How to make quinoa flour and turn it into a naturally gluten-free quinoa flour bread! Quinoa Bread Recipe requires just 8 ingredients and no yeast for a naturally vegan, nutrient dense, and high protein bread, it will be one of your favorite new quinoa recipes!
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Easy No Yeast Quinoa Bread Recipe
This quinoa bread recipe is the ultimate ‘effortless’ quick bread for novice cooks and ‘lazy bakers’. There’s no yeast or gluten involved, meaning no proofing, kneading, rising, etc. Instead, this quinoa flour bread is closer to a quinoa soda bread; combining the ingredients with baking powder and baking soda to provide lift in a bread dough that is more batter-like in consistency.
Plus, with a combination of quinoa flour and oat flour, this bread is naturally gluten-free—meaning you don’t even have to worry about over-kneading the dough. You may also like the combination of quinoa and oats in quinoa granola bars!
Unlike other gluten-free bread, there are no specialty ingredients (like xanthan gum or psyllium husk) either! Instead, this gluten-free quinoa flour bread recipe relies on a combination of 8 simple ingredients and pantry staples.
Once baked, this quinoa flour bread is slightly chewy with an earthy, nutty flavor, perfect for flavorful toast! Best of all, by using quinoa flour, this yeast-free bread recipe replaces empty and nutrient-poor grains and ingredients with a seed packed with fiber, protein, and heart-healthy fats.
Why this Quinoa Flour Bread Recipe Works?
- This quinoa bread recipe requires just 8 simple ingredients – most of which are pantry staples.
- This quinoa flour bread requires no yeast – so no kneading or proofing is needed!
- The combination of quinoa and oats makes for a bread that’s packed with fiber, protein, vitamins and minerals, antioxidants, and healthy plant compounds! In fact, this bread is more nourishing than sprouted whole grain bread.
- Plus, the combination of quinoa and oats makes for an earthy, nutty, savory, flavor-packed bread – perfect for your breakfast toast.
- Overall this quinoa bread recipe is gluten-free, yeast-free, nut-free, and refined sugar-free!
Ingredients for Quinoa Bread Recipe
- Quinoa: You’ll need two cups of uncooked quinoa for this recipe to grind into flour. I haven’t tried this recipe with store-bought quinoa flour, so I can’t guarantee the results.
- Oat flour: Make sure to use certified gluten-free oats, if needed. I make my own by grinding 1 cup quick/rolled oats into a floury consistency. Measure the amount after blending in case any more is required. Check FAQs for substitutions.
- Leavening agents: This quinoa flour bread uses baking powder and baking soda to provide lift and a lighter texture.
- Coconut oil: Alternatively, room temperature butter would work.
- Milk: Use the milk of your choice. I used unsweetened almond milk.
- Sweetener: A little maple syrup or honey works well at balancing the flavors in this naturally earthy, savory quinoa bread recipe.
- Vinegar: You can use any vinegar (I used apple cider vinegar). This reacts with the leavening agents and helps to improve the texture of the gluten-free quinoa bread recipe. Lemon juice would also work.
- Salt: I used pink Himalayan salt. Sea salt flakes would also work.
Keep reading below (after the recipe how-to) for more information on any add-ins and recipe variations!
How to Make Quinoa Bread
- Prepare the quinoa flour: First, preheat the oven to 400F/205C and grease an 8×5-inch loaf tin with coconut oil or butter. Then add the quinoa to a high-speed blender or food processor and grind it into a floury consistency. This can take several minutes.
When cooking with quinoa, many recipes start by rinsing the quinoa to remove the bitter saponins from the outside of the seed. In many cases now, quinoa is pre-rinsed. However, if you want to make sure, then rinse the quinoa the day before or rinse, pat dry, and then place in the oven at its’ lowest temperature until dried before grinding into a flour.
- Combine the dry ingredients: Transfer the quinoa flour, oat flour, leavening agents, and salt into a large bowl and mix. Then add the room temperature coconut oil (or butter) and stir until incorporated.
