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Home » Fermented Foods » What Is Bee Bread (Fermented Bee Pollen) and How To Eat It

What Is Bee Bread (Fermented Bee Pollen) and How To Eat It

Nico · December 14, 2022 · Leave a Comment

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Last Updated on June 1, 2025 by Nico

Home » Fermented Foods » What Is Bee Bread (Fermented Bee Pollen) and How To Eat It

Bee bread is a remarkable and lesser-known superfood. It is a nutrient-rich and natural product created by honey bees. Bee bread has many health benefits and is a powerful supplement to add to your diet.

An overhead shot of bee bread on a light countertop.

Table of Contents

Toggle
  • What is bee bread?
  • Watch the video
  • Benefits of bee bread
  • What does bee bread taste like?
  • How much bee bread to consume?
  • 4 Ways To Eat Bee Bread
  • 1. Raw Bee Bread Breakfast Bars
  • Instructions
  • 2. Homemade Bee Bread Granola
  • Instructions
  • 3. Bee Bread Date Balls
  • Instructions
  • As a topping
  • As a beverage
  • Save it for later
  • What to read next
  • How to consume bee bread (3 recipe ideas)
      • Raw Bee Bread Breakfast Bars
      • Homemade Bee Bread Granola
      • Bee Bread Date Balls
  • How much bee bread to consume?

What is bee bread?

Bee bread is a fermented mixture of pollen grains, nectar, bee saliva (aka bee glue!), and honey. Worker bees collect fresh pollen from flowers on their hind legs and mix it with their saliva and nectar to create a dough-like substance. The bees then pack this mixture into the honeycomb cells and seal them with a layer of honey and wax. 

Over time, the enzymes and beneficial bacteria will begin a natural fermentation process that transforms the pollen pellets into bee bread. This fermentation process not only preserves the pollen but also enhances its nutritional profile making it perfect for human consumption.

While it might not sound totally appetising, bee bread has been consumed since ancient times. The Ancient Greeks apparently called it Ambrosia, which means ‘immortality’ in Ancient Greek, and in Greek myths the word stands for the ‘food of the gods’.

Bee bread is thought to be more digestible for the human body than bee pollen, in part due to its easily digestible free amino acids, fats, and other nutrients.

It’s called bee bread because of its shape. It is shaped like a small loaf of bread or pellet because it’s formed in the cells of the honeycomb!

Watch the video

Benefits of bee bread

Bee bread’s chemical composition is rich in proteins, omega fatty acids, and essential amino acids. These essential nutrients help support the human body in a number of ways like boosting the immune system and reducing inflammation. Bee bread is a great natural dietary supplement. Here are some other benefits of this raw superfood!

Packed with nutrients – including minerals, vitamins, proteins, fatty acids, and more.

A natural source of essential vitamins – such as B vitamins, vitamin C, and vitamins A, E, and K.

Full of cleansing antioxidants – Antioxidants in bee bread neutralise free radicals and help prevent cellular damage. The unsaturated fatty acids in bee bread can help people recover from diseases caused by chronic inflammation.

Support the immune system – Bee bread contains large amounts of antimicrobial properties which can help to prevent colds and flus or reduce their severity.

Can reduce symptoms of menopause – Participants in a study looking at whether bee pollen helped reduce menopausal symptoms in breast cancer patients reported “significant improvements”.

Reduces stress – Bee bread can increase blood flow and therefore reduce feelings of stress and tiredness.

Help reduce symptoms of allergies – Similar to other bee products like raw honey, consuming bee bread, especially from bees in your local area, can help to reduce allergy symptoms.

Supports digestive health – The lactic acid bacteria, probiotics, and enzymes in bee bread help with digestion and promote a healthy gut microbiome.

Natural energy boost – Bee bread is a rich source of protein which makes it an excellent supplement for boosting your energy.

As you can see, bee bread is a hugely nutritious food that we should be thanking the bees for making!

A closeup of brown bee bread pellets on a light countertop.

What does bee bread taste like?

The flavour is similar to the US candy Skittles. It has a sweet and flowery taste that isn’t as bitter as bee pollen (due to the fermentation process). It has a slightly granular texture and could be compared to the flavour of dried fruit.

How much bee bread to consume?

