Nut-Free Pesto Bread

Savor the irresistible aroma of freshly baked Nut-Free Pesto Bread—a delightful twist on traditional pesto bread that's perfect for those with nut allergies. This recipe combines a soft, fluffy homemade bread base with a vibrant, flavor-packed pesto made from fresh basil, garlic, Parmesan cheese, and the nutty richness of sunflower seeds, ensuring all the pesto goodness without the use of nuts. Rolled into a loaf with swirls of herbaceous pesto in every slice, this bread is as visually stunning as it is delicious. Ideal for serving as a side with soups and salads, enjoying as a snack, or transforming into a show-stopping sandwich, this nut-free pesto bread is a versatile and allergy-friendly crowd-pleaser that’s surprisingly easy to make. Perfect for bakers of all skill levels, this recipe balances wholesome ingredients with bold flavors, making it a must-try for your next baking adventure!

Nutriscore Rating: 65/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:70 mins

Servings: 12

Ingredients

• 500 grams all-purpose flour
• 7 grams instant yeast
• 10 grams sugar
• 10 grams salt
• 300 milliliters warm water
• 60 milliliters olive oil
• 50 grams fresh basil leaves
• 60 grams Parmesan cheese, grated
• 2 garlic cloves
• 15 milliliters lemon juice
• 60 milliliters olive oil (for pesto)
• 40 grams sunflower seeds

Directions

Step 1

In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, instant yeast, sugar, and salt.

Step 2

Make a well in the center and pour in the warm water and olive oil. Mix until it forms a shaggy dough.

Step 3

Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.

Step 4

Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.

Step 5

While the dough is rising, prepare the nut-free pesto. In a food processor, combine fresh basil leaves, Parmesan cheese, garlic cloves, lemon juice, olive oil, and sunflower seeds. Blend until smooth and set aside.

Step 6

Once the dough has risen, turn it out onto a floured surface and roll it into a large rectangle, about 1 cm thick.

Step 7

Spread the prepared pesto evenly over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges.

Step 8

Starting from one of the long edges, carefully roll the dough into a log, keeping it as tight as possible.

Step 9

Place the rolled dough into a greased loaf pan, seam side down. Cover and let it rise for another 30 minutes.

Step 10

Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).

Step 11

Bake the bread for about 35-40 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the bread sounds hollow when tapped.

Step 12

Allow the bread to cool slightly in the pan before removing and cooling completely on a wire rack before slicing.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1119.2 grams (1119.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3431

Total Fat 160.40g	206%
Saturated Fat 32.10g	161%
Polyunsaturated Fat 18.50g
Cholesterol 60mg	20%
Sodium 4968mg	216%
Total Carbohydrate 409.20g	149%
Dietary Fiber 22.30g	80%
Total Sugars 12.50g
Protein 88.80g	178%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 851mg	65%
Iron 28mg	153%
Potassium 1196mg	25%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 42.0%

Protein: 10.3%

Carbs: 47.6%