- Combine the wet ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk the milk, sweetener, and vinegar together. Then pour into the bowl with the dry ingredients and mix in with a spatula.
This gluten-free quinoa flour bread batter is more like a batter/quick bread batter than bread dough and should be thick but not knead-able.
- Bake the quinoa bread: Transfer the quinoa bread batter to the prepared loaf tin, level with a spatula, then optionally sprinkle with sesame seeds. Bake the quinoa bread for 60 minutes, covering it loosely with parchment paper for the first 30 minutes. This will prevent the top from burning while the middle of the quinoa flour bread bakes- so it is important!
- Allow to cool: Once baked, remove the tin from the oven and leave it to cool for at least an hour. Then loosen the sides of the loaf with a knife and flip out onto a cooling rack. Allow it to cool completely on the rack before slicing and enjoying.
Ensure the bread has completely cooled before storing; otherwise, it may become ‘soggy’ from the steam when stored.
You can then use the bread any way you would regular bread. I think it works particularly well for toast with the toppings of your choice. Delicious!
Optional Add-In’s and Variations
- Herbs: Feel free to add extra flavor to the quinoa flour soda bread with the addition of dried herbs. My favorite add-ins are Italian seasoning with garlic powder and onion powder.
- Cheese: For a bit more of a decadent quinoa bread recipe, you could add some freshly shredded cheese to the bread batter. I recommend using a sharp cheese like cheddar and using around ½ cup. It will melt in the oven and become a ‘glue’ to help hold the gluten-free loaf together.
- Nuts/seeds: For more texture in the quinoa bread recipe, you could add around ¼ cup of crushed nuts/ seeds. I like walnuts and/or pepitas (pumpkin seeds) in particular. You could also use a mixed seed mixture to top the loaf.
- Other sundries: Like finely chopped jalapeno, sun-dried tomatoes, or olives – all of which would work very well with a cheese version. I would throw in a small handful to begin.
Don’t add too many ‘extras’ to this quinoa bread recipe; otherwise, it may lead to crumbly bread. Make sure all the add-ins are small and easily sliceable.
Tips for Best Results
- Make sure to cool before slicing: As this bread is vegan, gluten-free, and yeast-free – it’s important to allow it to cool before slicing; otherwise, it may crumble apart.
- Test the quinoa flour bread doneness: Like cake recipes, you can use a skewer/toothpick inserted into the center of the quinoa flour bread to make sure it’s cooked through. It should come out clean when ready.
- Adjust the sweetness: The flavor of this quinoa flour bread recipe is very earthy, nutty, and savory. So feel free to add an extra spoonful of sweetener if preferred.
FAQs
Yes, you could use spelt flour or whole wheat flour instead. However, the bread will be slightly drier, with a nuttier flavor – so I prefer oat flour.
I tested several flour combinations for this recipe. However, quinoa flour and oat flour worked best as quinoa is quite dry, yet oat flour is more ‘gluey’ and acts as an excellent binder for the gluten-free quinoa bread.
I’ve only tried this recipe with regular white quinoa, so I can’t guarantee results with any other variety.
It’s very simple to prepare quinoa flour at home. All you need to do is transfer the quinoa to a high-speed blender (preferred) or food processor and process until floury. It seems to take a lot longer in a food processor, so be patient.
This may be due to unwashed quinoa (to remove saponins) or the brand of baking powder used. I haven’t had this issue, though.
Serving Reccomendations
As mentioned above, this bread works great for a gluten free breakfast toast! Here are some fun ways to top your quinoa flour bread:
- PB&J: Traditional combo of peanut butter, cashew butter or almond butter with your favorite all natural or homemade jam.
- Avocado toast: Top with smashed or sliced avocado, cured meat and cucumber with a dash of pepper.
- Hummus and veggies: A thin smear of garlic hummus with some crunchy veggies would be a great snack or light lunch!
- Fried egg and tomato: For a simple breakfast or lunch – for a fun twist spread your gluten free quinoa bread with pesto first!
- Sweet and savory: Goat cheese with sliced strawberries makes a delicious breakfast!
