What gluten free flour is best for bread

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A homemade gluten-free bread recipe that's simple to make, dairy-free, and bakes into the best gluten-free bread. Make your next lunch with this easy gluten-free sandwich bread.

I've also included instructions for making this gluten-free bread in a bread machine for those who prefer to use a bread machine when making gluten-free bread.

I've included instructions to make this gluten free bread recipe into a gluten free vegan bread.

We also have the perfect gluten-free sourdough bread recipe if you prefer a bit of tanginess in your loaves!

If you are looking for more traditional recipes you'll definitely want to make my Gluten Free Pizza! It's a staple.

My Gluten Free Pancakes are also a big hit among readers. For more ideas check out my Easy Gluten Free Recipes.

You're going to want to make everything with this gluten-free bread. Deli style sandwiches, grilled cheese sandwiches, gluten french toast ... everything.

Gluten-Free Bread

I posted a gluten-free bread recipe back in early 2015. It was okay, but it wasn't the best gluten-free bread. It had a little bit of a quick bread texture.

I also now have a gluten free bread recipe for the bread machine (see further down if you use a gluten-free bread machine).

Just look at the texture in this easy gluten-free bread. It's amazing. The gluten-free loaf featured in this picture could've used a few more minutes in the oven but I'll talk more about that below.

You are going to love this gluten-free dairy-free bread. I promise.

Please, please read through this post. I share my experience and what worked and didn't when I was reworking this gluten-free bread recipe.

Gluten-Free Flours to use when making gluten-free bread:

When I first made this gluten-free bread recipe I used my gluten-free flour blend. It works great, but I realized it needed something more.

I tested several different flour blend options before settling on the winner, the one that I think makes the best gluten-free bread. See the recipe card for the gluten free bread recipe that readers are loving.

Here are some additional options for making this gluten free bread recipe. Note that these substitutions will yield slightly different results. If you decide to go with one of these substitutions, you will need to replace all the flours and starches in the recipe with the following, everything else stays the same:

1. 2 ½ cups of my gluten-free flour blend + ½ cup of almond flour + ¼ cup flaxseed meal (ground flaxseed).
2. 2 ½ cups of my flour blend + ½  cup of millet flour + ¼ cup of flaxseed meal. It's an amazing nut free gluten free bread.
3. 2 ½ cups of Bob's Red Mill 1-to-1 gluten-free flour blend + ½ cup of almond flour + ¼ cup flaxseed meal.
4. 2 ½ cups of Bob's Red Mill 1-to-1 gluten-free flour blend + ½ cup millet flour + ¼ cup flaxseed meal.

This gluten-free dairy-free bread recipe was originally developed for the oven but I have a gluten-free bread machine recipe version below for those that like to us a bread machine.

And If you don't believe that my friend Megan is a bread-making goddess just look at her homemade gluten-free hamburger buns.

Egg-Free Substitution in Gluten-Free Bread

For a gluten free vegan bread version of this gluten-free bread recipe, you can use chia-eggs or Bob's Red Mill Egg Replacer (2 eggs worth).

I've only tested this gluten free egg free bread recipe in the oven. I haven't tested the egg-free version in a bread machine.

Swap out the 3 egg whites with 2 tablespoons of chia seed + 7 tablespoons of water (let sit for 5 minutes and stir before you add it to the mixture). Or use Bob's Red Mill Egg Replacer and mix up 2 eggs worth.

Bake for 70 minutes (putting a piece of foil over the loaf to help prevent over-browning, halfway through).

Making Gluten Free Bread

1. Add the sugar and yeast to your warm water (95-110 degrees F) and stir; set it aside for 5-10 minutes but no longer.
2. While your yeast is proofing, in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, add the flours, flax seed meal, xanthan gum, baking powder, and salt. Turn your mixer to low and mix just until combined.
3. Add the oil, egg whites, vinegar, and proofed yeast mixture.
4. Turn the mixer to a medium speed and mix for an additional 2 minutes. The dough will be thick and sticky. Turn off the mixer and scrape down the sides.
5. Using a rubber spatula, add the dough to your prepared loaf pan making sure to fill in the corners of the pan and level the top. Wet your fingers and smooth the top.
6. Cover the dough with a lightly oiled piece of plastic wrap and allow it to rise in a warm place for 45 to 60 minutes, or until it has risen slightly above the loaf pan.
7. When the dough is near the top of the pan, preheat your oven to 350°F. Remove the plastic wrap and bake for 60 – 65 minutes. Half way through baking, cover the bread loaf with a piece of foil to keep it from over-browning.
8. Remove the loaf from the oven and let cool completely before slicing. Slice the entire loaf and store in a container at room temperature for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to a month.

These numbered steps match the numbered photos above and are for illustration purposes. For the complete list of ingredients and instructions, please see the recipe below.

Dairy-free gluten-free bread recipe

I still can't get over how amazing this gluten-free sandwich bread is. It's better than any gluten-free bread I've had and my family, including my gluten-eating husband agrees.

