Low carb bread – we all crave it and we are all looking for the perfect recipe. This might just be the best low carb bread recipe, and it’s so versatile, you can use it for rolls, sticky buns, pizza and more.
Yesterday afternoon I did something I rarely let myself do: I completely blew off work. It was a glorious day here in the Pacific Northwest, not a cloud in the vibrant blue sky, a perfect 70 degrees Fahrenheit. It was CIT – “Carolyn’s Ideal Temperature”, and I just couldn’t let it go to waste, sitting inside working on blog posts and articles and photos. The glorious spring weather was calling to me and I succumbed. I threw on some flip flops and went for a walk, stopping to get an iced coffee along the way. And then I went to get my toes done, something I desperately needed for an event we are attending tonight. I couldn’t let the world at large see my calloused, banged up runners’ feet and toes as they were!
How to make Low Carb Bread
So this bread recipe is going up a little late today. And it’s not one I can just throw up and leave be. This one needs a little explaining, a little talking through. See, I’ve been working on this for a while now, trying to perfect my own version of the low carb psyllium bread (hats off to those who’ve gone before, most notably Maria of Keto-Adapted). Psyllium is like many other low carb ingredients, something that takes a little getting used to. It has its own quirks and idiosyncrasies and you have to learn to work with them or you won’t get the desired results.
One thing I’ve found is that the brand of psyllium powder definitely makes a difference. I’ve tried two: Now Brand and Yerba Prima. I think I like the Now Brand better, as the Yerba Prima gives my bread more of that slight purply colour. It also seems to give my breads a more gummy texture than the Now psyllium powder.
Because of this difference between brands, it can make it hard to write recipes that work for everyone. I know many people experience frustration with psyllium bread recipes being gummy or deflating after being removed from the oven and I think a lot of that is the brand differences. So I tried to write this particular recipe with those differences in mind. In this case, you only add just enough hot water to expand the bread to about 1.5 to 2 times the original size. With Now Brand psyllium, I find you need more water and with Yerba Prima, I find you need less. It does require using your judgement and deciding when enough is enough. This may take a little practice, but when you get good results, it’s worth it.
I also wanted to develop a bread recipe that could be used in multiple applications and I think I’ve succeeded. I’ve used it for my low carb Pizza rolls, loaf bread, buns and yes, some delicious low carb sticky buns. I think it could be used as pizza crust too, but I haven’t tried it as yet. And I am going to be cruel and tease you with the sticky bun photos today, as the recipe with be forthcoming in a few more days. They were delicious and well worth the effort!
Multi-Purpose Low Carb Bread Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ cup coconut flour (I used Bob's Red Mill)
- ½ cup almond flour
- 5 tablespoon psyllium husk powder (about 1.6 ounces)
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic or onion powder (optional)
- ½ teaspoon herbs like rosemary, oregano or basil. Pizza seasoning is great too! (optional)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ cup egg whites (about 8 to 10 large egg whites)
- 3 tablespoon oil or melted butter
- 2 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- ⅓ to ¾ cup hot water
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F. If you are making a loaf, grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan well. If you are making rolls, line a large cookie sheet with parchment paper or a silicone liner.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the coconut flour, almond flour, psyllium husk powder, baking powder, and salt.
- Stir in egg whites, oil and apple cider vinegar. Slowly pour hot water over, stirring until dough expands. Start with the lesser amount and add a bit more until dough seems like it has expanded about 1.5 to 2 times. Do not add too much water or it can become a gloppy mess.
Loaf:
- For a loaf of bread, shape into a rough rectangle and place in prepared baking pan. Bake 60 to 75 minutes, until browned and crust feels hard to the touch (it will look done long before it really is. Don't take it out early or it will deflate). Remove and let cool in pan.
Rolls:
- Divide dough into 10 to 12 equal pieces and roll between palms into a rough ball. If dough is sticky, oil your palms with olive or avocado oil. Place on prepared cookie sheet. If you want flatter rolls for burgers or sandwich rolls, press down to 1 inch thickness with your palm.
- Bake 45 to 60 minutes, depending on size and shape of rolls. Rolls should be well browned and quite firm to the touch. Remove and let cool on pan.
