Paleo focaccia bread… and fat-burning too? You read that right.
If you’ve recently given up gluten, bread (or grains, in general), then you’re doing a great thing for your health.
Not only will this help keep your blood sugar levels stable, but passing on the bread basket also helps to:
- Reduce systemic inflammation
- Ease digestive issues
- Reduce bloat
- Strengthen the immune system
- Create a leaner, healthier body
But what about the cravings? You know, those times when nothing but a hot, crusty piece of bread slathered in golden butter or dipped in olive oil will do?
I had one of those times last week (and just about every week, to be honest). But I wasn’t just craving sandwich bread – I wanted herbed focaccia with all of its chewy, crusty, rustic goodness – dipped in a garlic-spiked olive oil.
So, I quickly got to work adapting one of my recipes from my book, Better Breads. Using a few simple ingredients (most of which you probably have in your pantry right now) I whipped up an impromptu, artisan loaf of Italian focaccia in about 10 minutes. The hardest part was waiting for it to bake!
The focaccia emerged from the oven crowned with a chewy, golden crust and the perfect texture for sopping up a garlicky dipping sauce and my hearty Superfood Paleo Bolognese.
Paleo Focaccia Bread: The Fat-Burning Trifecta of Ingredients
Not only will this recipe satisfy your craving for bread – but also provide you with key nutrients that stoke your metabolism and help to burn stubborn fat, including:
- Protein – This is the power nutrient that kicks up your body’s production of glucagon– a key hormone for fat-burning. And this Italian-inspired bread provides three grams of protein per serving.
- Medium Chain Triglyerides (MCTs) – Found in coconut, these amazing fatty acids are burned by the liver for energy – not stored as fat. Studies show that eating a diet rich in MCTs can boost metabolism, improve blood sugar balance, benefit heart disease and even protect against fatty liver.
- Fiber – Part of the fat-burning “trifecta” of nutrients (which also includes protein and healthy fats), fiber is an essential part of a healthy, lean-body diet. Fiber helps to stabilize blood sugar, facilitate detoxification and reduce hunger.
If all this doesn’t send you running to the kitchen, get this: This recipe is also a great source of powerful antioxidants (thanks to the herbs!). These powerful molecules supercharge your body’s ability to fend off the free radicals that contribute to physical aging and degenerative disease.
So, without further adieu, here’s my super-simple, fat-burning recipe that’s sure to make your house smell like Little Italy and put a smile on your face…
Fat-Burning Paleo Focaccia Bread
Ingredients
Tap an ingredient to check it off.
- 7 Tbsp. Let’s Do Organic Creamed Coconut
- 4 Tbsp. organic virgin coconut oil
- 1/2 Tbsp. organic dried basil
- 10 small organic olives, sliced
- 1/2 tsp. sea salt
- 3/4 tsp. baking soda
- 5 large pastured eggs
- 2 tsp. garlic powder
- 5 pieces Mediterranean Organic Sundried Tomatoes
Instructions
- Soften creamed coconut by placing packet in a bowl of warm water. Work with your hands to create a pourable consistency.
- Preheat oven to 300 F and lightly grease a 9” round cake pan (preferably stoneware).
- Add eggs, melted coconut oil, creamed coconut, sea salt and baking soda to a blender. Blend until very smooth (no lumps!).
- Pour batter into a medium mixing bowl and fold in herbs and olives.
- Pour into greased pan. Top with sliced sun-dried tomatoes.
- Transfer to oven and bake 40-50 minutes until golden brown and firm.
- Serve with a dipping oil made with high quality organic extra virgin olive oil, minced garlic and herbs, to taste
Nutrition Facts
Per Serving · Recipe makes 12- Fat13 g89%
- Protein2 g6%
- Carbs4 g5%
- Calories
- 145
- Total Fat
- 13 g
- Saturated Fat
- 11 g
- Monounsaturated Fat
- 2 g
- Polyunsaturated Fat
- 0.3 g
- Cholesterol
- 66 mg
- Sodium
- 226 mg
- Total Carbohydrates
- 4 g
- Dietary Fiber
- 3 g
- Sugar
- 0 g
- Net Carbs
- 2 g
- Protein
- 2 g
Why You Should Quit Bread — Even the "Healthy" Kind
Did you know that traditional grain-based breads & desserts contain a compound that is the #1 greatest danger in your diet?
