How To Make Gluten Free Bread

When you learn to make gluten free bread with yeast, you’ll be prepared to pick your first bread recipe and get began with confidence. Comply with me as we deal with the science of gluten free baking, so you possibly can produce the perfect gf bread.

Rule # 1: Do not stray from tried and true gluten free bread recipes

Attempt to keep away from making any substitutions the primary time you make a gluten free bread recipe, particularly one which is unfamiliar to you. In case you have chosen a recipe which you can solely make with substitutions, choose one other recipe.

Each time a reader tells me that they’re having hassle with a recipe, my first query is all the time whether or not they have made any substitutions. Some may match, however many won’t. And early failure will make it very arduous to remain motivated.

The simplest gluten free bread recipe to start with is the recipe for the white gluten free bread recipe from my first cookbook. It is a tremendous easy recipe, and there is a detailed video that permits you to watch over my shoulder as I make the bread. It is pictured proper under this paragraph.

Rule # 2: Measure your dry substances by weight, not quantity

Bake by weight (grams and kilos), not quantity (cups). Correct proportions make the distinction between success and failure. A serviceable scale is completely low cost, and straightforward to make use of. I like to recommend this one (affiliate hyperlink).

To make use of a digital scale, merely end measuring one ingredient, and hit “tare.” It zeroes out the size. Prepared for the subsequent ingredient, in the identical bowl. Precision, simply.

In all of my recipes, 1 cup of all function gluten free flour weighs 140 grams. Don’t hassle attempting to see if the measuring cups you may have in your kitchen match their quantity to my weight measurements.

A typical misunderstanding is which you can “take a look at” my weight measurements by evaluating them to the corresponding quantity. I present quantity measurements as a courtesy, since we People have a tendency to withstand baking by weight, however I hope you’ll ignore them.

Quantity measurements are vulnerable to human error and are inherently imprecise. Ignore the volumes, and focus solely on the load of every ingredient.

Rule # 3: Be certain all substances are totally blended

Gluten-free bread dough must be combined vigorously till easy with a stand mixer. If you do not have a stand mixer, you possibly can strive utilizing a meals processor fitted with the metal blade, and pulsing simply till the dough is easy.

Keep away from utilizing a hand mixer with balloon whisk attachments, for the reason that bread dough will get caught within the whisks and never labored right into a easy dough correctly. Crucial factor is that the substances get integrated totally and that the dough is easy.

And don’t fret about over-mixing. There is no gluten to ‘overwork.’ In case your finish outcome has a very tight crumb and appears crumbly, it isn’t that you simply overworked the dough. Your hydration degree was probably too low.

If you have no acceptable mixing equipment, strive my recipe for gluten free artisan bread. It is a rustic bread that’s made with dough that is particularly moist, which lets you combine the dough by hand in a single bowl. It is an excellent on a regular basis gluten free bread recipe.

The yeast bread recipes that I’ve developed to be made with my gluten free bread flour, alternatively, require an electrical mixer with the dough hook attachment, and for that you need to use a stand mixer or a 5-speed handheld mixer, with dough hook attachments.

Rule # 4: Gluten substitutes are important for making gluten free bread that holds collectively

Don’t attempt to bake bread with none gluten substitutes, like xanthan gum. When yeast offers off carbon dioxide through the baking course of, gluten acts like a cloak and suspends the bubbles.

When gluten traps the rise, it permits the bread to bake across the air pockets. With out gluten and with out a gluten substitute, there’s nothing to “maintain” the rise. Xanthan gum additionally retains baked items more energizing longer.

Some folks discover that they react poorly to “the gums,” which typically refers to xanthan gum and guar gum, and like to not bake with them. Xanthan gum is best suited to heated purposes like bread baking, and guar gum to chilly purposes like making ice cream. Nevertheless, my gluten free bread recipes are developed to require baking with xanthan gum.

What about psyllium husk for gluten free bread?

Psyllium husk is a type of fiber (assume: Metamucil) that has change into comparatively well-liked in gluten free bread baking as a substitute for xanthan gum. I’ve tried it, and I merely haven’t discovered a means to make use of it that produces a bread product that I wish to eat.

