Carrot Walnut Breakfast Loaf

We love having freshly baked breads as part of breakfast in my household, and we typically rotate between banana bread and pumpkin bread. Using what I had on hand this week, I created a carrot walnut bread that is so satisfying! I love the added crunch from the walnuts and the warming spices, like cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg. Hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

Ingredients:

My favorite way to enjoy this bread - topped with an almond butter drizzle!

1 1/2 cups almond flour
2 tbsp coconut flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 ½ tsp cinnamon
½ tsp ground ginger
¼ tsp allspice
1 cup grated carrots
3 eggs
3 tablespoons maple syrup
2 tbsp coconut oil, melted and cooled
1 large banana, mashed
½ cup walnuts, roughly chopped

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line a loaf pan with parchment paper or grease with coconut oil.
Whisk together almond flour, coconut flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and allspice in a large bowl.
In a separate bowl, mix together the banana, eggs, carrots, maple syrup, and coconut oil
Combine the wet and dry ingredients and then fold in the walnuts.
Pour batter into loaf pan and bake for about 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean when inserted.
Let cool before serving.

Health Benefits of Walnuts:

Walnuts are an excellent source of Omega-3 fatty acids, an essential healthy fat. We need more Omega-3 fats in our diet to balance out the Omega-6’s in our diets.
The Omega-3 in walnuts supports brain health, especially with memory and thought processing.
Higher amounts of Omega-3 in our diets is associated with more optimal mental health, and less depression, anxiety, and mood disorders
The high Omega-3 content in walnuts is also beneficial to heart health by improving circulation, keeping arteries clear, and reducing inflammation
Walnuts are also rich in a variety of minerals, including manganese, which is essential for reproductive health and to maintain a healthy metabolism.

Sources and Additional Reading: