Perfectly soft and sweet, with an amazing soft and fluffy texture with a slight chew from oats, this cinnamon raisin oat bread will be your new favorite breakfast or snack! I am truly so excited to share this recipe with you today; it’s currently one of my absolute favorite recipes!
About a month ago in early December I was randomly craving something cinnamon raisin. Which, if you know me is very surprising since I’m much more of a chocolate person. OR chocolate + peanut butter. Since I had already made oatmeal raisin cookies, I wanted to try something new. If I remember correctly, it was also late at night which meant I didn’t want to go to the grocery store so needed to use what was in my pantry.
Enter this delicious cinnamon raisin bread (or muffins, I’ve made it both ways! Whatever you’re feeling like). Filled with oats (going for an oatmeal raisin cookie flavor theme here), almond butter, maple syrup, applesauce, cinnamon and nutmeg, and raisins. The ingredient line up is quite impressive I have to say, and I can 100% promise you you’d never guess this bread is actually filled with healthy, wholesome ingredients.
Since that first time making this cinnamon raisin bread, I’ve made it at least 4 times to test various other ingredient options. I also wanted my family to try it over Christmas. And let’s be honest, much of it was eaten by yours truly. ? In case you’re wondering, my absolute favorite way to eat this cinnamon raisin bread is warmed up and topped with copious amounts of either cinnamon butter (store bought) or this homemade cinnamon raisin almond butter.
Cinnamon Raisin Oat Bread Ingredients
Oat flour.
Nothing complicated here, folks. Simply add two cups of oats (any kind, old-fashioned whole oats or quick oats) to a blender or food processor and process until a fine flour forms (aka oat flour). A quick note: I did find out with recipe testing that very finely ground flour has the best taste/texture here. I had the best results when using my Vitamix. The muffins in these photos were made with oat flour that was more coarsely ground, and the bread had more finely ground oat flour. Another option if you don’t want to be bothered with making your own flour is to simply buy store bought oat flour, which is found in the baking aisle. You’ll need 1 3/4 cups oat flour, since the 2 cups of oats break down when you grind them.
Applesauce.
While I wouldn’t say this bread has any apple flavor, the applesauce helps bind the ingredients together and keep it moist. You could absolutely try substituting 1 cup of mashed banana instead, but that would definitely affect the taste. I recommend the neutral tasting applesauce, and not to mention this is an ingredient I always have on hand in my pantry! I used two of the single serving cups, which are perfect when you just need a certain amount for a recipe.
Flax eggs.
Another pantry staple for me, I always have ground flax meal on hand (I keep in the fridge to stay fresher longer). Combining one tablespoon of ground flax with 2.5 tablespoons of water can create a “gel” or egg-like binder to use in place of egss in recipes. This is a great vegan option if you need that! However, I’ve also tested this recipe using two eggs, and both options work great!
Milk.
I use unsweetened vanilla almond milk in almost all of my recipes (since that’s what I have on hand), but any type of milk will do (whole, 2%, skim, soy, cashew, etc.).
Almond butter.
I think almond butter pairs perfectly with the cinnamon and raisin flavors. I personally wouldn’t use peanut butter in place of the almond butter, as that would have a very strong taste. As much as I LOVE peanut butter, that’s not the flavor I was going for here. I’ve also used cashew butter, melted coconut oil, and melted butter which all turned out great!
Raisins.
You can’t exactly have a cinnamon RAISIN bread without raisins, haha! I have used both ½ cup and ¾ cup; use whatever your preference is! I have used both golden raisins and regular raisins in this bread (just using what I had on hand); of course any type of raisins will work! You could substitute other dried fruit (chopped dates, dried cranberries, dried cherries, etc.) but again you’d be really changing the flavor profile here.
- 2 cups oats, ground into oat flour (about 1 ¾ cup oat flour)-ground fine!
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 cup applesauce
- 2 tablespoons ground flax mixed with 5 tablespoons water OR two regular eggs
- ⅓ cup milk
- ¼ cup pure maple syrup
- ½ cup almond butter OR butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¾ cup raisins
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a loaf pan or 12 muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
- In a medium bowl, combine applesauce, flax (or regular) eggs, milk, maple syrup, almond butter, and vanilla extract. Whisk until smooth and combined.
- In a smaller bowl, combine oat flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and nutmeg and stir until combined.
- Add flour mixture to wet ingredients and gently stir until combined. Stir in raisins.
- Bake at 350 degrees in loaf pan about 45-50 minutes. Can also make 12 muffins, which will take about 18-24 minutes to bake.
- This recipe freezes great too!
Christina
I just discovered your blog through this recipe posted on Pinterest while looking for recipes using canned applesauce. I made the muffins this morning with a couple of treats. They are fantastic ? I will have these on repeat, there is no doubt. I also plan to make them for potluck dinners at church.
The tweaks I made were with the oatmeal flour. Instead of just oatmeal, I used 1 cup buckwheat flour + 1/2 cup flaxseed meal + 1/2 cup quick oats, and eggs rather than flax eggs. The combination of flours increases important minerals and omega fatty acids and still keeps it gluten free. These muffins are so moist and not too sugary sweet.
Thanks for the recipe.
Erica
This is such a great recipe. My lil ones loves it so much. I make them a few times a week.
Audra's Appetite
Yay!! I’m so happy to hear.
Erica
I make these muffins every single day. They are the best! I use eggs, coconut sugar, coconut milk, and vegan/dairy free butter.
Thanks for such a yummy recipe
MJ
Recipe looks yummy! Is there a nut-free substitute for the almond butter?
Audra's Appetite
Yes, please read the section under “almond butter.” Melted butter or coconut oil also work
Carla Dee DeBoer
I love this recipe. I’ve. Made it 3 times now.but why does it crumble apart. All 3 loaves just crumble.what am i doing wrong
Audra's Appetite
Hey Carla! I’m not sure exactly. I would make sure you’re not using too much flour (1 3/4 cup oat flour, not 2 cups of oat flour). I also like using two chicken eggs in place of the flax which holds the bread together well. Hope this helps!
ROZINA
Lovely recioe. I must try this. Can i use dates instead of raisin? And since I cannot use oats , is it ok.to use buckwheat or quinoa flakes? Tks
Audra's Appetite
Thank you; I’m sure you’ll love this recipe too! Yes, chopped dates or other dried fruit can be substituted for the raisins.
I have not tried quinoa or buckwheat flakes. Since the recipes used oat flour and not whole oats, I think you might have better luck with buckwheat flour or quinoa flour versus the flakes. Best of luck recipe testing! ?
Dalya
Hi Brittany!
I just wanted to drop by to say I love your recipes! The healthier desserts are right up my street! I’ve tried the chocolate peanut butter breakfast cookies and I really enjoyed them. (Who doesn’t love eating cookies for breakfast?!) I cant wait to try this recipe too. For me almonds + raisins = love!!!
Sending hugs from the wintery Netherlands,
Dalya
Audra's Appetite
Hi Dalya!
Thank you so much for the sweet words and encouragement! So glad to hear you’re making and enjoying the recipes! I seriously love this bread too; it’s one of my favorite recipes lately. 🙂