermarket biscuits.

healthy biscuit recipe made with the flour made from komo mio mill

Other bread and biscuits recipes you might also like:

 

Whole wheat biscuits recipe
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Whole Wheat Biscuits Recipe

These light and fluffy Whole Wheat Biscuits are made with whole wheat pastry flour. They are ready in 25 minutes and perfect to serve along with any meal.
Course Bread
Cuisine American
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 27 minutes
Servings 8 biscuits
Calories 192kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 cups Whole Wheat Pastry Flour plus more for the surface and biscuit cutter
  • 2 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 6 tablespoons very cold unsalted butter
  • ¾ cup buttermilk cold

Instructions

  • Cut butter into small 1-inch cubes, place in a bowl and keep it in the freezer while you are preparing the rest of the ingredients.
  • Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl.
  • Add in the cold butter cubes into the mixture. Using a pastry cutter or a fork, work the butter into the flour just until it resembles coarse crumbs.
  • Pour in the buttermilk. Using a wooden spoon or your hands, mix until combined.
  • Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Gently work to dough to make it cohesive using your hands without overworking it. If it is too sticky add in some flour.
  • Once the dough is cohesive, pat it out into a rectangular.  Fold it in thirds and gently flatten. Rotate the dough 90 degrees and fold it again. Repeat the same process for one more time. Using a rolling pin, roll the dough into a rectangular that is 1 ¼ inch thick in height.
  • Dip a 2 ¾  inch round cutter into flour and then press it straight down into the dough. Transfer the biscuit onto a parchment line baking sheet with at least 1-inch space in between biscuits.
  • If you need it, dip the biscuit cutter in flour in between.
  • Repeat until you have 8 biscuits. *Read the post to what to do about the leftover dough.*
  • Place the biscuits in the freezer and preheat your oven to 450 degrees.
  • Bake in the oven for 12 minutes or until the top of the biscuits turn lightly golden brown.
  • If preferred, lightly brush them with butter as soon as they come out of the oven.
  • Serve them while they are still warm.

Video

Notes

* Alternatively, you can preheat your oven while you are making the biscuits and bake them right away. Please read the blog most for more information.

Nutrition

Calories: 192kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 25mg | Sodium: 345mg | Potassium: 139mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 300IU | Calcium: 97mg | Iron: 1mg

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No Knead Artisan Bread https://foolproofliving.com/no-knead-artisan-bread/ https://foolproofliving.com/no-knead-artisan-bread/#comments Fri, 02 Nov 2018 17:57:37 +0000 https://foolproofliving.com/?p=21128 In November 2006, the food writer Mark Bittman published a bread recipe in the New York Times that shook the world of bread bakers. The recipe, originally created by Jim Lahey of the Sullivan Street Bakery in Manhattan, was a no-knead bread that promised what many thought to be impossible: A crusty bread that is made with only 4 ingredients (flour, yeast, salt, and water) baked in a dutch oven...

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In November 2006, the food writer Mark Bittman published a bread recipe in the New York Times that shook the world of bread bakers. The recipe, originally created by Jim Lahey of the Sullivan Street Bakery in Manhattan, was a no-knead bread that promised what many thought to be impossible: A crusty bread that is made with only 4 ingredients (flour, yeast, salt, and water) baked in a dutch oven (heavy bottom cast iron skillet with a lid) without the need for kneading.

No Knead Artisan Bread photographed right out of oven

It wasn’t long after it was published that this homemade artisan bread recipe gained a cult following and raving fans. According to the New York Times, even to this day, Jim Lahey’s No Knead Bread remains as one of the most popular recipes of their website.

As the foodie that I am, I had heard about this no knead artisan bread recipe and the magic of baking bread in dutch oven, but never attempted baking it, mainly because I live in Vermont and I am spoiled with an amazing bakery right around the corner from where I live. Also, I am a little bit of intimidated when it comes to making bread.

No Knead Bread Recipe - Sliced rustic bread photographed from the top view.

However, when I saw an adapted version of it in Staub’s newly published cookbook, The Staub Cookbook (affiliate link), with an out-of-this-world photograph (similar to the very first photo on this post), I had to give it a try and see whether or not what everyone has been raving about was true.

It did not disappoint.

On my very first try, following the Staub’s recipe word by word, I was able to get the a bread that looks exactly like what you see in these photos. And here I would like to mention; I don’t consider myself as a bread baker or a person who enjoys the long process of creating crusty artisan bread that you see in foodie magazines.

But this recipe was different. For one thing, as the name suggests, there was almost no kneading needed. Second, the hands on time was no more than 15-20 minutes from start to finish. And lastly, all I needed was 4 ingredients (which is why some people refer to this bread as 4-Ingredient Bread in most websites and bread-baker circles).

However, like it is in anything in life, something had to give, and in this case, it was time (18-24 hours) and a dutch oven with a lid. If you have both, I guess it is not a bad compromise.

Intrigued? Read on…

How To Make Artisan Bread

I thought that it would be helpful to explain each step with helpful photographs. Therefore, below you will find step by step instructions as to how to make this crusty bread in your own kitchen with helpful tips.

Artisan Bread Ingredients – What is in this 4-Ingredient Bread Recipe?

4 ingredient bread recipe ingredients

Like I mentioned earlier, there are only 4 ingredients in this recipe and they are:

  • 3 cups of bread flour – I used King Arthur Flour
  • ¼ teaspoon active dry yeast – Fleischmanns’ active dry yeast
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt – Diamond kosher salt
  • 1 ⅓ cups lukewarm water – More on this below

If you a regular baker, you know that when it comes to baking you have to be very precise so I made it a point to share the brands that I used for my version of this no knead artisan bread recipe.

With that being said, as I was preparing for this recipe (reading through other people’s trials of this recipe) I learned that it is pretty “foolproof” and works with pretty much with every brand.

Please know that I am not being paid to refer these brands to you. Rather, my goal here is to be honest and helpful as you make it in your own kitchen.

What Does Lukewarm Water Mean?

While I was not able to find an exact definition to the meaning of “lukewarm” water, according to this article, if the water is warmer than your body temperature, meaning you touch it and feel like it is warm but not hot, then it is considered lukewarm.

In the context of this recipe, the ideal “lukewarm” temperature that worked in my testings was between 80 – 90 F degrees. If you have a digital thermometer handy, you can measure it, or if you don’t, you can do the feel test that I mentioned above.

Step By Step Instructions

Making Dutch Oven Bread steps - a woman is mixing flour and adding water
  1. Mix in the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl.
  2. Pour in 1 ⅓ cups (316 ml.) lukewarm water.
How To Make Crusty Bread - A woman is mixing dough in a bowl and letting it rise
  1. Give it a mix using a wooden spoon. At this point, the dough needs to be quite sticky. If it is not, after you fully mixed it, add in more water in 1-tablespoon increments. Alternatively, you can use your clean hands to mix and feel the stickiness.
    Here, I’d like to mention that before publishing it in here, I made this recipe for 4 times and I had never needed to add more than 1 additional tablespoon into the mix.
  2. Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel and let it sit in a warmer part of your house for 18-24 hours (quick trivia: due to this lengthy time of rising some people also refer to this bread as overnight bread) .
    In my tests, I found that the bread baked after 18 hours of rising time was perfect, but the 24-hour one was also good.
    One important thing to mention here is that at the end of the rising time you might see a thin (kind of hard – for the lack of a better word) layer at the top of the dough (as you can see in the picture (4) above). Don’t be alarmed by that. In the next step, we will fold that into the dough and since it is a sticky one, the additional rising time will help soften it.
Rustic Bread Recipe being prepared - risen bread dough photographed from two different angles
  1. Lightly flour your kitchen counter, gently remove the dough from the bowl, and place it onto your work surface. While removing, you will realize that it is quite sticky. However, if you take your time and gently pull it by folding it onto itself, you will see that it will come out easily without any dough remaining in the bowl.
    Form the dough into a ball tucking the sides of the dough under. Transfer the dough onto a large parchment paper, lightly dust with a little bit of flour, cover it with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise for 1-2 hours or until it doubles in size. Again, I recommend letting it sit in a warmer part of your house.
  2. Towards the end of the rising time, place your dutch oven in the oven and pre-heat it to 450 F degrees. I will talk about the type of ovens and dutch ovens that are ideal for this recipe in more detail below.
    When ready to bake, take the now-very hot dutch oven out of the oven. Using the edges of the parchment paper carefully place the dough into the dutch oven. Put the lid on and let it bake for 30 minutes. Then remove the lid and continue to bake another 20-30 minutes or until the top is nicely golden brown as you see in the photos.
    At the end of the baking, remove it from the dutch oven, place it onto a cooling rack and let it cool for 30-45 minutes before slicing.
Freshly baked No Knead Bread Dutch Oven

If you are still with me and are encouraged to give it a try, I want to answer a few more questions that I had when I first read this recipe: (1) What is the best size of the Dutch oven for this no knead bread? (2) Can I bake this in a smaller countertop oven? (3)The best temperature to bake this bread.

The Best Size of Dutch Oven for this No Knead Crusty Bread

When I shared one of the photos of this bread on my Instagram feed, someone asked about the size of my dutch oven, which was a question that I had as well.

The original recipe on The Staub Cookbook doesn’t specify a particular size other than saying “a medium cast iron cocoette”. But what does that mean, especially if you don’t own that same exact brand?

