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Moist, lightly sweet, and lemon poppyseed almond flour bread! It is naturally grain-free, vegan, oil-free and made in 1 bowl (with ease!).
Hello and Happy Friday, everyone!
This week has been bittersweet. I love being able to spend more time with my son during the summer, but I am looking forward to the return to schedules and routines. As a result, this week has been a mish-mash of final fun (pool, board games, goofing around) and frenzied prep (school supplies, cleaning, sorting through clothes that are suddenly too short).
Admittedly, that sweet spot between goofy and frenzied is one of my favorite places. When I’m in it, I inevitably want to bake. I’ve been filling the freezer with quick and easy baked goods for the first few weeks of school, and this lemon poppy seed almond flour bread is a fast favorite.

The bread is a breeze to make, but it is the intense lemon flavor and moist texture that what will prompt you to put this on your regular baking rotation.
Recipe Benefits
Here are some of the specs for this nourishing bread:
- Grain-free
- Vegan
- Oil-free
- Gluten-free
- Made in one bowl
Ingredients
The exact amounts of each ingredient are indicated in the recipe card at the end of the post.
- almond flour (not almond meal)
- tapioca flour
- natural cane sugar
- poppy seeds
- baking soda
- salt
- unsweetened applesauce
- finely grated lemon zest
- freshly squeezed lemon juice
How to Make the Oil-Free Vegan Lemon Poppyseed Bread
Note that the complete directions are also in the recipe card below.
- Preheat oven to 350F (180C).
- Line a 9×5-inch (22.5×12.5 cm) loaf pan with parchment paper. Spray or lightly oil the paper.
- In a large bowl, whisk the almond flour, tapioca starch, sugar, poppy seeds, baking soda, and salt.
- Add the applesauce, lemon zest and lemon juice to bowl, stirring until blended.
- Transfer batter to prepared pan, smoothing the top.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 42 to 48 minutes until golden brown and a toothpick inserted near the center of the loaf comes out with only a few moist crumbs attached.

Keep in mind that, like many vegan, grain-free breads, this otherwise perfect loaf may sink slightly after cooling. It should be minor, at most. So long as the bread passes the toothpick test for doneness, as described in the recipe, the bread will be evenly baked, even if some minimal sinking occurs.
Alternatively, you can avoid any sinking by making the bread into muffins. Both slices and muffins are handy–literally and figuratively!–for busy mornings on the run, or post-run.
FAQ
How Should I Store the Bread?
Store the cooled bread in an airtight container at room temperature for two days, the refrigerator for 1 week or the freezer for up to 6 months.
What Can I Use in Place of Tapioca Flour?
An equal amount of cornstarch, arrowroot or potato starch can be used in place of the tapioca flour.
How Can I Make the Bread into Muffins?
To make muffins instead of bread, divide the batter evenly between 12 cups (lined with paper or foil liners) of a standard size muffin tin. Bake in a preheated 350F for 15 to 20 minutes until golden brown and a toothpick inserted near the center of a muffin comes out with only moist crumbs attached.
Related Recipes

Lemon Poppy Seed Almond Flour Bread {Grain-Free, Vegan}
Moist, lightly sweet, and very lemon-y poppy seed bread made with almond flour! It is naturally grain-free, vegan, and is made in 1 bowl (with ease!).
Ingredients
- 2 and 1/2 cups (260 g) almond flour (not almond meal)
- 1/2 cup (60 g) tapioca flour (see notes for options)
- 1/2 cup natural cane sugar
- 1 and 1/2 tablespoons poppy seeds
- 1 and 1/4 teaspoons baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1 and 1/4 cups unsweetened applesauce
- 2 tablespoons finely grated lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F (180C). Line a 9x5-inch (22.5x12.5 cm) loaf pan with parchment paper. Spray or lightly oil the paper.
- In a large bowl, whisk the almond flour, tapioca starch, sugar, poppy seeds, baking soda, and salt.
- Add the applesauce, lemon zest and lemon juice to bowl, stirring until blended. Transfer batter to prepared pan, smoothing the top.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 42 to 48 minutes until golden brown and a toothpick inserted near the center of the loaf comes out with only a few moist crumbs attached.
Notes
Tip: Do not fret if the center of the bread sinks slightly after baking; it is very common with egg-free breads. Just be sure to bake until the toothpick comes out with only moist crumbs attached. The bread will be completely baked at this point, regardless of any subsequent sinking.
Storage: Store the cooled bread in an airtight container at room temperature for two days, the refrigerator for 1 week or the freezer for up to 6 months.
Tapioca Options: An equal amount of cornstarch, arrowroot or potato starch can be used in place of the tapioca flour.
Muffin Variation: To make muffins instead of bread, divide the batter evenly between 12 cups (lined with paper or foil liners) of a standard size muffin tin. Bake in a preheated 350F for 15 to 20 minutes until golden brown and a toothpick inserted near the center of a muffin comes out with only moist crumbs attached.
Tip: Note that I have not tested this with almond meal, only blanched almond flour.
Nutrition Information
Serving Size 1 sliceAmount Per Serving Calories 195Total Fat 11.4gSaturated Fat 0.8gCholesterol 0mgSodium 196.7mgCarbohydrates 22gFiber 2.7gSugar 11.7gProtein 5g

Ellie
Friday 31st of March 2023
Hello! I was curious if you think I could add an egg to this recipe to help it rise, as well as use maple syrup instead of the sugar?
Camilla
Friday 31st of March 2023
I think that would work well, Iggy. If you add an egg, reduce the applesauce by 1/4 cup :)
Morgan
Monday 18th of May 2020
So we boil the lemon and applesauce before adding?
Camilla
Wednesday 20th of May 2020
Hi Morgan,
yes, this will definitely still be delicious without the nutritional yeast. It adds a cheesiness, but it is still very good without it :)
Anna
Wednesday 31st of July 2019
Swop almond fluor for oat. Two eggs, organic. Skip the lemon IF you sant to leave out the lemon taste. Yummy.
Camilla
Wednesday 31st of July 2019
Sounds like a great variation, Anna :)
June Abney
Tuesday 18th of September 2018
Camilla, I made these today and they were delicious! Great taste and texture...very moist and so easy! I made muffins because they are usually easier, but next time I will make bread.
Thank you for sharing this wonderful recipe!
June
Camilla
Saturday 22nd of September 2018
I am thrilled to hear it, June!!!
Keren
Saturday 25th of August 2018
Fabulous recipe, Camilla. Delicious. This is so soft and moist.
Camilla
Monday 27th of August 2018
I am thrilled to know that you like it, Keren! :)