The best gluten-free bread machine recipe would have to be easy to do. Of course, the bread loaf should be tasty and super versatile, too. And those reasons made me want to share this basic gluten-free bread recipe with you. Try this at home with your trusty bread maker, so you’ll never run out of gluten-free bread for sandwiches again. Also, if it’s your first time baking gluten-free bread, the tips at the end can help you get better results.
Basic Gluten-Free Bread Machine Recipe
The choice of ingredients is the most crucial part of gluten-free bread baking. The flour that we use, in particular, should not contain any wheat, spelt, barley, rye or triticale. And so, to replicate the natural viscoelastic properties of regular bread dough, we use a combination of other flours plus ingredients like gluten substitute and xanthan gum.
People with intolerances or coeliac disease would often buy store-bought gluten-free loaves or baked products. The problem is these items are often pricey. So, one way around it is to make it yourself in your kitchen with your bread machine. Here’s an easy recipe to get you started.
Yield: 1kg loaf
Ingredients
- 520ml lukewarm water
- 80ml oil
- 3 large eggs
- 5ml (1 tsp) white vinegar
- 300g white rice flour
- 150g brown rice flour
- 70g besan or soy flour
- 150g arrowroot
- 15g (1 tbsp) gluten-free substitute (e.g., Orgran)
- 10g (2 tsp) xanthan gum
- 15g (1 tbsp) white sugar
- 7g (1½ tsp) salt
- 15g (1 tbsp) active dry yeast
Procedure
- Place the first four wet ingredients into the bread tin in the order listed in the recipe. For your dry ingredients, measure and combine them in a separate bowl before transferring them into the bread pan.
- Wipe away any spills from the bread pan exterior. Position the bread pan into the machine, then close the lid.
- Following your bread machine instructions, select the Gluten Free setting. Choose the 1000g loaf size and dark crust option, then press Start to commence the mixing cycle.
- Depending on your bread machine model, some may ask you to wait for the beep and scrape down the sides of the tin midway through the mixing cycle. Follow this if instructed to do so, then replace the lid to continue. At this stage, your mixture should look like a thick batter. You could add 1 to 2 tablespoons of rice flour or water if needed.
- When done, wear your oven glove and take out the bread pan right away. Allow your home-baked bread to cool down for about 5 minutes before turning the loaf onto a wire rack.
Recipe Notes
- Vinegar in this gluten-free bread machine recipe strengthens the dough.
- Buy your gluten-free flours from reliable stores to ensure freshness.
- Xanthan gum (food additive number 415) gives your bread structure.
- Only use active dry yeast for this recipe and check that it’s gluten-free.
Gluten-Free Bread Baking Tips
Why is my homemade gluten-free loaf too dense? What egg substitute can I use? Is it okay to make substitutions? These tips can answer some of your questions and, perhaps, help improve your next gluten-free bread creation.
Choose a gluten-free bread machine recipe with a specific baking flour type.
Reach out to the recipe author, or check its comments section, if you find a recipe that you like but states gluten-free flour blend on the ingredients list. It’s because before you start, you need to know the exact type of flour to use.
I’ve mentioned in my sweet bread machine recipe that you can experiment with the mix-ins you use. However, you cannot add random substitutes when the ingredient has something to do with bread structure and volume.
So, if the recipe requires brown rice flour, do not substitute it with potato starch or oat flour. Also, if you find a recipe with all-purpose flour, do not swap it with a gluten-free alternative either. Always keep in mind that flours and flour blends have varying liquid requirements. For a higher success rate, stick to what your chosen bread maker recipe says.
Measure your gluten-free flour by spooning then levelling.
This tip applies even for regular wheat bread recipes when using measuring cups. But why? It’s because if you dunk the measuring cup into your flour jar or container, the particles are often too compact. You then end up with more flour than you need. Using too much flour is one of the reasons why your gluten-free bread machine recipe becomes dense, too.
Here’s what you should do instead. Use a spoon to aerate the flour a bit before spooning it into your measuring cup. Allow the flour to overflow, then use the back of a butter knife to level the top off. For me, I prefer using the digital scale, though, and straining the lumps with a sifter.
Be familiar with egg substitutes when trying out vegan bread baking.
A gluten-free vegan bread machine recipe is extra special as it uses egg replacers. So, if you want to make one in your kitchen, it’s best to get to know vegan egg substitutes that can give your tasty bread a good structure. Examples include flaxseed, chia eggs, aquafaba, and fruit or vegetable purees. Make sure to research their measurements and which can substitute the other.
Test your chosen recipe first before making a big batch.
Finally, just because you’ve found an excellent gluten-free bread machine recipe, it does not mean the results will be delicious. Other people may like it, but your kids might not. So, if you are trying a new recipe or new to gluten-free baking, do not double it just yet. Try it at least once first and see how it goes. Perfect baking results take time and practice, after all!
