Gluten-Free Artisan Bread Master Recipe | Bread in Five (2024)

Gluten-Free Artisan Bread Master Recipe | Bread in Five (1)

The idea for a gluten-free version of The New Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day started here on the website. People were writing in to say they loved the method, but couldn’t eat wheat. It set off a quest to develop recipes that fit this fast and easy method but used flours that were gluten-free. Gluten-free breads have appeared in all of the books since then, but they were just small chapters among a bunch of wheat filled recipes. It seemed unfair to the folks who couldn’t eat wheat to buy a book filled with recipes that didn’t suit their needs, so… a book just for them. Last week Gluten-Free Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day came out–here is its Master Recipe.

There’s been great feedback from the original gluten-free recipes, but what you see here is even further simplified. That meant developing two flour mixes that all our recipes are based on, so you just have to mix the flour once for many loaves. You just mix up a big batch of our Gluten-Free All-Purpose Flour Mix and/or our Whole-Grain Gluten-Free Flour mix and you’ll be able to quickly mix and bake all 90 gluten-free artisan bread recipes in our book. (Commercial flour mixes haven’t worked well for breads made from stored dough).

I also wanted to provide recipes that are mostly vegan (no eggs) and dairy free. Because eggs are a leavening ingredient, we do like the Master Recipe made with eggs for a lighter loaf. In fact, we find that the dough made with egg whites is the lightest of all the options. You can also use an egg substitute if you choose not to use eggs. And as always with the method, you save time by mixing a large batch and storing it in the refrigerator, pulling off dough to use as you need it.

Gluten-Free Artisan Bread Master Recipe | Bread in Five (2)

The following recipe is the Master Recipe from GFABin5 made with egg whites, but you can make the same recipe with whole eggs, egg substitutes or without any eggs at all.

Gluten-Free Artisan Bread Master Recipe | Bread in Five (3)

Gluten-Free Master Recipe from Gluten-Free Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Dayonpage 64,and theegg variation can be found on page 73). For a video of this recipe’s steps that’ll open in a new window, click here):

6 1/2 cups (2 pounds 3 ounces / 990 grams) flour mixture #1 from the book, which is reprinted at this link.We tested all our recipes with Bob’s Red Mill unblendedflours, not their gluten-free flour mixtures.

1 tablespoon Red StarActive Dry or Quick Rise yeast (not Red Star Platinum, which isn’t gluten-free)

1 to 1 1/2 tablespoons Kosher salt

2 tablespoons sugar or honey (we find that the gluten-free dough needs the sugar to brown nicely, although it is optional)

4 egg whites, plus enough warm water to equal 3 3/4 cups (*see picture below) – if you don’t want to use eggs, then just use 3 3/4 cups water.

To mix the dough:

Gluten-Free Artisan Bread Master Recipe | Bread in Five (4)

*Put 4 egg whites in a large measuring cup, fill the cup with water until you have 3 3/4 cups liquid.

Gluten-Free Artisan Bread Master Recipe | Bread in Five (5)

I suggest using a Stand Mixer with the paddle attachment for the smoothest dough and ease of mixing. You can still do the mixing in a bucket or bowl, as recommended in the past books, but it will take a bit more effort to get a really smooth dough.

In a stand mixer, fitted with the paddle attachment, add the yeast to the flour mix #1. The recipes were tested with both Active and Quick Rise yeast from Red Star and they work equally well in stored gluten-free dough. You can’t use their Platinum yeast, since it contains trace amounts of wheat.

Gluten-Free Artisan Bread Master Recipe | Bread in Five (6)

Add the Kosher salt and the sugar (if using) to the flour mix. You can add more or less salt, depending on your preference.

Gluten-Free Artisan Bread Master Recipe | Bread in Five (7)

Blend all the dry ingredients for a few seconds.

Gluten-Free Artisan Bread Master Recipe | Bread in Five (8)

While the mixer is on low speed, slowly add all the liquid.