To find the answer, I made this bread in 2 different size dutch ovens.

The first one, the navy blue dutch oven you see in the photos, was a 3 ½ quarts Le Creuset dutch oven (affiliate link). In my opinion, this was the ideal size for this dutch oven bread as it fit perfectly into the cast iron skillet and maintained its shape throughout the baking process.

The second dutch oven I baked this easy artisan bread was this 6-quart Lodge dutch oven (affiliate link). The result with this one was just as good. Before I tried baking in this larger cast iron skillet, I thought that the bread would spread quite a bit during the process, but surprisingly it maintained its shape quite well. Yes, it did spread a little bit, but it wasn’t too noticeable.

I wanted share this as I wanted to let you know that you can still make this homemade artisan bread even if you don’t own “the right size” dutch oven.

Overnight Bread sliced and photographed with jam

Can I bake this in a smaller countertop oven instead of a large wall oven?

Let’s make one thing clear here. I believe that spreading a thick layer of butter onto a slice of this homemade rustic bread is quite a satisfactory feeling after waiting for 24 hours for it to rise. Not to mention seeing my husband’s face when he saw the freshly baked dough while it was cooling on the counter.

However, it was important to me to not to break the bank with a high power bill at the end of the month just to experience the aforementioned feeling of accomplishment. So, to see if this bread would also work in a smaller countertop style oven (this Wolf Gourmet countertop oven is the one I own – affiliate link), I baked it in it as well.

It worked perfectly, just as it did in the large wall oven. The only issue was that the larger 6-quart Lodge dutch oven didn’t fit into my countertop oven when the lid was on.

That is why, please know that (depending on your countertop oven) this is a good option if you have a smaller (3 ½ quart dutch oven).

Best Temperature to Bake Bread

The original recipe in The Staub Cookbook suggested baking this no-knead artisan bread in a pre-heated 475 F degree oven.

In my case, the issue was that the highest temperature that my countertop oven provided me with was 450 F degrees so I didn’t have an option but to bake it in 450 F degrees.

To my surprise, it worked perfectly.

Then on my third try, this time baking it in the large wall oven, I tried baking it in the same temperature (450 F degree), and again, it yielded a gorgeous loaf of crusty bread similar to what you see in the photos.

I wanted to mention this because this is the only change I made to the original recipe in the book. If you are not sure of your oven temperature, you can get an inexpensive digital oven thermometer (affiliate link) to make sure that it is providing you with the temperature you need.

How Long To Bake Bread

In all 4 of my testings, in both ovens, the bread baked under 1 hour. Like I mentioned earlier, I had the lid on in the first 30 minutes and then I removed it for the latter part of the baking process.

The second part of the baking process, without the lid on, took between 23-27 minutes. However, a good indication is by simply looking at the crust. If its golden brown, you are good to go.

no knead artisan bread recipe on a cutting board with a bread knife next to it.

A Few Last Minute Notes on The Best Artisan Bread

  • Can I freeze this bread? Yes, you can. Simply let it fully cool to room temperature, wrap it in a plastic bag, and store in your freezer up to a month. When ready, thaw it on the kitchen counter (in its packaging) until it reaches room temperature, and then reheat in a 350 F degree oven for 8-10 minutes.
  • Should I slice it before I freeze it? It is up to you whether you slice it or not. It is much easier to consume when sliced, but if you don’t seal the packaging properly, later you might run into freezer burn issues. So be sure to seal it well after you take the slices you need.
  • Can I make this bread with gluten-free or whole wheat flour?: I have not tried baking this no knead crusty bread using any other flour than bread flour, but from what I understand from a few articles I read on the internet, this recipe is not ideal if you are using gluten-free or whole wheat flour.
  • Do I need to grease the Dutch Oven before placing the dough into it?: No, you do not. The beauty of cast iron is that since it is so hot that it doesn’t let the dough stick to the pot. Plus, the parchment paper also helps.
  • Any decorations or scoring on top?: I haven’t tried scoring it in fun ways, but I saw a few people score the top with a sharp knife. So play around with it as you like.

Whether you are an avid bread baker or an amateur one like I am, I hope you found this post helpful and feel encouraged to give this easy no-knead bread recipe a try. As you make this recipe in your own kitchen, if you have any questions feel free to drop me a line via email or comment below. I’ll try to help as much as I can.

If you liked this homemade rustic bread recipe, you might also like

Great recipes to serve with this bread

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No Knead Artisan Bread Recipe Image
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No Knead Artisan Bread

No Knead Artisan Bread Recipe – This artisan style crusty bread gets its complex flavors and chewy interior from a 24 hour rising time. With only 4 ingredients, even the most intimidated baker can easily make this practically foolproof bread.
Course Bread
Cuisine American
Prep Time 1 day
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 day 1 hour
Servings 8 slices (1 Loaf)
Calories 170kcal

Ingredients

  • 3 cups (360 grams) of bread flour
  • ¼ teaspoon active dry yeast
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1 ⅓ cups (316 ml) lukewarm water*

Instructions

  • Mix in the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl.
  • Pour  in 1 ⅓ cups (316 ml.) lukewarm water.
  • Give it a mix using a wooden spoon. At this point, the dough needs to be quite sticky. If it is not, after you fully mixed it, add in more water in 1-tablespoon increments. Alternatively, you can use your clean hands to mix and feel the stickiness.
  • Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel and let it sit in a warmer part of your house for 18-24 hours.
  • Lightly flour your kitchen counter, gently remove the dough from the bowl, and place it onto your work surface. While removing, you will realize that it is quite sticky. However, if you take your time and gently pull it by folding it onto itself, you will see that it will come out easily without any dough remaining in the bowl.
  • Form the dough into a ball tucking the sides of the dough under. Transfer the dough onto a large parchment paper, lightly dust with a little bit of flour, cover it with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise for 1-2 hours or until it doubles in size. Again, I recommend letting it sit in a warmer part of your house.
  • Towards the end of the rising time, place your dutch oven in the oven and pre-heat it to 450 F degrees (230 C Degrees). 
  • When ready to bake, take the now-very hot dutch oven out of the oven. Using the edges of the parchment paper carefully place the dough into the dutch oven. Put the lid on and let it bake for 30 minutes. Then remove the lid and continue to bake another 20-30 minutes or until the top is nicely golden brown as you see in the photos.
  • At the end of the baking, remove it from the dutch oven, place it onto a cooling rack and let it cool for 30-45 minutes before slicing.

Notes

Please read the blog post for more details on the following:
  • the brands I used for this recipe
  • the type of dutch oven I used
  • the oven I baked it in.

Nutrition

Calories: 170kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 584mg | Potassium: 47mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Calcium: 7mg | Iron: 1mg

This recipe is adapted from the No Knead Cast Iron Skillet recipe on The Staub Cookbook.

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Flourless Chocolate Cupcakes https://foolproofliving.com/flourless-chocolate-cupcakes/ https://foolproofliving.com/flourless-chocolate-cupcakes/#comments Fri, 26 Oct 2018 17:25:42 +0000 https://foolproofliving.com/?p=21034 These past few weeks have brought some of Vermont’s finest autumn weather. The leaves are a kaleidoscope of eye-catching shades of fiery crimsons, bronzes and golds. I am savoring the rich mosaic of warming colors and the cool, crisp mornings while I can, so I mindfully take a few moments on even the busiest of days to step outside, knowing in just a few short weeks we’ll be in the...

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These past few weeks have brought some of Vermont’s finest autumn weather. The leaves are a kaleidoscope of eye-catching shades of fiery crimsons, bronzes and golds. I am savoring the rich mosaic of warming colors and the cool, crisp mornings while I can, so I mindfully take a few moments on even the busiest of days to step outside, knowing in just a few short weeks we’ll be in the throes of those shortened, bleak, colorless winter days.

Flourless Chocolate Cupcakes topped off with strawberries

These types of autumn days find me craving something sweet and substantial with my morning coffee. The smell of freshly baked goods seems to complement the bitter tones of the coffee and gives me a sense of comfort as the weather cools.

So, I wanted something that would accompany my morning coffee without competing, something that wasn’t too sweet, but with a richness of body and texture that would leave me pleasantly filled, yet not overwhelmed with flavor explosion. That’s when I came up with Flourless Chocolate Cupcakes.

flourless cupcakes topped off with chocolate and strawberries on a plate

Indulgences are a part of life, especially for anyone who loves to bake. My gluten-free chocolate cupcake recipe is rich and chocolate-y, but without being overly-sweet. These exceptionally moist cupcakes use almond flour in place of all purpose flour, making them a gluten free, heart-healthy option to regular cupcakes. I also use maple syrup instead of refined granulated sugar.

How To Make Chocolate Cupcakes

If I am being honest, I didn’t want to reinvent the wheel here so I chose to adapt this recipe from my Almond Flour Chocolate Cake. You can take a look at the comments from that recipe to get an idea of all the love that one got. Hopefully you will find plenty of love in this one as well!

As in all cupcake recipes, in this no flour cupcakes recipe, you first make the muffins and then the frosting.

Flourless chocolate muffins

To make the muffin part, I used the exact same recipe of my Almond Flour Chocolate Cake. The only difference is that instead of baking it in a 9-inch cake pan, I used a 12-cup muffin tin. Baking time was the same as well.

In my opinion, the best part of this recipe is that it doesn’t use any additional oils. Since it is made with almond flour, the high fat content of it is enough to create muffins that are moist and rich at the same time.