Psyllium husk does add vital flexibility to uncooked gluten free bread dough, makes gluten free loaf bread that appears nice, and is simple to deal with. However I discover it provides each an disagreeable style, aftertaste, and mouth really feel. Since bread’s highest and finest use is consuming, these are deal-breakers for me.

When America’s Check Kitchen got here out with their first gluten free bread recipes, they requested me to endorse them. I labored my means by means of a few of their fundamentals, which included a heavy reliance on psyllium husk.

It does behave equally to xanthan gum, and is much more efficient for breads as a result of it’s much more hydrophilic (water-loving). And sure, I used the model of psyllium husk that they suggest.

I promise you will be the primary to know if I alter my opinion of baking bread with floor psyllium husk. I ponder if I’d desire it utilized in smaller quantities, and with whey protein isolate, which I exploit in my gluten free bread flour.

Rule # 5: Do not bake gluten free bread with out an oven thermometer

Use a easy oven thermometer to gauge your oven’s baking temperature correctly. Most ovens are calibrated improperly, and off by round 50°F. Yup. That a lot. My oven is often off by about 75°F!

I do not hassle having the oven calibrated, since it’ll simply drift out of calibration once more. As a substitute, I exploit a easy analog oven thermometer that is straightforward, low cost, important. I simply change it at the least twice a yr, and by no means fear whether or not my oven temperature is correct.

While you bake bread in a too-hot oven, the skin will bake earlier than the within has an opportunity to develop sufficient construction to help it. The bread will then collapse on itself because it cools.

Rule # 6: Use the proper gluten free flour mix to bake gluten free bread

Personally, I most frequently bake my gluten free bread with Higher Batter’s traditional gluten free flour mix. It is such a flexible mix, and it is all the time labored superbly for any recipe that is known as for an all function gf flour.

Higher Batter is made with a mix of brown rice flour, white rice flour, tapioca starch, potato flour, potato starch, xanthan gum, and powdered pectin.

Inquisitive about whether or not I do know the precise ratio of those substances? It seems I truly do, so if you cannot discover Higher Batter regionally or just desire to make your personal, all you want to do is comply with my recipe for Mock Higher Batter.

My DIY gluten free flour mix works precisely like the unique model, so you need to use it anyplace that requires Higher Batter — together with most of my gluten free bread recipes.

A few of my bread recipes name for a really specialised gluten free bread flour mix that provides whey protein isolate and Expandex modified tapioca starch to Higher Batter, however these recipes will name out the gluten free bread flour mix particularly.

These breads that decision for our gluten free bread flour mix would require fewer enrichments like eggs and butter, and the dough can be dealt with extra like typical yeast bread. However the recipe can be very particular in regards to the requirement to make use of the bread flour, and that is not a lot of the bread recipes right here on the weblog.

Your flour selection issues. Lots.

For starters, you need to use the proper gluten free flour combine, as mentioned above. If you happen to use a mix like, for instance, King Arthur gluten free flour, your yeast bread won’t prove. Even that firm suggests avoiding their flour mix for yeast breads!

There are loads of gluten free flour choices on the market, together with however not restricted to, brown rice flour, potato flour, millet flour, coconut flour, oat flour, buckwheat flour, sorghum flour, and almond meal.

However simply because a sure flour is gluten free doesn’t imply you possibly can throw it right into a gluten free bread recipe and anticipate good outcomes. Or any significant outcomes, for that matter.

Use the gluten free flour combine that every explicit recipe requires. Typically, will probably be Higher Batter, but it surely may very well be totally different relying on the kind of bread.

Rule # 7: Yeast bread rises slower in cool, dry environments

Create the proper surroundings for bread proofing. If you happen to can swing it, take into account a Brod & Taylor bread proofer. It is wonderful the even rise you will get on this little field of heaven. I bought mine without cost (I used to be a ‘tester’), however I might have purchased it.

