Gluten-free Bread Formulations Research Articles

High hydrostatic pressure processing of whole buckwheat grains to obtain functional gluten-free ingredients: Effect of pressure and holding time

High Hydrostatic pressure (HHP) represents an environmental-friendly and efficient non-thermal technology capable of inducing changes that can lead to functional improvements on starchy materials preserving the nutritional value of the original flours. The development of gluten-free (GF) flours and ingredients remain a challenge due to the need to improve the nutritional and techno-functional aspects of these commodities. Pre-soaked whole buckwheat (BW) grains were subjected to HHP treatment under different processing conditions: two pressure levels (300–600 MPa) and three holding times (0-5-15 min) to evaluate the techno-functional and nutritional response of the resulting flours. Significant (p < 0.05) increases in water absorption capacity and swelling capacity were observed in the flours resulting from longer treatment times (5–15 min) and the highest-pressure level (600 MPa). Higher thermal stability was also observed in the pasting profiles obtained for these flours. Flours resulting from HHP treatments at 600 MPa for 15 min also showed higher antioxidant capacity (DPPH and ORAC). The resulting flour from these processing conditions was used at different concentrations (15, 30, 50, and 70 %) in a GF bread formulation. An increase in the elastic modulus values of the doughs, the specific volume of the resulting bread and a reduction in the crumb firmness were observed in the formulations containing the BW-modified flour compared to the counterparts made with a native flour. Therefore, it can be concluded that the HHP treatment of whole buckwheat grains represents an interesting alternative for the development of ingredients with suitable technological and nutritional properties for gluten-free bakery formulations.

Whole grain pearl millet-based gluten-free bread: A novel alternative with nutrition and sensory appeal

This study shows the great potential of pearl millet flour (MF) for producing nutrient dense and acceptable gluten-free (GF) bread, which is an innovation considering the actual commercial reality. This research highlights the use of design of experiments and multivariate analysis to determine the proper MF and water (W) levels to optimize GF bread quality. Considering both nutrition and sensory features, GF bread formulations prepared with 50 %MF+130 %W, 100 %MF+130 %W, and 75 %MF+115 %W are promising. Formulations prepared with the combination of 75 %MF+115 %W and 100 %MF+130 %W can be classified as a whole grain product. The use of MF results in improving the nutritional composition of GF bread, especially the dietary fibre and protein contents in comparison to white GF and wheat bread.

Enhancing Gluten-Free Bread Production: Impact of Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Psyllium Husk Fiber, and Xanthan Gum on Dough Characteristics and Bread Quality.

The demand for gluten-free products has increased due to improved diagnoses and awareness of gluten-related issues. This study investigated the effect of HPMC, psyllium, and xanthan gum in gluten-free bread formulations. Three tests were conducted, varying the amount of these ingredients: in the first formulation, the amount of HPMC was increased to 4.4 g/100 g of flour and starch; in the second, psyllium husk fiber was increased to 13.2 g/100 g of flour and starch; and in the third formulation, xanthan gum was removed. Differences were observed among the formulations: increasing HPMC reduced extrusion force without affecting bread quality; adding psyllium increased dough elasticity but also crumb gumminess and crust hardness. Eliminating xanthan gum altered dough rheology, resulting in a softer and less gummy crumb, and a less reddish color in the final bread.

Physicochemical Properties and Rheological Behavior of Gluten-Free Flour Blends for Bakery Products

Purpose: The general aim of the study was to investigate the physicochemical properties and rheological behavior of gluten-free flour blends for bakery products. Methodology: The study adopted a desktop research methodology. Desk research refers to secondary data or that which can be collected without fieldwork. Desk research is basically involved in collecting data from existing resources hence it is often considered a low cost technique as compared to field research, as the main cost is involved in executive’s time, telephone charges and directories. Thus, the study relied on already published studies, reports and statistics. This secondary data was easily accessed through the online journals and library. Findings: The findings reveal that there exists a contextual and methodological gap relating to physicochemical properties and rheological behavior of gluten-free flour blends for bakery products. Preliminary empirical review revealed that hydrocolloids such as xanthan gum and guar gum significantly improved dough viscoelasticity, texture, and stability, while the efficacy of carrageenan was limited. Optimizing the concentrations and combinations of hydrocolloids was deemed essential for achieving superior rheological properties. Additionally, the study emphasized the importance of considering physicochemical properties alongside rheological behavior to develop gluten-free bakery products that meet consumer expectations. Overall, the findings highlighted the complexity of gluten-free baking and underscored the need for a multidimensional approach integrating physicochemical analyses with rheological assessments. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The Food Material Science theory, Rheology theory and Biopolymer theory may be used to anchor future studies on physicochemical properties and rheological behavior of gluten-free flour blends. The study provided valuable recommendations. It contributed to theory by exploring the effects of various hydrocolloids on dough properties, highlighting the importance of xanthan gum and guar gum in improving dough viscoelasticity. In practice, it suggested optimizing hydrocolloid concentrations for superior rheological properties in gluten-free bakery products. Moreover, the study offered insights for policy-makers regarding the formulation of gluten-free bread to meet quality standards. Overall, the research advanced understanding in the field and provided practical guidelines for industry and policymakers.