Additionally, it is naturally sweetened with less than a cup of maple syrup so it is not overly sweet.

gluten free chocolate cupcakes - ingredients are laid out
gluten free chocolate cupcake recipe

The process of making these flourless chocolate muffins has 3 folds:

First, you mix the dry ingredients; almond flour, unsweetened cocoa powder (not Dutch processed), baking soda, and kosher salt.

Then you mix the wet ingredients; eggs, maple syrup, and vanilla extract.

Last but not least, you stir in the wet ingredients into the dry ones and divide the batter evenly in a 12-cup muffin tin. Then you bake them in a 325 F degree preheated oven for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in one of the muffins comes out clean.

Frosting for flourless cupcakes

While you can certainly use a cream cheese and butter based frosting (and it would taste amazing), I went for a simple chocolate frosting. When I say simple, I mean that quite literally.

To frost my flourless chocolate muffins, I melted some unsweetened baking chocolate in a glass bowl placed over boiling water and added a few tablespoons of maple syrup to sweeten it.

I used unsweetened chocolate so that I can adjust the amount of sweetness and use a natural sweetener (maple syrup) to make sure that the (maple) flavor is consistent throughout my gluten free chocolate cupcake recipe.

I topped it off with some fresh strawberries for a pop of color and additional sweetness. However, you can use any other fruit you have on hand or just serve it without the fruit.

flourless chocolate muffins photographed in the muffin tin

moist gluten free chocolate cupcakes on a plate

Alternatively, if you prefer a more traditional cupcake with frosting here are a few suggestions:

  • Maple Whipped Cream and Fruit: Similar to what I did with my Almond Flour Chocolate Cake, you can top if off with maple whipped cream and fruit (pomegranate seeds, strawberries, and raspberries are my favorite fruits for this flourless cupcake)
    I know that this is not a traditional frosting per say, but I promise it works.
  • Cream Cheese Frosting: If you prefer more of a traditional frosting, then you can try my friend Alana’s Cream Cheese Frosting recipe. While it is not naturally sweetened (she uses powdered sugar), it is creamy and tangy without being overly sweet.
    Plus in her post, she shares various flavorings using the same cream cheese frosting recipe as the base.
gluten free chocolate cupcakes placed on a plate from the top view

A Few Tips for the Best Ever Chocolate Cupcakes

  • Best Way To Store: Since these muffins are super moist, I recommend storing the leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container up to 2 (max 3) days. You can store them on the kitchen counter too, but I prefer keeping them in the fridge and warming them up in the microwave for 10-15 seconds before I am ready to serve. You can top it off with the frosting right before serving.
  • Can I freeze these flourless chocolate muffins: Yes, you can. Just be sure to bring them to room temperature and store them in an airtight container. They should be fine for 2-3 weeks in the freezer. You don’t need to thaw them before serving. Simply take them out from the freezer an hour before you plan to serve and top it off with the frosting. Alternatively, you can warm them up in the oven (low-temperature 250 F degree) for 5-10 minutes and frost them afterward.
  • Can I substitute maple syrup with honey: Yes, you can. Though I recommend using ½ cup of honey as ¾ cup was way too sweet. Though feel free to adjust it to your liking.
  • Can I use homemade DIY almond flour (or almond meal) for this recipe: Absolutely! As a matter of fact, I made the almond flour I used in this recipe in my food processor using almonds I blanched myself. If you want to learn more about making your own, check out my comprehensive guide on How To Make Almond Flour.

I think this covers it all. I hope you will add these easy gluten-free chocolate cupcakes in your desserts without flour collection and give them a try soon.

If You Liked This No Flour Cupcakes Recipe, You Might Also Like

Flourless Chocolate Cupcake Recipe Image
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Easy Chocolate Desserts - A Reader Favorite: Flourless Chocolate Cupcakes

I can't imagine a better recipe than this Flourless Chocolate Cupcakes when it comes to quick and easy chocolate desserts. Made in one bowl with almond flour and sweetened with maple syrup, they are gluten free.
Course Cupcakes
Cuisine American
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings 12 cupcakes
Calories 218kcal

Ingredients

For The Cake:

  • 1 tablespoon coconut oil to grease the pan
  • 1 ¼ cups (4.22 oz.) almond flour
  • ½ cup (1.5 oz.)unsweetened cocoa powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 4 large eggs at room temperature
  • ¾ cup + 2 tablespoons maple syrup
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

For The Chocolate Frosting:

  • 4 oz. unsweetened baking chocolate cut into small pieces
  • 2 tablespoons of maple syrup or more to taste
  • 1 cup fresh strawberries sliced

Instructions

  • Pre-heat the oven to 325 F degrees. Spray/brush a 12-cup muffin pan generously with coconut oil and line it with muffin liners. Set aside.
  • To make the batter: Mix together the almond flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl. In a separate mixing bowl, beat the eggs. Add in the maple syrup and vanilla extract and whisk until fully combined.
  • Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and whisk until thoroughly combined.
  • Pour the batter into the greased muffin tin. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Set aside to cool for 20-30 minutes before frosting.
  • Meanwhile, to make the chocolate frosting, bring a cup of water in a small pot. Place a heat-proof glass bowl over the pot. Place the chocolate and maple syrup in it. Using a wood spatula, mix until chocolate melts completely.* Taste for sweetness and add in if necessary.
  • Spoon the frosting over the flourless chocolate muffins and garnish them with strawberries.
  • Serve immediately.

Notes

  • Alternatively, you can melt the chocolate in the microwave. To do so, place the chopped chocolate in a glass bowl and melt the chocolate in the microwave in two to three 20-second intervals. Be sure to stir in between. Stir the maple syrup at the very end.

Nutrition

Calories: 218kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 55mg | Sodium: 173mg | Potassium: 217mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 79IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 71mg | Iron: 3mg

Shop The Tools I Used In This Flourless Chocolate Cupcake Recipe

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Pumpkin Oatmeal Muffins (Maple-Sweetened) https://foolproofliving.com/pumpkin-oatmeal-muffins/ https://foolproofliving.com/pumpkin-oatmeal-muffins/#comments Wed, 12 Sep 2018 14:19:01 +0000 https://foolproofliving.com/?p=11121 For those of us living in the New England area, autumn is fully here. The leaves have already started changing their colors, and cool mornings are the new norm. For me, this means one thing: the Baking season is officially here. Today, I am opening the baking season with one of my favorite healthy pumpkin muffin recipe. These Pumpkin Oatmeal Breakfast Muffins are my second go-to basic pumpkin muffin recipe...

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For those of us living in the New England area, autumn is fully here. The leaves have already started changing their colors, and cool mornings are the new norm. For me, this means one thing: the Baking season is officially here.

Today, I am opening the baking season with one of my favorite healthy pumpkin muffin recipe. These Pumpkin Oatmeal Breakfast Muffins are my second go-to basic pumpkin muffin recipe that I use whenever I crave an autumn-inspired muffin with my morning cup of joe.

The first favorite one, if you are wondering, is Paleo Pumpkin Muffins with Almond Flour.

Healthy Pumpkin Oatmeal Muffins in a plate photographed from the top view

How To Make Pumpkin Muffins

For one thing, as you will see in the video below, this pumpkin muffin recipe is stupidly easy to make. I love that it doesn’t require a mixer, and everything happens in one big mixing bowl. Plus, instead of butter and sugar, I used coconut oil and maple syrup, so it is healthier than oil and sugar-packed muffins.

Healthy Pumpkin Muffin Recipe in muffin tin from the top view

The process of making this healthy pumpkin muffin recipe has 3 folds:

First, you start by mixing the wet ingredients in a large bowl.

Second, you gently fold in the dry ingredients, including whole wheat flour (all-purpose would work as well) and rolled oats.

Last but not least, you divide the batter into parchment-lined muffin tins and bake in the oven for 25 minutes or so.

As I mentioned earlier, they are simple, easy, and quick to make. Below is a quick HOW-TO Video (50 seconds):

How To Store these Maple Pumpkin Muffins:

These muffins are good on the next day, but I usually keep them in an airtight container in the fridge and lightly warm them up in the microwave for a few seconds before I am ready to serve them in the morning.

Healthy Pumpkin Breakfast Muffins with Coconut oil on a plate scattered

A Few Notes To Help You Make The Best Pumpkin Oatmeal Breakfast Muffins

  • If you are a fan of the pumpkin and chocolate combination, feel free to fold in 3/4 cups of chocolate chips at the end.
  • If you prefer or are out of maple syrup, you can swap it with honey.
  • If you are not a fan of rolled oats, you can just omit them. It will still turn out great.
  • If you make your own homemade pumpkin puree, you can swap it with its canned version. If you want to try a good recipe, this pumpkin puree is my favorite.
  • Freezing Options: These muffins freeze well. To do so, let them cool to room temperature, place them in an airtight container or a Ziploc bag, and place them in the freezer. To serve, you can warm them up in a microwave for 30 seconds or in a preheated 300-degree oven for 5 minutes or so without the need to thaw.
A woman is holding a oatmeal pumpkin muffin in her hand

If You Liked These Easy Pumpkin Muffins, You Might Also Like:

Other Pumpkin Recipes You Might Like

Maple-Sweetened Pumpkin Oat Muffins Recipe - A healthier pumpkin muffin recipe made with whole wheat flour and rolled oats and sweetened only with maple syrup.
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Pumpkin Oatmeal Muffins Recipe

Looking for a simple and basic Pumpkin Muffins Recipe? If so, I've got you covered! These Healthy Pumpkin Oatmeal Muffins are made with whole wheat flour and rolled oats and sweetened with maple syrup. Everything comes together in one bowl and is ready for baking in less than 15 minutes.
Course Breakfast
Cuisine American
Diet Vegetarian
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings 11 muffins
Calories 202kcal

Ingredients

  • 1/3 cup coconut oil melted and cooled
  • ½ cup maple syrup at room temperature
  • 2 large eggs at room temperature
  • 1 cup pumpkin puree I used canned pumpkin puree
  • ¼ cup unsweetened almond milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon pumpkin spice
  • 1 ¾ cups whole-wheat flour 9.625 oz.
  • 1/3 cup rolled oats plus more as garnish
  • 2 tablespoons pumpkin seeds or pecans optional

Instructions

Preheat the oven:

  • Pre-heat the oven to 325 F degrees. Line a 12-muffin tin with muffin liners and lightly spray the pan with oil spray. Set aside.

