Baking Gluten-Free Bread in a Breadmaker
Categories: Baking Tips, Blog Hop, Breads, Gluten Free 101
Tags: , Blog Hop, Bread Makers, Breadmaker, Gluten-Free Baking Help, Gluten-Free Baking Tips, Gluten-Free Bread Baking, Gluten-Free Yeast Bread, Sandwich Bread, Yeast Bread
Baking Gluten-Free Bread in a Breadmaker
Every time I teach a cooking class or publish a new gluten-free bread recipe, I invariably get the question: “Can I bake gluten-free bread in a breadmaker?” I love that I can answer, “YES!”
The sad truth is that most folks are afraid to bake gluten-free yeast bread. We’ve all had those hard bricks-posing-as-bread foisted off on us by well-meaning friends and relatives, and some of us have even tried to bake gluten-free bread with such disappointing results. So it’s understandable that soft, delicious homemade gluten-free bread might seem like a mirage. That’s where breadmakers come in.
For anyone leery of baking gluten-free bread from scratch, and for those who don’t have a stand mixer, a breadmaker is your new best friend. It can be as simple as dumping ingredients into the pan and pushing a button. Then wait for that yummy nirvana of heavenly yeasty bread aromas to permeate every room of your home, beckoning you to make a sandwich … without having to toast the bread first! (Need a great gluten-free bread mix? Hop here!)
I found this Gluten-Free Breadmaker for less than $40 & it makes great bread!
My Breadmaker Pointers:
1- You don’t have to have the most expensive breadmachine to have the best bread. I travel with my breadmakers for many cooking classes, and I won’t risk a big investment being in the hands of the TSA. So I buy mid-range breadmakers: Oster, BreadMan or Cuisinart (my favorite). These are all in the $50-$125 range. Check out my Recommended Products tab up top for my preferred brands and models.
2- You don’t have to have a breadmaker with a gluten-free setting to bake gluten-free bread. But it helps. If you have an older breadmaker without a GF setting, make sure it’s totally clean from any gluten residue. If there are scratches on the pan or the paddle, buy new ones because they could house gluten left-over from the last loaf. If you are in the market for a new breadmaker though, buy one with a Gluten-Free Setting.
3- For breadmakers without a gluten-free setting — read your manual to find out how to override the pre-programmed settings. Program the machine for 1) a mix cycle 2) a rise cycle 3) a bake cycle. Do not allow the machine to do a “punch down” or second rise! Those are settings specific to gluten breads, but they will damage your gluten-free loaf.
4- Always bring ingredients to room temperature before mixing a gluten-free bread dough. For eggs, heat a bowl of water and put the un-cracked eggs in the bowl to bring them to room temperature.
5- Always put liquid ingredients into a breadmaker pan first. Dry ingredients go on top. If you can whisk the dry ingredients together before pouring them into the pan, that is best.
6- Keep a rubber spatula handy and help the breadmaker out a bit during the mix cycle. Go around the pan with the spatula to help the ingredients incorporate.
7- Buy an instant read thermometer. They cost around $5 and can be found at most grocery or baking stores. Always take your bread’s temperature before you take it out of the oven or the breadmaker. It might look and smell done, but if it’s not 205-210° F, it’s not done in the middle. Add extra time to your breadmaker or put the breadmaker’s pan into your oven on 350° F for another 5-10 minutes (keep taking its temperature).
8- Let your bread cool in the pan for about 5-10 minutes. Lay the pan on its side for a few minutes, then shift to the other side for a few minutes. Gently remove it from the pan after it has cooled a bit, then cool completely on a wire rack before cutting (if you can resist!).
9- Store cooled bread in a zip-top bag on your counter – depending on the recipe and ingredients, it should stay fresh that way for a few days.
Gorgeous, light & airy GF beer bread!
10- Never refrigerate your breads or you will dry them out! You can also slice the bread and freeze it in a zip-top freezer bag so you always have bread handy.