If you cannot swing it, use my tried and true microwave-as-bread-proofer technique. I used it for years and years, with good outcomes. It creates a contained heat, moist surroundings to your yeast bread to rise.

Rule # 8: Be certain your bread dough would not dry out

Yeast will not rise with out sufficient moisture. If the recipe you are following requires a primary rise within the fridge, make sure that it’s in a container like a Cambro bucket that seals correctly, or moisture will evaporate, drying out the dough and stopping rise.

Rule # 9: Set your yeast up for fulfillment

Yeast can typically survive the chilly of my fridge at 40°F/4°C, and water as scorching as 120°F/49°C will probably kill yeast. Something in between and your yeast ought to survive.

However surviving is totally different from thriving. Yeast in bread dough wants just a few circumstances to thrive:

• Sufficient moisture (with out sufficient moisture, or in case your uncooked dough loses an excessive amount of moisture, the yeast will not be energetic)
• Sufficient time (yeast will rise extra slowly at decrease temperatures, however it’ll rise given sufficient time)
• Freshness (verify the date in your yeast and do not use something previous its freshness date)

There are just a few circumstances that may inhibit the expansion of your yeast:

• An excessive amount of salt (do not add yeast and salt in on the similar time, and do not overmeasure your salt, which inhibits yeast progress)
• An excessive amount of sugar (which can soak up liquid within the dough; a correct candy yeast bread recipe will have already got accounted for that by including extra yeast)
• An excessive amount of warmth (I do not suggest setting your bread dough to rise in an oven that is on, even if you happen to’re sure it is solely set to 100°F; most ovens will not retain a temperature setting that low and your yeast will most likely die)

Rule # 10: Do not let a boxed gluten free bread combine discourage you

You may discover loads of gluten free bread mixes on the grocery retailer. These pre-packaged mixes promise scrumptious gf baked items with minimal effort, however they normally fall flat.

If you happen to’ve tried one in all these mixes with disastrous outcomes and assume that every one gluten free baking is destined for a similar bland, dry, and crumbling consequence, please do not!

I promise that if you happen to comply with one (or a number of, or all) of my gluten free bread recipes, you will take pleasure in bread that’s higher than something yow will discover in a field.

Do not all the time have the time to bake contemporary? I can completely relate. Try my evaluate of the perfect gluten free bread manufacturers that you’re going to discover at native markets and on-line for the tastiest packaged choices.

My finest gluten free bread recipes

I’ve bought plenty of recipes for gluten free bread, however I feel these are a few of my finest. Have a look to discover a new favourite or 5, after which hold studying for much more gluten free baking ideas.

Extra ideas for baking with gluten free flour and making gluten free bread

Frequent gluten free bread substances

Every of my gf bread recipes comprises totally different substances that I’ve rigorously examined time after time. However a lot of the recipes do share just a few frequent substances. These embrace:

• All function gluten free flour mix – Typically, I exploit Higher Batter’s traditional gluten free flour mix. It affords simply the proper ratio of substances and actually helps replicate the style and texture of “actual bread”. I do not care for his or her “rice-free mix,” which makes use of psyllium husk, in any respect, I am afraid.
• Tapioca starch/flour – Even if you use Higher Batter, which comprises tapioca starch/flour, lots of my bread recipes name for extra tapioca starch as an added ingredient. Do not skip it! It helps make the dough a lot simpler to deal with, and provides it considerably extra chew when baked.
• Xanthan gum – You solely want to incorporate xanthan gum in case your gluten free flour mix would not already include it. Xanthan gum is crucial for sustaining your bread’s rise and construction.
• Yeast – Because the yeast feeds off the sugars in your bread dough, it releases carbon monoxide, which creates bubbles because it escapes. This causes the dough to swell and rise, leading to ethereal bread fairly than a dense clump. My recipes sometimes name for “on the spot yeast,” additionally known as rapid-rise or breadmaker yeast, which is not soaked first. If you happen to should use energetic dry yeast, you will want 25% extra yeast, by weight, and to soak it in among the liquid from the recipe first.
• Sugar – Sugar feeds yeast, but it surely additionally tenderizes your bread, helps with moisture retention, and provides taste.
• Salt – Salt is an apparent taste enhancer (your gf bread would style fairly bland with out it), but it surely additionally helps regulate your bread’s rise, retaining it from rising too quick, solely to sink later.
• Milk – Including milk to a gf bread recipe that requires it helps produce a softer crumb.
• Butter – Like milk, butter contributes to a softer bread. The fat in butter hold the bread chewy and tender, and provides it taste in enriched breads.
• Eggs – Eggs acts as a binder and leavening agent, serving to your bread come collectively and keep collectively.