Prepare the wet ingredients:

  • Whisk together the coconut oil, maple syrup, and eggs in a bowl. Stir in the pumpkin puree, almond milk, and vanilla extract.

Prepare the dry ingredients:

  • Add in the salt, baking soda, cinnamon, and pumpkin spice. Whisk until all ingredients are completely incorporated.

Mix them together:

  • Add in the flour and oats. Fold in the dry ingredients into wet ingredients just until they are combined.

Scoop into a muffin tin and bake:

  • Using a large spoon or an ice cream scoop, fill each muffin tin with the batter. You should end up with 11 muffins.
  • Sprinkle each muffin with rolled oats and nuts( if using).
  • Bake in the oven for 24-26 minutes.
  • Let it cool for 10 minutes and serve.

Video

Notes

  • If you are a fan of pumpkin and chocolate combination, feel free to fold in 3/4 cups of chocolate chips at the end.
  • If you prefer or out of maple syrup, you can swap it with honey.
  • If you are not a fan of rolled oats, you can just omit them. It will still turn out great.
  • Freezing Options: These muffins freeze well. To do so, let them cool to room temperature, place them in an airtight container or a Ziploc bag, and place in the freezer. To serve, you can warm them up in a microwave for 30 seconds or in a preheated 300-degree oven for 5 minutes or so without the need to thaw.

Nutrition

Calories: 202kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 30mg | Sodium: 227mg | Potassium: 183mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 3510IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 41mg | Iron: 1mg

Adapted (with minor changes) from this Cookie+Kate’s Healthy Pumpkin Muffins, which was adapted from this Banana Bread recipe.

Maple-Sweetened Pumpkin Oat Muffins Recipe - A healthier pumpkin muffin recipe made with whole wheat flour and rolled oats and sweetened only with maple syrup.

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Heirloom Tomato Ricotta Tart https://foolproofliving.com/tomato-ricotta-tart/ https://foolproofliving.com/tomato-ricotta-tart/#comments Sun, 10 Jun 2018 19:44:55 +0000 https://foolproofliving.com/?p=19473 This post is sponsored by ABRAMS Books, as a part of the ABRAMS Dinner Party, but as always all opinions are my own. The recipe for this Tomato Ricotta Tart is adapted with changes from What’s Gaby Cooking’s new cookbook Everday California. I was provided a copy of the book by Abram’s. It is hard to believe that our Vermont Food Photography and Styling Workshop is already come and gone....

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This post is sponsored by ABRAMS Books, as a part of the ABRAMS Dinner Party, but as always all opinions are my own. The recipe for this Tomato Ricotta Tart is adapted with changes from What’s Gaby Cooking’s new cookbook Everday California. I was provided a copy of the book by Abram’s.

It is hard to believe that our Vermont Food Photography and Styling Workshop is already come and gone. After I dropped my partner-in-crime, Bea at the train station, on my way back home, I couldn’t help but to think the nature of these types of activities. They usually take months of preparation and then go by so quickly. I find it somewhat unfair that the concept of time between the prep and the actual event are so different from one another.

Tomato Ricotta Tart sliced with a knife on the side

I am still in the process of putting together the hundreds of photos I took from the workshop and plan on sharing some of them here. However, I wanted to quickly pop by and share this Heirloom Tomato Ricotta Tart that Bea and I made as a preparation to our workshop. The styling here is Bea’s incredible work and photos are taken by me.

This is a beautiful savory ricotta and cherry tomato tart that is perfect for summer. I personally plan on making it my go-to summer brunch dish especially after I am able to find the candy-like cherry tomatoes that our local farmer’s markets are known for here in Vermont.

Ricotta and Cherry Tomato tart garnished with purple basil and a knife on the side

How To Make Tomato Ricotta Tart:

The recipe has 4 folds:

  1. Make the crust & bake it
  2. Make the filling
  3. Prep the topping
  4. Assemble

While the recipe below looks long, the process is pretty straightforward. Like it is with most tart recipes, you have to wait a little bit for the dough to come together and then bake, but the rest is pretty easy.

What I personally love about this recipe is the ricotta filling. It is made by mixing ricotta with parmesan, cream cheese, lemon zest, juice, salt and pepper. I love it because its flavors lend themselves so well with the juicy summer-y tomatoes.

Tomato Ricotta Pie as a whole from the top

A Few Notes on the Recipe

  • If you want, you can make this tomato ricotta tart recipe a day in advance. However, I recommend preparing all the components of the recipe (crust, filling and topping), keeping them separately in the fridge, and then baking the crust and assembling it on the day of serving.
  • The leftovers can be kept in an airtight container in the fridge upto 2 days.
  • I have not tried this, but I bet an addition of small cubed ripe avocados would take this tart to the next level. Just saying.

Other brunch recipes you might like

If you like this Tomato Ricotta Tart recipe, you might also like the following recipes. Some of these are from my archives while the others are from some of my favorite blogger friends:

Tomato Ricotta Tart Recipe
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Tomato Ricotta Tart

Buttery tart crust filled with ricotta, parmesan, and cream cheese and then topped off with juicy tomatoes, fresh basil and oregano leaves, this Heirloom Tomato Ricotta Tart is not only visually appealing, but also incredibly delicious.
Course Brunch
Cuisine American
Prep Time 45 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings 8 slices
Calories 351kcal

Ingredients

For The Tart Dough:

  • 3 tablespoons almond flour/meal
  • 1 ¼ cups (155 grams) all-purpose flour, plus more for rolling
  • Pinch of salt
  • ½ cup (155 grams) unsalted butter, cold
  • 2-4 tablespoons ice-cold water

For The Ricotta Filling:

  • 1 cup (245 grams) fresh ricotta cheese, at room temperature
  • 4 ounces (115 grams) cream cheese, at room temperature
  • ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice

For the topping:

  • 2 cups tomatoes I used a combination of cherry and heirloom tomatoes
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon black Pepper¼ cup leaves of fresh basil loosely packed
  • 2 tablespoons fresh oregano leaves
  • 1 tablespoons Pine nuts optional

Instructions

To make the tart dough:

  • Combine almond flour, all-purpose flour, and salt in a large bowl. Using your hands, cut the cold butter into flour mixture. Add the cold water, starting with 2 tablespoons, stirring with a wooden spoon and gradually adding as much water as you need to make the dough moist. At this point, you want the dough to stick together easily. Turn it into a piece of plastic and shape it into 4-inch disk. Cover tightly and refrigerate for 30 minutes to an hour.

To make the ricotta filling:

  • Using a rubber spatula, combine ricotta, cream cheese, and parmesan in a bowl. Fold in the lemon zest and juice. Season it with ½ teaspoon kosher salt and ¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper.

To assemble the tart:

  • Remove dough from the fridge. If it is too cold, let it sit on the counter for a few minutes. Remove the plastic. Using a rolling pin, roll it into 11-inch circle on a well floured surface. Place the dough into 9-inch tart pan with a removable bottom making sure the dough is evenly distributed throughout the pan. Using your fingers be sure to push the dough in the corners of the pan. Trim the sides. Prick the bottom of the tart all over with a fork. Place it in the freezer for 15 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 400 F degrees (205 C degrees).
  • Remove the tart pan from the freezer. Place a sheet of parchment paper on top and fill it with dried beans (or pie weights). Place in the oven for 15 minutes, then remove the beans and parchment paper and bake for another 20-25 minutes, until lightly golden brown. Let it cool on a cooling rack for at least 15 minutes before filling.

To make the filling:

  • Half or quarter the tomatoes and place it in a bowl. Stir in the olive oil, salt and pepper.

To Assemble the Tart:

  • Remove the tart from the pan and place it onto a large dish. Spread the ricotta filling evenly over the top smoothing the top with a spatula (or back of a spoon). Top it with tomato filling, garnish with basil, oregano, and pine nuts (if preferred). As a last touch, sprinkle with some more salt and freshly cracked pepper.

Notes

  • Make ahead: If you want, you can make this tomato ricotta tart recipe a day in advance. However, I recommend preparing all the components of the recipe (crust, filling and topping), keeping them separately in the fridge, and then baking the crust and assembling it on the day of serving.
  • Store Leftovers: The leftovers can be kept in an airtight container in the fridge upto 2 days.