Applications of Hydrocolloids and Its Effects on Physicochemical Characteristics of Gluten-free Bread from Corn and Rice Flour

Rice and corn flour can be used for gluten-free bread using a number of food hydrocolloids to improve the physicochemical properties closer to wheat products. This research aims to observe the effect of different types of food hydrocolloids, namely xanthan gum, glucomannan, carrageenan and CMC (Carboxymethyl Cellulose) on the physicochemical characteristics of gluten-free bread made from rice and corn flour. This research used a completely randomized design with two replications. This research observed the application of hydrocolloids to the formulation of gluten-free bread. The optimal increase in hydrocolloid concentration was determined to be 1 g for both CMC and carrageenan in both corn and rice flour. The highest addition of 1 g CMC in gluten-free bread made from corn flour, resulted in a specific volume of 3.422 cm3/g. The best gluten-free corn bread after drying contains a composition of 5.73% moisture content, 1.89% ash content, 17.34% fat content, 9.37% protein content, 65.67% carbohydrate content, and energy of 456.22 Kcal.

Development of Gluten-Free Bread Production Technology with Enhanced Nutritional Value in the Context of Kazakhstan.

This research aims to enhance the nutritional value of gluten-free bread by incorporating a diverse range of components, including additives with beneficial effects on human health, e.g., dietary fibers. The research was focused on improving the texture, taste, and nutritional content of gluten-free products by creating new recipes and including novel biological additives. The goal was to develop gluten-free bread with less than 3 ppm gluten content that can be eaten by people suffering from gluten sensitivity. The physical and chemical properties of gluten-free rice, corn, green buckwheat, chickpea, amaranth, and plantain flours were examined to understand their unique characteristics and the possibility of their mixing combination to achieve the desired results. Initially, nine recipes were prepared, and in survey research, four baking recipes were selected and tested. The composition of amino acids in the prepared gluten-free bread was determined. The variant made of corn, green buckwheat flour with plantain was found to be top-rated. Changes in the nutritional content of the new product were analyzed, and general regulations and nutritional values were identified. Experimental baking processes were carried out, leading to the successful formulation of gluten-free bread containing corn, green buckwheat, and plantain flour in a ratio of 40:40:20, meeting gluten-free requirements and demonstrating improved nutritional properties, as well as consumption properties, confirmed by surveys conducted on a group of consumers.

Microwave-treated rice flour halves the need of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose in the formulation of gluten-free bread

Hydrocolloids such as hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) are commonly used in gluten-free (GF) products to mimic the viscoelastic properties of gluten. However, GF products must meet current consumer expectations by not only being tasty and nutritious, but also adhering to ‘clean label’ principles, which involve minimizing ingredients and additives and favoring natural over chemical components. Modifying GF flours via hydrothermal treatments offers an alternative approach to reduce the use of additives in GF products. This work applied response surface methodology to study the potential reduction in HPMC dose in the formulation of GF-breads by the addition of microwave-treated rice flour (MWF) (treatment conditions: 8 min, 9 W/g, 30% moisture), without impairing their appearance, volume, and texture. The optimization study also included Water level and HPMC dose, and evaluated the dough's rheological properties at constant hydration. GF breads were made by varying the amount of native flour substituted with MWF, water level, and HPMC dose. Replacing 50% or 80% of native rice flour by MWF allowed to reduce the usual HPMC dose by more than half. This resulted in higher loaf volume and a softer crumb than their counterparts made with untreated flour and baked with the usual dose of additive (2%). Doses of HPMC as low as 0.7% with 80% MWF still resulted in breads with good texture and acceptable volume. Therefore, the structuring effect of MWF and its good performance in GF baking have been concluded, allowing to reduce the dose of additives required in formulating GF bread.

