Instant Pot: GF Berry-Apple Bread Pudding Recipe

Low-glycemic dessert for breakfast

I have a sweet tooth, but I try to find ways to make healthy-ish versions of my favorite desserts. Nothing is more comforting than a warm, gooey bread pudding. I’ve come up with my own version that’s gluten-free, dairy-free, low GI, and something you can whip up easily. All you need is an Instant Pot and 30 minutes from prep to plate.

*Spoiler Alert: No heavy cream (or dairy) was used in the following recipe. Taste was not compromised.*

Bits of Bread Pudding History

Bread pudding is said to date back as far as the 11th century. A humble dish, it was designed out of necessity so leftover bread would not go to waste. In the 13th century in England, bread pudding was described as “poor man’s pudding.”

Bread pudding is typically made with leftover bread, and baked with a mixture of milk, cream, eggs, butter and/or oil, and includes other add-ins. It can be made as either a savory or sweet dish. Though most of us think of bread pudding as a sweet dish, served in restaurants or made at home.

Many countries have a version of the bread pudding, so you’ll find variations in Europe, Latin America, Asia, and in the US.

Bread pudding in an Instant Pot

I figured why not? I thought about the ingredients that go into a French toast, and not much different! I use the duo 6-in-1 Instant Pot, and have re-created a healthy-ish version. This recipe will serve 4-5 people. 

Get Your Instant Pot and steam rack ready
Pour 2 cups of water into the Instant Pot, and place a steam rack on top. (I ended up getting the silicone steam rack as part of a set on Amazon, which comes with a pan).

Grease the bottom of a 7- or 8-inch pan that will fit in your Instant Pot. Spray a little Coconut Oil to coat the bottom of the pan to ensure the bread pudding won’t stick.

Wash and prep your fruit
Fruit comes with natural sweetness and a load of nutrients, fiber, and antioxidants. That’s reason enough to make them a centerpiece in this recipe. I used two medium apples and a bowl of berries (blueberries and blackberries).

2 medium apples, blueberries and blackberries

For apples, I used Pink Lady and Gala. Wash and remove the skins. Core and slice the apples into cubes, then set aside. With the berries, simply wash and set aside.

Cut bread into cubes
You can chop up leftover bread. I use 4-5 slices of Udi’s Delicious White Bread (large version). Set aside the cubed bread.

Gluten-free bread cut into cubes

Whisk the liquids together
In a large bowl, crack 3 large eggs, 1/4 cup of raw coconut nectar, 1/3 cup of almond milk, 1 tsp of Vanilla extract, and 1 tsp of Cinnamon.

Side note: I like Big Tree Farms Organic Amber Coconut Nectar, which I covered in an earlier post on GF pancakes. Made from the sap of coconut tree flowers, coconut nectar contains essential amino acids, and is low glycemic, so you don’t have the effects of blood sugar spikes.

Mix everything together in a big bowl
Take your cubes of apple and berries and toss into your liquid mixture. Then toss in the bread cubes and gently mix until the bread is coated.

Pour the mixture into the baking pan
Take your greased baking pan and pour the entire mixture into it. Press down into the pan to make sure everything is generally even. Drizzle the top with 2 tbsp of maple syrup.

Pressure cook for 15 minutes
Place the baking dish on top of the steamer rack inside the Instant Pot. Close the top of the Instant Pot lid and turn dial to sealing position. Turn on the manual setting at high pressure for 15 minutes.

Sit the baking pan onto the steamer rack inside the Instant Pot

Voila! It’s done
You can let the steam out via natural release if you have the time. Or if you don’t, put on a silicone mitt and vent the top.

Gluten-free bread pudding perfect for breakfast or dessert

Serves 4-5 people

Ingredients

– 2 cups of water
– 1 tsp coconut oil (or olive oil). Or use spray
– 3 large eggs
– 1/4 cup unrefined raw coconut nectar (substitute is maple syrup)
– 2 tbsp of maple syrup
– 1/3 cup of almond milk
– 1 tsp of cinnamon
– 2 medium apples
– 1 to 1 1/2 cup of berries (blackberries and blueberries)
– 4 cups of bread, cut into cubes (or 4-5 slices of GF bread)
– Whipped cream (optional)

Serve up in a shallow bowl
You can use a pie server to cut and place a generous wedge of bread pudding in a shallow bowl. You can add a dollop of whipped cream, like I did, to give it a bit of umpf. Whole Foods and other health food stores sell traditional whipped cream and non-dairy alternatives like So Delicious Dairy Free Coco Whip.