Nutrition

Calories: 351kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Cholesterol: 67mg | Sodium: 317mg | Potassium: 192mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 1067IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 182mg | Iron: 2mg

This recipe has been adapted from What’s Gaby Cooking: Everyday California Food cookbook with a few minor changes to the original recipe.

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Savory Cornbread Muffins with Cheddar and Scallions https://foolproofliving.com/cornbread-muffins/ https://foolproofliving.com/cornbread-muffins/#comments Sun, 07 Jan 2018 15:23:44 +0000 https://foolproofliving.com/?p=15887 The incredibly cold weather continues to rule our lives. This morning, I had my first ever frost bite when I mistakenly forgot my gloves at home. I was on my way to the supermarket and in that 3-minute short walk from my car to the store, my hands got all cracked. It was -10 F degrees, but felt like -24. Needless to say, it was a lesson learned. After this...

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The incredibly cold weather continues to rule our lives. This morning, I had my first ever frost bite when I mistakenly forgot my gloves at home. I was on my way to the supermarket and in that 3-minute short walk from my car to the store, my hands got all cracked. It was -10 F degrees, but felt like -24.

Needless to say, it was a lesson learned. After this experience, my husband and I decided to not leave the house unless we have to until the temperatures rise. Currently, I have a big pot of this Three Bean Turkey Chili on the stovetop simmering and these corn muffins are in the oven baking.

A basket full of freshly baked savory corn muffins along with a few half eaten ones are photographed from the top view.

How To Make Cornbread Muffins

I don’t know about you, but for me what I serve with my chili is just as important as the chili itself. If I am being honest, I just can’t think of a better accompaniment than these moist cornbread muffins. They are flavored with sharp cheddar, scallions, and fresh corn. With every bite you get a little bit of each of those ingredients making it extra rich and flavorful.

A basket full of freshly baked savory cornbread muffins are photographed from the front view.

The process for making this Savory Cornbread muffin recipe has 3 folds:

First, you mix the wet ingredients, melted butter, milk, eggs and honey, in a bowl. Second, you mix the dry ingredients, whole-wheat flour, corn meal, baking powder, and salt and pepper, in another bowl. Finally, you mix them together and add in the flavor agents, corn, scallions and cheddar cheese.

Once your corn bread muffin batter is ready, I recommend using an ice cream scoop to fill the muffin tins so that all your muffins will be similar in size and bake evenly.

I know a lot of people love Jiffy Cornbread Muffin mix, and believe me, I used to be one of them. However, I promise you, my version here, cornbread from scratch, just as good, if not better. And the best part is that the recipe below includes none of the hard-to-read ingredients in their mixes. You know what goes in there and the process is not much different. So I say, we all have no excuse but to make our own.

Three Bean Turkey Chili placed next to this corn bread muffin recipe
Three Bean Turkey Chili Recipe
Chocolate chili to serve with corn muffins
Spicy Vegan Chocolate Chili

How To Make Cornbread Moist

As you can see, making this savory cornbread muffin recipe is not hard, but there is nothing more frustrating than taking the time to make them from scratch just to end up with dry muffins. Here are my 3 tips to make the best moist corn muffins:

  1. Add fat to the batter: Most corn muffin recipes use moistening agents like heavy cream, melted butter, sour cream, yogurt or milk in their batter. That is because the addition of fat makes cornbread more rich and moist. In my version of the corn muffin recipe here, I used melted butter, milk, and cheddar cheese as the additional fat. All those three ingredients has ample amount of fat that gave the end product a nice moist texture.
  2. Let the batter rest: Now I know I have been saying that this is a quick corn muffin recipe to make, but if you have time, I recommend letting the batter sit on the counter for at least 30 minutes. If you want, you can also make the batter in the evening and keep it in the fridge in an airtight container to bake the next day.
    The time spent resting allows the batter absorb available moisture from the batter, making corn meal swell and soften, which results in a moister corn bread muffins.
  3. Let them cool in a well ventilated area to stop the baking process: The recipe below suggests baking time of 22-25 minutes. Here, it is important that you take them out and let them cool in a well ventilated area to stop the baking process. I would even recommend taking them out of the tin and letting them cool on a rack as soon as you can handle them. This way they will not have a chance to dry out.

A Few Notes On This Healthy Cornbread Recipe

  • When you are filling the muffin tins, be sure to fill them all the way up. If you end up with more batter, bake them as a second batch.
  • These savory cornbread muffins would be fresh up to 3 days if kept in an airtight container on the kitchen counter.
  • This recipe uses only a teaspoon sweetener (honey). If you would rather make sweeter cornbread, I would recommend giving this Jalapeno and Scallion Cornbread recipe a try instead.
  • If you prefer to freeze these cornmeal muffins, you can do so after they are baked and fully cooled. Simply place them in an airtight container and keep in the freezer up to a month. When ready to serve, thaw them on the counter for half an hour and heat in a preheated 250 degree oven for 10-15 minutes.
  • You can use fresh, frozen or canned corn. If you decide to use frozen corn, let it thaw on the counter for 20 minutes and be sure to drain any of the liquid it generates as it is thawing. And if you are using canned corn, again, be sure to drain it before adding it into the batter.
  • When I want to switch things up, I sometimes add a half a cup of chopped fresh dill into the recipe. If you are a lover of dill, I recommend giving it a try.
  • While I usually serve this as an accompaniment to my chilis (like you see in the above photos), or recently, with this Vegetable Beef Soup, these cornbread muffins also make a great savory breakfast muffin to serve along with egg dishes or even just by itself with some butter and jam.

 

A basket full of freshly baked cornbread muffins are photographed from the front view.
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Savory Cornbread Muffins

Moist and Savory Cornbread Muffins made from scratch and flavored with scallions, sharp cheddar, and corn kernels. It comes together in less than 15-minutes and bakes in less than half an hour.
Course Bread
Cuisine American
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings 12 muffins
Calories 229kcal

Ingredients

  • 4 ounces (113 gr.) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
  • ¾ cup (180ml) whole milk, at room temperature
  • 2 large eggs at room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • 1 ¼ cups (155 gr) whole-wheat flour
  • 1 cup (180gr) fine-grind cornmeal
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 2 teaspoons Kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
  • 2 cups fresh or frozen and thawed corn kernels
  • 1 cup (55 gr) scallions, sliced, from a small bunch
  • 1 cup 4 oz / 115 gr sharp Cheddar cheese, grated and divided
  • Handfull of dill as garnish (optional)

Instructions

  • Pre-heat the oven to 425 degrees. Line a lightly greased 12-muffin pan with liners and set aside.
  • In a medium size mixing bowl, whisk together butter, milk, eggs, and honey until fully combined. Set aside.
  • In another mixing bowl, mix together whole-wheat flour, cornmeal, baking powder, salt, and pepper.
  • Add in the wet ingredients into the dry ones and mix until combined. You should have a smooth but mildly thick batter.
  • Stir in the corn, scallions and ½ cup of the cheese. Divide the batter evenly among the prepared muffin cups.
  • Sprinkle each muffin with the rest of the cheese.
  • Bake until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the middle of a muffin comes out clean, 22-25 minutes.
  • Cool in the pan for 5 minutes and then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
  • Garnish with dill (if preferred) and serve.

Notes

  • As I mentioned in the post, I serve them with soups and chilis. I personally like them when they are still warm, but they are very good when they are at room temperature. Additionally, they make the best savory breakfast muffins that you can serve with butter and jam.
  • These muffins would be fresh up to 3 days if kept in an airtight container.
  • If you prefer to freeze, you can do so after they are baked and fully cooled. Simply place them in an airtight container and keep in the freezer up to a month. When ready to serve, thaw them on the counter for half an hour and heat in a pre-heated 250 degree oven for 10-15 minutes.

Nutrition

Calories: 229kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 59mg | Sodium: 575mg | Potassium: 193mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 796IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 179mg | Iron: 2mg

About Healthyish: A Cookbook with Seriously Satisfying, Truly Simple, Good-For-You (but not too Good-For-You) Recipes for Real Life

This recipe has been adapted from Healthyish: A Cookbook with Seriously Satisfying, Truly Simple, Good-For-You (but not too Good-For-You) Recipes for Real Life. I did make a few minor changes to the original recipe, like swapping sugar with honey and adding dill into the recipe as garnish. I love this book, as it’s title suggests, it is full of healtyish and do-able recipes with ingredients that are readily available in most well-stocked pantries. I have already made over 5 dishes from the book and they were all very good. As a matter of fact, I’ll be featuring another one next week. The book is coming out on January 9th, 2018 and I cannot recommend it enough if you are looking for creative ways to change up your cooking.

This recipe is adapted (with minor changes) from Healthyish, which will come out on January 9th, 2018. A copy of the book was sent to me by the publisher, Abrams, as a part of their Abrams Dinner Party. As always, all opinions listed below are mine.

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How To Make Apple Roses {VIDEO} https://foolproofliving.com/how-to-make-apple-roses/ https://foolproofliving.com/how-to-make-apple-roses/#comments Wed, 13 Dec 2017 15:31:03 +0000 https://foolproofliving.com/?p=15593 This post is sponsored by Autumn Glory Apples, but as always all opinions are my own. One of the highlights of this past October was my trip to Yakima, Washington. I was there as a part of an influencers group to visit the orchards of Autumn Glory Apples. I had been to Seattle before, but this was my first time in this part of the State. You might remember, I...

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This post is sponsored by Autumn Glory Apples, but as always all opinions are my own.

