One of the biggest myths when it comes to healthy food is that if it’s good for you (like coconut flour bread) it can’t also be genuinely delicious. Nothing could be further from the truth though.
A slice of fresh homemade bread doesn’t have to be full of carbs and gluten to taste good. With this simple paleo and gluten free Coconut Flour Bread recipe you can enjoy a delicious low carb and keto sandwich anytime you feel like it.
Introduction to Coconut Flour
I’ve had a fascination with coconut flour for over 3 years now. The main reason being that everyone said it was difficult to work with – and it is, if you’ve never worked with coconut flour before and don’t know what you’re doing. It behaves nothing like traditional wheat flour and – consequently – it took me many months of experimenting to consistently get it right.
My first big coconut flour success were these amazing Coconut Flour Pumpkin Muffins. I was hooked. I wanted to not only learn everything I could about coconut flour, but also how best to cook and bake with it.
It greatly helped that my entire family absolutely loved the gluten free coconut flour muffins I had started making. After posting pictures and the recipe for them on this blog, they received a ton of raving comments. This ultimately lead me to continue experimenting and – slowly – figure out how to make delicious coconut flour mug cakes and pancakes as well.
Those three recipes were a huge success. So I decided to focus in on them and write a digital eCookbook in which I shared the ins and outs of Coconut Flour Muffins, Pancakes & Mug Cakes. You can get it HERE!
Not long after publishing the eCookbook, I also wanted to figure out how to make bread using coconut flour. In fact, I’ve been testing coconut flour bread recipes for over 6 months now. Crazy, right? I know!
How to make Bread with Coconut Flour
I started out with trying a few coconut flour bread recipes I found online. Some ended up dry, gritty, or eggy, while others tasted great but the process was overly involved or the batter ended up overflowing and baking onto my oven floor.
So – after many months of trial and error – I came up with this simple coconut flour bread recipe that is:
- super easy to prepare
- fits my 8×4-inch loaf pan perfectly
- and results in a great (low carb) coconut flour bread (to make the bread extra low carb omit the optional honey or replace with sugar-free monk fruit syrup)
It’s literally as easy as putting all the ingredients into a blender (I love my Vitamix for this), then pouring the batter into a parchment lined loaf pan. Since this is a gluten free recipe there is no danger of ‘over-developing’ the gluten in the blender.
If you don’t have or don’t want to use a blender, you can also mix the batter by hand with a wooden spoon or your handheld mixer.
Separate the Eggs for extra fluffy Coconut Flour Bread
Reader Bobby commented that one way to avoid too dense coconut flour bread, is to separate the eggs and to whip the egg whites until stiff. And to gently fold them into the batter as final step.
Usually I try to keep my recipes processes as simple as possible. This includes keeping ingredient lists short and using fewer tools, bowls, and utensils.
It’s because I know life is busy for all of us – me included. And fewer dishes to wash are always a good thing!
Personally, I never found my coconut bread to be too dense, but after hearing from a few commenters running into this issues, I wanted to see if simply using a slightly different method would have different results.
Whisking the egg whites until stiff
So I prepared the batter in a bowl (instead of the blender) and started by separating the eggs. The egg yolks went into the big bowl to be combined with the other wet ingredients.
While I whisked the egg whites (using the whisk attachment of my immersion blender) until they were very stiff. You know they are stiff enough when you can invert the bowl and the egg whites remain unmoved.
I then proceeded to prepare the rest if the batter with all remaining ingredients. As final step I added the stiff egg whites to the bowl and gently folded them into the batter.
It is really important not to stir or whisk too vigorously here, since you don’t want to deflate the egg whites again. At this point I noticed that the batter did indeed look lighter in colour and airier in texture.
While the bread was baking in the oven, it rose higher and more quickly. And it remained that way during the baking process and even while cooling.
The final coconut flour bread was indeed taller and lighter. And the texture more fluffy.
Takeaway
Going forward I’ll continue separating the eggs and whisking the egg whites for this recipe – when I have the time! I think it is worth the extra step and cleanup.
But if I am pressed for time I’ll know that I can still get a delicious (if slightly d
enser) bread when leaving the eggs whole or with my extra quick & easy blender method.
Is Coconut Flour Bread low carb/keto?
Originally, I developed this bread to make a delicious gluten free and paleo substitute for wheat bread. Then I realized that there was a lot of interest for this recipe from the low carb and keto community.
The recipe can be considered low-carb as it is written, with about 3.3 g net carbs per slice.
To make it strictly keto as well, the tapioca starch (arrowroot powder) needs to be omitted. So does the honey. I’ve tested the bread with keto substitutions (or omissions rather) and it still comes out delicious.