Gluten-Free Artisan Bread Master Recipe | Bread in Five (9)

Once all of the liquid is added to the mixer, turn it up to medium-high speed and let it blend for about 1 minute.

Gluten-Free Artisan Bread Master Recipe | Bread in Five (10)

The doughwill look and feel like soft biscuit dough.

Gluten-Free Artisan Bread Master Recipe | Bread in Five (11)

Transfer the dough to a 4+ quart Food-Storage Container. The dough will rise some, but don’t expect it to double in size.

Gluten-Free Artisan Bread Master Recipe | Bread in Five (12)

Cover the container, but it shouldn’t be airtight. You may want to poke a very small hole in the lid (you can see it in the exact center of the above lid) to allow the gas from the yeast to escape. If you don’t poke a hole…

Gluten-Free Artisan Bread Master Recipe | Bread in Five (13)

…then you will want to place the lid on the container, but don’t snap it all the way shut (see above photo). Don’t allow too much air to get into the bucket or the dough may dry out.

Allow the dough to sit at room temperature for 2 hours. If your kitchen is cool, it may take 2 1/2 to 3 hours. You can use the dough after the initial rise or refrigerate the dough for about 5 days (10 if you don’t use eggs).

Gluten-Free Artisan Bread Master Recipe | Bread in Five (14)

When you are ready to bake, sprinkle some GF flour on a piece of parchment. Dust the surface of the dough with more flour.

Gluten-Free Artisan Bread Master Recipe | Bread in Five (15)

Scoop up a 1-pound piece of dough. Store the rest of the dough in the fridge for up to 5 days if using egg whites, or 10 days if you only used water.That’s where our method saves you time–all your subsequent loaves are made from pre-mixed, stored dough that will develop sourdough flavors as it ages.

Gluten-Free Artisan Bread Master Recipe | Bread in Five (16)

Unlike wheat dough, this will not have any stretch when you lift it out, it will just break off.

Gluten-Free Artisan Bread Master Recipe | Bread in Five (17)

Place the dough on the parchment and shape it into a ball. It may not be smooth at this point.

Gluten-Free Artisan Bread Master Recipe | Bread in Five (18)

Using wet fingers, smooth out the surface of the dough. Creating a smooth surface also seems to help trap the gas from the yeast and improve the rise of the bread.

Cover loosely with plastic and allow to rise for about an hour. If you are using fresh dough, then just 30 minutes.

Preheat oven with a Baking Stoneto 450°F. It is very important that your oven be hot enough, so use an oven thermometer to check the actual temperature. If you are using a thick Baking Stone, this can take 45 minutes or longer. Put a broiler tray on the bottom of the oven, which will be used to catch water to create steam in your oven.

Gluten-Free Artisan Bread Master Recipe | Bread in Five (19)

Once the dough is ready (it may not rise much while resting), dust it with more flour and slash the top with a serrated knife.

Slide the loaf onto the preheated baking stone, add 1 cup water to broiler tray to create steam and quickly close the door.

Gluten-Free Artisan Bread Master Recipe | Bread in Five (20)

Bake the loaf for about 45 minutes or until nicely browned.

Gluten-Free Artisan Bread Master Recipe | Bread in Five (21)

Allow the loaf to cool to room temperature before cutting into it. The gluten-free artisan breadwill be quite gummy if you cut into it before it is totally cooled. Using a sharp serrated Bread Knifeis the best for cutting this loaf.

Gluten-Free Artisan Bread Master Recipe | Bread in Five (22)

If you don’t finish the loaf in one or two days, wrap it well and freeze it for another time.

Gluten-Free Artisan Bread Master Recipe | Bread in Five (23)

This gluten-free artisan bread also makes wonderful toast the next morning, and you can use up the remaining dough over the next 5 days (if you used egg whites), or 10 days (if you only used water).