Gluten free bread ingredient substitutions

I do know that lots of my readers attempt to keep away from different potential allergens, so each time potential, I provide substitution concepts in my recipes. As I clarify in my recipes, I have never all the time tried these substitutions so you’ll have to experiment a bit, however I am going to let you understand why I feel they work.

Each bread recipe is totally different, however listed here are some frequent substitutions you can also make to keep away from typical allergens:

Gluten free, dairy free bread recipes

You’ll be able to sometimes change milk with dairy free options like soy milk, almond milk, coconut milk, and oat milk. Simply be certain to make use of a non-sweetened selection, so it would not have an effect on the bread’s taste.

Typically, you possibly can substitute conventional butter with a vegan butter. I notably just like the choices from Soften and Miyoko’s Kitchen, however Earth Stability Buttery Sticks may match in some situations too.

Gluten free, egg free bread recipes

For these wheat free bread recipes that decision for 1 or 2 eggs, you could possibly use chia eggs as an alternative. The recipe for every chia egg is 1 tablespoon floor chia seeds + 1 tablespoon lukewarm water, combined and allowed to gel.

I’ve not used chia eggs in my gluten free baking, however I’ve plenty of readers who’ve had nice success. Instead of egg whites, you could typically be capable of use aquafaba (the brine from a can of chickpeas).

Gluten free, vegan bread recipes

Typically, you possibly can comply with my substitutions for dairy and eggs to make vegan bread. Plus, choose your granulated sugar rigorously to make sure it isn’t made with bone char.

Nevertheless, some recipes might name for different non-vegan substances that we’ve not mentioned right here, so be sure you rigorously evaluate the recipe that you simply’d wish to strive for essentially the most related information.

Gluten free bread inner temperature

In every of my recipes, I counsel you on how lengthy it sometimes takes to bake a loaf of gluten free bread. Sadly, these figures may not all the time give you the results you want.

It’s because ovens can range broadly in working temperature — the thermostat might say it is 350 levels in your oven, but it surely may simply be off by 50°F to 75°F.

As most ovens fall out of calibration, here is methods to inform if bread is completed:

• Use a stand-alone oven thermometer to gauge oven temperature, and change it incessantly (they’re tremendous low cost)
• Insert an instant-read thermometer in the midst of your loaf, reaching right down to the underside of the loaf, however do not contact the pan.
• If you happen to’re not sure whether or not your loaf bread is baked all the best way to the middle, you possibly can normally take away it from the pan, place it on a small baking sheet, cut back the oven temperature, and proceed to bake it till it sounds hole when thumped on the underside or aspect.

Utilizing a bread machine for gluten free bread

I do not actually suggest utilizing a bread machine to make gluten free bread. I am not saying that it isn’t potential, however I do not actually see the purpose: Mixing and baking gf bread is easy sufficient as it’s, and bread machines differ so considerably from model to model that you simply’d want a distinct recipe for every.

However if you happen to do wish to use a bread maker to assist with mixing and/or baking, here is what I counsel.

For mixing, search for the bread machine setting that gives only one mixing cycle as that is all that your bread wants. If you cannot discover that setting, see if you happen to can manually set the bread machine to combine for about 20 minutes.

As soon as your bread batter or dough is combined, you possibly can take away it from the bread machine and proceed baking as per recipe directions.

If you would like to bake your bread within the bread maker, search for the gluten free setting. Many fashionable machines have it, which affords acceptable rise and baking occasions.

