?
Eat Well Jan. 16. 2018
Sides

The Best Mini Gluten Free Bread Rolls

Jan. 16. 2018
Sides
McKel Hill Kooienga, MS, RDN, LDN

McKel Hill Kooienga, MS, RDN, LDN

Founder of Nutrition Stripped and the Mindful Nutrition Method™

Nutrient-packed mini gluten-free bread rolls you’ll be happy to have in your baking arsenal.

I always say that everyone should have a go-to, simple gluten-free sandwich bread and gluten-free bread rolls in their baking arsenal. Keyword being simple and I’ve tried developing and using others recipes for gluten-free bread without much luck until last year with the Grain-free Walnut Bread. This mini gluten-free bread roll recipe calls for healthy, nutrient-dense ingredients, and nails the texture that’s hard to find in a lot of gluten-free bread recipes. Bonus? It freezes well to make in batches or for meal prep and you can make it two ways, loaf or mini rolls.

Whether as an entire loaf or as mini bread rolls, a good gluten free bread recipe is a must.

I’ve shared a few variations of grain free bread over the years, but I’m always excited to develop a new recipe that passes the “simple” test and tastes really good. I couldn’t tell you the number of emails and comments I get about making another grain free bread option because so many of you are looking for paleo bread or simply wanting to experiment with grain free bread options. This recipe contains tahini and sesame seeds which offer a savory take on standard gluten-free bread.

Whether you’re practicing a gluten-free lifestyle or not, you can enjoy the health benefits of grain-free recipes like this one. See, the beauty of many grain-free recipes is that you usually replace the grain with some other ingredient, and typically that’s in the form of healthy fats and protein from nuts, seeds, and nut/seed based flours.

Nuts and seeds are powerhouses when it comes to health benefits in a small volume. Sesame is the star of today’s recipe, with use of both sesame seeds and tahini, aka ground sesame seeds. Sesame is high in calcium and omega-3 fatty acids, essential amino acids that are the building blocks of protein (1), healthy fats, minerals such as copper, magnesium, manganese, iron, phosphorus, and B vitamins. We should all consume more omega-3 fatty acids because they help fight inflammation (2), they keep our brains healthy and active, joints lubricated, hormones happy (3), and they play a vital role in mental health and wellbeing (4).

Tahini offers a rich, nutty flavor to the bread, and packs anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer benefits (5). Studies point out that it could be used in the prevention and/or treatment of various types of cancer, making it just another reason to love this nutrient-dense, and altogether less processed, nut butter.

Nuts and seeds are “superfoods” because these whole foods pack a large number of nutrients in such a small volume. They’re easy to enjoy on-the-go and they taste great in healthy baking recipes. I’ve found nuts and seeds to be the secret to many gluten-free recipes, and I’ve even found them to come in handy with plant-based entrees — like with the NS chickpea meatballs and nut loaf for example.

Reduce waste and freeze any leftovers. You can also use these as bread crumbs if there a couple days past their peak freshness.

The possibilities and ways to enjoy these mini gluten-free bread rolls are endless! They’re the perfect bite-size to enjoy, and they can be made in loaf-form to be served with avocado, as sandwich bread, slathered in almond butter (with chopped dark chocolate on top), or dolloped with yogurt or dairy-free cheese and jam as pictured. To be resourceful with this recipe, you can freeze leftovers, I recommend allowing the rolls completely cool before putting them into an airtight glass container, or slicing the loaf then lay each sliced in a single layer in an airtight glass container.

Let me know what you think when you give this recipe a go! Leave a comment and rate it, rating helps me continue to improve recipes for you. I love seeing what you come up with so don’t forget to take a picture and tag it #nutritionstripped on Instagram.

xx McKel

Stripped

Minerals:

Sesame is high in calcium, essential amino acids that are the building blocks of protein (1), minerals like copper, magnesium, manganese, iron, phosphorous and B vitamins.

Eggs are also loaded with vitamins and minerals that benefit almost every system in the body, such as folate for cell growth, vitamin B12 for cognitive and nervous system functions, vitamin E as an antioxidant to protect us from disease, selenium as an antioxidant to boost immunity, vitamin D for bone health, zinc for wound healing and many more.

Healthy Fat:

Sesame seeds, i.e. when blended create tahini, are a good source of omega-3 fatty acids that help fight inflammation, (2) keep our brains healthy and active, keep our joints lubricated, maintain healthy hormone levels, (3) and play a role in mental health and wellbeing. (4)

Fiber:

Sesame seed and flaxseed are both useful in helping with the movement part of digestion, i.e. helping you use the restroom and bulk up your stool since they’re made of indigestible fibers.

Optimizer Option:

Top these mini gluten-free bread rolls with your favorite nut butter for added protein and healthy fats, or enjoy them as a side when serving a balanced, nourishing meal with additional greens, carbohydrates, healthy fats, protein, and fiber.

The Recipe

Serves 18

Print

Ingredients:

1 cup tahini

4 whole eggs, beaten

1/3 cup almond flour

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1 tablespoon maple syrup 

1-2 tablespoons filtered water

2 tablespoons whole flaxseed

2 tablespoon dried herbs such as thyme, rosemary, oregano (optional)

Garnish, sesame seeds

Directions:

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350 F degrees.

Step 2

Using a wooden spoon, mix the tahini, maple syrup, water, and 4 eggs in a large bowl until smooth. Next add almond flour, baking powder, optional dried herbs, flaxseed, and sesame until combined.

Step 3

Using coconut oil, grease a silicon cupcake pan to create mini bread rolls or a 5 x 9-inch bread loaf pan (silicon preferred).

Step 4

Spread the dough evenly into the cupcake pan for 8 minutes, check them, and bake for an additional 2-5 minutes if needed. If you’re baking as a loaf, bake for 45 minutes until a tester comes out clean.

Step 5

Take out of the oven once cooked and serve warm, or keep in an airtight container to enjoy throughout the week. If serving as slices, let cool for at least 1 hour before removing from the pan, further cool before slicing.

Step 6

Store: in the fridge for up to 1-2 weeks, or slice and individually wrap slices in foil and store in the freezer for a month.

References:

  1. Martinchik, A. N. [Nutritional value of sesame seeds].
  2. Simopoulos AP. Omega-3 fatty acids in inflammation and autoimmune diseases. J Am Coll Nutr. 2002 Dec;21(6):495-505. Review. PubMed PMID: 12480795.
  3. Saldeen P, Saldeen T. Women and omega-3 Fatty acids. Obstet Gynecol Surv. 2004 Oct;59(10):722-30; quiz 745-6. Review. PubMed PMID: 15385858.
  4. Logan AC. Omega-3 fatty acids and major depression: A primer for the mental health professional. Lipids in Health and Disease. 2004;3:25. doi:10.1186/1476-511X-3-25.
  5. Majdalawieh, A. F., Massri, M., & Nasrallah, G. K. (2017, November 15). A comprehensive review on the anti-cancer properties and mechanisms of action of sesamin, a lignan in sesame seeds (Sesamum indicum).

 

Be Free With Food.

Embrace a Balanced & Peaceful Relationship with Food.

Learn the proven method to feel confident, calm, and in control with food without obsessing or stressing. Start your journey now to experience the freedom and peace that comes with a healthy relationship with food.

🌿 Mindful Nutrition Method™ Course
🌱 Downloadable Worksheets & Templates
✍️ Practice Lab Trainings
🧠 Group Coaching Call Replays
💬 Journal Prompts
🔑 Practical, Effective, & Enjoyable Tools
📱 Self-paced Lessons at Your Fingertips
💫 Built-in Accountability
Start Today →