Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Bread
Updated: Mar 8
You’ll love the sweet apple bits and warm cinnamon that pair perfectly with the earthy bitter walnuts. This easy gluten free breakfast bread is on repeat in my house during the fall. There is nothing better than the smell of warm spices and sweet apples filling the house and our bellies!
With our busy schedules, this easy loaf is a super nutritious snack when topped with some unsweetened nut butter and coconut flakes. With a Paleo and Whole30 option this is sure to be a crowd pleaser!
Why Oatmeal is So Good For You!
First, let's dive into the nutrition of oatmeal, the benefits from adding this gluten free* grain to your diet, and the different types of oatmeal and my personal recommendation as a nutritionist.
*Oatmeal is naturally GF, however, it is processed on equipment that processes wheat products, to avoid and cross contamination, be sure to get certified gluten free oats!
Nutriton in Oatmeal
Oatmeal is a gluten free grain that is a great source of macronutrients, B vitamins, minerals, and fiber! Although oatmeal is high in carbohydrates, it contains a fair amount of fat, protein and fiber that helps to slow the absorption of the carbohydrates making this a low-medium glycemic food [1]. And when prepared with other nutrient dense foods like unsweetened organic applesauce and raw nuts and seeds, you have a super nutritious food that supports healthy blood sugars.
Vitamins:
Vitamin B1 (thiamine): A water soluble vitamin that is essential in glucose metabolism and supports health heart and nervous system function.
Vitamin B3 (niacin): Essential in supporting metabolic pathways.
Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid): Essential in metabolic pathways, production of red blood cells, and in supporting the adrenals.
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine): Essential in supporting a healthy and strong immune system
Vitamin B9 (folate): Essential in metabolic pathways, in the production of red and white blood cells, and is essential in pregnancy in the development of the neural tube.
Minerals
Calcium: Supports healthy bones and teeth and is essential in nervous system health, heart health, and muscle movement.
Copper: Essential mineral in the formation of red blood cells and in supporting cardiovascular health and immune function [2].
Iron: Necessary in the formation of hemoglobin and maintaining proper body temperature.
Magnesium: The fourth most abundant mineral in the body, it support healthy nerve functions, healthy blood pressure, and detoxification.
Manganese: Essential mineral in supporting blood sugar regulation, glucose metabolism, and supporting healthy brain and nerve function [3].
Phosphorus: Supports healthy teeth and bones, muscle recovery after working out, and detoxification.
Zinc: Essential in digestion, thyroid health, and a healthy immune system.
Fiber
There are two primary types of fiber found in whole grains and the other plants we eat, insoluble and soluble. Insoluble fiber helps to keep our digestive tracts healthy and helps with detoxification. Soluble fiber is beneficial and feeds the good microbes in our gut. Oatmeal is loaded with both of these amazing fibers and another fiber called beta-glucan. This fiber has been found to support cardiovascular health by lowering cholesterol and is a super food that supports overall health and wellbeing [4]
Which Oatmeal Should I Choose?
With so many types of oatmeal out there, which ones are the healthiest and most nutrient dense? One thing you want to think about is looking for the most "whole" version of the grain, this is going to be the least processed, and if you can find sprouted, even better!! Sprouting increases the nutrient density of the grain and the bioavailability of it by reducing the phytates, which are anti-nutrients that reduce absorption of nutrients.
Types of Oatmeal
Oat Groats [5]: These are the most whole food and intact version of oats you can find. The hull of the grain has been removed, but it has not been processed any further. These oats take the longest to cook (around 40-minutes) but are nutty and delicious!
Steel Cut Oats: These oats are also called Irish oats and are basically whole oat groats that have been cut into 2-4 pieces with a steel blade. They still take a bit of time to cook (around 30-minutes), but they have a chewy texture and are a great whole food option!
Old Fashioned/Rolled Oats: These oats are the whole oat groat that has been steamed and rolled. These are my favorite oats as they are still the whole grain and only take about 10-minutes to cook!
Instant/Quick Oats: These oats are not my favorite oat when I want a bowl of oatmeal since they are processed more heavily and rolled even thinner than the rolled oats. They do not have the same chewy texture, but only take a few minutes (less than 5-minutes) to cook. These oats are my preferred oats when making homemade granola bars, breads or oatmeal cookies.
Should I Buy Organic Oats?
Yes, yes, yes if you can!! Every single type of oat and oat product that you buy should be organic if possible. Conventional oats are often genetically modified (GMO) and one of the most heavily treated foods American's eat. Oats are treated with a toxic herbicide called glyphosphate [6] (which is basically RoundUp) and in 2015, was shown to be carcinogenic to humans [7]. What is concerning is that conventional oats (treated with glyphosphate) are in so many cereals, snack bars, and oat based foods that many households have and children eat.
So grab some oats and let's get cooking!
Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Bread Ingredients
Makes 1 loaf, 4 mini loaves, or 12-18 muffins
5.4 oz can Coconut Cream, melted
1 Tbsp ACV or Fresh Lemon Juice
2 tsp Pure Vanilla Extract
1 1/2 cup Almond Flour, pressed
1 cup Arrowroot starch or Tapioca starch
2 cups GF Old Fashioned rolled oats, ground into a flour (use almond flour for Paleo)
1/2 cup GF Old Fashioned Oats. (1/4 cup coconut flour for Paleo)
2 Tbsp Beef Gelatin
1/4 cup Ground Flax Meal
1/2 tsp Fine Sea Salt
1 tsp Baking Soda
1/2 cup Coconut Sugar
1/2 cup Date Sugar (or more coconut sugar)
1 cup Unsweetened Organic Applesauce
1 cup Fresh Apple, peeled and finely diced
1/2 cup Walnuts/Pecans, chopped (opt)
How to Make Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Bread
1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees
2. In a small bowl combine the coconut cream with the ACV/lemon juice and vanilla, stir well and then set for 5-minutes.
3. In a large bowl add the flours, salt, gelatin, flax meal, baking soda, arrowroot or tapioca starch, coconut sugar, date sugar, and whole oats.
4. Whisk the dry ingredients to combine.
5. Peel and dice the apple and add it and the nuts to the dry ingredients, stirring to coat (stirring these into the flours will coat them and help keep them from all falling to the bottom of the loaf as it bakes so you get a nice distribution of apple and walnut throughout!)
6. Add the coconut buttermilk and applesauce and stir well to combine.
7. Allow the mixture to sit for 3-5 minutes while you grease the bread pan with a tsp of ghee or coconut oil.
8. Transfer the dough to the baking dish and top with more walnuts or pecans.
9. Bake for 60-75 minutes.
10. Cool completely and enjoy with a generous spread of almond butter and apple slices!
FAQs
Q: Why is my loaf still soft in the middle.
A: Sounds like it needed more time in the oven. Be sure to use a toothpick test when looking for doneness.
Q: Can I make these into muffins?
A: Yes! This recipe can also be made into muffins, just adjust the baking time to 30-35 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely before serving.
Q: Can I freeze this?
A: Yes! I love to pre-slice and keep any excess in the freezer so it stays fresher!
If you like this recipe, check these out!
Paleo Banana Blueberry Muffins: My favorite muffin to make year round, banana bread muffins full of sweet juicy blueberries! I love these for brekky and snacking!
Paleo Tart Cherry and Orange Scones: Quick, easy, and so delicious! This family favorite is a must have in the fall and winter seasons!
Paleo Cinnamon Raisin Bread: I can't stop eating this loaf once it's made and cooled! I love to warm it up with a nice cut of grass-fed butter, Yum!
I hope you enjoy this as much as my family does. - Amy
Did you make this recipe? Tag @almond.milk.and.cookies on Instagram and hashtag it #almondmilkandcookies