Oh hiiiii all my lemon lovers! For some reason, a lot of AK readers go absolutely nuts over lemon. I say this because every time I post something lemony, it tends to go viral; this leads me to the conclusion that there are A LOT of you who simply LOVE lemon.
This lemon poppyseed bread was something I dreamt up this past spring, and couldn’t stop making over and over again. It’s SO moist (I said it), healthy thanks to a mix of oat flour and almond flour and perfectly naturally sweetened with honey. I MEAN FLUFFY, TENDER AND OH SO GOOD with a little butter or extra drizzle of honey on top. Perfection.
Healthy lemon poppy seed bread ingredients
This delicious and easy lemon poppy seed loaf is made with better-for-you ingredients than your traditional lemon poppy seed bread, yet it still tastes just like a moist lemon cake! We’re not using any oil, butter or refined sugars. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Plain or vanilla greek yogurt: for a delicious boost of protein and moisture. Feel free to use your favorite dairy free yogurt if you’d like.
- Eggs: you’ll just need 2 eggs for the whole loaf.
- Honey: this healthy lemon poppy seed bread is naturally sweetened with honey.
- Lemon juice & zest: for the ultimate, bright lemon flavor.
- Almond extract: a bit of almond extract truly gives it that traditional lemon poppy seed flavor.
- Gluten free oat flour: one of the flours we’re using to keep this bread gluten free. See below for an easy way to make your own at home!
- Almond flour: be sure to use a fine, blanched almond flour to get the right consistency.
- Poppy seeds: what’s a lemon poppy seed bread without the poppy seeds? You can also sub chia seeds if you’d like.
- Baking soda & salt: for proper baking.
- For the glaze: we’re using some powdered sugar and more fresh lemon juice, plus almond extract if you’d like. However the bread is amazing without it too!
How to make homemade oat flour
You can easily make your own gluten free oat flour by simply placing gluten free oats into a blender and blending or pulsing until they’re smooth and resemble flour. This is a super easy & affordable option. Be sure to measure out 1 cup of your oat flour after making it! It’s also important to make sure your oat flour is VERY fine.
What makes this lemon poppy seed bread healthy?
As I mentioned before, traditional lemon poppy seed bread recipes tend to be made with extra oil, butter and refined sugars. We’re giving this one a makeover with easy swaps to make it the BEST healthy lemon poppy seed bread ever!
- There’s zero oil in this healthy lemon poppy seed bread! It’s moist from the protein-packed greek yogurt and contains healthy fats thanks to almond flour.
- It’s naturally sweetened with just honey instead of white sugar.
- It’s gluten free thanks to the combo of almond and gluten free oat flour.
- You can easily make it dairy free using your favorite dairy free yogurt. We love siggi’s plant based cups.
- There are additional healthy fats from the almond flour, and a boost of protein from the yogurt and eggs.
Trust me when I say this gluten free lemon poppy seed bread tastes just as indulgent as that loaf you’ve been eyeing at Starbucks, but it’s nutritious enough for breakfast or a snack.
How to make healthy lemon poppy seed bread
The best part about this bread? It’s made in just one bowl!
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line an 8 1/2 x 4 1/2 loaf pan with parchment paper and spray with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the following ingredients until well combined: yogurt, eggs, honey, lemon zest, lemon juice and almond extract.
- Add dry ingredients to the bowl: oat flour, almond flour, poppyseeds, baking soda and salt; mixing with a wooden spoon until well combined. pour into prepared loaf pan. bake for 35-45 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool bread in pan for 5 mins then remove and transfer to a wire rack; allow bread to cool completely before adding the glaze.
- Make the glaze by adding powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice and almond extract in a medium bowl. Stir to combine. You may need to add in more lemon juice if it is too thick (start with a teaspoon at a time). Glaze should be somewhat thick. Pour over bread and spread with a spoon if necessary. Top with a little extra lemon zest if you have any for a pretty effect.
How to store homemade lemon poppy seed bread
This healthy lemon poppy seed bread should be kept well-covered in foil or plastic wrap at room temperature for up to 3 days, then I recommend transferring to the fridge or freezer.
How to freeze healthy lemon poppy seed bread
This loaf freezes well! Simply wrap in plastic, then tightly in foil and finally place in a reusable bag or freezer friendly bag for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature once you are ready to eat. You can also feel free to freeze individual slices for a quick on the go treat. Feel free to freeze without the glaze and then top it once it is thawed out.
If you like this recipe, you might also like
Healthy Lemon Poppyseed Muffins with Lemon Blueberry Glaze
Paleo Orange-Kissed Loaf with Dark Chocolate Glaze
Lemon Blueberry Quinoa Pancakes
If you make this healthy lemon poppy seed bread recipe, be sure to leave a comment below and rate the recipe! You can also snap and picture and post it on Instagram using the hashtag #ambitiouskitchen. xo!
Amazing healthy lemon poppy seed bread made with a mix of oat and almond flour and naturally sweetened with honey. This easy gluten free lemon poppy seed bread has a boost of protein from greek yogurt and is made in one bowl for an easy, healthy breakfast or snack!
- Wet ingredients:
-
1/2
cup
plain or vanilla greek yogurt (or sub plant based yogurt of choice such as almond or coconut yogurt) -
2
eggs -
1/2
cup
honey - zest from 2 lemons
-
2
tablespoons
fresh lemon juice -
1/2
teaspoon
almond extract - Dry ingredients:
-
1
cup
oat flour, gluten free if desired -
1
cup
packed blanched fine almond flour -
1
tablespoon
poppyseeds (or sub chia seeds) -
3/4
teaspoon
baking soda -
1/4
teaspoon
salt - For the glaze:
-
½
cup
powdered sugar -
1-2
tablespoons
fresh lemon juice - Optional: 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line an 8 1/2 x 4 1/2 loaf pan with parchment paper and spray with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
In a large bowl, whisk together the following ingredients until well combined: yogurt, eggs, honey, lemon zest, lemon juice and almond extract.
Add dry ingredients to the bowl: oat flour, almond flour, poppyseeds, baking soda and salt; mixing with a wooden spoon until well combined. pour into prepared loaf pan. bake for 35-45 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool bread in pan for 5 mins then remove and transfer to a wire rack; allow bread to cool completely before adding the glaze.
Make the glaze by adding powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice and almond extract in a medium bowl. Stir to combine. You may need to add in more lemon juice if it is too thick (start with a teaspoon at a time). Glaze should be somewhat thick. Pour over bread and spread with a spoon if necessary. Top with a little extra lemon zest if you have any for a pretty effect. Cut bread into 8 slices and enjoy!
To make dairy free: I suggest using a dairy free yogurt such as siggi’s plant based yogurt. You can use any flavor you’d like!
A note on subs: If you don’t have oat flour, I think regular flour or 1:1 gf flour would work well. Please do not sub another flour for the almond flour. The almond flour contains moisture and fat which helps give the bread proper flavor and texture.
This recipe is great with or without the glaze!
Nutrition
Servings: 8 servings
Serving size: 1 slice
Calories: 258kcal
Fat: 9.5g
Saturated fat: 0.8g
Carbohydrates: 39.9g
Fiber: 2.6g
Sugar: 24.5g
Protein: 7.2g
Recipe by: Monique Volz // Ambitious Kitchen | Photography by: Eat Love Eats
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