Chia Bread

Homemade chia bread for those days when you want to choose ingredients that add to your well-being. Packed with seeds, fiber, and healthy fats, this dense and savory grain-free loaf proves that eating rich can also feel good—because a life of well-being is built with small decisions every day.

Serving

8 slices (1 loaf)

Ingredients

75 g chia seeds

75 g flax seeds (preferably whole or coarse meal)

60 g oat flour

¼ cup raw sunflower seeds (plus extra for topping)

3 large eggs

75 ml water

½ teaspoon dried basil

½ teaspoon onion powder

½ teaspoon sea salt

½ teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon baking powder

APPROX. Timing

Preparation time: 10 minutes (plus 10 mins to rest)

Cooking time: 35–40 minutes

Instructions

Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a small loaf pan (approx. 8x4 inches) with parchment paper or lightly grease it with extra virgin olive oil.

Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the chia seeds, flax seeds, oat flour, sunflower seeds, dried basil, onion powder, sea salt, baking soda, and baking powder until evenly distributed.

Whisk the Wet Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk the 3 eggs and 75 ml of water together until smooth and well combined.

Combine and Let Rest: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir thoroughly until a thick batter forms. Let the mixture sit undisturbed for 10 minutes—this allows the chia and flax seeds to absorb the moisture and form a gel that holds the loaf together.

Bake: Transfer the thick batter into your prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Sprinkle a few extra sunflower seeds over the top for a rustic touch. Bake in the preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the bread feels firm to the touch and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Cool and Slice: Remove from the oven and let the loaf cool completely in the pan before lifting it out using the parchment paper edges. Slice thinly with a serrated bread knife and enjoy!

Tips and Variations

Slicing secret: Seed breads are delicate when warm. Allowing the loaf to cool completely to room temperature ensures clean, sturdy slices that won't crumble!

Add a nut-free crunch boost: Folding raw sunflower seeds directly into the dry batter (and sprinkling them generously over the top of the loaf right before baking) creates a wonderfully nutty texture, a rustic artisan look, and an extra dose of skin-loving Vitamin E!

Toasting recommendation: Slice and toast each piece lightly in a toaster or skillet with a dab of extra virgin olive oil or ghee. Toasting enhances the aromatic flavor of the basil and onion powder while giving the seeds an irresistible crunch.

Custom herb blends: Swap the dried basil and onion powder for dried rosemary, garlic powder, or oregano depending on what you're pairing it with.

Storage champ: Wrap the loaf tightly and store it in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, or slice it ahead of time and freeze individual slices for up to 2 months. Simply pop a slice straight from the freezer into the toaster for a quick, high-fiber side!

Ingredients’ Goodness

Chia Seeds: A superfood abundance of soluble fiber, plant-based protein, and essential omega-3 fatty acids (ALA). As they absorb liquid, they form a mucilage gel that supports digestive regularity, fosters a healthy gut microbiome, and helps stabilize blood sugar.

Flax Seeds: Highly rich in lignans—potent plant polyphenols with strong antioxidant attributes—and insoluble fiber to promote smooth bowel transit. Flax works synergistically with chia to provide long-lasting satiety and cardiovascular support.

Oat Flour: A complex carbohydrate powerhouse rich in beta-glucan, a unique soluble fiber that actively helps lower "bad" LDL cholesterol and stabilize blood sugar levels. It provides sustained, slow-burning energy while supplying plant-based protein, magnesium, and unique anti-inflammatory antioxidants called avenanthramides for heart and gut health.

Sunflower Seeds: Highly rich in Vitamin E, a potent fat-soluble antioxidant that protects cells from oxidative damage and supports healthy, glowing skin. They provide an abundance of healthy unsaturated fats, plant protein, magnesium, and selenium to lower inflammation and support optimal heart and thyroid function.

Eggs: Provide a complete protein base containing all nine essential amino acids needed for tissue repair and cell integrity, along with vital choline to support brain function and metabolic health.

Dried Basil & Onion Powder: Aromatic botanicals that deliver an earthy, savory flavor without relying on excess sodium or artificial additives, while contributing anti-inflammatory phytochemicals and natural digestive support.