This gluten-free bread is also dairy-free. I've tested it with dairy (milk for activating the yeast and butter instead of oil) and I found it to add to the quick bread texture.

If you want this gluten-free bread to have the same texture as deli style sandwich bread then you need to use water when activating the yeast and oil instead of butter.

Trust me. Plus, it's less expensive to use water and oil in gluten-free bread recipes than it is to use milk and butter.

To make this a gluten free vegan bread, see the instructions above for subbing out the eggs for chia eggs.

Gum free gluten-free bread

I use xanthan gum in this gluten-free dairy-free bread recipe. I feel it yields the best results. Not everyone can have gums.

You can use psyllium husk powder (not full husks) in this recipe. I only tested it once, but I used 3 tablespoons of psyllium husk powder in place of the xanthan gum - yes, that reads 3 TABLESPOONS.

Psyllium husk powder is not a 1-to-1 for xanthan gum. Again, I only tested this one time so I cannot claim that this is the best sub for xanthan gum.

Sure it worked for me, but I haven't checked to see if it's repeatable with that amount of psyllium husk powder.

How long to bake gluten-free bread

This gluten-free bread recipe works best when baked for 60-65 minutes in the oven or on the gluten-free setting in a bread machine.

See my notes on gluten free bread recipe for the bread machine below.

Remember to cover your gluten-free bread with foil half-way through baking so it doesn't over-brown.

You might read that a loaf is done baking once it hits around 200 degrees F. Please bake this loaf 60-65 minutes even if your thermometer says otherwise.

Tips for making gluten-free bread

Here are my tips that work with this gluten-free bread recipe. See below for my gluten free bread machine recipe.

Don't substitute anything in this gluten free bread recipe unless I specified above that I've tested it. This is important. If you substitute something I can't guarantee anything and I can't help you troubleshoot if something doesn't work in your gluten-free bread.

Ingredients at room temperature work best. You can always run your eggs under warm water for a couple of minutes to bring the temperature up.

Read the recipe instruction and get all ingredients out before you start.

Use dry active yeast or quick yeast. I use Fleischmann's yeast: it's labeled gluten-free. I've also used Red Star yeast.

If your bread sinks in the middle before it is done baking you most likely let the yeast proof sit too long before using it or you let your bread rise too long. You want to put your gluten-free bread in the oven when it rises just above the top of the loaf pan, no longer.

Make sure your water is between 95-110 degrees before adding the yeast. If you don't have a thermometer I suggest you get one.

Line the loaf pan with parchment paper and then spray it with oil, this will help you remove the loaf from the pan.

Pan size matters. If you use a wider pan your loaf will be wider, and shorter. If you use a narrower pan your loaf baking time might change.

Again, if you have any questions on how to make gluten free bread, please leave me a comment below. I've included a video that shows step-by-step how to make gluten-free bread.

Gluten-Free Bread in a Bread Machine

If you prefer to make this gluten-free bread recipe in a bread machine make sure you have one with a gluten-free setting. I have a Zojirushi bread machine and it makes a beautiful loaf and is my preferred gluten-free bread machine. There are other bread machines, just follow their instructions if they are different.

Check out our list of the Best Gluten-Free Bread Makers on the market today if you're looking to purchase one yourself. (I highly recommend it!)

• Add the warm water, oil, egg whites, and vinegar to the pan in your gluten-free bread machine. Do not add the yeast here. We are not proofing the yeast, we will add it in later.
• In a large mixing bowl, whisk together all dry ingredients except for the yeast (sugar, flours, flaxseed, xanthan gum, baking powder, and salt) and add to the bread machine pan on top of the wet ingredients, in a mound.
• Make a hole in the center of the top of the dry ingredients that are in the bread machine and add the yeast. Don't let the yeast touch the wet ingredients.
• If your machine has a "rest" setting. Cancel it, you don't need it. With the Zojirushi you have to do this before you select any other settings.
• Select the gluten-free bread setting on your machine.
• Close the lid and press "start".

Please let me know if you have any questions about making this gluten free bread recipe.

What size of a pan do I use to make Gluten Free Bread?

This gluten free bread recipe was developed using a 9 x 4 inch metal loaf pan. You can use a different size loaf pan but you'll want to watch the cook time. Also, it won't have the same rise, depending on the size.

You can also make this bread recipe in a glass loaf pan lined with parchment paper. Metal and glass pans transfer heat differently and gluten free bread loaves typically have a thicker crust when baked in a glass pan.

How to store fresh baked bread

This fresh-baked bread stays soft for 2-3 days after it's been baked. You'll want to let it cool to room temperature before you slice it. We like to store it whole, in a sealed container, or wrap it tightly with cling wrap, and slice it as we need it.

After a day or two, we will freeze any bread that's left.

Can I freeze gluten-free bread?

Yes, you can freeze this gluten free bread loaf. After it has completely cooled, slice the loaf into equal slices. We like to place a piece of parchment paper or in between each slice, so it's easy to pull it out of the freezer.

