LEMON POPPYSEED PROTEIN BREAD (VEGAN)

April 09, 2018

LEMON POPPYSEED PROTEIN BREAD (VEGAN)

Where are all my lemon lovers at? I’m sucker for anything lemon, but my favorite is this Lemon Poppyseed Protein Bread. This bread is moist and fluffy, sweet and citrusy, and downright crave-worthy! It took way too many tries to perfect this bread, but the reward was well worth the frustration of repeated failures. After almost giving up, I finally found the “golden ratio” to maximize protein content without ruining the texture!

Did you know? This bread makes a great post-workout snack because it’s lower in fats and higher in carbs, speeding protein delivery to the muscle (fat slows digestion and absorption).

Protein substitutions

For the protein, I used LIV Body Lean Vegan Protein in Fruity Loops (this flavor works so well in lemon flavored things). I absolutely love that this brand has no artificial ingredients but still tastes great and works well for baking! Feel free to use my code “NOEXCUSES” for 20% off all LIV Body products 😉

If you don’t have this particular brand, any plant-based protein should work so long as it’s a complementary flavor (like vanilla or cake batter). Do not attempt to substitute other types of protein powder in recipes that call for vegan protein! (collagen, egg white protein, casein, whey, etc.) In my experience, soy protein, rice protein, and pea protein are mostly interchangeable (you just may need to adjust the amount of liquid or flour slightly).

If you don’t have protein powder, simply substitute three-quarters cup or 90 grams additional flour! See listed flours below…

Flour substitutions

Speaking of flours, the flour that works the absolute best in this recipe is regular old all-purpose flour. For gluten-free, I recommend this gluten free baking flour. Fine gluten-free oat flour is another good option, or any flour that measures 1:1 like regular flour and has some binding capacity (whether gluten or something else).

Up to one-third of the baking flour can be substituted for coconut flour if you need to lower the carbs, but the bread won’t be as fluffy or “tall.” For example, substitute one-third cup baking flour for 2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons of coconut flour. I don’t recommend substituting 100% almond flour or coconut flour without other modifications!

Sweetener substitutions

To add the perfect amount of sweetness to this bread, I used my favorite organic stevia blend! It’s twice as sweet as sugar with no bitter aftertaste. If you’ve had stevia that tastes bitter, it’s because it’s cheap! You can substitute this stevia blend for twice as much (1 cup) baking stevia, granulated erythritol, monk fruit blend, or any granulated sugar like coconut sugar. If using stevia extract or drops, refer to the brand-specific conversion chart!

Other substitutions

To moisten this bread, I used silken tofu but have also tested plain soy yogurt and nonfat plain Greek yogurt (equivalent macros but not vegan). All three are high in protein!

The recipe also calls for aquafaba, which is the liquid from canned chickpeas (you’ll need about two cans worth). You could also use a vegan egg replacer or egg whites if not vegan! Ground flaxseed or psyllium husk are not ideal egg replacements for this recipe. Three chia eggs could be used though (maybe omit the poppyseeds)! The chia seeds will look bigger and more grey than the poppyseeds. They also won’t have that subtle crunch that’s so wonderful!

I did add a little vegan buttery spread to make this bread even moister, but it’s optional. This bread is delicious without it! And that subtle yellow hue? I used the tiniest dash of turmeric 😉

Sugar-free lemon icing

For the icing, I used fresh lemon juice and zest, unsweetened almond milk (use milk of choice), and confectioner’s erythritol. You can substitute the powdered erythritol for powdered monk fruit blend, powdered sugar, or simply blend granulated erythritol into a powder!

Use vegan buttery spread instead of the almond milk for a thicker, richer icing (what I did for these photos).

Here’s the printable recipe for this vegan Lemon Poppyseed Protein Bread! I hope you’ll rate and comment below if you try it 😉

This post contains affiliate links and is sponsored by LIV Body.

