Gluten Free Buns (Bread Rolls) | Vegan, Oil-Free Recipe - Elavegan (2024)

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It took me so long to come up with a recipe for vegan AND gluten-free buns (bread rolls). But finally, it’s here! And I love how the buns turned out. They are soft, oil-free, dairy-free, egg-free, gluten-free, and tasty!

Gluten Free Buns (Bread Rolls) | Vegan, Oil-Free Recipe - Elavegan (1)SOFT GLUTEN-FREE BUNS WITHOUT EGGS

Well, it’s not easy to create a vegan and gluten-free recipe for bread buns which actually tastes good and which is furthermore soft. It happens quite often that gluten-free buns (without eggs) turn out like brick and/or taste…well…not too good! If you are a gluten-free vegan, you know what I am talking about.

Most soft gluten-free yeast buns contain eggs which means they aren’t vegan. Most soft vegan yeast buns contain all-purpose flour which means they contain gluten… Ugh! Making soft vegan gluten-free yeast rolls without eggs is a difficult task. But it’s doable!

Gluten Free Buns (Bread Rolls) | Vegan, Oil-Free Recipe - Elavegan (2)THE SECRET INGREDIENT FOR SOFT GLUTEN-FREE BUNS?

Is there a secret for soft gluten-free rolls? Well, I don’t know if it’s a secret but I remember I tried this trick for the first time about 10 years ago. I made a pizza and added mashed potatoes to the dough!

The pizza crust came out soft and crispy at the same time. I really loved the result! After countless failed attempts at making soft gluten-free bread rolls which are also vegan I somehow remembered this mashed potato trick.

And it seems this was the missing piece of the puzzle because finally, the buns turned out soft!

Gluten Free Buns (Bread Rolls) | Vegan, Oil-Free Recipe - Elavegan (3)PSYLLIUM HUSK POWDER

Gluten-free recipes often contain Xanthan which is a gum that isn’t very healthy. It might make the dough rise a little bit more but I heard that many people have allergies and try to avoid “gums”. Therefore, I don’t use any Xanthan gum, however, I love to add psyllium husk powder.

It is not only a great ingredient for gluten-free doughs, but it’s also very beneficial for our gut health! Psyllium husk powder provides elasticity and structure for gluten-free doughs. It’s basically fiber that’s why it binds a lot of liquid, so you really shouldn’t leave it out.

Gluten Free Buns (Bread Rolls) | Vegan, Oil-Free Recipe - Elavegan (4)WHICH FLOUR BLEND?

I rarely use store-bought gluten-free flour blends because they are very expensive where I live. That’s why I make my own gluten-free blend by simply mixing rice flour with tapioca flour, sometimes cornstarch and sometimes oat flour (ground oats).

I also use chickpea flour quite often, which is also the main ingredient of my homemade gluten-free tortillas and homemade gluten-free gnocchi. However, when I used it in these gluten-free buns the result wasn’t too good. The yeast rolls turned out rather dry and brittle. I had the best result with a mixture of oat flour, rice flour, and tapioca flour.

I believe buckwheat flour (and maybe also sorghum flour) would be another good substitute for oat flour, however, I didn’t try it out yet. You could try using a store-bought mixture but the result will probably be different from my result since gluten-free flour blends often contain different gluten-free flours.

But if you try a different blend, then definitely let me know which one it was, as I would love to add it to the recipe notes!

Gluten Free Buns (Bread Rolls) | Vegan, Oil-Free Recipe - Elavegan (5)THESE ROLLS ARE:

  • Vegan (egg-free, dairy-free)
  • Oil-free
  • Gum-free (no Xanthan gum)
  • Soft
  • Easy to make
  • Great for a burger or sandwich

Gluten Free Buns (Bread Rolls) | Vegan, Oil-Free Recipe - Elavegan (6)

HOW TO MAKE GLUTEN-FREE BUNS?

This recipe is fairly easy to make and I hope you will give it a try. Should you recreate these burger buns, please leave a comment below and don’t forget to tag me in your Instagram or Facebook post with @elavegan and #elavegan because I love to see your recreations.

Also, one more thing before we get to the recipe. I have made some recipe testing with soft pretzel buns and I actually included the variation to the recipe notes. So if you love the pretzel taste, definitely check out the recipe notes below.