Caracterização físico-química, teste de aceitação e análise descritiva de perfil livre de pão sem glúten desenvolvido com amido e farinha de trigo sarraceno brasileiro

ABSTRACT: Buckwheat is a pseudocereal with a high starch content and compounds of nutritional interest, making it suitable for use in gluten-free baking. A simplex-centroid design was employed to investigate the effects of the mixture components of buckwheat flour, buckwheat starch, and rice flour in nine different proportions. The minimum and maximum limits for the components were 10% and 30% for buckwheat flour, 20% and 40% for buckwheat starch, and 50% and 70% for rice flour, aiming to create diverse gluten-free breads for evaluation. The utilized flours underwent characterization, and their micro- and macronutrient amounts, along with their amino acid compositions, were determined. Specific volume analysis, water loss determination, texture assessment, and sensory evaluations were conducted on the breads. It was observed that the proportion of starch and buckwheat flour directly influenced the specific volume and water loss during product storage. Through sensory analysis, the formulation with the highest acceptance and purchase intention among tasters was identified. Free-choice profiling analysis established the sensory profiles of the developed gluten-free bread formulations. According to tasters, the formulations exhibited characteristics of whole meal bread, noticeable softness, and a homogeneous alveolar distribution. The gluten-free bread was well-received by 124 tasters, with a purchase intention rate of 93.55%.

Flaxseed and sprouted lentil seeds as functional ingredients in the development of nutritionally fortified “clean-label” gluten-free breads

A “clean-label” gluten-free bread (GFB) was developed by replacing the commonly used hydrocolloid additive, methylcellulose, with an aqueous flaxseed slurry (FSS), known for its structure-forming properties, at 3 or 4.5 % levels into GFB formulations; for further nutritional improvement of GFB, the inclusion of 5 or 10 % roasted-sprouted lentil flour (SLF) was also investigated. FSS and SLF addition increased hardness, consistency, storage and loss moduli, and viscosity of the composite batters. The specific volumes of fortified breads were reduced, compared to control bread containing methylcellulose; however, they were greatly improved compared to bread made without any added hydrocolloid. Fresh breads containing solely FSS (3, 4.5 %) and that made with 3 % FSS-5 % SLF exhibited crumb textural characteristics similar to the control; the 3 % FSS-5 % SLF fortified sample showed similar textural changes upon storage (48 h, 25 °C) and slightly lower amylopectin retrogradation, compared to control bread. Further to increasing the contents of protein and total dietary fiber, FSS incorporation into GFB decreased the glucose release upon in vitro starch digestion, whereas inclusion of both FSS and SLF weakened this effect. Moreover, the “nutty” and “roasted legume” flavor-aroma notes, introduced by FSS and SLF, reduced the typical flat “rice” flavor-aroma of GFB, thus contributing to the higher overall consumer acceptability scores received for breads containing solely FSS as well as those fortified with 3 %FSS-5 % SLF. Overall, both FSS and SLF appear to be promising functional ingredients for production of “clean-label” GFB, having higher contents of macronutrients, improved sensorial characteristics, and acceptable textural attributes.

Functionality Enhancement of Pea Protein Powder via High-Intensity Ultrasound: Screening in-vitro Digestion, o/w Emulsion Properties and Testing in Gluten-Free Bread.

Structural modification of protein prior to food application is an emergent approach to improve functionalization. The effectiveness of high-power ultrasound at varying amplitudes (0-100%) on the properties of pea protein powder was investigated in this study. The resulting modification was also tested with model gluten-free bread formulation and by screening the emulsion properties within vegetable oil. The 50% and beyond amplitude levels had significant impact on protein solubility, viscosity, Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectra, emulsion activity and stability. Foaming capacity and stability were enhanced with 75 and 100% amplitudes while the 25% amplitude exhibited the highest absolute zeta-potential. There was a concomitant increase in ultrasound amplitude and oil-binding capacity (2.83-6.43g/g) where the water-holding capacity gradually decreased (5.78-3.61g/g) with the increase in ultrasound power. The increase in ultrasound power led to decrease in L* values but progressively increased the total color difference (ΔE). Sonication (50% amplitude) also promoted the in-vitro digestibility of proteins by 22% as compared to the untreated sample. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) fairly depictured the structural modification and FTIR spectra clearly demonstrated conformational changes in protein powders. The fortification with restructured pea protein powder significantly affected the volume and adhesiveness of glutenfree bread.

