This Gluten-free, Healthy Nut and Seed Bread has Nordic Roots

This Gluten-free, Healthy Nut and Seed Bread has Nordic Roots

When I was on the hunt for a name for this delicious nut and seed bread, my research revealed countless similar recipes. Everyone seemed to know what to call it – from Paleo Bread, Nordic Bread, or even Stone-Agebread! But as an artisan baker myself, there's no doubt it isn't true "bread". Enter Joyce Wallace -committed gluten-free guru and owner of amazing treats. A meeting with her brought about this seedy delight; Gluten free? Check! Vegan friendly? You betcha'! Satisfying enough to make you beam like the sun at dawn? Absohootly sure thing!. All thanks go to Joyce, who first introduced me to enjoying these 'Bread(ish)'.

nut and seed bread
Gluten-free seed and nut bread toasted with a dab of nut butter

No living thing had anything to do with the making of this healthy nut and seed bread

No flour, yeast, or leavening agent is part of the preparation of this bread. When I know it’s in my freezer, I know I have a satisfying breakfast waiting for me. This bread is a real treat because it’s not that difficult to make! It’s hard to believe how delicious this simple Keto nut and seed bread recipe turns out.

Seed and Nut Bread in loaf pan ready for baking
Seed and nut bread, hand-formed. This loaf has been sitting for two hours and is ready to be put in the oven.

How to Make this Bread Recipe

All you need to understand is the flax seeds and chia seeds are the glue that holds this recipe together. In addition, our vegan friends can swap the honey with more banana, maple syrup, or even applesauce. All you need are 3 cups of any nut and seed combination that you have on hand. You can't mess this recipe up. It may seem not very easy, but it's not.

Ingredients to make nut and seed bread on marble countertop
Ingredients to make seed and nut bread

Step One: Gather Ingredients

You'll need walnut halves, pistachios, cashews, sunflower seeds, ground flaxseeds, chia seeds, old-fashioned rolled oats, cranberries (dried and unsweetened), ripe bananas, psyllium husk powder (you can get this at Safeway, seriously), sea salt, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, pumpkin puree (unsweetened), honey, and coconut oil.

Step Two: Toast the nuts

Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 325 F. Toast the nuts and seeds until golden and fragrant, checking on the pan occasionally, 10-15 minutes. Remove from the oven. Tip: Pull the nuts out when you start smelling roasted nuts.

all dry ingredients ready to mix for seed and nut bread
All of the dry ingredients in a glass bowl, ready to mix

Step Three: Mix the ingredients

Meanwhile, in a large bowl, stir together all of the dry ingredients, stirring well.

In a medium bowl, mix all of the wet ingredients: whisk honey, coconut oil, and water, banana puree, pumpkin pulp.

Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients. Then, mix well with your hands to ensure the dough is moist and evenly distributed.

seed and nut bread wet and dry ingredients ready to mix on white marble
All wet ingredients are in the left bowl, and all dry ingredients are well-mixed on the right.

Line a 9x5 inch loaf pan on all sides with parchment paper and scrape the dough into the prepared pan, packing it in and rounding it slightly on top. However, it won’t rise in the oven. The objective is to sculpt it into the shape of a loaf of bread as if it has risen. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and sit at room temperature for at least 2 hours.

oven baked seed and nut bread
Seed and nut bread in the oven

When the loaf is ready to bake, preheat the oven to 400 F. Bake the bread for 1 hour and 10 minutes (start checking in at 50 minutes, don't let it burn); It will be deeply bronzed on top and feel firm to the touch. Let cool completely for at least 2 hours. The bread is best sliced reasonably thin and toasted well. Even more, it will keep refrigerated airtight up for two weeks.

Things to consider when making this "Bread-ish."

We always encourage you to play with your food; this recipe is no exception. I noticed from the recipes that I found on this seed and nut bread that there was a pattern that each method followed.

  • Feel free to experiment with nut combinations. Pick your favorites. You cannot mess this up.
  • You will never need to chop nuts or seeds to make this bread.
  • An essential part of this recipe is understanding that the flax seeds, chia seeds, and water are the glue that holds this bread together. Our vegan friends can swap the honey with more banana, maple syrup, agave, date syrup, or even applesauce.
  • Before you bake this bread, allow it to sit, shaped like a loaf, for at least two hours. During that time, the chia seeds will activate and become "sticky" and binds the recipe in the same way that eggs would. If you've never heard of chia eggs, it's a thing.
  • Find Psyllium husk powder in the natural section of grocery stores, in health food stores, and online. It's not difficult to find.
  • Store this bread in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator. You can also slice this bread and freeze it for an easy toast!
nut seed bread slice

If you're into Paleo recipes, try our Paleo Pumpkin Muffins also.


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