Here you can see a photo of the pretzel buns. Also, click HERE if you would like to check out my Sloppy Joes recipe.

Gluten Free Buns (Bread Rolls) | Vegan, Oil-Free Recipe - Elavegan (8)

Gluten-Free Buns

Author: Michaela Vais

Soft gluten-free buns (bread rolls) which are vegan (egg-free, dairy-free), oil-free, and also gum-free (no Xanthan gum)! This recipe is easy to make and perfect for a burger or sandwich! Do you love the pretzel taste? If yes, definitely check out the recipe notes for a soft pretzel bun variation!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Resting time 1 hour hr

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Course Bread, Breakfast, Snack

Cuisine American

Servings 6 buns

Calories 182 kcal

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Peel a big potato and cut it into 2-inch pieces. Cook it in a pot of salted water until tender (about 15 minutes). Drain the water and mash the potato with a potato masher (you will need 1/2 cup/120 g of mashed potatoes for this recipe). Let cool.

  • In a small pot, dissolve the dry yeast with the sugar in the lukewarm milk (about 100°F/38° C). Let the yeast proof for 10 minutes. It should get frothy and rise a little bit.

  • Put all flours into a bowl, add the psyllium husk powder and salt and stir with a whisk.

  • Pour the yeast mixture into the bowl and also add 1/2 cup of mashed potatoes.

  • Mix everything together with a spoon or your hands and knead the dough for a few minutes. It should be moist and not dry. If it's too dry add a little bit of water. If it's too sticky, add a little bit more tapioca flour.

  • Divide the dough into 6 equal parts and roll each piece into a ball with your hands.

  • Place the buns onto a baking pan, lined with greased parchment paper or into a burger silicone pan (see pictures above in the blog post) and score a cross on the buns.

  • Cover the pan with a wet kitchen towel and let them rise in a warm place (e.g. in a 100°F/38°C oven) for about 60 minutes. They will rise a little bit (not as much as a dough made with wheat flour though).

  • After 45 minutes, preheat oven to 360°F/180°C. Put a heat resistant container into the oven and fill it with water (it will release steam during baking which will make the buns soft).

  • Bake the buns in the oven for about 25 minutes. Enjoy warm!

  • They taste best on day one. You can store leftovers in the fridge but since this is a gluten-free buns recipe they will become a bit drier on the second day. That's why it's best to reheat them in the microwave for 30-45 seconds when you eat them the next day. Check the recipe notes below if you want these gluten-free buns to taste like soft pretzels!

Notes

  • For the pretzel taste, mix 1 cup (240ml) hot water with 2 tbsp baking soda.
  • Pour the mixture into a spray bottle and spray each bun with this mixture before baking! The buns will brown a little and also taste like soft pretzels!
  • Make sure to also check out my Gluten-Free Vegan Bread recipe!
  • Recipe makes 6 buns. Nutrition facts are for one bun.

Nutrition Facts

Gluten-Free Buns

Amount per Serving

Calories

182

% Daily Value*

Fat

1.6

g

2

%

Carbohydrates

34

g

11

%

Fiber

4.5

g

18

%

Sugar

2.6

g

3

%

Protein

3.7

g

7

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Nutrition information is an estimate and has been calculated automatically

Gluten Free Buns (Bread Rolls) | Vegan, Oil-Free Recipe - Elavegan (9) Simple and Delicious Vegan Cookbook by ElaVeganCLICK HERE to order!

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FAQs

What is the trick to making good gluten free bread? ›

Tips and Techniques to make better Gluten Free Bread
  1. Use psyllium husk powder.
  2. Let the dough rest (not exactly the same as a bulk proof)
  3. Mix or knead thoroughly.
  4. Use less yeast.
  5. Bake in a tin with tall sides.
  6. Bake for longer, often at a lower temperature.
  7. Create steam in the oven.
  8. Use the tangzhong or scalded flour method.

Why oil in gluten free bread? ›

Most gluten-free recipes will call for the addition of eggs and oils to enhance moisture. Eggs are also natural leaveners that support the volume, texture, color, and shelf-life of gluten-free bread. Including oil can also result in a richer, more tasty loaf and provide a bit more moisture too.