Valorisation of Buckwheat By-Product as a Health-Promoting Ingredient Rich in Fibre for the Formulation of Gluten-Free Bread.

Bread is a widely consumed food that has often been used as a vehicle for functional ingredients such as dietary fibre. Fibre-rich breads have beneficial physiological effects on health, helping to combat chronic pathologies such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and certain types of colon cancer. The aim of this study is to evaluate the technological and nutritional effects of the inclusion of buckwheat hull particles (BH) at two addition levels (3 and 6%) and two particle sizes (fine, D50: 62.7 μm; coarse, D50: 307 μm) in a gluten-free (GF) bread formulation. A significant (p < 0.05) increase in the dough elastic modulus (G') was observed for all doughs containing BH, from 712 Pa for a rice-based dough to 1027-3738 Pa for those containing BH. Compared to rice-based breads, those containing BH showed a significant (p < 0.05) increase in total dietary fibre content (from three to five times) and in antioxidant capacity (from 78 to 290 mg TE/100 g dw. in the ORAC test). Breads containing fine BH at a level of 3% had similar sensory properties to the rice-based bread, demonstrating that it is possible to improve the TDF content while maintaining the sensory quality of the GF bread.

Physical modification caused by acoustic cavitation improves rice flour bread-making performance

Acoustic cavitation has been shown to cause physical damage and partial starch depolymerization in ultrasound-treated flours. However, the promising effects of this modification on bread-making performance of gluten-free flour are still unexplored. Based on this hypothesis, sonicated rice flour (2–20 min) was used to replace 30% native flour in the control formulation of gluten-free bread. Breadmaking performance was characterized by doughs' pasting, thermal, and rheological properties, and physical quality of breads. Ultrasonication time presented a direct correlation with particle fragmentation. Doughs’ rheology presented reduced tan(δ)₁ values (up to −11%) and improved recovery after the application of stress (up to +14%), denoting an enhanced elastic behavior with respect to the control dough. Rheo-fermentative tests demonstrated that ultrasonication accelerated the generation of CO2 and its retention within the dough structure, as consequence of eased accessibility of yeast to simpler sugars after starch depolymerization. The small-size particles (∼10 μm) in ultrasonicated flours seem to have enhanced their Pickering emulsifying ability and led to breads with higher specific volumes (up to 24%), softer crumbs, and delayed hardening during storage. Ultrasonication, a low-cost technology, has been shown to significantly improve the fermentative and viscoelastic behavior of rice flour dough and its breadmaking performance.

Effect of inulin polymerization degree on nutritional and technological characteristics of gluten free bread

Introduction: Wheat bread is the staple food all over the world. Gluten sensitivity in some people has led to the development of gluten-free ones. Inulin is a soluble dietary fiber with beneficial nutritional effects is able to restore the function of gluten in gluten-free products by increasing water absorption and creating a structure. The function of gluten depends on its polymerization degree. This study is aimed to investigate the effect of inulin polymerization degree on the technological and nutritional characteristics of rice-acorn flour based gluten-free bread.&#x0D; Methods: This study is an experimental type. To investigate the effect of the inulin polymerization degree on technological and nutritional characteristics of rice:acorn flour based gluten-free bread, the textural, physicochemical, sensory characteristics and inulin stability of samples enriched inulin with different polymerization degree were assessed. All tests were done in triplicate. Data analysis was done with SPSS 25 software&#x0D; Results: Results indicated that the optimized technological characteristics and lowest inulin loss ratio (31% w/w-1) is found at gluten-free bread samples containing 30% w/w-1 of acorn flour and long-chain inulin fermented by MF-SD (A30R70SL). Long-chain inulin is found to be able to restore gases produced during the fermentation and expanded through cooking process, which seems to be induced by its potential ability to form a gel.&#x0D; Conclusion: Using long-chain inulin is recommended to achieve desirable technological characteristics and high nutritional value in the formulation of gluten-free bread.

Evaluation of producing gluten-free bread by utilizing amaranth and lipase and protease enzymes.