As always, I’m not a doctor and you should check with your healthcare professional to learn about possible interactions with medications and allergic reactions. I like to consume about 1-2 teaspoons of bee bread per day. 

4 Ways To Eat Bee Bread

An overhead shot of a hand holding a raw bee bread breakfast bar. There are more raw breakfast bars in the background on a light countertop.

1. Raw Bee Bread Breakfast Bars

Ingredients

Medjool Dates

Oats

Nuts (whatever your like or have on hand)

Peanut Butter

Honey (or maple syrup) – I use this bulk maple syrup

Bee Bread

For complete measurements, see the printable recipe card below.

Instructions

Add oats, nuts, peanut butter, honey (or maple syrup), and dates into a food processor and blitz until a ball begins to form.

An overhead shot of dates, nuts, and peanut butter in a food processor.

Pour the mixture into a baking pan.

Sprinkle the bee bread on top and use your hands to mix the bee bread into the mixture.

Press the mixture flat in the pan with your fingers.

Use a knife to cut out the bars – this recipe should yield 8 bars.

An overhead shot of homemade bee bread bars in a baking pan.

Pop the tray into the freezer for about an hour to firm up the mixture.

Remove from the freezer and break the bars apart.

These bars will last about 2 weeks in the fridge or 3 months in the freezer. They can be left at room temperature but will become soft and more difficult to eat.

A close up of a raw bee bread breakfast bar with more in the background on a light countertop.

2. Homemade Bee Bread Granola

Ingredients

Oats

Coconut Oil – I use this organic bulk coconut oil

Maple Syrup (or honey) – I use this bulk maple syrup

Sourdough Discard (or mature starter)

Bee Bread

Nuts & Seeds (I like to use cashews, almonds, walnuts, & sunflower seeds)

For complete measurements, see the printable recipe card below.

An overhead shot of baked sourdough discard granola in a cast iron skillet on a light countertop.

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit or 180 degrees Celsius.

Add the oats, maple syrup or honey, and coconut oil to a large stockpot.

Heat on low until the oats are completely covered in melted coconut oil and maple syrup or honey, and turn off the heat.

To the stock pot, pour in the sourdough discard or mature starter, nuts and seeds of your choice. Use a spoon to stir everything together.

An overhead shot of oats, maple syrup, nuts, and seeds in a stock pot.

Line a baking tray with parchment paper and pour a thin layer of granola onto one or many large baking tray(s). Use multiple baking trays to avoid overcrowding.

Put the baking tray(s) into the oven for 35-40 minutes. I like to stir the granola every 20 minutes or so, to ensure it’s baked evenly on all sides.

Once it’s golden brown, remove the granola and allow it to cool completely.

Use a spoon to break it apart. Sprinkle the bee bread over top of the baked granola.

Store in a glass container.

An overhead shot of bee bread date balls on a light countertop.

3. Bee Bread Date Balls

Ingredients

Medjool Dates

Nuts (of your choice)

Peanut Butter

Bee Bread

For complete measurements, see the printable recipe card below.

Instructions

Add medjool dates to your food processor and blitz until they come together.

An overtop shot of medjool dates on a light countertop.

Add the nuts and peanut butter into the food processor with the dates and blitz until the mixture holds together.

Oats, dates, nuts, and maple syrup that have been blended in a food processor on a light countertop.

Sprinkle in the bee bread and use a wooden spoon to mix them in.

Using your hands or a spoon, roll the balls together.

A close up shot of bee bread date balls on a light countertop.

Put the balls onto a plate and into the fridge for an hour or so to firm up. Enjoy!

As a topping

  • On yogurt
  • On oats
  • On salads
  • In a trail mix

As a beverage

Edinburgh Honey Company (where I bought my bee bread) suggests that you can dissolve a spoonful of bee bread in warm water (not hot or boiling – this would destroy the fermentation benefits).

You do this by pouring warm water overtop of the bee bread and using a spoon to dissolve it.

You can leave it to sit overnight to maximise the absorption of the beneficial compounds and drink it in the morning.

An overhead shot of a hand holding a homemade date ball with bee bread. There are more in the background on a light countertop.

Save it for later

An overhead shot of brown bee bread pellets on a light countertop.