With keto modification (no starch, no honey) the carb count goes down to 1.5 g net carbs per slice.
How To Store Coconut Flour Bread
Coconut flour bread is very filling (dense) and I have a feeling you will not eat it all in one sitting. So the only thing more important than how it’s made, is how it’s stored.
I’ve tried storing bread made with coconut flour at room temperature, but unwrapped it dried out very quickly and wrapped it spoiled within 2 days. Probably due to the high egg and moisture content.
The best way to store this coconut flour bread – in my experience – is to wrap it tightly and put it in the fridge. I’ve used ziploc bags but I suppose you could use a regular plastic bag, tupperware container with lid, or – my personal favorite – a Beeswax Food Storage Wrap
.
What to Expect
Coconut flour absorbs a ridiculous amount of liquids. Meaning bread made from coconut flour is going to be very different from store-bought bread. In fact, if you’re hoping to end up with something as fluffy as white Wonderbread, you will be disappointed.
It simply does not happen and scientifically can not happen just because coconut flour is inherently a lot denser, more filling, and more nutritious than wheat flour. With that said, it hasn’t been an issue with anyone in my household (despite them all being big bread eaters).
This paleo bread substitute is indeed a substitute, but it is delicious and holds up well to your favorite toppings (we love almond butter) and can even make a very satisfying sandwich.
How to make a Coconut Flour Bread Sandwich
First of all, because I recommend storing it in the fridge, I also highly recommend lightly toasting the bread slices before eating. This way you won’t be eating cold bread and you’ll have the bonus of adding a lovely – lightly crunchy – texture and light brown colour to it. Yumm!
And secondly, you need to slice this low carb sandwich bread a certain way. Because this keto bread doesn’t rise super high, slicing it the usual way doesn’t leave a lot of surface area.
Reader Shelly A. left a comment sharing a great workaround trick that’s just pure genius. I’ve been using it ever since.
Slice the entire bread vertically into 2-3 big pieces. Then slice each piece horizontally into 4 slices. You get a lot more surface area that way – perfect to hold anything from ham and cheese, tuna salad, lettuce, etc.
If you need a visual guide to this slicing method watch the video below. I am demonstrating the sandwich slicing hack towards the end.
More Coconut Flour Bread Flavors
Now that I have figured out this coconut flour bread loaf, I went ahead and also turned it into a coconut flour banana bread version. And even a zucchini loaf and pumpkin bread for seasonal twists.
Unfortunately, I have not been able to figure out coconut flour bread with no eggs yet. Therefore vegan coconut flour bread has stayed out of reach so far.
No eggy taste!
But this is not to say that this low carb sandwich bread as any eggy flavor! NOT AT ALL!
Compared to many other coconut flour recipes, this one actually uses very few eggs. Looking at other ingredients lists I’ve seen anything from 6 to 12(!) eggs used per bread recipe.
Whereas mine uses only 4 eggs. I have found this to be the minimum amount of eggs required to make the batter hold up its shape.
And divided over at least 13 slices, there is just no way these 4 eggs would impart any eggy taste to the bread.
Get My Coconut Flour eBook
As you might have noticed by now, I love cooking and baking with coconut flour simply because it is a healthier alternative to wheat flour. Which is partially why I wrote an eBook dedicated to all things coconut flour.
It focuses on sweet recipes for baked treats. You can get a copy of it HERE!
More amazing Coconut Flour Recipes with Low-Carb Option:
Coconut Flour Bread Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup coconut flour
- 1/3 cup ground flax flax meal
- 1/4 cup arrowroot powder/tapioca flour* optional
- 2 teaspoons baking powder**
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 4 eggs
- 1/2 cup flavorless oil like avocado oil or melted refined coconut oil
- 1/3 cup dairy free milk unsweetened almond milk, coconut, etc.
- 2 tbsp honey optional***
Topping:
- sesame seeds or other seeds of choice - like sunflower seeds, chia, flax, etc.
- ground flax
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375° F. Prep a 8x4-inch loaf pan by greasing it with oil or by lining it with parchment paper.
One easy way to whip up the batter is by simply combining all ingredients in a blender. Pulse or blend on low speed until everything is fully combined. It will be easier for your blender, if you add the wet ingredients first.
If not using a blender, add all wet ingredients (eggs, oil, milk, optional honey) to a large bowl and whisk until they are well combined.
Next, add the dry ingredients (coconut flour, ground flax, arrowroot powder, baking powder, salt) to bowl. Then stir them onto the wet ingredients until no more pockets of dry mix remain.