Generating high pleasant and nutritious gluten-free (GF) bread for sufferers with celiac disease (CD) is a main task for food technologists. Amaranth is a useful nutrition and gliadin-free and could be utilized in GF products. At this study, by using different substitutions of amaranth flour (0%, 15%, 25%) GF bread samples were produced, and the effects of lipase and protease enzymes as bread improver have been investigated. On this assessment, physicochemical (ash, moisture, specific volume, bread yield, color index and porosity) and rheological (springiness, chewiness, cohesiveness, hardness and staling) characteristic, microstructure and sensory feature of bread were evaluated. The consequences tested the production bread with acceptable sensory properties is feasible with the aid of applying amaranth flour in GF bread formulations. Applying 15% amaranth flour increased meaningfully bread porosity and specific volume, but texture hardness was notably decreased. 25% amaranth flour formulation lowered hardness, specific volume and porosity of bread samples. Utilizing lipase and protease enzymes in 15% amaranth flour reduced texture hardness, porosity and specific volume, while the enzymes at 25% amaranth flour heightened the mentioned bread properties. In this result, for lower amaranth flour substitution (15%), using enzymes in formulation is not necessary, however enzymes in 25% Amaranth flour substitution could promote bread texture, porosity and specific volume.

Role of fat on the quality and shelf-life of gluten-free bread baked by Ohmic heating and conventional deck oven

The addition of fat to gluten-free (GF) bread can influence several quality attributes, such as texture and starch retrogradation. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the influence of different fats on GF bread properties using two different baking methods (conventional and ohmic heating), in order to understand how these affect the physical bread quality, the formation of amylose-lipid complexes and its effect on crumb firming behavior. Fats (coconut, rapeseed, butter, and palm) with different physico-chemical properties, and physical state (solid, liquid) were tested in standard GF bread formulations. Results showed that fat significantly improved crumb pore uniformity. Crumb texture and pasting properties were mostly influenced by the type of fat, storage time and baking method. Staling was delayed in all breads added with fat due to the formation of amylose-lipid complexes, which were highest with palm fat and were usually higher when baked by ohmic heating.

Can Citrus Fiber Improve the Quality of Gluten-Free Breads?

Citrus fiber has a high water absorption capacity, and its properties can be modified by shearing. In this study, the influence of the addition of normal or shear-activated citrus fiber was analyzed in two gluten-free bread formulations. Citrus fiber increases bread optimal hydration and breadcrumb alveolus size due to this high water retention capacity. However, results are negative in the formula based on starches and rice flour because specific volume is significantly reduced, while bread quality improves in the formula based on starches (corn and tapioca). In this case, the breads become less hard and more cohesive, elastic, and resilient, reducing staling. Baking yield also increased due to a greater hydration and a reduced weight loss during baking, without losing acceptability. The mechanical pre-activation of the fiber further increases optimal hydration, without major changes in the quality of the final bread. These effects are associated with cell rupture, and thus the formation of a three-dimensional network, including the increase of surface area and its interaction with water. Citrus fiber increases the hydration of the dough, as well as the cohesiveness, resilience, and elasticity of the crumb, reducing the increase in hardness during storage without affecting acceptability or increasing it.

In vitro and in vivo glycemic responses and antioxidant potency of acorn and chickpea fortified gluten-free breads

Gluten-free (GF) breads, based on rice flour and corn starch (50:50), were fortified with a mixture of acorn flour (ACF) - chickpea flour (CPF) at 30% substitution level of corn starch (i.e., rice flour:corn starch:ACF-CPF 50:20:30) using different flour blends of ACF:CPF at weight ratios of 5:25, 7.5:22.5, 12.5:17.5, and 20:10 in order to improve the nutritional quality and antioxidant potential as well as the glycemic responses of the GF breads; a control GF bread with rice flour:corn starch 50:50 ratio was also prepared. ACF was richer in total phenolic content than CPF, whereas CPF was characterized by higher amounts of total tocopherols and lutein compared to ACF. For both ACF and CPF as well as the fortified breads, the most abundant phenolic compounds were gallic (GA) and ellagic (ELLA) acids as found by HPLC-DAD analysis, while a hydrolysable tannin, valoneic acid dilactone, was also identified and quantified by HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS in high amount in the ACF-GF bread having the highest level of ACF (ACF:CPF 20:10), even though it seemed to decompose during breadmaking, possibly into GA and ELLA. Therefore, the inclusion of these two raw materials as ingredients in GF bread formulations resulted in baked products with enhanced concentrations of such bioactive compounds and higher antioxidant activities, as indicated by three different assays (DPPH, ABTS and FRAP). The extent of glucose release, as evaluated by an in vitro enzymic assay, was negatively correlated (r = −0.96; p = 0.005) with the level of added ACF, and was significantly reduced for all ACF-CPF fortified products when compared with their non-fortified GF counterpart. Furthermore, the GF bread containing a flour mixture of ACP:CPF at a weight ratio of 7.5:22.5, was subjected to an in vivo intervention protocol to assess the glycemic response when consumed by 12 healthy volunteers; in this case, white wheat bread was used as reference food. The glycemic index (GI) of the fortified bread was significantly lower compared to the control GF bread (97.4 versus 159.2, respectively), which along with its lower amount of available carbohydrates and the higher level of dietary fibers, resulted in a significantly reduced glycemic load (7.8 versus 18.8 g per serving of 30 g). The present findings underlined the effectiveness of acorn and chickpea flours in improving the nutritional quality and glycemic responses of fortified GF breads with these flours.

