Grain-Free Upside Down Apple Bread

This grain-free apple bread is made upside down style, which makes it perfect for dessert. It also makes a great breakfast served with a cup of coffee! 

Just the usual shenanigans over here.

Golf n stuff with Liv

(PS. A fedora is a great for any bad hair day) 

Playing, reading, hanging out, some great workouts…

and this apple bread.

grain-free upside down apple bread

Grain-Free Apple Bread

I’ve had a lot of fun experimenting with grain-free breads lately, and have fallen in love with using almond meal. It’s an easy way to add healthy fat and fiber to a dish, and yields a dense, nutty texture. I’m a huge fan.

I had this vision of an upside down apple bread and decided to make it happen. I sliced up some apples, placed them on the bottom of a baking dish, topped with batter and said a prayer to the grain-free bread gods. 

pouring grain-free apple bread batter

The verdict? Amazing.  

grain-free upside down apple bread

It’s fantastic on its own with a cup of coffee or as a dessert addition to lunch.

apple bread and miso salad

This salad with miso dressing is another story in itself. I’m obsessed.

Miso salad

Hope you enjoy it as much as we have! <3

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Grain-free upside down apple bread

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A sweet and nutty bread, with a filling dose of healthy fats and fiber

  • Prep Time: 5
  • Cook Time: 30
  • Total Time: 35

Ingredients

Scale

For the bottom layer

  • 2 small Fuji or Gala apples, peeled and thinly sliced
  • Juice of 1/2 lemon
  • 1/2 teaspoon coconut sugar (or brown sugar)
  • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

For the batter

  • 1 1/2 cup almond meal
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 tablespoon coconut oil
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 tablespoon ground flax
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • pinch of sea salt

Instructions

  1. 1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease a small baking dish (mine was 8×8) with nonstick spray or olive oil.
  2. 2. In a bowl, combine the apple sliced with lemon juice, sugar and cinnamon.
  3. 3. Spread a thin layer of the apple mixture on the bottom of the baking dish.
  4. 4. In the same bowl, add your almond meal, flax, sea salt, cinnamon and baking powder. Use a fork to quickly combine the ingredients before stirring in the eggs, coconut oil, honey and vanilla.
  5. 5. Pour the batter over the apple layer. Use the back of the spoon to create an even layer.
  6. 6. Bake for 30 minutes, until cooked through and bubbly.

Notes

  • This would also be lovely with berries, dried fruit or chocolate chips 🙂

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 6

Grain-free apple bread, upside down style! This grain-free bread is perfect with a cup of coffee for breakfast or even works well for a grain-free dessert! fitnessista.com

 

xoxo

Gina

Don’t forget to check in for today’s workout and enter this week’s giveaway!

See ya later today with a Fashion post with my latest HM finds 🙂

Do you like to make bread or buy it? I never thought I’d make breads at home -or… bread-type creations- but I’ve been surprised with how inexpensive and easy it is. I always buy brown rice tortillas, though. They’re my favorite for egg burritos 🙂

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82 Comments

  1. Erin @ Girl Gone Veggie on February 4, 2014 at 10:21 am

    This looks great! I’m an Ezekiel fan. Quick, healthy, and super tasty!

  2. Racheal @ Running with Racheal on February 4, 2014 at 10:26 am

    Making this today. Yum! Thanks for sharing!

    • Fitnessista on February 4, 2014 at 4:02 pm

      how’d it turn out?? 🙂

  3. Lindsey on February 4, 2014 at 10:34 am

    I recently branched out and made a loaf of pumpkin bread, and boy was it delicious! I usually buy bread though, I’m not gonna lie 🙂

    • Fitnessista on February 4, 2014 at 4:01 pm

      we usually do too 🙂 it makes life easier

  4. Lara on February 4, 2014 at 10:44 am

    I just picked up some almond meal myself and really love it! Where do you go for recipes?

  5. Bethany on February 4, 2014 at 10:54 am

    I’ve been reading your blog for a couple of months now and love it! I’ve been transitioning to a mostly paleo diet and trying to make more grain free breads but totally failing! I haven’t made anything that I’ve truly enjoyed the taste of yet. Any others you can share that you have made and enjoyed?

  6. Cassie Vaughn on February 4, 2014 at 10:55 am

    Looks yummy!

  7. Megan @ The Skinny-Life on February 4, 2014 at 11:34 am

    I try to stay away from breads. When I do eat them, I try to do whole wheat or grain types. I am a fan of almond meal too. I made an apple crisp at Christmas. It had similar ingredients to yours except it had walnuts & no brown sugar.I used stevia instead. It was yummy, but didn’t look pretty like yours!