Homedpc says
Thanks for the recipe. Ive made this a few times now and it is great! User caraway seeds and fresh rosemary. The inner texture is quite soft and spongy like cake. Can I make it a little more bread-like by adding some gluten. My body handles gluten with no problems.
Ronalyn Hurley says
This bread is so much tastier than any other recipe I’ve tried. Unfortunately, the loaf did not expand so my slices were only 1-1/2 inches high. I know psyllium husk meal doesn’t go bad so I’m wondering if the temperature of the water was the problem. It has just come off the boil when I poured it in. What do you think?
Carolyn says
Mine’s usually that same temp so I don’t think that’s the issue.
Annette Clelland says
I have made these rolls a couple of times and thought they were great. The batch I made yesterday were so heavy that I couldn’t eat them, I used all the same ingredients as before but put some cheese in a couple and thought that was the problem but the plain ones were the same, any idea what could have went wrong? Thanks xx
Carolyn says
Did you use anything different than before?
Niki says
I have my loaf in the oven now. I added a packet of yeast because I read it give a good flavor. The whole house smells like delicious yeast bread. My grandma always taught me to use my nose as an indicator of when things are done. It has about 20 more minutes left and I am resisting the urge to take it out. *fingers crossed it turns out*
Sarah B says
Carolyn, I am also considering this recipe for pizza, should the crust be baked before the toppings are added or can I add the toppings to the raw crust and bake it all at the same time?
Thanks so much for making life easier on us diabetics. Your recipes are truly wonderful!
Carolyn says
Definitely bake the crust first. Maybe 15 to 20 minutes?
Sarah B says
This recipe looks amazing, I have been looking for a bread of this sort for years!
Quick question, ” can this bread be rolled out with a rolling pin? I would like to make cinnamon rolls with it.
Carolyn says
If you cover it with parchment, you can roll it out for cinnamon rolls or pizza.
Sarah B says
Thanks, for your help, Carolyn! I made some Cinnamon rolls and they were VERY delicious! I baked each one separately in a muffin tin and they came out sticky and puffy. I will definitely be ading this recipe to my collection!
Carolyn says
That sounds like a good idea!
Sarah Murphy says
OKAY. I just read through ALL the comments and didn’t find my answer so I am hoping someone will know. I just made a batch of these and they look great (haven’t tasted them yet) wven though I didn’t get anywhere near 12 rolls. Anyhow, my question is this: can I add some pineapple juice and yeast to this? I know the yeast is not neccessary but I like the taste. 😉 and the pineapple juice would (hopefully) make them taste more like hawaiian sweet rolls for a recipe that I would love to make low carb. If I did add the pineapple juice, would I heat it and use it as part of the water and heat it up? Or would extra liquid be okay in these?
Carolyn says
I would use the pineapple juice as some of the liquid and I would just add it to the warm water, don’t heat it on its own. And yes, I am sure you can add a little yeast.
Sarah Murphy says
Great! I will try that, thank you! Btw, like others have said, I have yet to try a recipe of yours that I didn’t love. Thanks for all your hard work! 🙂
gjeannieg says
Sarah, did that work? I would love a Hawaiian Bread substitute! Thanks!
Sarah Murphy says
I didn’t get around to it. Sorry! I made a test batch first and unfortunately I realized that I my ummm, digestive system does not like psyllium. The plain rolls tasted great, though.
Elizabeth Hayes says
Is there anything I can sub for the vinegar? I can’t have vinegar or lemon juice, so have no idea what to use!
Carolyn says
Just try skipping it.
Cecile says
Carolyn,
Wow, great recipe! While I have been making Maria’s bread for a couple of years and enjoying it, I stepped out and made yours yesterday! It is easier to make, is lighter and has a less “gritty” taste. I followed your recipe exactly, even weighing the psyllium. Perfect!! Warm end piece with butter…..ahhhhh!
BTW, I have always used GNC Colon Pure Psyllium Husk Powder.
Love your recipes and your writing!!
Carolyn says
Thanks, i appreciate it!
Marisa says
I am waiting patiently for the sticky bun recipe, but I’m having troubles….; ) HELP! I NEED sitcky buns!
