Gluten Free Cinnamon Swirl Loaf

There’s something about a warm slice of cinnamon bread that just hits different. The smell alone is enough to make your whole kitchen feel cozy.

This gluten free cinnamon swirl loaf is one of my favorite things to bake. It’s soft, lightly sweet, and has that beautiful cinnamon sugar swirl running through every slice.

The base is made with almond flour, which keeps things simple and naturally gluten free. No complicated flour blends or hard to find ingredients needed here.

It comes together pretty quickly too. You mix the batter, layer in the cinnamon swirl, and let the oven do the rest.

Whether you eat gluten free by choice or because you need to, this loaf is a great one to have in your rotation. It works for breakfast, a snack, or honestly just whenever you feel like something sweet.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Super Simple Ingredient List – You only need about 7 ingredients to make this gluten free cinnamon swirl loaf, and most of them are pantry staples you probably already have at home.

Naturally Gluten Free – This loaf uses almond flour instead of any gluten free flour blends, so you don’t have to worry about tracking down specialty products or dealing with weird textures.

That Gorgeous Cinnamon Swirl – The coconut sugar and cinnamon swirl running through the center of this loaf looks seriously impressive, but it is actually ridiculously easy to create.

Grain Free Friendly – Since almond flour is the base, this cinnamon swirl loaf is completely grain free, making it a great option if you follow a paleo or grain free lifestyle.

Ingredients

For the Bread

• 2 cups Almond Flour
• 4 large Eggs
• 1/4 cup Melted Coconut Oil
• 1/4 cup Maple Syrup
• 1 tbsp Baking Powder

For the Swirl

• 2 tbsp Coconut Sugar
• 1 tbsp Ground Cinnamon

How to Make

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350F and line a loaf pan with parchment paper.

Step 2

In a small bowl, mix the coconut sugar and ground cinnamon to create the swirl mixture and set aside.

Step 3

In a large bowl, whisk the eggs, melted coconut oil, and maple syrup together.

Step 4

Stir in the almond flour and baking powder until you have a smooth bread batter.

Step 5

Pour half of the batter into the loaf pan, sprinkle evenly with the cinnamon swirl mixture, and then cover with the remaining batter.

Step 6

Gently swirl a toothpick or skewer through the batter to create a marbled effect.

Step 7

Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, letting it cool completely before slicing.

Helpful Tips

Use Fine Almond Flour, Not Almond Meal

There is a difference between almond flour and almond meal, and it matters here. Almond flour is made from blanched almonds with the skins removed, so it is very fine and light. Almond meal still has the skins and is much coarser.

If you use almond meal, the loaf will come out dense and gritty instead of soft. Look for a bag that says “super fine” or “blanched” almond flour for the best texture.

Bob’s Red Mill and Anthony’s are two brands that work well for this kind of baking.

Make Sure Your Coconut Oil Is Melted but Not Hot

You want the coconut oil fully melted and in liquid form before you add it to the eggs and maple syrup. The easiest way is to microwave it for about 20 to 30 seconds or warm it in a small pot on the stove over low heat.

But let it cool down for a minute or two before mixing it in. If it is too hot when it hits the eggs, it can start to cook them and you will end up with little scrambled egg bits in your batter.

Whisk the Eggs Well Before Adding Anything Else

Before you pour in the coconut oil and maple syrup, give the eggs a good whisk on their own for about 30 seconds. You want them fully broken down and slightly frothy.

This helps add a little airiness to the batter, which is important because almond flour loaves can turn out heavy. Since there is no gluten to create structure, the eggs are doing most of the lifting here, so give them a head start.

You Might Also Like

• Gluten Free Banana Bread
• Gluten Free Cinnamon Sugar Donut Muffins
• Gluten Free Fluffy Cinnamon Rolls
• Gluten Free Maple Pumpkin Bread

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know when the loaf is fully baked?

Insert a toothpick or thin knife into the center of the loaf. If it comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs, the bread is done. If there is wet batter on it, give it a few more minutes.

Almond flour loaves can sometimes look golden on top but still be underdone in the middle, so the toothpick test is really the most reliable way to check.