Bonus #11 – If you really want a tall, fluffy loaf of bread, beer bread or bread made with other carbonated beverages like club soda or gingerale, is the way to go! Check out the height of my gluten-free beer bread!
So get baking!!
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apryl said: on May 9, 2012
i’ve yet to bake any gluten free bread, but i look forward to it!
apryl said: on May 9, 2012
just shared a link to this post on my fb page:)
Rogene said: on May 9, 2012
I had never thought of using a thermometer to check for doneness. If that makes sure there’s not that gooey spot in the center I’m willing to give it a try. Thanks.
Jessica B said: on May 9, 2012
Thanks for all the good tips.
Paula said: on May 9, 2012
I’ve never used a breadmaker, I’ve always just cooked it in the oven…but I never thought to use a thermometer to check for doneness–I will definitely do that!
Olivia said: on May 9, 2012
This is wonderful information thank you! I also posted a link on my facebook wall!
Emma said: on May 9, 2012
I made your popcorn bread last week – it was delicious! Who knew I could like popcorn MORE than I already do?
Jules said: on May 12, 2012
YAY Emma! So glad you tried my Popcorn Bread! Isn’t it fun!??
Natalie Callier said: on May 9, 2012
Great tips! I can’t wait to try them out! Looking forward to winning your flour!
Melisa said: on May 9, 2012
I had no idea. I donated my bread machine last month because I didn’t think I’d ever use it again.
Cindy B. said: on May 9, 2012
Shared on facebook, hoping to help my gluten-free friends. And nice post! You brought up some tips I hadn’t heard yet.
Jena said: on May 9, 2012
I’ve had the experience of baking GF bread in an older bread machine and it rose beautifully but it did a second “punch down” and the bread did not rise nearly as much after that. Needless to say when I read this it was like a lightbulb turned on. I am so thrilled to be learning all of your tips, THANK YOU so much for sharing
Jules said: on May 12, 2012
So glad my tips will be helpful!! On to successful Gluten-Free Bread Machine Baking!!
Jeannie Parker said: on May 9, 2012
I am going to buy a bread maker as soon as I can. I really miss my breads and look forward to the house smelling so wonderful. Thank you.
Lisa F said: on May 9, 2012
I’ve used both your flour and bread making recipes and thought I died and gone to heaven !
Jules said: on May 12, 2012
Fantastic, Lisa F!!!
julie said: on May 9, 2012
I haven’t attempted bread yet, but I hope to try soon
julie said: on May 9, 2012
I shared on facebook
Robin said: on May 9, 2012
Can you read minds? I was looking for gluten free bread recipes today, tomorrow my house will smell like heaven
pat said: on May 9, 2012
Thanks for all your tips. I never knew that putting the bread in the refrigerator dried it out.
Becky said: on May 9, 2012
I’ve always had disastrous results with the bread machine. Think I might invest in a new one
Becky said: on May 9, 2012
Shared on FB
Jennifer S said: on May 9, 2012
I’m not a bread maker, but you’ve inspired me! The homemade stuff has got to be better (and cheaper!) than the frozen stuff!
Jules said: on May 12, 2012
Jennifer S – it SOOOO is!!!
dee m said: on May 9, 2012
Wow. You just answered a question I have had the last few times I made homemade gluten free bread. I make a Sesame Gluten Free bread I incorporate Goat Milk Cheese in. I noticed the last couple times after baking time was up, when cooled and I cut it, it seems more moist in the center. I even flipped it over and baked it again thinking it was too moist. Made little difference.
My recipe calls to have a pan heating as the oven heats, then add a cup of hot water just before putting the bread in to bake for steam. I was thinking the steam was causing the extra moistness. Can this step be left out or is it absolutely necessary to void it from being too dry? I will keep my loaf baking a few more added minutes.
I love the idea of the thermometer, never thought to do that.
My husband is so addicted to this bread, he asks for it more then my regular bread machine breads.