Studies show that this compound (and I am not talking about "gluten") is toxic to your heart and blood vessels, weakens your immune defenses, and disrupts your nerves and brain function.
And if that's not enough… this hidden compound also makes it nearly IMPOSSIBLE to burn fat and lose weight!
The great news is that you can still have your breads and desserts… AND be well too!
Discover the Secret to the World's Healthiest BreadThis post may contain affiliate links. Click here to read my affiliate policy.
About the author
Kelley Herring
Kelley Herring, founder of Healing Gourmet, is a natural nutrition enthusiast with a background in biochemistry. Her passion is educating on how foods promote health and protect against disease and creating simple and delicious recipes for vibrant health and enjoyment.
Hello,
Would it be a good idea to make the creamed coconut bij blending a fresh coconut until smooth and creamy?
Did someone already try this?
Honestly, I don’t get Cathy Norton’s comment on 3/7/15 at all. I found absolutely nothing wrong with your informative response to Ami, and certainly found nothing “snarky” about it. It was a simple matter of fact response. Its a shame that your response was taken out of context and put you in a place of frustration and having to defend yourself when it wasn’t called for. Also, those new to paleo baking just need to trust and try a recipe without 2nd guessing it. I’m still intrigued by baking with little or no “flour” type of ingredients with the bread or cake like results. Its a whole new world for me! Thanks for the guidance. Also, I appreciate that you have a whole section in your better breads cookbook explaining about the different ingredients that are foreign to us novices.
Was surprised at the “bready” texture of this given that it has no flour. It was delicious and SO easy! This morning I sliced the leftovers horizontally to make thin slices for toast to go with our fried eggs. Because it is so easy I will be playing around with this recipe. I like the idea of cinnamon and pecans that someone mentioned here, maybe add some stevia. Am also going to try some lemon extract and stevia with a few dried cranberries thrown in. Love your recipes. Makes it a lot easier to get my family on board with paleo.
Sorry really nothing to do with this bread but I tried a lovely pancake with three ingredients
Two eggs , one banana, and a sprinkle of cinnamon
FYI
So it is encouraging me to try your bread
As a fellow traveller in the realm of no gluten or bread baskets (probably one of my favorite foods), I was very intrigued by this recipe. A friend of mine over and spoonfulofparadise.com recommended it to me so I thought I would give it a shot.
It is delicious! I have another bread recipe on my site (www.preheatto350.com) which is a decent substitute, however this bread is a completely different consistency and is much more flexible in terms of additions. I love discovering new recipes like this.
Shockingly, for those of you who haven’t tried it yet, the bread has no coconut flavor at all, and only a slight egg flavor. I say shockingly because it only has two main ingredients, coconut and egg.
I will definitely be playing around with this in the future. I think a breakfast bread with cinnamon and pecans might be fun!
super keen to make this – and others – I have bought your book – but although I love focaccia bread, not so keen on olives or sundried tomatoes! (can cope with tiny amounts) Are they absolutely integral or could they be left out? Or maybe reduced in quantity? Thanks – can’t wait to make AND eat it!
Hi Dale!
Thanks so much for stopping by.
The olives and tomatoes are totally optional. This bread is great plain, with herbs, or even with cinnamon for a more sweet treat.
Make sure you buy “creamed coconut” which is the whole coconut pureed when you make it.
Be Well!
Kelley
I bought it. On Amazon- thanks so much for the link. Very interesting Recipe. Creamed coconut should arrive Saturday and I can’t wait to try it. Do you have a similar recipe with almond flour? I used to have a fantastic foccia bread made with it but cannot find my recipe.
Sorry to say I didn’t trust the recipe and added 1/2 c coconut flour……duh sorta defeats the gluten free, right? Maybe a note at the beginning of the recipe (for those of us new to this) that there isn’t any flour. Promise I will do better with the next batch.
Hi Genie,
Thanks for your note.
Most people are confused by the creamed coconut. Creamed coconut is whole coconut pureed – you get the fat and the fiber. It is very different than “coconut cream” which is just the fatty portion of coconut milk.
The batter is smooth and pourable. And it does bake up just like the photo above.
Also, coconut flour IS gluten free, so not sure what you meant by it defeating the purpose 🙂
Look forward to hearing about your next batch!
Be Well,
Kelley
Is there no flour in this bread recipe?
Would like to try this bread, but doesn’t it have any type of flour in it?
Hi Patricia… no, there is no flour in this bread recipe. The eggs and the creamed coconut provide the bulk and structure (as well as fiber, in the case of the coconut).
