One of the many things I adore about fall is all of the yummy festive quick breads. Pumpkin bread, cranberry orange bread, apple cinnamon bread, you name it, we bake it at our house. While these breads should be used as treats, they can also be used to introduce your kids to new ingredients, include more fiber in your families diets and boost your intake of omega-3s and other beneficial nutrients.
Here's some simple hacks that I use to increase the nutritional value of festive quick breads:
1. Add Whole Grain Flours
Since these breads are so moist, they work well with whole grain flours. You can substitute up to half of the white flour in a recipe with whole grain wheat flour without really noticing much of a change. It's also fun to try new flours that you may not have baked with before like Oat flour or whole Grain Spelt.
2. Reduce the Sugar
Most recipes for these types of breads are fairly high in sugar. Try reducing what the recipe calls for by about 1/3 and see if it still tastes like you like it.
3. Add Seeds for a Nutrient Boost
We like to add a couple of tablespoons of flaxseed, hempseed or chia seeds to our quick
breads. These add omega-3s and other beneficial nutrients to the recipe without changing the flavor very much.
4. Have Fun with Mix-ins
Try different dried fruits and nuts to add variety to your family's diet. We also enjoy grating in zucchini and carrots for extra moisture, sweetness and the bonus of added veggies to the breads.
Get creative and have fun baking together as we're heading toward the holiday season.
Try my recipe for Easy Morning Veggies Muffins, it's over on the Recipes Page!
I'd love to hear your healthy hacks for your favorite baked goods.
Leave a comment below!