Optionally: Separate the eggs and whip the egg whites until stiff. Proceed preparing the batter as usual otherwise. Then gently fold in the stiff egg whites as final step. (This makes for a lighter, fluffy coconut flour bread)
- Fill the batter into the prepared loaf pan and sprinkle sesame seeds and a little ground flax over the top. Bake the Coconut Flour Bread for about 25-30 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then move to a wire rack to cool fully.
- Store refrigerated for up to 1 week. Lightly toasting the bread slices is highly recommended.
Recipe Video
Recipe Notes
*omit or replace with almond flour/psyllium husk to make keto
** paleo baking powder = 2:1 ratio cream of tartar and baking soda
*** for a slightly sweet low carb bread, replace the honey with sugar-free monk fruit syrup
TIP: For extra large sandwich slices, cut the bread into thirds. Then slice each piece into 4 slices horizontally (instead of vertically). You'll end up with 12 slices and more surface area for all your toppings.
Gina
I am on my 4th try with this recipe. ALL were yummy, I was so grateful for good healthy bread as a newcomer to keto dieting !!! This is the first bread recipe I came across that actually created BREAD without using my HS Organic chemistry notes !! 🙂
That said, I changed the recipe each time I tried it – cuz that’s just the way my brain works.
This last one I made was amazing – almost all ingredients are the same, only addition was ACV. and I replaced honey with monkfruit.
I doubled the recipe, I used psyllium in place of tapioca as the recipe suggested, and I added about 1 Tbsp of ACV. Those were the only changes to the original recipe, I whipped the egg whites with each iteration of this recipe, but this time I whipped the yolks as well.
I will try to describe the exact steps…….
1 – Using a Kitchenaid whip 8 egg whites to semi-stiff peaks, add about 3 Tbsp of granulated monkfruit at the end. Remove almost all whipped whites to a bowl – it need to be a BIG bowl !!!
2 – While the whites are whipping mix all dry ingredients EXCEPT for baking soda. psyllium and salt. Add the oil and milk and it turns into a crumbly concoction – almost sandy. Just let it sit.
3 – Put egg yolks in the Quasi-clean Kitchenaid and whip for 3 or so minutes.
4 – I am using the flat blender attachment for all of this – the one with 3 big holes. The egg yolks have been mixing at high speed – turn to the lowest speed. Add about 1/3 0f the sandy dry ingredients that u mixed with the oil and milk while waiting for the egg whites to whip. Then add egg whites, then dry ingredients, then egg whites., then dry, then egg whites…..throw in the psyllium, salt and ACV in the last 20 or so seconds. Scrape the sides, give it another few seconds.
5 – Pour the mix into a standard bread pan that has been sprayed. Bake at 375 for a few mins then reduce heat by 20 or so degrees for 30 or so mins. Turn the oven off – do not open the oven !!!! Pull it out 20 or so mins after oven has been turned off.
The result was a loaf of BREAD – REAL Bread. Size, texture, appearance…. I am writing this here for myself as well cuz It turned out sooo amazingly. 😉
Deepti Rajput
I tried with modification as mentioned in one of comments about psyllium n chia seeds, came out pretty good. As I am found of breads was looking for alternative to other flour breads. Would be making frequently. Any recommendation for potatoe starch instead of tapioca flour.
Serene Peh
I tried the recipe twice. Used tapioca flour for both attempts. The first time it turned out sour, which was really strange, and it did not rise. While troubleshooting, I realised that I had mistaken cream of tar tar as baking powder. I was able to ingest the sour bread without any digestive complaints. The second time round, which was today, was excellent! I replaced 2 teaspoons of baking powder with 2 teaspoons of cream of tar tar and 1 teaspoon of baking soda, and added 3 teaspoons of ACV in return to activate them on a 1:1 ratio. I also replaced the 1/2 cup oil and 1/3 cup milk with an equivalent amount of canned coconut milk (100% pure no additives).. The bread baked through in 30 minutes during rainy weather and had a faint taste of sweetness from the coconut flour. No sourness, but for some strange reason tasted a tad salty (which was very strange considering I only used 1/2 tsp of Himalayan pink salt). Nothing that bothers me, though. I will be switching to this modified recipe for my weekly bakes as texture, taste, cost etc is much improved from my usual keto almond bread (I used a modified Elizabeth Rider recipe). I also did not like the idea of ingesting so many almond flour, and this recipe solved the problem. Thank you so much for so generously sharing your recipe! Have had 3 slices straight out from the oven and am now worried I can’t fit dinner in. 😀
Betts Passmore
Have you tried to make a sourdough version with a coconut flour sourdough starter? I love your recipe but want to make a sourdough loaf.