One of the highlights of this past October was my trip to Yakima, Washington. I was there as a part of an influencers group to visit the orchards of Autumn Glory Apples. I had been to Seattle before, but this was my first time in this part of the State.

How to Make Apple Roses - Showcasing 3 finished apple roses from the top view.

You might remember, I shared these Cheesy Apple Bites and Overnight Apple Muesli using Autumn Glory Apples last year. So to get the opportunity to see how they were harvested, picked, sorted, and packaged was very exciting. And it didn’t disappoint. In just a short 2-days time, I got a chance to meet with some very hard working farmers, made new friendships with other influencers, learned a lot about harvesting apples, and not so surprisingly, ate my weight in apples.

Puff Pastry Apple Roses - Showcasing the leaves of freshly baked apple roses served on small plates.

So when folks over at Autumn Glory Apples asked me to share a recipe using their apples, I wanted a dish that showcases and highlights not only the cinnamon and caramel notes of these apples, but also be easy enough for everyone to be able to make for any special occasion.

Though before I dive deep into this apple puff pastry roses and show you how to make apple roses like a pro, I want to share a few photos from my trip to Yakima.

The Inspiration Behind These Puff Pastry Apple Roses – Autumn Glory Apples Orchards

View of Autumn Glory Apple Orchards

Look, I have been to apple picking before. As a matter of fact, it was one of my favorite activities growing up. When I was a little girl, my dad would take me to local orchards every October. I would sit on his shoulders and we would pick apples together. However, this girl has never picked apples with a view like the one you see below. They called it the Sunrise Orchard Tour.

A Sunset photo from Yakima Washington.

And believe me, the photos you see here do not do justice to how magical it was. Sun coming up from the horizon with its reflections falling off on the apples we were about to pick.

Showcasing the beautiful orchards of Autumn Glory Apples in Yakima Washington.
A woman in Yakima Washington is photographed as she is about to pick an apple.

After we all took a million photos, the farmers gave us a quick how-to demonstration on picking apples. There, I learned that the right way to pick apples is to rotate the fruit upwards and gently twist, instead of pulling it down. They also talked about how important it is to make sure that the branches and leaves are still intact as this helps keep the trees in great shape and ensure steady fruit production.

Showcasing apple picking photos from my trip to Yakima Washington.

Next, we went to their warehouse facility, where they wash, sort, store, and package the apples. Seeing the amount of work and organization that went into putting the apples on the shelves of the supermarket was truly a great learning experience.

Now onto the recipe…

How to make puff pastry apple roses - Showcasing freshly baked apple roses served on small plates.

I don’t know if there is any recipe on this blog that looks this pretty and is this easy to make at the same time. Essentially, they are sliced apples baked in puff pastry.

When I was testing the recipe, I had a friend over and had him taste one of these right after a whole tray of it came out of the oven. After he finished two of them in less than 5 minutes, he said that these apple roses are like your own individual apple pies.

I cannot agree more with that statement.

How To Make Apple Roses Video Without The Need of A Microwave – (1 minute 8 seconds)

A Few Tips for Making The Best Puff Pastry Apple Roses:

  • Most apple roses recipes online use a microwave to pre-cook the apple slices so that they would be pliable. In my recipe, I used my oven instead as we don’t have a microwave. However, if you prefer using your microwave, feel free to place them in a bowl and microwave for 3-4 minutes instead.
  • It is important that the apple slices are as thin as possible (ideally ⅛ inches) and that they are similar in size. I used a sharp knife, but if you have a mandoline, feel free to use that to slice the apples.
  • Like it is with most puff pastry recipes, these apple roses pastry is best on the day it is baked. If you are serving it to a small crowd, I would recommend baking just a few of them and keeping the rest in the fridge in an airtight container. They would be good up to 2 days.
  • On my first try, I thought that the high butter content in the puff pastry sheet would be enough to prevent the roses from sticking to the muffin tin, but it wasn’t. It was so hard to get them out without ruining the bottom parts. Therefore, it is imperative to butter (or vegetable spray would work too) the muffin tin before placing the roses in the cups.
  • I always find that a melon baller is a great tool to core apples. If you have one, give it a try.
  • The recipe below is for 6 apple roses, but feel free to double the recipe. If you do so, you might have to bake it 5-6 more minutes. However, keep a close eye on it after the 40-minute mark.
  • If you want you can make these one day ahead. Simply roll the roses, place them in muffin cups, cover with stretch film, and store in the fridge until you are ready to make.
How To Make Baked Apples in Puff Pastry - Showcasing Autumn Glory Apples
How to make apple roses pastry - Freshly baked apple roses are photographed on small plates.

If You Liked this Apple Roses Recipe, You Might Also Like

apple roses on a plate from the top view
Print

How To Make Apple Roses Recipe {VIDEO}

Are you ready to learn How To Make Apple Roses?
Whether you are celebrating the holidays, trying to impress your significant other for Valentine’s Day, or throwing a surprise baby shower for your best friend, these apple roses are the perfect dessert to get the job done.
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings 6 apple roses
Calories 340kcal

Ingredients

  • 2-3 medium sized apples you need 60-70 1/8 -inch slices
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter divided, melted, and cooled
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice freshly squeezed
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 3 tablespoons apricot preserves I used one made with cane sugar
  • 1 tablespoon coconut sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon divided
  • Pinch of ground nutmeg
  • 1 9 1/2 by 9-inch sheet puff pastry, defrosted overnight in the fridge

Instructions

  • Pre-heat the oven to 375 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
  • Core the apples and slice them as thin as you can (ideally ⅛-inches). They don’t have to perfect. As long as they are thin, you should be fine.
  • Place thin apple slices, 1 tablespoon butter, lemon juice, and salt in a bowl. Toss to coat.
  • Spread apples on the baking sheet in a single layer and bake until softened, about 10 minutes. They should be pliable. Set aside to cool. They should be cool enough to comfortably handle before placing on the puff pastry.
  • Do not turn the oven off.
  • Use 1 tablespoon of the butter to grease the muffin tray. Set aside.  
  • Mix together the coconut sugar and the remaining ½ teaspoon cinnamon, and nutmeg in a bowl. Set aside.
  • On a lightly floured counter, roll pastry into 12 by 10-inch rectangle with short side parallel towards yourself.
  • Brush the puff pastry with apricot preserves. Sprinkle it with coconut sugar-cinnamon-nutmeg mixture.
  • Using a pizza wheel or a knife, cut pastry lengthwise into 6 strips. Each strip should be 10 by 2-inches. * Watch the quick video above for a visual on this.*
  • Working one strip at a time, place 10-12 slices of apples, peel side out, overlapping each other, leaving 1 inch border of dough along the bottom. Fold the bottom inch of dough onto the apples, leaving top of apple slices exposed. Using the rest of the butter, lightly brush the bottom pastry and roll dough into a pinwheel. Place in the muffin pan apple side up.
  • Continue with the rest of the sheets..
  • Bake until golden brown for 40-45 minutes, rotating the muffin pan halfway through the baking process.
  • Remove the apple roses from the muffin pan on a wire rack and let them cool for 10 minutes.
  • Serve.

Video

Notes

  • Slice apples thinly for the best results: It is important that the apple slices are as thin as possible (ideally ⅛ inches) and that they are similar in size. I used a sharp knife, but if you have a mandoline, feel free to use that to slice the apples.
  • They are best on the day they are baked: Like it is with most puff pastry recipes, these apple roses pastry is best on the day it is baked. If you are serving it to a small crowd, I would recommend baking just a few of them and keeping the rest in the fridge in an airtight container. They would be good up to 2 days.
  • You do need to spray the muffin tin to prevent it from sticking: On my first try, I thought that the high butter content in the puff pastry sheet would be enough to prevent the roses from sticking to the muffin tin, but it wasn’t. It was so hard to get them out without ruining the bottom parts. Therefore, it is imperative to butter (or vegetable spray would work too) the muffin tin before placing the roses in the cups.
  • A melon baller helps with coring apples faster: I always find that a melon baller is a great tool to core apples. If you have one, give it a try.
  • You can easily multiply this recipe: The recipe below is for 6 apple roses, but feel free to double the recipe. If you do so, you might have to bake it 5-6 more minutes. However, keep a close eye on it after the 40-minute mark.
  • You can make them a day in advance: If you want you can make these one day ahead. Simply roll the roses, place them in muffin cups, cover with stretch film, and store in the fridge until you are ready to make.

Nutrition

Calories: 340kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 15mg | Sodium: 209mg | Potassium: 98mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 228IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 11mg | Iron: 1mg

This recipe has been adapted from America’s Test Kitchen’s Naturally Sweet Cookbook with several changes to the original recipe.

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Muffin-Pan Potatoes https://foolproofliving.com/muffin-pan-potatoes/ https://foolproofliving.com/muffin-pan-potatoes/#comments Sun, 26 Nov 2017 18:52:06 +0000 https://foolproofliving.com/?p=1836 The first time I published this muffin tin potatoes recipe was back in 2013. Since then it has been my go-to recipe for entertaining. I served it again last week for our Thanksgiving meal, and as it is usually the case, everyone asked for the recipe. So I thought why not take a few photos, update the recipe and make a quick video to help you as you get ready...