What to read next

Simple Sourdough Bagel Recipe

Cozy Sourdough Pumpkin Bread

Simple Sourdough Pumpkin Muffins

Healthy Sourdough Discard Banana Muffins

If you make this recipe and enjoy it, please consider giving it 5 stars. Find me on Instagram @documentingsimpleliving and show me what you’ve made!

A closeup of brown bee bread pellets on a light countertop.
Nico

How to consume bee bread (3 recipe ideas)

Bee bread is a remarkable and lesser-known superfood. It is a nutrient-rich and natural product created by honey bees. Bee bread has many health benefits and is a powerful supplement to add to your diet.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Cook Time 1 hour hr
Total Time 1 hour hr
Servings: 8
Course: Fermented Foods
Calories: 105
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Video Notes

Ingredients
  

  • Medjool Dates
  • Oats
  • Nuts whatever your like or have on hand
  • Peanut Butter
  • Honey or maple syrup
  • Bee Bread
  • Coconut Oil

Equipment

  • Butternut Mountain Farm Pure Vermont Maple Syrup, Grade A, Amber Color, Rich Taste, All Natural, Easy Pour Jug, 32 Fl Oz, 1 Qt
  • Anna and Sarah Organic Medjool Dates, 2 Pound Bag, No Sugar Added Natural Dates in Resealable Bag, 2 Lbs

Method
 

Raw Bee Bread Breakfast Bars
  1. Add 3/4 cup oats, 1/2 cup nuts, 1/3 cup peanut butter, 2 tablespoons honey (or maple syrup), and 1 1/2 cup dates into a food processor and blitz until a ball begins to form.
  2. Pour the mixture into a baking pan.
  3. Sprinkle the 1 tablespoon of bee bread on top and use your hands to mix the bee bread into the mixture.
  4. Press the mixture flat in the pan with your fingers.
  5. Use a knife to cut out the bars – this recipe should yield 8 bars.
  6. Pop the tray into the freezer for about an hour to firm up the mixture.
  7. Remove from the freezer and break the bars apart.
  8. These bars will last about 2 weeks in the fridge or 3 months in the freezer. They can be left at room temperature but will become soft and more difficult to eat.
Homemade Bee Bread Granola
  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit or 180 degrees Celsius.
  2. Add 6 cups oats, 1 cup maple syrup or honey, and 1 cup coconut oil to a large stockpot.
  3. Heat on low until the oats are completely covered in melted coconut oil and maple syrup or honey, and turn off the heat.
  4. To the stock pot, pour in 1/2 cup sourdough discard or mature starter, 1 cup nuts and seeds of your choice. Use a spoon to stir everything together.
  5. Line a baking tray with parchment paper and pour a thin layer of granola onto one or many large baking tray(s). Use multiple baking trays to avoid overcrowding.
  6. Put the baking tray(s) into the oven for 35-40 minutes. I like to stir the granola every 20 minutes or so, to ensure it’s baked evenly on all sides.
  7. Once it’s golden brown, remove the granola and allow it to cool completely.
  8. Use a spoon to break it apart. Sprinkle 1/2 cup bee bread over top of the baked granola.
  9. Store in a glass container.
Bee Bread Date Balls
  1. Add 1/2 cup medjool dates to your food processor and blitz until they come together.
  2. Add 1/2 cup nuts and 1/3 cup peanut butter into the food processor with the dates and blitz until the mixture holds together.
  3. Sprinkle in 1 tablespoon of bee bread and use a wooden spoon to mix them in.
  4. Using your hands or a spoon, roll the balls together.
  5. Put the balls onto a plate and into the fridge for an hour or so to firm up. Enjoy!

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 105kcalCarbohydrates: 11gProtein: 3gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gSodium: 47mgFiber: 1gSugar: 5g

Video

Notes

How much bee bread to consume?

As always, I’m not a doctor and you should check with your healthcare professional to learn about possible interactions with medications and allergic reactions. I like to consume about 1-2 teaspoons of bee bread per day. 

Tried this recipe?

Let us know how it was!

I’m not a medical professional and do not intend to offer medical advice in any content I create. As always, do your own research and speak to your doctor or paediatricians.

Filed Under: Fermented Foods, Homegrown Eats

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Welcome!

I’m Nico! I’m all about simple, healing tinctures & other natural remedies. Read more about me here.

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