Effect of Flaxseed Oil Cake Extract on the Microbial Quality, Texture and Shelf Life of Gluten-Free Bread.

Extending the shelf life of gluten-free bread (GFB) is a challenge. Mainly due to the ingredients used and their characteristics, GFB has numerous drawbacks such as unsatisfactory texture and rapid staling beyond a low nutritional value. In the present study, flaxseed oil cake extract (FOCE) was used to replace water (25-100%) in GFB formulations in order to test FOCE's potential to reduce GFB staling and extend microbial stability. Texture (TPA test), water activity (LF NMR), acidity (pH measurements) and microbiological quality of GFBs were tested. Moreover, the content of a lignan with broad health-promoting potential, secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG), in GFB with FOCE was analyzed. The results showed that the use of FOCE enriched experimental GFB in valuable SDG (217-525 µg/100 g DM) while not causing adverse microbiological changes. A moderate level (25-50%) of FOCE did not change the main texture parameters of GFB stored for 72 h, the quality of which was comparable to control bread without FOCE. Meanwhile, higher proportions of FOCE (75-100% of water replacement) shortened GFB shelf life as determined by water activity and texture profile, suggesting that GFB with FOCE should be consumed fresh. To summarize, FOCE at moderate levels can add value to GFBs without causing a drop in quality, while still fitting in with the idea of zero waste and the circular economy.

Optimization of a novel, gluten-free bread's formulation based on chickpea, carob and rice flours using response surface design

This study aimed to develop nutritious, gluten-free bread with high quality characteristics using a mixture of chickpea, carob and rice flours as substitutes of wheat flour. To optimize the bread formulation, a Box-Behnken experimental design was conducted to evaluate the effect of the corresponding flour blend addition, proofing time and water amount addition on the physicochemical, technological and sensory properties of the obtained formulated bread. The optimized formulation was calculated to contain 70% of mixture flour and 100% of water, with a proofing time of 40 minutes. This formulation produced bread with greater specific volume (3.73±0.37 cm3/g) and less baking loss (22.98±0.94%) than those of control (+) bread (2.93±0.21 cm3/g and 31.65±0.72%, respectively). Findings proved that the mixture flour based on chickpeas, carob and rice represents a good alternative to make gluten-free bread with acceptable baking properties.

Apple Flour in a Sweet Gluten-Free Bread Formulation: Impact on Nutritional Value, Glycemic Index, Structure and Sensory Profile.

Baking bread without gluten presents many challenges generally related with poor sensorial and nutritional characteristics, and strategies to overcome this issue are needed. Despite many gluten-free (GF) bread studies, to the best of our knowledge, few are dedicated to sweet GF bread. Sweet breads have traditionally been an important type of food and are still frequently consumed worldwide. Apple flour is naturally GF, and is obtained from apples which do not accomplish market quality requirements and are being wasted. Apple flour was, therefore, characterized in terms of nutritional profile, bioactive compounds, and antioxidant capacity. The aim of this work was to develop a GF bread with incorporation of apple flour, in order to study its effect on nutritional, technological, and sensory characteristics of sweet GF bread. Additionally, in vitro starch hydrolysis and glycemic index (GI) were also analyzed. Results demonstrated the influence of apple flour in dough’s viscoelastic behavior, increasing G’ and G’’. Regarding bread characteristics, apple flour led to better acceptance by the consumer, with firmness increasing (21.01; 26.34; 23.88 N), and consequently specific volume decreasing (1.38; 1.18; 1.13 cm3/g). In addition, an increase of bioactive compounds content and antioxidant capacity of the breads were revealed. As expected, the starch hydrolysis index increased, as well as GI. Nevertheless the values were really close to low eGI (56), which is a relevant result for a sweet bread. Apple flour showed good technological and sensory properties as a sustainable and healthy food ingredient for GF bread.