Just what is creamed coconut??? and where is it available/
Hi Ami,
Thanks for your question. The recipe above calls for Let’s Do Organic Creamed Coconut which is available at most health food stores. And here is the link to the product online: http://amzn.to/1JpuaWt
Ouch!!! I “purchased ” a couple of the healing gourmet cookbooks online. I’ve now made two of the breads and have been a little disappointed in the results. Probably my fault. I came to this site today to ask a few questions. First I thought I would read a few comments and responses. Wow! The very first response to a potential customer is a smack down. I think I’ll pass. I’d be afraid to ask the wrong question. I’m not thin skinned, but that was just rude. Sometimes people ask questions to start a conversation. I think I’ll google my questions. Thanks but no thanks.
Hi Cathy,
Thank you sincerely for your purchase of Healing Gourmet products and for your comment. We are happy to help you if you have any trouble with any of the recipes in the book, so please do ask. Those kind of requests are best submitted through our customer service email, however: healinggourmet AT gmail.com
With that said, please allow me to address your comment. Evidently Kelley agreed with you that my response was sufficiently snarky to edit my comment. However, I do stand by what I originally wrote. Over the years that Healing Gourmet has been online, I have replied to thousands of customer service requests and online comments. In some cases, these people were downright hostile for little or no reason. In the VAST majority of cases (99%) I am courteous, helpful and exceedingly grateful to our customers and I express this in all of my communications on the website or directly through email.
But what often perturbs me, are those who abdicate their own personal responsibility and self reliance. They either want someone else to do the work for them or they simply want someone else to give them an answer without doing any work or research on their own. In fact, I think this kind of attitude is a large part of what is wrong with our health as a population. Too many people are simply “following the doctor’s orders” or buying products because the package says it is a “Healthy Choice.” If there is ANY area of our life that we should take responsibility and do at least SOME of our own research… it should be in regards to our own health.
We get hundreds of emails asking questions about things that are CLEARLY and explicitly explained in the article that people are asking a question about. In other words, they couldn’t be bothered to actually READ it or launch a few web searches on their own… but they will take the time to ask someone else to do that work for them. This happens every single day. So, perhaps my original (now edited) response to Ami was a bit more direct than your sensibilities would deem appropriate. But I certainly wouldn’t call it a “smack down.” And I think if you read it again, you will see that she wasn’t “starting a conversation” (though we do appreciate any and all comments). She was asking something that was not only addressed in the message (along with a specific brand) but also information that is readily and easily available with her exact search phrase at the very top of Google results. All that said, while I do stand by my sentiments, I probably should have been a bit less snarky about it.
We appreciate you reading and commenting on Healing Gourmet.
Jon Herring
Oh no Jon, using common sense is not something you say “sorry” for. Too many people today are in fact lazy and expect to be coddled in every way. Please do not compromise on this issue.
Jon Herring,
I just came across your website today looking for a recipe and read your comment in response to Cathy Norton. I found it amusing and I totally agree with you concerning how lazy and “helpless” so many people are today. I’ve experienced this myself in dealing with the public, and the really funny thing is, I’m in a totally different field. I work at a fabric store! Some people come in and try to get me to do half their project for them!
This is a message for all you lazy people:
Get your act together! Quit trying to get other people to do your homework for you! Take responsibility for your actions! Exercise your brains by trying to find your own solutions! While you’re at it, check your spelling and grammar before you submit a comment!
Thank you for letting me air my rants. 🙂
Hi, I live in Australia and have been trying to source ‘Creamed Coconut’ to make this Focaccia Bread. It sounds really good. What I am finding is that there is no such product in Australia. People keep trying to sell me Coconut Cream and one health food shop wanted to sell me Coconut Butter.
I did follow your link to Amazon, but they will not ship to Australia.
Is there a substitute product that I can use?
I realise there is a difference between the two products but, would coconut cream work?
@Christine Adams ~~~ Have you tried looking for “Coconut Manna”, as it’s the same thing. “Creamed coconut” is simply the whole coconut: The coconut fat and the coconut flesh all combined. When you open a jar, there will usually be a layer of oil on top that has separated and you need to mix it all up. Putting the sealed jar in hot water for 10 minutes really helps this endeavor since it’s quite hard. Coconut manna is sold on many sites that ship internationally: See vitacost or Iherb for starters.
I believe I saw it on Thrive Market site