Make your GF bread pudding special with a dollop of whipped cream. Yum!

Enjoy spending time with your loved ones, and treat yourself with this version of bread pudding for breakfast, brunch or dessert. Bon appétit!

What’s your favorite healthy-ish dessert made for breakfast? Feel free to comment. 

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Gluten Free Berry Pancake Hack

Very Berry GF Pancakes

Only have 5 minutes to prep a heart healthy breakfast? You can check brekkie off your list with this superfood fueled meal.

Go gluten free on these beauties and prevent the belly bloat that often comes from ingesting too much wheat gluten (a protein found in wheat).

TJ’s Breakfast Hack

If Trader Joe’s is within a short distance from your home, hit the freezer section and grab a box of the Gluten & Dairy Free Homestyle Pancakes. These frozen silver dollars are surprisingly tasty with a fluffy, glutinous texture. The primary ingredients in these premade pancake are rice and tapioca flour. Each packet comes with a stack of 3 small pancakes. There are a total of 4 packets, or 4 servings per box. If TJs is not your jam, then you can find frozen pancakes from quality brands like Vans and Earths Best.

Follow the heating instructions on the box. Once ready, you can either stack’em up or lay them out like so.

Gluten Free Waffles Instead?

Now if you’re hankering for waffles, you can find gluten free frozen ones in the freezer section. Vans makes wheat and gluten free waffles, which are dense, moist and fluffy. Vans waffles are much more satisfying than the TJ’s gluten free version, which tends to be dry and crumbly in texture. Harder to find is the delightful Kitchfix Grain Free Banana Cinnamon Waffles (or Blueberry), which I’ve found at my local Sprouts Farmers Market.

Organic berries and bananas

Chop up some organic strawberries, blueberries and bananas and toss them on your pancakes. The combination of bananas and berries balance the flavor of sweet and tartness from the berries.

Blueberries and strawberries are superfoods that pack a powerful anti-inflammatory punch and come with vitamin C, fiber, folate, and potassium. These colorful gems are also rich in age-fighting polyphenols and are low in calories. Polyphenols are those touted micronutrients that come loaded with antioxidants.

Bananas contain potassium and come with vitamin B6, vitamin C, magnesium, copper, and manganese. The pectin and resistant starch found in bananas may help with moderating blood sugar levels.

Dash of cinnamon and try coconut nectar 

Generously sprinkle cinnamon, and don’t feel bad if you’re a bit heavy handed. You can also incorporate unsweetened coconut flakes to really blend in some of the white if the off-white banana slices aren’t patriotic enough for you.

Cinnamon is a spice that lays claim to being anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial with health-promoting antioxidants. Cinnamon has also been studied for its effects in helping to lower blood sugar.

To top it all off, substitute maple syrup with coconut nectar. We found Big Tree Farms Unrefined Coconut Nectar to be a great sweetener that goes well on pancakes and waffles.

Made from the sap of coconut tree flowers, coconut nectar contains essential amino acids, and is low glycemic, so you don’t have the effects of blood sugar spikes. The consistency of coconut nectar is that of a brown liquid that is runnier and earthier in taste than maple syrup.

Breakfast Hack Ingredients (serves 4)

Package of gluten free pancakes or waffles (frozen)
Strawberries (small carton)
Blueberries (small carton)
1-2 ripe bananas
Cinnamon
Dried unsweetened coconut flakes (optional)

Raw Coconut Nectar (optional replacement to maple syrup)

Enjoy the fireworks of flavor

Now if you have the time or have pancake batter mix hidden away in your cupboard, by all means, whip up a batch of pancakes or heat up that waffle iron. Enjoy this healthy habit!