- Savory toast: Sauteed mushrooms with garlic, thyme, salt and pepper.
Alternately, this bread would be an amazing accompaniment to this butternut squash soup!
Making Gluten Free Quinoa Flour Bread in Advance and Storing
Make ahead: You can prepare the batter up to a day in advance (except the leavening agents) and store it in the fridge, covered. Then, when you want to bake, stir in the leavening agents, and add an extra splash or so of milk as needed (as the oats and quinoa will have soaked up more liquid overnight)- then bake.
Storing: Store the quinoa flour bread in a sealed plastic bag in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. If the bread gets soggy around the edges, toasting lightly will ‘revive’ and give it a crunch.
Freeze: You can freeze the loaf whole or slices (with parchment paper between the slices to avoid sticking). Store in a zip lock bag and freeze for up to 3 months. To use, you can allow the bread to thaw at room temperature or thaw/reheat individual slices in a toaster oven or microwave as and when needed.
More Quinoa Recipes to Try
You might also like this list of 30 healthy quinoa recipes!
Quinoa Bread Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups quinoa uncooked
- 1 cup oat flour*
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp baking powder aluminum free
- 1/4 tsp himalayan pink salt
- 3 tbsp coconut oil or butter room T
- 2 cups any milk I used unsweetened almond
- 1 tbsp maple syrup or raw honey
- 1 tbsp any vinegar I used apple cider
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F and grease 8″ x 5″ loaf tin with butter or coconut oil well.
- In a high-speed blender or food processor, grind quinoa for a few minutes until flour forms. Transfer to a large mixing bowl along with oat flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt; stir very well. Add butter or coconut oil and stir until it is incorporated with dry ingredients in small pieces.
- In a medium bowl, whisk milk, maple syrup and vinegar. Pour into a bowl with dry ingredients and mix well with spatula.
- Transfer to a prepared loaf tin, level and sprinkle with sesame seeds if desired. Bake for 60 minutes loosely covered with parchment paper for the first 30 minutes to prevent top from burning.
- Remove from the oven and let cool for about an hour. Then loosen the sides with a knife, flip the tin and give a few gentle pats on a bottom. Bread should slide out and cool off completely before slicing.
Notes
- Store: Refrigerate in a sealed plastic bag for about 2 weeks.
- Freeze: Tightly wrapped up to 3 months.
- Make oat flour by grinding quick or rolled oats. I think ratio is 1:1 but measure after anyways.
- Also you can use spelt or whole wheat flour in place of oat flour. Bread will be dryer and nuttier but still good. I prefer oat flour.
- For gluten free bread version use Gluten Free certified oats.
I followed this recipe exactly, but since I don’t do oats, I subbed the oat flour with 1/3 cup of coconut flour. Worked like a charm! It is perfect sandwich bread! I’ve used it for lunch meat and lettuce sandwiches, peanut butter and jelly, as well as popping it in the toaster for jelly toast! Wonderful recipe, thank you very much. <3
I made this subbing store bought quinoa flour (2 and 2/3 cup) because the flavor of my homemade version always seemed bitter and not as tasty. It came out perfect! I also added some seeds to the batter and it was very nice.
I think if anyone has problems with a crumbly texture it is either that the bread hasn’t cooled completely (it’s hard to resist slicing fresh bread, I know!) or just baking being baking! It’s sort of an art and sometimes things come out perfect, while others they just do what they want ha! Great recipe, thank you so much for sharing it!
Agree 1000%. No matter how many times I stress to let the thing cool down, sure thing someone will ignore this instruction and then complain about recipe didn’t work out. My own mom is a terrible, terrible, terrible recipe follower and can’t bake for this reason. Baking is a science FOR SURE!!! Glad it worked for you!!!
I have been grain free for a few months now, and have been wanting to try a bread recipe to satisfy my bagel with butter and cream cheese cravings…
I used 2 2/3 c store bought quinoa flour, and subbed the oat flour with 1/3 c coconut flour.
