The scone recipe that’s good for your gut health

Published July 2025 | 5 min read
Expert contributor: Gabby Zammit, HCF Health Coach and accredited practising dietitian
Words by Alana Wulff

Learn how baking can support gut health with nourishing ingredients – plus, try a delicious, gut-friendly scone recipe.

While the importance of a healthy gut on our physical wellbeing is well known, research reveals a happy tummy does more than just influence digestion.

“A healthy gut is associated with better mental health,” says Gabby Zammit, HCF Health Coach and accredited practising dietitian. “Research has shown your gut and brain communicate via the 'gut–brain axis’, so maintaining a healthy gut can help improve mood, reduce stress and enhance overall emotional wellbeing.”

Key to a healthy gut are trillions of tiny organisms called microbes (collectively known as the gut microbiome). Having a diverse and balanced mix of gut microbes has been linked to physiological benefits like improved blood sugar levels and reduced levels of inflammation.

While eating too little fibre and a high amount of processed foods, sugar and unhealthy fats can disrupt the balance of the gut microbiome, there are still plenty of ways you can enjoy your favourite treats and keep your tummy happy.

Add variety to your diet for better gut health

Establishing and maintaining a healthy gut starts with embracing a diet filled with the best foods for gut health. These include fruit, vegetables, whole grains, nuts and legumes. “The key is eating a diverse range of plant foods, which are rich in dietary fibre and polyphenols [organic compounds found in plants that provide anti-inflammatory and anti-ageing effects],” says Gabby. “To optimise your gut health, the recommendation is to eat at least 30 different plant foods per week.” 

While this number might feel hard to reach, there are plenty of ways you can seamlessly introduce these foods into your daily diet. Start by adding much-needed gut goodness to your next recipe. “By including a variety of different nuts, seeds, fruits and whole grains like oats in baking, you increase your plant food diversity and nourish your gut microbes,” explains Gabby. 

What’s more, adding prebiotics to your baking can also support a diversified microbiome. “Some of the most powerful gut-friendly foods are those high in prebiotic fibre, which feeds beneficial bacteria and helps them thrive,” says Gabby.

For a prebiotic-packed baking session, Gabby suggests using chickpeas, black beans and other legumes. “Black-bean brownies are a great twist on a crowd favourite, while oats are also a great addition to cookies, slices and crumbles.”

Gabby also recommends trying recipes that call for chickpea flour instead of wheat flour or using aquafaba – the liquid from cooked or canned chickpeas – instead of egg whites.

Swap sweet for savoury

If your baking routine tends to lean on the sweeter side, consider adding some savoury options to the menu. “Savoury muffins can be packed with prebiotic-rich vegetables, including leeks, garlic and onion,” explains Gabby. If you can’t quite make the switch from sweet to salty, Gabby suggests simply replacing some of the sugar in your recipes with fruits like dates and apples. “This adds sweetness to your dish while still providing fibre and polyphenols.”

In need of gut-friendly baking inspiration? Try these spiced date and almond meal scones from Carla Oates’ cookbook, The Beauty Chef. A delicious, gut-friendly twist on traditional scones, they’re a great choice for a sweet snack during winter.

Spiced date and almond meal scones

Prep time: 20 minutes
Makes: 8

Ingredients

• 2 cups (200g) almond meal
• ½ cup (60g) arrowroot
• 2 tsp gluten-free baking powder
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon, plus extra for dusting
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• ⅛ tsp ground cloves
• pinch Himalayan salt
• ¼ cup (60g) coconut oil, frozen solid so you can grate it, plus extra for greasing
• 8 medjool dates, pitted and coarsely chopped
• ¼ cup (60ml) coconut drinking milk, plus extra for brushing
• 2 large eggs, separated
• 1 tbsp raw honey
• finely grated zest of 1 unwaxed orange

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 200°C. Lightly grease and line a large baking tray (cookie sheet) with baking paper.
2. Combine the almond meal, arrowroot, baking powder, ground spices and salt in a medium bowl and stir to combine. Coarsely grate in the frozen coconut oil. Add the dates and stir to distribute through the dry mixture.
3. Whisk the coconut milk, egg yolks, honey and orange zest together in a small bowl. Add to the dry mixture and stir to form a lumpy dough.
4. Whisk the egg whites in a medium bowl until stiff peaks form.
5. Stir a large spoonful of egg white into the dough, to loosen. Gently fold through the remaining egg whites to make a thick, sticky dough.
6. Place the dough in the centre of the prepared tray. Using slightly wet hands shape and press the dough to make a 3cm-thick disc.
7. Using a large wet knife, mark the disc into 8 portions, pressing the knife halfway down through the dough. Brush the top with coconut milk and dust with cinnamon.
8. Bake for 20 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove from the oven, cover with a clean tea towel (dish towel) and set aside for 10 minutes to cool slightly.
9. Remove the tea towel (dish towel) and cut into portions. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Note: The scones can be stored in an airtight container for up to three days. Alternatively, they'll last in your freezer for around a month.

Boost your gut health

Looking to bring more balance into your diet? Eligible members can get free access or save on the evidence-based CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet^*. Created by Australia’s national science agency, it combines a higher protein, low-GI eating plan with exercise and proven weight management tools to help improve habits and create lifelong positive behaviours.