  8. Jessica @ He Cooks, She Bakes, They Eat on February 4, 2014 at 11:35 am

    So happy to see a recipe calling for coconut sugar.

    I saw it at Trader Joe’s and bought it, although I haven’t opened it yet and am not sure what to use it for.

    Do you sub it for regular sugar? Can you taste coconut?

    • Fitnessista on February 4, 2014 at 4:00 pm

      it’s more similar to brown sugar (i think). has a warm flavor and doesn’t taste like coconut

  9. Chrystal J on February 4, 2014 at 11:44 am

    Looks fantastic! I may add it to this week’s breakfast menu. 🙂

    • Fitnessista on February 4, 2014 at 4:00 pm

      let me know if you try it out 🙂

  10. Sara on February 4, 2014 at 11:54 am

    We do make our own breads…I have a bread maker so we will do 100% whole wheat in there for sandwiches and such and I found a good bread recipe with quinoa, almond meal and pumpkin seeds…so easy and very hearty for hummus or smashed avocado and tomato sandwiches 🙂

    • Fitnessista on February 4, 2014 at 4:00 pm

      that sounds incredible! do you think a bread maker is worth the investment??

      • Priya on February 5, 2014 at 11:00 am

        my mom has one, and we used it a BUNCH last summer. its so fun, once you have the basics down, to use different cereals/grains. but is you primarily use almond meal, not not other grains, i would do some other research because i dont know how that would work in a traditional bread maker. i would think chick pea flour could work!

  11. Elizabeth @ Positive Change on February 4, 2014 at 12:01 pm

    I don’t make breads either, but this looks super easy and really yummy!

    • Fitnessista on February 4, 2014 at 3:59 pm

      super easy!

  12. Becky @ Life Outside The BOX on February 4, 2014 at 12:05 pm

    I was watching Giada on the food network the other day, and she made the most amazing banana- blueberry bread that I want to recreate with almond meal! I’ll have to give this one a try too!!

    • Fitnessista on February 4, 2014 at 3:59 pm

      that sounds lovely!!

  13. Tracy on February 4, 2014 at 12:25 pm

    Boy does that look yummy!! We’re snowed in here today in Kansas City so that will be a great baking project for my daughter & me 🙂

    Will you share the miso dressing recipe please?? Or is it store bought?

    • Fitnessista on February 4, 2014 at 3:59 pm

      it will be in the book 🙂
      xo

    • Jessie on February 4, 2014 at 4:25 pm

      Fellow Kansas Citian snowed in as well, so making this tonight!

  14. Lauren on February 4, 2014 at 12:33 pm

    Any suggestions for a substitution for the flax? it probably can go without right?

    • terri d. on February 4, 2014 at 3:34 pm

      I have the same question about the flax…other than that, I have all the ingredients. Does the flax just add to the nutritional value?

      • Fitnessista on February 4, 2014 at 3:52 pm

        yeah- i totally think you could skip it

    • Fitnessista on February 4, 2014 at 3:58 pm

      i think it definitely can

  15. Becky@TheSavedRunner on February 4, 2014 at 12:33 pm

    This bread looks delicious! I have been wanting to buy some almond meal for a while now. Is there a difference in almond meal and almond flour?

  16. katie@Runningaragnar on February 4, 2014 at 1:01 pm

    On my grocery list! YUM!

  17. Kathy Taylor on February 4, 2014 at 1:05 pm

    That does look good….I’m not really into baking bread & also usually buy mine (blush)…..BUT I am really into my salads at present & am now going to hunt down your Miso dressing….not heard of that before (is that wrong?)….did you make it yourself, what is it? going to try & find it on your blog, I am bored on my current array of dressings!

    • Fitnessista on February 4, 2014 at 3:58 pm

      the recipe will be in the book 🙂

  18. Stephanie @ Whole Health Dork on February 4, 2014 at 1:23 pm

    This bread sounds delicious! Thank you for sharing. And the best part? I have all of those things at my house right now! I feel like I always see these great recipes, but I’m missing one or two of the ingredients and then forget all about them.

    • Fitnessista on February 4, 2014 at 3:57 pm

      same! hope you like it if you try it 🙂

  19. Anne on February 4, 2014 at 1:53 pm

    This looks AMAZING. Upside-down anything is automatically more fun, don’t you think? 🙂

  20. Alexandra R on February 4, 2014 at 2:24 pm

    have all these ingredients so definitely making this today!

    • Fitnessista on February 4, 2014 at 3:56 pm

      let me know how it goes!

  21. Livi on February 4, 2014 at 2:25 pm

    such a delicious treat!!

  22. Shira on February 4, 2014 at 2:35 pm

    I buy whole wheat wraps and pitas for lunch sandwiches or toasted alongside a big dinner salad. Wheat doesn’t bother me at all so I don’t sweat it. I’ve never had grain free bread, this looks yummy and real easy too! I wonder about almond meal though, wouldn’t it be super calorically dense and possibly hard to digest.. it’s just almonds right?? I love to snack on almonds, but too much if a good thing..
    Also would loove the recipe for that miso dressing!! I whip up my on versions sometimes, and adore miso, but it’s a tough ingredient to balance out properly. On top of sweet potatoes?? Y.U.M. 🙂

    • Fitnessista on February 4, 2014 at 3:56 pm

      yep, it’s just almonds but a serving of almond meal is the same as a serving of almonds. this bread makes 6 servings, and is 6 servings total (1 1/2 cups) of almond meal. from the almond meal in this recipe, you have 180 calories and 7g of protein per piece (not including the extra nutrients from the egg and flax). so it’s just like anything else: moderation
      sorry i can’t post the recipe for the dressing– was testing it out for the book. used your suggestion and had it on a sweet potato today though 🙂
      xo

  23. Melissa on February 4, 2014 at 2:43 pm

    Just curious, will you be gluten free for your next pregnancy?

    • Fitnessista on February 4, 2014 at 3:54 pm

      i’ll probably do what i’m doing now: gf for the most part, but some gluten here and there. i feel much better (and am way less bloated) when i don’t have too many gluten days in a row.

      • Melissa on February 4, 2014 at 7:44 pm

        Sounds like a good plan!

  24. GiGi Eats on February 4, 2014 at 2:46 pm

    You had me at GRAIN-FREE!
    I would just straight up eat that batter – ha! 😉

    • Fitnessista on February 4, 2014 at 3:53 pm

      haha i don’t know how good it would taste 😉

  25. Rhiannon @ Bound to be a Buckeye on February 4, 2014 at 2:59 pm

    I can’t wait to try this bread! My favorite thing lately has been making paleo/primal friendly bread and then making french toast. It’s so good with some strawberries and real maple syrup for a weekend treat!

    • Fitnessista on February 4, 2014 at 3:53 pm

      trying that tomorrow! YUM

  26. Christina @ The Beautiful Balance on February 4, 2014 at 3:08 pm

    I usually just buy ezekiel bread but on occasion, and if I have time, I may my own bread. Loving the idea of grain free bread with almond meal. I have all the ingredients on hand so I may have to make this tonight 🙂

    • Fitnessista on February 4, 2014 at 3:52 pm

      oh, i hope you like it 🙂

  27. RavieNomNoms on February 4, 2014 at 3:28 pm

    Looks awesome! I must try!

    • Fitnessista on February 4, 2014 at 3:52 pm

      let me know if you do! 🙂

  28. Holli on February 4, 2014 at 4:02 pm

    Made it! It’s EXCELLENT! Perfect 🙂

    Oh, and I also made your Buffalo Hummus for a Super Bowl party and it was a HUGE hit! I doubled the recipe and they cleaned it up.

    Thank you!

    • Fitnessista on February 4, 2014 at 4:04 pm

      awesome!!! 🙂

  29. Stephanie @ My Freckled Life on February 4, 2014 at 5:18 pm

    I actually usually have HORRIBLE luck making breads. I dont know what it is, but probably 1 out of every 3 breads I make fails miserably. But then again, maybe it’s the recipe that’s the issue (or at least, that’s what I keep telling myself). I’ve never used almond flour before, but I’d love to try and make some grain-free breads. And you know, have a bread that doesnt come out of the oven burnt or falling apart!

  30. Jennifer on February 4, 2014 at 5:18 pm

    So excited for your book! This bread looks delicious. Last night I made Anne’s Almond Crusted Tilapia and used almond meal instead of the whole wheat flour – woah was it delicious. I am loving the workouts and recipes. Tonight’s plan = barre burner and corn flake chicken fingers w/ green beans.

  31. Laura B @ FitMamaLove on February 4, 2014 at 5:49 pm

    I have a bag of almond meal I bought awhile back to make something you posted and never did. Now I can’t remember what it was, so maybe I should try this!

  32. Elena on February 4, 2014 at 6:10 pm

    I have been loving grain free breads too! Almond flour rocks (thank you TJs). Will def have to try this next week!