Carolyn says
It’s been around for a while already! https://alldayidreamaboutfood.com/2015/04/low-carb-caramel-sticky-buns.html
Debi says
Hello Carolyn
Thank you so much for your bread recipe….it is definitely the best I have tried. I am having trouble with it not rising much, and then sinking. Last time I used 1/2 cup of water…..and it rose slightly but then fell while still in the oven. When I took it out and cooled it, the top half was air and the bottom half was kinda dense and gummy……It still tastes great and toasts up fine. I can’t figure what the problem is. I used organic psyllium – called Organic India…..and ground it down half in a blender ….at Maria’s suggestion on her site for her bread. This new loaf I have in the oven, I am making it on the suggestion of one of the comments that were posted ….the one that weighed all the ingredients, so we will see what happens.
My next attempt may be using peanut flour instead of almond flour. The attempt after that will be using THM baking blend instead of the almond flour and coconut flour….and still using psyllium…so we’ll see.
So I will keep trying and hoping for a loaf that looks like real bread 🙂
Brian Garman says
Hi – I have been looking for a lchf recipe for rolls for a while so I am very grateful to have found this. I was wondering why you use only egg whites rather than the whole egg?
Carolyn says
It helps it rise better and not be too dense.
Sylvie says
Hi, is this recipe gluten free? Thanks.
Carolyn says
Yes.
JulieG says
This is the second time of making this bread and I made it with 4 tblsp physalis, 1/4 cup coconut flour, 1/4 cup ground almonds, 1/4 cup flaxseed & 1/4 cup of protein powder and it came out even better and, I think I’m right in saying that the ground flax and protein powder will also make it slightly lower carb.
Great recipe, thank you for posting it.
Joi says
Just tried this recipe for the second time (using NOW brand psyllium husk powder) and it was really yummy both times, but I can see I need a little more practice on the mixing method as my first effort was pretty flat and dense (I used egg whites from a carton, and won’t do that again), and the second effort deflated (I am positive that I simply took it out too early). I wonder if the NOW brand has changed a bit, though, as it’s really quite purple? Just thought I’d mention that. Looking forward to the next practice loaf! (Oh- and will try to store this loaf in the fridge, as the last loaf molded after a couple of days on the counter.)
Paul says
Hi Carolyn, can I substitute baking soda for the baking powder?
Cindy says
I’ve tried your recipe this morning and it tasted sooooooo good!!! It turned out wonderful!! I added Oregano and Garlic Powder they smell so fragrant!
Here’s a shot of my bread – http://imgur.com/a/Nz6wb
I used a square cake pan (I did not have a loaf tin) and it turns out nice too, like bread sticks if I sliced it.
Thanks for a great recipe!
Carolyn says
It looks fab, Cindy!
Karen Mahoney says
I’ve made this recipe 3 times now and I enjoy the taste and texture very much. However the last twice the loaf rose nicely, did not fall on cooling but when I cut into it it has a HUGE air pocket. So the top of all my slices is missing. The outside crust is there. Just no filling. I’m using a loaf pan. Do you have any suggestions to eliminate the big air pocket?
Carolyn says
Hmm. I am thinking that perhaps you need to tap your loaf pan pretty firmly on the counter a few times before baking. Maybe even punch it down a little in the pan to help release those big air bubbles.
Karen says
Thanks I’ll give that a try . I have been trying to be gentle with it when I put it in the pan. Next time I’ll give it a good whack nstead. ?
Carolyn says
I don’t think you need to be too gentle with it. It’s not a yeast dough and I don’t think it’s as susceptible to over-handling.
Pugs says
Gosh I struggle with these egg white breads 🙁
Because I am in Aus. I cant use exactly the same brand ingredients – so … purple.
Anyways – can you please tell me whether the bread should EXPAND more in the oven – OR – is the squidgy dough mix that we plop into the pan equivalent to the volume of the final loaf?
Carolyn says
It should definitely expand!
Sylvie Farrell says
Hi Carolyn,
Made the buns this morning amd they turned of wonderful. Best low carb bread so far. I was wondering how you would make pizza dough with this recipe. Thank you so much for all hour wonderful recipe. You are by far my favorite blogger.
Carolyn says
Thanks, Sylvie. Roll it out and shape it for pizza but definitely make sure to bake it without toppings first. Maybe 20 minutes? Until it starts to feel firm. Then add the toppings and bake another 10 to 12 minutes.