Regina | Leelalicious
You know, I actually once made a coconut flour sourdough loaf. It wasn’t my recipe and honestly I was quite disappointed how dense it turned out, so that I never tried again
Diane
First bread I had in a long time since I am on a low histamine, low oxalate diet and couldn’t find any gluten-free, wheat-free, yeast-free, sugar-free breads where I am. It was also the first bread I’ve made in my life. Thanks for making it so easy to follow and tasting so good! I think I need to leave it longer in the oven than 30 mins since the middle was slightly soft still but I had to hold myself back from finishing the loaf. THANK YOU for sharing your recipe! 🙂
Regina | Leelalicious
Awesome. So great to hear the recipe worked out for you. Toasting individual slices should help with the soft center.
Jana
Hello, has anyone ever tried substitute the eggs with chia or flax seed eggs please? Thanks!
Regina | Leelalicious
I have not been successful using flax egg substitute in this recipe. It came out very dense and rubbery. Maybe aquafaba (whipped chickpea water) could be used in this recipe to make a lighter, airer egg substitute.
Chris
One of the best tasting Coconut Breads I’ve tasted. I did not let cook through properly but stil able to eat it!
thank you
Chris
Pamela Blue
I only have 9 x 5 loaf pans. Will doubling the recipe be okay for this?
Regina | Leelalicious
I have not tried doubling the recipe so can’t say how it will work. But you would definitely need a longer baking time
Bella
Hi I already made the recepie but the bread tastes kind of acid and didn’t elevate?
Instead of store bought baking powder I used homemade and didn’t add arrowroot!
JESSICA
Your recipe looks delicious !
I was wondering what adaptations you would recommend if I am using a bread machine ?
Thank so very much 🙂
Regina | Leelalicious
I haven’t made bread in a bread machine in a very long time. But from what I remember, you should use a quick bread setting that goes from stirring (no long kneading required) to baking right away (no rising time).
Maggie
Regina you are a queen indeed! I am in love with this bread. It came out beautifully, it’s very tasty – dare I say it’s the best bread I’ve ever had! It’s like super special gourmet bread 🙂
Instead of tapioca, I added 3 tbsp psyllium husk and 3 tsp chia seeds. I omitted the honey/sweetener too because I wanted my bread more on the salty side.
I had it with a small sliver of butter with sea salt flakes in it and it was amazing!
Thank you! I will check out more of your recipes!
Regina | Leelalicious
Thank you for the awesome review and for sharing your customizations.
Lee Lee
Hi, can I frozen this bread?
Regina | Leelalicious
Yes. Slice it first, then freeze. This way you can easily defrost as many slices as you need at a time. I like to pop them in the toaster to defrost and warm up
Sam Allanigue
Love this bread! I used psyllium husk instead of arrowroot starch and used sugarfree maple flavored syrup instead of honey. I also topped it with sliced almonds and chia seeds. It came out really well. Thanks for the recipe!
Stefany
I did it last night, and this morning I had a delicious breakfast: eggs, avocado aaaand this suer delicious bread. I liked the texture, not eggy… I put stevia instead of honey and i did not add the tapioca nor any other of the options you mention. I followed every step (the first way). Thank you for this recipe. Delicious!!
Cassidy Trebloc
In what portion did you use the ground chia seed? Same as the flax meal? I’ve been meaning to replace the 1/3 cup of flax meal with chia seed power, but I don’t know if it’s a 1-to-1 substitute ratio, meaning if I simply use the same exact amount of flax meal recommended, but in ground chia seed. So, would love to hear your experience.
Eeza
Hi Regina,
Can I use Xantham gum instead of Psyllium husk as substitute for arrowroot starch? And can I use a granulated sweetener instead of syrup?
Regina | Leelalicious
I have not tried xanthan gum in this recipe. I might work but I can’t guarantee it.
And yes, granulated sweetener can be substituted
Ruby
Is it possible to substitute the eggs with gelatin?
Chloe
Hi there! I can’t have flax or chia. Is there any way you might suggest I try replacing (as I would love to try this)? Perhaps some kind of mixture of additional coconut flour and some gelatin for gummi-ness? I can’t have high oxalate or high estrogen foods due to health issues. Thanks!
Regina | Leelalicious
Would psyllium husk work for you?
Cherlyn Kelly
I can’t eat Chua or flax seed. Can I substitute something else.
Regina | Leelalicious
Maybe psyllium husk might work for you. Or almond flour or a little extra coconut flour.
Jacqueline
Hi Regina,
I made this coconut flour bread today and it is simply delicious. Love the taste and texture. My first attempt and was very happy with the outcome even though I did not separate the yolks and whites. Took the easy way out. I omitted the tapioca starch and honey. Replaced flax meal with chia seed powder. I’ll definitely be making this again. Thank you!