In case your bread machine would not have a gluten free setting, search for a speedy or fast rise setting, or set it manually to do a one-hour rise and one-hour bake.

Cooling and slicing your gluten free bread

As with most bread, gluten free bread is a bit delicate straight out of the oven. For that reason, as tempting as it might be, you shouldn’t instantly minimize into it. (And sure, it is very tempting, I do know!)

As a substitute, take away your bread from the oven and permit it to chill for at the least 10 minutes. Then, take your gf bread from the loaf pan and permit it to chill utterly on a wire rack.

Eradicating your gluten free bread from the loaf pan will stop it from getting soggy by permitting steam to flee. Letting it cool utterly will guarantee it retains it form for neat and straightforward slicing.

Tips on how to retailer gluten free bread

As a result of my finest gluten free bread recipes do not include preservatives, your bread will not final so long as store-bought bread. That is okay, although, as a result of bread tends to vanish into bellies sooner than I can sustain with.

To retailer your gf bread for on a regular basis use, hold it at room temperature in your countertop, coated tightly, and it ought to final the day. For longer storage, I like to recommend in opposition to the fridge, as it is vitally drying.

As a substitute, freeze your gluten free bread to be used sooner or later. Be certain it has utterly cooled, then slice it, wrap it in freezer protected wrap like Glad Press ‘n’ Seal, after which put it inside a freezer protected, zip high bag.

Your gluten free loaf bread will last as long as three months with correct storage. Defrosting your bread is as straightforward as pulling out a bagel or a slice of bread, letting it defrost a bit at room temperature or within the microwave, sprinkling it with a little bit of water, and refreshing it in a toaster oven.

Gluten free baking troubleshooting and FAQs

What’s in gluten free bread?

Each gluten free bread recipe is totally different, however you will discover most of the similar substances in a gluten free model as you’ll in a conventional one.

For instance, my gluten free potato bread recipe makes use of all function gf flour, tapioca starch/flour, potatoes, milk, sugar, eggs, and yeast like most bread recipes.

Is yeast gluten free?

Sure, bread-making yeast is of course gluten free. Brewer’s yeast is often gluten-containing, although, so choose your yeast rigorously.

What gluten free flour is finest for yeast bread?

My favourite gluten free flour for yeast bread is Higher Batter. It affords the right ratio of a number of gluten free flours to create gf bread that appears and tastes identical to “the true factor”.

What can change gluten in flour for making bread?

Nothing is a one to 1 substitute for gluten in yeast bread, however xanthan gum as a part of a properly balanced all function gluten free flour mix goes a protracted technique to making gluten free bread that stretches and bends.

What gluten free bread is closest to common bread?

If you happen to’re seeking to purchase packaged gluten free bread, I actually like Schar model and Canyon Bakehouse manufacturers are among the finest. Here’s a full checklist of my favourite packaged gluten free bread.

Is all gluten free bread wheat free?

No. Wheat is likely one of the essential gluten-containing grains, so if one thing is gluten free then it’s most likely additionally wheat free. Some bread could also be gluten free however include gluten free wheat starch, which can be acceptable for somebody with celiac illness or gluten sensitivity however may set off an allergic response in somebody who’s allergic to wheat.

What’s the secret to getting gluten free bread to rise?

My favourite technique to get gluten free bread to rise is to activate my oven to its lowest setting (normally lower than 200°F), cowl the bread dough properly with both a lid or oiled plastic wrap, and place it on high of the oven. The oven will give off sufficient ambient warmth to assist pace up the bread’s rise, however not a lot that it’ll kill the yeast.

Does gluten free bread style totally different?

While you choose a gluten free bread recipe from my in depth assortment, there’s one factor I can promise you: It will not style unhealthy.

Typically, I might even say that these great recipes do not style all that totally different from their gluten-containing counterparts.

And in just a few magical instances, I am going to say that my gluten free bread recipes truly style higher than “the true factor”.

Do I’ve to knead gluten free bread?

No, you normally don’t must knead gluten free bread dough, at the least not in the identical model you is perhaps used to from typical bread. When making gluten free loaf bread, you merely should vigorously combine substances to make certain they’re properly integrated.