I have not tried to use my bread machine to make gluten free breads. I do have a manual setting. Am I understanding correctly then, that I can make gluten free bread in the regular bread machine, if I take the dough out just before the second kneading, then just bake it in the oven?
Jules said: on May 12, 2012
Dee M – Recipes calling for water in the oven to create steam are usually bread recipes like baguettes, that are trying to encourage a really crunchy crust. You can cut that step out. The Goat Milk Cheese addition will cause it to be quite moist – maybe cut back on that a bit next time? As far as the manual settings, with many breadmakers, you can program it yourself. If you cannot, you could have the bread machine just do the mixing for you, then take the bread out to rise in a warm oven and bake in the oven. You just don’t want that punch-down and second rise!
Lynn said: on May 10, 2012
Never thoutght of using a thermometer… Thanks
Jennifer C said: on May 10, 2012
Thanks for everything you do!
renee said: on May 11, 2012
Thank you for the tips. I am new to GF baking, and I appreciate all the help I can get. I followed all your tips for the bread machine, and my bread looks better; however, it dips in the middle while baking. I am also at high altitude, which is always challenging. Do you have any advice for me? Thank you!
Jules said: on May 11, 2012
Renee – Are you taking the temperature of the bread to make sure it’s fully cooked before removing it from the machine. The internal temperature should be 205-210F when it’s fully cooked. Next, I would reduce the liquids a bit to see if that helps. Also, email us at Support@JulesGlutenFree.com with follow-up questions and we can walk you through more ideas if you need them!
Susan said: on May 17, 2012
Thank you for all the tips!
Helen said: on May 18, 2012
Thanks for all the tips. My hubby got me a Gluten-Free Breadmaker. So far, results have been disappointing at best. Off to try it again using these tips!
Angel R said: on May 18, 2012
Made my first GF bread this week, using a mix. Success! Someday I may be ready to make bread from scratch, but for now I am happy to have mixes to use!
Cindy W. said: on May 18, 2012
Thank you for the advice.
a_ryan1972 said: on May 31, 2012
Hi. Thanks for the great tips. Would you happen to have any recipes for gluten free, dairy free bread?
Thank you.
a_ryan1972 said: on May 31, 2012
I forgot to mention that I was looking for sandwich bread.
Jules said: on May 31, 2012
Yes! Search my blog anytime for recipes like this one! http://blog.julesglutenfree.com/2010/01/white-sandwich-breaddinner-rolls/
Susan said: on January 31, 2013
I just bought a Oster Expressbake bread machine. You put the setting on express bake when making bread. Here are the stages; to begin: The ingredients are kneaded(15min)the dough begins to rise(8 min)the dough begins to bake(35 min), then the bread is finished Just right for gluten free bread.
Pam C said: on February 10, 2013
Hi, I’m looking for a new bread machine and yours sounds easy! May I ask the cost please?
Thanks, Pam
Jules said: on February 10, 2013
Hi Pam, check out the links on my recommended products page – it should take you right to the bread machines I like, as well as current prices. Enjoy!
Rachel said: on February 12, 2013
This gave me everything I needed to know all in one spot!! I had opened several tabs on the subject (luckily, this was the first I read), but now I can forget about reading through the rest
. I had NO idea there were machines with a GF setting, either. Thank you!!! I recently figured out evil gluten is responsible for a LOT of problems in my family (adhd symptoms in me and my oldest daughter, failure to thrive in my youngest daughter, irritibility, depression, brain fog, etc, etc). I’m so thankful and excited to get with it! 
Jules said: on February 13, 2013
Rachel – I love your enthusiasm! I hope you enjoy baking homemade gluten-free bread for your family as much as I do! Glad you found my article helpful, as well!
Maurica Roemer said: on February 19, 2013
Just made your gf bread in our bread machine. It was EXCELLENT!!!
Jules said: on February 19, 2013
Wonderful, Maurica!!!!! Enjoy the delicious fresh baked bread!