  33. Karissa on February 4, 2014 at 6:12 pm

    Gina this looks amazing! I’m planning on making this this weekend! (I recently discovered almond meal, I love it.)

  34. Abi@AbsofSteel on February 4, 2014 at 6:17 pm

    I love how simple that recipe is, it sounds delicious too. I almost always make sweet breads homemade. regular bread, not so much but when I do it’s so much better than store-bought.

  35. Taylee @ Twist Me Fit on February 4, 2014 at 6:57 pm

    I’m new to blogging, help me out by following me & giving tips 🙂 twistmefit.com

  36. Lindsay on February 4, 2014 at 7:26 pm

    OMG! I’m so happy I have almond meal in my freezer right now! This looks delicious. We’re supposed to get a blizzard tomorrow so this will be the perfect thing to do while I’m snowed in! Plus, it’s much healthier than the cookies I would otherwise be baking 😉 xox

  37. Kendal A on February 4, 2014 at 7:40 pm

    Do you think the bread part recipe may work in a banana muffin recipe? I am trying to find a grain free banana muffin recipe, any suggestions?
    THANKS!

  38. Alex @ Kenzie Life on February 4, 2014 at 7:57 pm

    I love miso dressing! If that one is homemade, please share the recipe! I’m definitely making this apple bread though. I tried making something similar once but used flax as the base (don’t recommend that) but I love that this uses almond meal!

  39. Cara's Healthy Cravings on February 5, 2014 at 7:14 am

    Mmmm!

    I tend to buy some breads and make my own. If I want a good crusty baguette, I will buy that, but I usually make my own regular loaves in the bread maker and make my own naan and pizza dough.

  40. lucie on February 5, 2014 at 1:47 pm

    That bread reminds me so much of my childhood – my mom made something similar!
    I will definitely try it. I love almond meal too, but I lately fell in love even more with tigernut meal (chufa nut). It’s not a nut and it’s very healthy and naturally sweet – the butter of it acts like crack! 🙂

  41. Monique @ burpees to bubbly on February 5, 2014 at 8:40 pm

    Definitely making this bread as I’ve been experimenting with non-gluten foods 🙂

  42. Amie on February 5, 2014 at 10:30 pm

    Just made this and LOVE it. Perfect and easy!! Thx so much. I can always count on your recipes to be healthy and delicious!!

  43. anna on February 6, 2014 at 7:39 pm

    hey there. this looks AMAZING. and i heart that salad already…with regard to the bread: you mention to mix the cinnamon with the dry ingredients, but i don’t see it in the dry ingredients list. maybe i’m not seeing something, but could you clarify? love the blog and all the grain free ideas!

    • Fitnessista on February 7, 2014 at 10:42 am

      derp. i think i forgot to put it up there! add it to the apple mixture and a little more to the dry mixture too

  44. Joyce Fu on February 6, 2014 at 7:44 pm

    What would you suggest is a good gluten-free substitute to almond flour? Thanks 😀

    • Fitnessista on February 7, 2014 at 10:42 am

      how about gf oat flour?

  45. Sana on February 9, 2014 at 12:41 pm

    Bread is baking in the oven right now 🙂 smells delicious!!

    • Fitnessista on February 9, 2014 at 5:28 pm

      how’d it turn out?? 🙂

      • Sana on February 9, 2014 at 5:32 pm

        It turned out really good! It wasn’t very sweet which I liked. I plan to bring it to snack on at work during the week!

  46. Brett Sanders on February 9, 2014 at 3:28 pm

    Wow this looks so delicious! Thank you

  47. Bri on February 10, 2014 at 12:33 am

    You look adorable in the fedora hat! 🙂 And that bread is going to have to be made at our house; it looks amazing! The salad does too.

    • Fitnessista on February 10, 2014 at 12:37 am

      thank you! let me know if you give it a try 🙂

  48. Jacinta on February 10, 2014 at 1:33 pm

    I don’t know how I stumbled on your blog, but I’m so glad I did! The grain-free apple upside down bread looks amazing and I just happen to have all the ingredients on hand. I can’t wait to try it!

  49. Brittany @ Eating Bird Food on March 1, 2014 at 10:22 pm

    This looks so good Gina. Pinning now.

  50. Ashley on September 19, 2017 at 3:23 pm

    Is there a good substitute for flax? After a few “fun” experiences, we discovered that flax is a no-go for my husband.

    • Fitnessista on September 20, 2017 at 1:19 pm

      what about chia?

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