I wanted to let you know that it came out beautifully! Texture is like a moist banana bread and the flavor is perfect for the butter and cream cheese! It sliced great!
I should try the coconut flour. Tx for letting me know.:) Enjoy!
I used this substitution and my bread didn’t rise at all…probably something else I did wrong. Still tastes great though!
Do you think yogurt could work in place of milk? Or maybe part yogurt, part water?
Yogurt wouldn’t work. I wouldn’t recommend anything else besides milk. Baking is quiet a science and even 2 tbsp short or more of liquid could throw off the recipe.
I weighed the Quinoa, then ground it. When it came out of the oven it was extremely crumbly. I put it in the fridge in a plastic bag while still warm, and it magically became moist and sliceable.
You have to let bread cool completely to be sliceable!!! Glad it worked out for you, Deb.
Hi!
I wander how many cups of quinoa flour would be equivalent to 2 cups of uncooked quinoa needed in this recipe?
I don’t hv a scale….
Many thanks…
Hey,
I just read other comments n got my answers…
Thanks !
I made this bread and have just enjoyed the end slice. It turned out much more dense and rose less than in your picture. I followed the recipe exactly except for one thing: 2 cups of quinoa made the 2 2/3 cups of flour like you said, plus another 1/4 to 1/3 cup, and I didn’t add that in. I saved it in case I thought I’d need it, but the dough was pretty thick and I decided against using it. The bread is not really heavy at all in spite of the density of the crumb, although it is a bit bland. I’m wondering if there’s something I can add to perk up the flavor a bit. Also, there is the faintest tinge of bitterness, from not rinsing the quinoa first. It’s not really offensive. I may rinse, or even sprout, my quinoa next time, and dehydrate before milling. The loaf came out of the oven smelling heavenly – like peanut butter! This stuff could grow on me for sure. I thought I’d post a picture but I don’t see that that is an option here.
You can add garlic powder, rosemary and other herbs. Is your baking powder fresh? Sometimes it becomes inactive. Google how to check it. I do not think rinsing quinoa will help get rid off quinoa taste in bread. I could taste quinoa but no bitterness.
Hi, I love everything you post and I am slowly getting better at cooking your recipes! I am trying to quit with any kind of sugar (even natural ones) so I was wondering: is the syrup/honey really essential in this recipe?
Hi Franci. Yes, sweeter is essential in this recipe not so much for taste purpose but to react with vinegar and baking soda to yield a proper texture bread. 1 tbsp is really nothing per 10 slices of bread.:)
Can’t wait to try your recipe Olena, unfortunately oats is classed as not gluten free here in Australia. I have bought packaged oats from USA here in a health shop but the standards over there allow a higher level of gluten in this produce. As I am a Coeliac sufferer I have to be careful about gluten. Would plain gluten flour work? Look forward to baking bread ?
I think gluten free flour would work. It doesn’t rise or absorb liquid much like whole wheat.
There are no certified gluten free oats in Australia? We have them in North America. I should add that to the recipe. Forgot. Sorry. For those poor people like you who get sick from gluten.
Thanks Olena, will keep looking. Meanwhile I will give your recipe a go ???
Oh my goodness that sandwich has me drooling and I want the top side too! And is that smoked fish? I’m dying here! Buying jeans I discard them by the zipper length. The short zippers never make it to the changing room. Lately I just buy them and try at home usually end up returning them all. I hate the mirrors and lights in the changing rooms.
I have a bag of quinoa flour that I bought months ago in curiosity and stuck it in the freezer not knowing what to do. But it’s almost like powder it’s so fine. I wonder if it would would? Yours looks so darned good!
Work! I wonder if it would work..sorry!
I wholeheartedly agree about light in dressing rooms. I try things at home too. I buy jeans once in 3 years. Only expensive brands fit me well but overallI hate jeans. I live in Lululemon. I buy clothes rarely but when I buy it is one quality piece. I am so sick of cheap China crap. Done with it.
Yes, that is smoked wild salmon from Costco. I love it! A treat. I wish it was cheaper.
I’m sure that quinoa flour would work. Mine was fine powder.