You can either defrost the bread in the microwave or you can let it sit at room temperature until it has thawed.

Why was my gluten-free bread dense?

For your bread machine, does it have a gluten free setting? This setting is important because it only does one mix cycle, not two mix cycles like you get with other settings.

If you don't have the gluten free setting option, use a quick program that features one mixing cycle, rather than two, when making gluten free bread. Mixing it twice will always cause the bread to be denser.

Are you scooping your measuring cup into the flour? Or spooning the flours into the cups and then leveling? You should always spoon then level.

Otherwise, you'll end up with more flour than you want which causes the bread to be dense.

Are you storing your flours in the freezer or refrigerator? If flours are stored that way they lose moisture and when they are mixed with other ingredients they tend to absorb more of the moisture and the bread is denser.

I don't have a recipe for bagels but you might like these Gluten-Free Bagels from Salted Plains. My newest recipe - Gluten Free Rolls!

I hope I've set you up for success with making the best gluten-free bread you've ever had. If you have any questions about this gluten-free bread recipe, leave a comment. Also, if you make it I want to know what you thought! Please come back and share your experience.

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 1 hour 5 minutes

Additional Time 1 hour 15 minutes

Total Time 2 hours 35 minutes

Ingredients

For the yeast proof:

• 1 ¼ cup (10 oz.) water between 95°F-110°F
• 2 tablespoons (25g.) sugar (or honey)
• 2 ¼ teaspoons dry active yeast (a 7g. packets worth)

For the bread:

• 1 cup (145g.) white rice flour
• ¾ cup (85g.) tapioca starch
• ¾ cup (92g.) potato starch (or arrowroot starch)
• ½ cup (60g.) millet flour (or almond flour)
• ¼ cup (25g.) ground flaxseed (flaxseed meal)
• 2 ½ teaspoons (9g.) xanthan gum
• 1 teaspoon (5g.) baking powder
• 1 teaspoon (6g.) salt
• ¼ cup (2 oz.) oil of choice (I used avocado oil)
• 3 egg whites (75g.)
• 1 teaspoon (6g.) apple cider vinegar

Instructions

1. Line a 8-inch x 5-inch metal loaf pan with parchment paper and spray it with cooking spray; set it aside.
2. Add the sugar and yeast to your warm water (95-110 degrees F) and stir; set it aside for 5-10 minutes but no longer.
3. While your yeast is proofing, in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, add the flours, flax seed meal, xanthan gum, baking powder, and salt. Turn your mixer to low and mix just until combined.
4. With the mixer still going, add the oil, egg whites, vinegar, and proofed yeast mixture.
5. Turn the mixer to a medium speed and mix for an additional 2 minutes. The dough will be thick and sticky.
6. Using a rubber spatula, add the dough to your prepared loaf pan making sure to fill in the corners of the pan and level the top. Wet your fingers and smooth the top.
7. Cover the dough with a lightly oiled piece of plastic wrap and allow it to rise in a warm place for 45 to 60 minutes, or until it has risen slightly above the loaf pan.
8. When the dough is near the top of the pan, preheat your oven to 350°F.
9. Remove the plastic wrap and bake for 60 – 65 minutes. Half way through baking, cover the bread loaf with a piece of foil to keep it from over-browning.
10. Remove the loaf from the oven and let cool completely before slicing.
11. Slice the entire loaf and store in a container at room temperature for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to a month.

Notes

1. Please read all the tips and tricks in the post before you get started. If you prefer to use a bread machine, check further up in the post for instructions.
2. Use dry active yeast or quick yeast. Instant yeast is okay and you don't need to proof it, just make sure you get it in the oven as soon as it rises to the top of the loaf pan.
3. For the gluten-free bread machine recipe, add wet ingredients to the pan, and then dry ingredients except the yeast, make a hole in the center of the dry ingredients and then sprinkle the yeast into the hole. See complete instructions just above the recipe.
4. Make sure your water is between 95-110 degrees before adding the yeast. This is warm to the touch, but not hot.
5. Line the loaf pan with parchment paper and then spray it with oil, this will help you remove the loaf from the pan. Pan size matters. If you use a wider pan your loaf will be wider, and shorter. If you use a narrower pan your loaf baking time might change.
6. Flour blend option: 2 ½ cups of Bob's Red Mill 1-to-1 gluten-free flour blend + ½ cup millet flour + ¼ cup flaxseed meal. The 2 ½ cups of Bob's Red Mill 1-to-1 is in place of the rice flour, tapioca, and potatoe. You are swapping the three with Bob's.
7. Egg free option: Swap out the 3 egg whites with 2 tablespoons of chia seed + 7 tablespoons of water (let sit for 5 minutes and stir before you add it to the mixture). Bake for 70 minutes (putting a piece of foil over the loaf to help prevent over-browning, half way through).
8. Not everyone can have gums. You can use psyllium husk powder (not full husks) in this recipe. I only tested is once, but I used 3 tablespoons of psyllium husk powder in place of the xanthan gum.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

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