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The first time I published this muffin tin potatoes recipe was back in 2013. Since then it has been my go-to recipe for entertaining. I served it again last week for our Thanksgiving meal, and as it is usually the case, everyone asked for the recipe. So I thought why not take a few photos, update the recipe and make a quick video to help you as you get ready for your Christmas cooking.

Muffin Tin Potatoes placed on a plate and being served by a woman

You can serve these as a side dish or as an appetizer. They are perfect when served along with eggs for breakfast (like in the old photos I took below) or along with your favorite meat dishes. While I think they are better served right out of the oven, you can make them ahead and reheat right before serving.

 

Recipe Image for Muffin Pan Potatoes Recipe
Print

Muffin-Pan Potatoes

Whether you serve them as a side dish or finger food (as appetizer), these muffin pan potatoes are perfect for entertaining. Made with just a few ingredients and ready in less than 40 minutes.
This recipe is adapted from Martha Steward's Muffin Pan Potato Gratins recipe.
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings 12 servings
Calories 125kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons of butter melted
  • 4-5 medium russet potatoes peeled and sliced in 1/2 -inch slices
  • Coarse salt
  • Black Pepper freshly grounded
  • 12 tablespoons heavy cream
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees
  • Use melted butter to grease each muffin cup.
  • Place 3 slices of potatoes and season with salt and pepper. Top it off with 3-4 more slices or until the muffin cup is full. Repeat until all 12 muffin cups are full.
  • Pour 1 tablespoon of heavy cream over each muffin cup.
  • Garnish with thyme.
  • Place it in the oven and bake it for 30 minutes.
  • Let it cool in room temperature for 5-10 minutes and spoon it out. Sprinkle it with fresh thyme and serve immediately.

Video

Notes

  • Like I mentioned in the post, I made these many times. And every time I make it, I use 1 tablespoon of heavy cream. However, a reader commented that when she used only 1 tablespoon she thought that it wasn't enough. After reading her comment, I increased the amount of heavy cream to 1 1/2 tablespoons and tried it that way. It was still good, but a little too soft (less crispy) for my taste. If you like it softer, feel free to increase the amount of heavy cream used to your liking.

Nutrition

Calories: 125kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 26mg | Sodium: 10mg | Potassium: 311mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 307IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 21mg | Iron: 1mg

**** Below is the old post that was published in November 2013. ****

Potatoes cooked in muffin tin placed on a cutting board

As I felt the sweet touch of his lips on my cheek, I knew that it was time to get up. It was way too late to stay in bed. The only problem was that my eyes and body were not cooperating.

It was not until he came back, crawled next to me and whispered in my ear: “Let’s have breakfast, honey.” He said the magic word – BREAKFAST – and I thought to myself how he knew me all too well.

I got up and took a quick shower. While I was getting ready, he knocked on the door to let me know that the coffee was ready.

As I inhaled the smell of coffee into my lungs, I realized how grateful I am to have the life that I do.

I went to the kitchen, poured a cup of coffee for myself, and started making breakfast. I had an inexplicable desire to make it really special, for absolutely no particular reason. A breakfast that I know he has been waiting for, for many hours.

I decided to steam some asparagus to serve with our usual: two eggs “over easy” and the simple potatoes that I made the other day for friends.

Potato Muffin Tin recipe served with eggs


I quickly peeled two potatoes and sliced them thinly. It took me longer than usual to find my muffin pan in the cupboard, which made me realize how long it’s been since I last made muffins. As I was thinking about which muffin recipe I should try next, I started placing the slices of potatoes in each cup and seasoned them with salt and pepper, every few slices until all cups were filled. I poured one tablespoon of heavy cream over each cup and placed it in a 400 F degree oven.

As they were baking, I went downstairs to pick some flowers. The purple-blue flowers that I have been admiring lately made the most beautiful breakfast decoration for my table.

It was only half an hour later that the potatoes were ready to be served. All I had to do was to sprinkle them with some fresh thyme.

As I was cracking the eggs, he came to the kitchen and gave me a quick hug from behind and said: “It smells so good. I just cannot wait to eat. ”

Muffin-Pan Potatoes

I placed the eggs in the middle of the plate, being careful not to break the yolks. Stalks of asparagus that I arranged near the eggs gave it the healthy green color it needed. I spooned the potato slices out of the muffin cups and I set them on the other side of the eggs.

We had the best breakfast that day. A simple breakfast with the basics: eggs, potatoes, and steamed vegetables.

He said that he could eat these potatoes every morning. I did not tell him, but I was thinking the same way.

Muffin potatoes served with eggs

We took our time eating that day, enjoying each other’s company. Just as I was thinking to myself that this is why I love cooking so much, he said aloud how much he loves our mornings together.

Not knowing what was going through my mind, he gave me the answer I was looking for…

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Healthier Apple Crumble {VIDEO} https://foolproofliving.com/healthier-apple-crumble/ https://foolproofliving.com/healthier-apple-crumble/#comments Tue, 19 Sep 2017 22:02:51 +0000 https://foolproofliving.com/?p=14929 This post is sponsored by Hannaford, but as always, all opinions are mine. Autumn is in full force here in Vermont. The leaves have started to change in color and it is simply breathtaking. Witnessing the start of foliage season is to me, one of the biggest benefits of living in this region. With the weather changing, especially during the early hours of the morning, I find myself craving something...

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This post is sponsored by Hannaford, but as always, all opinions are mine.

Autumn is in full force here in Vermont. The leaves have started to change in color and it is simply breathtaking. Witnessing the start of foliage season is to me, one of the biggest benefits of living in this region. With the weather changing, especially during the early hours of the morning, I find myself craving something warm and hearty.

With apples now in abundance, this healthy apple crumble recipe is just what I’m looking for to start the day.

Healthy Apple Crumble photographed from the front view.

One of the most important things I have learned over the years in sharing recipes and writing a food blog is that I should be very careful when labeling a dish “healthy.” The word can hold such different meanings from person to person, depending upon their diet and lifestyle.

Ingredients for Healthy Apple Crumble recipe
Healthy Crumble Recipe photographed as it is being made.

With that being said, I wholeheartedly believe that by making small changes in your cooking, you can easily increase the healthfulness of a recipe. And thankfully, the rest of the world is beginning to come to the same conclusion. As the demand increases for healthier ingredient options, brands like Hannaford are leading the way by not only providing quality products but by making them more affordable as well.

a woman is placing Apple Crumble Topping in a casserole dish

How To Make Healthy Apple Crumble

If you are a baker, you know that the classic apple crumble recipe is made by sweetening apples with brown sugar and then topping them off with a crumble comprised of flour, brown sugar, and butter.

While I have made crumbles like this many times over the years (and know how decadently delicious they can be), I am here to tell you that my healthier version can easily compete with the classic one. In my recipe, I used maple syrup instead of brown sugar. The healthy crumble topping recipe is made with ground oats, almond flour, quinoa, coconut oil, pecans, and maple syrup. As you can see, it is a whole new set of ingredients for an end product that is much healthier, yet rivals the original in flavor.

The rest of the recipe is pretty much the same. Cinnamon-flavored apple chunks covered with the crumble topping and baked in the oven for a scrumptious autumn breakfast dish.

How to Make Healthy Apple Crumble - showcasing ingredients in a casserole dish
Healthy Crumble Recipe from the top view with a glass of milk and pecans on the side

Shopping For The Ingredients:

To get the ingredients, I went to our local Hannaford grocery store. Quite frankly, having lived most of my life in Atlanta, I wasn’t familiar with this brand until we moved here to Vermont. However, since my first visit to their spacious, well-kept store, I have become a regular. I love that they have an extensive line of healthy, yet still affordable, ingredients to choose from – all in one place.

A woman is taking a bit of a healthier apple crumble recipe made with oats, quinoa, maple syrup and coconut oil.

As the weather begins to cool and fall creeps in with every leaf that turns orange, welcome the flavors of the season into your home with this guilt-free and healthy apple crumble recipe.

If You Liked This Healthy Apple Crumble Recipe, You Might Also Like

A healthier apple crumble recipe made with oats, quinoa, maple syrup and coconut oil.
Print

Healthier Apple Crumble

A healthy apple crumble recipe: Chunky apples topped off with a topping made with ground oats, almond flour, quinoa, cinnamon and sweetened with maple syrup.
Course Breakfast
Cuisine American
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings 6 servings
Calories 362kcal

Ingredients

For The Apple Layer:

  • 1 tablespoon coconut oil for greasing the casserole dish
  • 4-5 cups apples cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 2 tablespoons arrowroot powder or cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • teaspoon nutmeg
  • 2 tablespoons maple syrup
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice

For the Crumble Topping:

  • 1 ½ cups (4.76 oz.) of old fashioned ground oats
  • ½ cup (1.7 oz.) almond flour (or almond meal)
  • ¼ cup (1.5 oz.) cooked quinoa, rinsed well and drained
  • ½ cup (2.2 oz.) pecans, roughly chopped
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup coconut oil warmed and cooled
  • ½ cup maple syrup

Instructions

  • Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease a casserole dish (9 X 13 or 8 X 11) generously with coconut oil. Set aside.
  • To make the apple layer, mix together the apples, arrowroot powder (or cornstarch), ground cinnamon, and nutmeg in a bowl. Drizzle it with maple syrup and lemon juice. Give it a gentle toss. Transfer to the casserole dish and spread in an even layer. Set aside.
  • To make the crumble topping, mix together the oats, almond flour (or almond meal), quinoa, pecans, cinnamon and salt in a mixing bowl. Drizzle the mixture with coconut oil and maple syrup. Give it a stir to make sure that the oats are coated with all the other ingredients. Some chunky pieces are okay.
  • To assemble: Spread the crumble topping evenly on top of the apple mixture.
  • Bake for 35-40 minutes or until the topping turns golden brown.
  • Serve with more maple syrup, a dollop of creme fraiche or yogurt on the side.