Though you’ll typically form the bread into rolls, buns, loaves, and even gluten free mushy pretzels, there aren’t any gluten proteins to stretch, so no kneading is important.

Why is my gluten free bread not rising?

There are a number of explanation why your gluten free bread is probably not rising. Listed here are just a few of the most typical causes:

• You are not utilizing the right gf flour mix otherwise you’re not utilizing the correct quantity
• Your yeast shouldn’t be contemporary or it isn’t activating due to make use of of chilly substances
• You did not permit sufficient time or the right circumstances for proofing
• You did not measure your substances by weight, together with water, so the hydration ratio is flawed

Why is gluten free bread so dry?

GF flours are very absorbent, so if you happen to do not embrace the proper ratio of dry and moist substances, you will find yourself with a gluten free bread loaf that is dry and crumbly.

Truthfully, if you wish to know methods to make gluten free bread fluffy, the perfect factor you are able to do is comply with your chosen recipe’s directions very rigorously.

Additionally do not forget that the extra substitutions you make, the extra probably you will find yourself with one thing totally different than the supposed outcome.

Why is my gluten free bread so crumbly?

Lack of moisture will make gluten free bread dry and crumbly, however so will insufficient quantities of xanthan gum. Have a look at this essential ingredient as a kind of binder or glue that holds gluten free bread collectively.

Why is my gluten free bread gummy?

Whereas it is potential to incorporate too little liquid in your gluten free bread recipe and find yourself with dry bread, you will expertise the other if you happen to add an excessive amount of liquid, do not let the dough rise sufficient earlier than baking, or do not bake the loaf for lengthy sufficient till it is baked all the best way to the underside.

Another excuse you could pull gummy bread from the oven is that the bread wasn’t baked at a excessive sufficient temperature, so you do not get any “oven spring.” In case your oven runs too scorching, the skin might bake too rapidly and you’ll’t bake it lengthy sufficient to bake all the best way to the middle. Lastly, altitude, humidity, or temperature might have an effect on remaining outcomes.

Tips on how to inform if bread is completed? Be certain your inner bread temp is between 205°F to 210°F.

Why did my gluten free bread sink whereas it was cooling?

The most typical causes for gluten free bread sinking after cooling embrace:

• An excessive amount of proofing; the bread rose increased than it may help itself. Uncooked gf bread dough tends to tackle a pock-marked look when it is overproofed, so watch rigorously.
• An excessive amount of yeast; the bread rose too rapidly and could not help itself
• An excessive amount of liquid; steam could not dissipate rapidly sufficient
• A too-hot oven that baked the skin to burning lengthy earlier than the within of the loaf was cooked by means of sufficient to help the construction.

Does gluten free bread have to be refrigerated?

No, gluten free loaf bread doesn’t have to be refrigerated. In reality, it is best to keep away from refrigerating bread as it’ll pace up the drying course of.

Does selfmade gluten free bread final so long as store-bought bread?

Many store-bought breads are loaded with preservatives to make them last more than selfmade baked items.

As my bread recipes do not include preservatives, they will not technically final so long as store-bought — but it surely’s sometimes not an issue as a result of bread will get eaten rapidly and freezes very properly. Plus, xanthan gum is a mandatory ingredient in gluten free bread and it helps hold baked items more energizing, longer.

The place can I discover a simple gluten free bread recipe?

I’ve bought just a few of my finest gluten free bread recipes above, however yow will discover extra at my gluten free bread archive.

I take into account most of my gf bread recipes to be straightforward gluten free bread recipes as a result of I do not use sophisticated substances or require specialised tools. Even if you happen to’re new to gf baking, I am certain you will discover these recipes easy sufficient (and I would love to listen to about how your bread turned out!

[These links contain affiliate codes that help me earn a small commission, at no additional cost to you. Every single product I recommend is one I truly believe in and, where appropriate, have purchased myself!]

Initially revealed on the weblog in 2012. A number of textual sources added in 2023.