See also ourGluten-Free Frequently-Asked Questions.

Note: BreadIn5.com is reader supported. When you buy through links on the site, BreadIn5 LLC earns commissions.

Gluten-Free Artisan Bread Master Recipe | Bread in Five (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to making good gluten-free bread? ›

Use Psyllium Husk Powder as a binder for better Gluten Free Bread. Without gluten, bread dough lacks elasticity and the "stickiness" needed to hold together. Binders like xanthan gum, psyllium husk, guar gum and to some extent flaxmeal and chia seeds are used to perform the function of gluten.

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.

How to make gluten-free bread rise more? ›

An easy way to create a good environment for gluten-free bread to rise is to turn your oven to 200 F; when it reaches this temperature, turn off the oven and place a shallow baking pan partially filled with hot water on one of the shelves.

What does pectin do in gluten free baking? ›

Xanthan gum helps gluten free baking to hold together in the absence of gluten. Pectin helps your end product to retain moisture. Use the dry, powdered form here.

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.

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.

Does xanthan gum help gluten-free bread rise? ›

As seen in figure 4 and figure 5, xanthan gum delivered a less dense, more aerated breadcrumb with a high rise. The loaf rise of the sandwich bread with xanthan gum correlates well with the concentration used. A high rise can be achieved by choosing the corresponding xanthan gum concentration.

What is the rising agent for 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.

How to add elasticity to gluten-free dough? ›

In gluten-free baking, we rely on xanthan gum to provide elasticity and stickiness in our doughs and batters. Since we don't have gluten present, we need something that acts as the binding agent for the flour, helps hold onto some moisture, and helps give the baked good some structure.

What does cream of tartar do in gluten free bread? ›

Promoting Better Rise

Achieving a good rise is essential for light and airy bread. Cream of tartar acts as a natural leavening agent when combined with baking soda.

What is a substitute for xanthan gum in gluten free bread? ›

Konjac powder – general consensus seems to be adding 1-2 teaspoons konjac powder to replace 1 teaspoon xanthan gum. So, you might need slightly more konjac when compared to xanthan gum.

Is xanthan gum better than psyllium husk for bread? ›

No, because they function very differently. While xanthan gum also works to keep a gluten-free batter together, psyllium has a level of bounciness that you can never achieve with the former. Xanthan is best suited for cakes, cookies, brownies, or pie dough, while psyllium husk works miracles in breads.

What makes gluten free bread better? ›

The sources used for making gluten-free bread are packed with fibre. Rice Flour, Soy Flour, Starch (Tapioca, Potato, Corn) used in the gluten-free bread by The Baker's Dozen ensure that your gut is never low on dietary fibre. Dietary fibre has many benefits right from reducing obesity to helping in easing digestion.

What is the rising agent for 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.

What is the secret to using gluten free flour? ›

Add extra liquid: Gluten-free flours tend to absorb more liquid than regular flour, so you may need to add more liquid to your recipes to compensate. This can help to keep your baked goods moist and prevent them from becoming dry and crumbly.

What binds gluten free bread? ›

When making gluten-free breads, flatbreads, etc., Psyllium husk acts similarly to the way gluten would act in traditional wheat bread. It provides the binding properties and elasticity that helps the dough become workable. It gives the structure and support for the bread to rise, as well.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Dean Jakubowski Ret

Last Updated:

Views: 6626

Rating: 5 / 5 (50 voted)

Reviews: 81% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Dean Jakubowski Ret

Birthday: 1996-05-10

Address: Apt. 425 4346 Santiago Islands, Shariside, AK 38830-1874

Phone: +96313309894162

Job: Legacy Sales Designer

Hobby: Baseball, Wood carving, Candle making, Jigsaw puzzles, Lacemaking, Parkour, Drawing

Introduction: My name is Dean Jakubowski Ret, I am a enthusiastic, friendly, homely, handsome, zealous, brainy, elegant person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.