Video

Notes

*** Update on November 13th: A few readers came back and said that the uncooked quinoa made it crunchier than they would like. I tried the recipe myself and thought that they have a point. Therefore, I updated the recipe as "cooked" quinoa. If you don't have quinoa on hand, feel free to use 1/4 cup almond flour to compensate.

Nutrition

Calories: 362kcal | Carbohydrates: 56g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 200mg | Potassium: 285mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 30g | Vitamin A: 45IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 84mg | Iron: 2mg
A healthier apple crumble recipe made with oats, quinoa, maple syrup and coconut oil.

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Maple Sweetened Mixed Berry Goat Cheese Bread Pudding https://foolproofliving.com/berry-goat-cheese-bread-pudding/ https://foolproofliving.com/berry-goat-cheese-bread-pudding/#comments Tue, 08 Aug 2017 21:11:39 +0000 https://foolproofliving.com/?p=14637 This post has been sponsored by Vermont Creamery, but as always, all opinions are my own. One of my favorite perks of living in Vermont is the abundance of good quality cheese. Even in our small town, whether be in a farmer’s market or a local venue, you get to taste some of the best cheeses in the world and meet with the people who produce them. As you may...

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This post has been sponsored by Vermont Creamery, but as always, all opinions are my own.

One of my favorite perks of living in Vermont is the abundance of good quality cheese. Even in our small town, whether be in a farmer’s market or a local venue, you get to taste some of the best cheeses in the world and meet with the people who produce them.

Goat cheese bread pudding with berries in a casserole dish with flowers in the background.

As you may remember, I got a taste of this last year when I was invited to Vermont Creamery’s – Vermont Cheese Camp. It is funny because at the time I had no idea that I would be calling Vermont home in a relatively short period of time. I still remember thinking to myself, how awesome it would be to live in such a beautiful place with such great food. You know what they say, “Be careful what you wish for!” Now after almost a year, I am beyond grateful to be experiencing this on a daily basis.

Mixed berry bread pudding with goat cheese is in a casserole dish from the top view.

Going back to cheese… A few weeks ago, I got a chance to reconnect with my Vermont Creamery friends in Burlington when they generously invited me to this year’s Vermont Cheese Festival. Needless to say, it was awesome to see them again and enjoy a day of cheese tasting in one of the biggest cheese festivals in the country. I came back home with all kinds of cheeses and have been experimenting with various recipes since then.

Today’s maple-sweetened mixed berry goat cheese bread pudding is one of the few cheezy recipes that are about to come your way.

a woman is cracking eggs to a bowl to make berry bread pudding recipe.

How to Make the Best Bread Pudding:

They say that bread pudding is a dessert born out of desperation. It is supposed to be a good way to use some leftover bread. However, in my opinion, the end product is nothing short of perfection. With just a few ingredients, you end up with an amazing breakfast dessert that not only looks and smells great, but also feeds a crowd generously.

Nowadays, everyone has a favorite bread pudding recipe so much that you get overwhelmed with all the recipes available on the Internet. It is hard to choose which one to try. However, when you read the recipes and the comments underneath, one thing that is obvious is that the common denominator of “the favorite” is bread pudding that is moist inside and crusty outside. Oh and people hate soggy bread pudding.

a woman is pouring milk in a bowl from the top view
A woman is photographed from the front view as she is whisking ingredients.

My Tips For The Best Goat Cheese Bread Pudding Recipe

So when I set out to come up with my own version of “the best”, I read through these recipes (along with the comments underneath) and even tried some of them. Below are some of the things I learned:

Pick a bread with high-fat content: French Brioche, Challah or even buttery croissant are great options. The buttery, the better.

Make sure that your bread is dry: You want the bread to be stale because bread that is dry will have more absorbing powers. All you have is freshly baked bread (good for you!)? No worries, because America’s Test Kitchen suggests that if you toast your bread in a 350-degree oven for 8-10 minutes they would be dry enough for awesome absorbing powers.

Stay away from low-fat ingredients: Do not even think about using low fat milk or cream for this recipe. This is not a recipe to make if you are worried about your waistline. Consider it an indulgence.

Most recipes use a combination of heavy cream or half & half mixed in with whole milk to make the custard. In addition, in some of their bread pudding recipes, Cooks Illustrated magazine suggests adding a few extra egg yolks into the batter to increase its fat content. In their classic bread pudding recipe, they even go as far as not adding any of the egg whites into the custard.

Though I have tried that in the past, I personally liked the custard that was made using regular eggs with a few additional yolks added to the custard.

Berries and brioche bread for mixed berry bread pudding recipe
Eggs and other ingredients for the recipe

Find the best liquid-to-bread ratio: This one was tough, as I wanted to find a foolproof formula. However, after a few tries, I learned that if the bread absorbs all the liquid, you would end up with a bread pudding that is moist inside but crusty outside. So if you have leftover liquid, it is a good idea to add more bread until it is all soaked. And visa versa…

Experiment with maple syrup and honey: Now, I know that both brown and granulated sugars are usually the go-to sweeteners for bread puddings. While I have no objection to that I recommend giving maple syrup and honey a try. I found that both maple syrup and honey offer a similar taste with yet another layer of added flavor to the end product.

Goat cheese bread pudding recipe before it is baked in a casserole dish

Feel free to experiment with adding spices, fresh herbs, nuts, seasonal fruits, and even cheeses: We finally came to my favorite part of making bread pudding. While there is nothing wrong with the classic recipe, custard mixed in with bread and baked for perfection, you can always add your own spin to it by layering it with seasonal ingredients.

About this Mixed Berry Goat Cheese Bread Pudding

In my version of the best bread pudding recipe, in addition to doing everything I mentioned above, I used maple syrup as the sweetener and freshly picked berries and Vermont Creamery’s goat cheese as additional flavors.

The combination of sweet berries layered with earthy flavors of goat cheese ended up being an incredible breakfast dessert. In terms of goat cheese, I crumbled the goat cheese myself, but Vermont Creamery also sells already crumbled cheese if you prefer it that way.

Portioned goat cheese berry bread pudding in bowls with creme fraiche on the side.

You can serve this bread pudding warm or cold, but whatever you do, make sure to top it off with a generous dollop of Vermont Creamery’s crème Fraiche, because, you know, who wouldn’t want more goodness on such a scrumptious dessert?

Other goat cheese recipes you might also like:

Maple Sweetened Mixed Berry Goat Cheese Bread Pudding Recipe: Toasted Brioche layered with goat cheese and summer berries for a scrumptious breakfast dish.
Print

Mixed Berry Goat Cheese Bread Pudding Recipe

Buttery brioche bread layered with custard sweetened with maple syrup, seasonal berries, and goat cheese. A scrumptious breakfast bread pudding that will surely impress.
Course Breakfast
Cuisine American
Diet Vegetarian
Prep Time 1 hour
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 50 minutes
Servings 8 servings
Calories 466kcal

Ingredients

For the custard:

  • 1 loaf Brioche 16.7 oz. of Brioche bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 6 large eggs
  • 2 large egg yolks
  • 2 cups half and half
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • ¾ cup maple syrup*
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon salt

For the bread pudding:

Instructions

  • Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees.
  • Spread the cubed Brioche on a large baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes, making sure to flip the bread halfway through to make sure they are evenly toasted. Take it out and let it cool on the counter for 10 minutes. Turn the oven off.
  • Whisk together the eggs, egg yolks, half and half, milk, maple syrup, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt in a bowl until totally combined.
  • Transfer the now-cooled Brioche cubes into the bowl and press gently to make sure that the bread is completely submerged into the liquid. Let it sit for 30 minutes. 15 minutes into it, turn the oven back on to 350 degrees.

To make the bread pudding:

  • Grease the bottom of a casserole dish thoroughly with butter.
  • Add in half of the soaked Brioche and sprinkle it with half of the berries and half of the goat cheese.
  • Repeat the same process with the rest of the bread, berries, and goat cheese.
  • If preferred, sprinkle it with a tablespoon of cane sugar.
  • Bake 45-50 minutes or until the top of the bread pudding is golden brown. Let it cool for 45 minutes to an hour or until it is fully set.
  • When ready to serve, scoop some to a bowl and top it off with crème fraiche and seasonal berries (or any other fruit you like).

Notes

* In the recipe above, I used 3/4 cup of maple syrup, but in the past I made this with 1/2 cup as well and it was still very good. If you want to decrease the amount of sugar you use, especially if you are using summer berries when they are the sweetest, feel free to lessen the amount of maple syrup you use.
*As long as it is kept in an airtight container in the fridge, this berry goat cheese pudding keeps fresh up to 2 days. You can warm it up in your microwave or even serve cold.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 466kcal | Carbohydrates: 51g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Cholesterol: 274mg | Sodium: 370mg | Potassium: 258mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 25g | Vitamin A: 932IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 183mg | Iron: 1mg

The post Maple Sweetened Mixed Berry Goat Cheese Bread Pudding appeared first on Foolproof Living.

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