What is the raising agent in gluten free bread? ›

In any case, xanthan gum and baking powder/baking soda fulfil completely different roles in gluten free baking: xanthan gum is a binder (acting as a “glue” that holds your bakes together), and baking powder and baking soda are raising or leavening agents, making your bakes nice and fluffy.

Is ciabatta bread vegan? ›

A few types of bread that are commonly vegan include pita, ciabatta, and focaccia. Veganism refers to a way of living that attempts to minimize animal exploitation and cruelty. For this reason, vegans aim to exclude all foods containing meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy, and honey from their diet ( 1 ).

What is the biggest challenge of making gluten free bread? ›

One of the challenges is that when gluten-free dough is thickened with additives like starches and gums, it becomes sticky. Some bakers dust sticky dough with flour, but that's problematic with gluten-free formulations.

Which yeast is best for gluten free bread? ›

What type of yeast should be used to bake Gluten Free Bread? Active dry yeast and instant yeast both work well and are often interchangeable. Be on the lookout for any Rapid Rise yeast that is best for one rise. For most of us that's the way gluten free bread is baked, a single rise in the tin.

What happens if you don't put oil in bread? ›

The rye bread without oil had a slightly tough, chewy crust. Fats work as tenderizers in breads by coating some of the proteins that form gluten, preventing them from hydrating and linking up to form large networks that would lead to toughness.

What do eggs do in gluten-free bread? ›

Gluten is what provides elasticity, bite and binding to regular bread. Without it, gluten free bread can be a bit of a crumbly mess. As such, a lot of gluten free breads contain eggs as a binder.

Why is gluten-free bread so hard to make? ›

Gluten free bread takes much longer than a regular loaf to bake and therefore a sticky crumb is generally the result of under baking. It is easy to see why this can happen, gluten free bread dough needs more moisture and is often difficult to knead with conventional methods.

What gluten free flour is best for bread? ›

If you'd like to turn your favorite bread recipe into a gluten free one, look no further than Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free All Purpose Baking Flour. A great substitute for traditional bread flour, it is designed to be used in nearly every wheat flour recipe.

What does baking powder do in gluten-free bread? ›

Many gluten-free baked goods need a little (or a lot) of extra leavener because the gluten-replacer isn't as elastic as gluten. And double-acting baking powder is an important leavener when baking cakes, muffins, and even breads because it has a lot of strength.

What happens if you don't add xanthan gum to gluten free flour? ›

We suggest testing the recipe out and adjusting as needed. If not enough xanthan gum is used, your baked goods will be crumbly and lack moisture.

What is a level 5 vegan? ›

Level 5 vegans are those who are seen as incredibly committed to the vegan lifestyle, and are often hailed as “extreme vegans”. Level 5 vegans go to an extensive effort to follow a vegan lifestyle that is free of any type of animal product or animal exploitation.

What is the healthiest vegan bread? ›

Multigrain breads, whole grain breads, and breads that use sprouted grains, such as ezekiel bread are packed with health benefits and are great for a plant-based diet. Breads made from refined flours do not contain the fiber and protein that whole grain, multigrain, or sprouted grain breads offer.

Why is it so challenging to make good gluten free bread? ›

Gluten free bread takes much longer than a regular loaf to bake and therefore a sticky crumb is generally the result of under baking. It is easy to see why this can happen, gluten free bread dough needs more moisture and is often difficult to knead with conventional methods.

Is there a trick to baking with gluten free flour? ›

Gluten-free flours often contain fine starches, so they absorb more liquid than conventional flour. To address this, gluten-free recipes usually call for more liquid and produce looser batters. They may also call for a larger quantity of leavening, like baking powder, to help add volume and lighten the texture.

Why add vinegar to gluten free bread? ›

Apple cider vinegar or another acid lightens up the dough. You can add up to 4 Tbsp of acid for 500 g gluten-free flour. Don't worry, you won't be able to taste it afterwards. To lighten up a yeast dough even more, you can add a packet of baking powder or cream of tartar baking powder to 500 g flour.

How do you make gluten-free dough taste better? ›

Tips for best results
  1. Add some almond flour: Using a small amount of almond flour in your baking can enhance the taste and texture dramatically. ...
  2. Add more fat or liquid: It might just be that you need a bit more moisture in your recipe, especially if you're converting a regular “gluten-ful” recipe to gluten-free.
Jan 8, 2022

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