Lemon Poppyseed Protein Bread (Vegan, Gluten Free)

This Lemon Poppyseed Protein Bread is moist and fluffy, sweet and citrusy, gluten free and vegan, and packed with protein!
Course Dessert
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Servings 6 slices
Calories 179kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 cup (130g) gluten-free baking flour*
  • 2/3 cup (80g) vegan protein powder* I used LIV Body brand, code "NOEXCUSES" for 20% off
  • 1/2 cup calorie-free sweetener* I used one that's twice as sweet as sugar
  • 1 tsp. baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp. baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp. salt optional
  • 1/16 tsp. ground turmeric optional, for color
  • 3/4 cup blended silken tofu* or Greek yogurt
  • 3/4 cup vegan egg replacer or aquafaba (chickpea liquid)* or egg whites
  • 1/4 cup lemon juice ~3 large lemons
  • 3 tbsp. lemon zest
  • 2 tbsp. vegan buttery spread optional
  • 1 tsp. vanilla extract optional
  • 2 tbsp. poppy seeds*

Lemon icing (optional):

  • 1/2 cup powdered erythritol*
  • 1 tbsp. unsweetened almond milk* or melted vegan buttery spread
  • 2 tbsp. lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp. lemon zest

*See blog for more substitutions.

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
    • Whisk together dry ingredients (through salt) in a medium mixing bowl.
    • Zest and juice about three medium lemons add them to the bowl along with other wet ingredients (through vanilla). Batter should be thick but spreadable.
    • Stir in poppy seeds.
    • Line a loaf pan with parchment paper (recommended) or generously coat with cooking spray or buttery spread.
    • Spread mixture over the bottom of the pan using a spatula.
    • Bake for 45-55 minutes until a toothpick or knife inserted comes out clean.
    • While bread is baking, combine icing ingredients until smooth.
    • Let bread cool for 15 minutes before smothering with icing and cutting into six equal pieces. Enjoy!
    • Leftover bread will keep in fridge (in an airtight container) up to one week or in the freezer up to one month.

    Notes

    Calories (per serving, minus optionals): 179kcal, Fat: 3.0g, Sat fat: 0.3g, Carbs: 23g, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 1g, Protein: 15g, Sodium: 316mg
    Calories (per serving, including optionals): 221kcal, Fat: 7.0g, Sat fat: 1.6g, Carbs: 23g, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 1g, Protein: 15g, Sodium: 456mg

     





    Leave a comment

    Comments will be approved before showing up.


    Also in Blog

    Collagen French Toast Bake
    COLLAGEN FRENCH TOAST BAKE

    June 06, 2023

    You know when you want a "fancy" breakfast, but don't want to slave away in the kitchen? This Collagen French Toast Bake is the ticket! All that cinnamon maple goodness... with no fuss or standing over a pan. This yummy breakfast casserole is gluten free and dairy free with added protein from the collagen. I topped mine with blueberries, powdered sweetener, and sugar free pancake syrup!

    View full article →

    Healthier Beef Nachos (Dairy Free)
    HEALTHIER BEEF NACHOS (DAIRY FREE)

    May 31, 2023

    Sometimes you just get a craving for nachos! I've seen bell pepper nachos floating around the internet, and decided to make my own Healthier Beef Nachos that are dairy-free, gluten-free, macro-friendly and less inflammatory than your traditional nachos. They've got all the goods: tortilla chips, taco beef, tomatoes, jalapeños, olives, dairy-free cheese, guacamole, and sour cream (dairy-free Greek yogurt). I used baked tortilla chips and lean ground beef to lower the fat, and added some bell peppers to up the veggies! Swap the beef for meatless crumbles if you need a vegan version. 

    View full article →

    Mini Key Lime Protein Cheesecakes
    MINI KEY LIME PROTEIN CHEESECAKES

    May 24, 2023

    I can't get enough of these refreshingly sweet Mini Key Lime Protein Cheesecakes! Think rich key lime cheesecake with a nutty almond flax crust, topped with coconut whipped topping. These luscious treats pack 10 grams of protein each, thanks to the added collagen. They're also low carb and low in sugar! Did I mention these are gluten free and dairy free? Ohhh yes.

    View full article →

    Get my FREE meal prep guide!

    Get family-friendly recipes, nutrition tips and faith-based inspiration delivered straight to your inbox.