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? ›

  • Use Psyllium Husk Powder as a binder for better Gluten Free Bread.
  • The benefits of letting your dough rest, my second tip for baking better gluten free bread.
  • Mix or knead your bread dough thoroughly.
  • For a better gluten free loaf, use less yeast.
  • Bake your bread in a tin with tall sides.

Why do gluten-free buns fall apart? ›

If your gluten free bread is falling apart, you didn't use a binder in the flour blend. Gluten in wheat is the “glue” that holds regular baking together. Gluten free flour doesn't have the same “glue,” so you have to add it.

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.

Why is gluten-free bread not fluffy? ›

There are a few common reasons why your gluten-free bread may be turning out dense: Insufficient Leavening: Yeast or baking powder creates air pockets in the dough, allowing it to rise and become light. If you don't use enough leavening agents, your bread will not have enough gas bubbles to create that airy texture.

Why put vinegar in 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.

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.

What binds gluten-free bread? ›

The three most commonly used binders in gluten free recipes are xanthan gum, guar gum and psyllium husk. You don't need to understand the science of these ingredients to use them but a little bit of knowledge will help you when making decisions in the kitchen and lead to the excellent results you want.

How do you keep gluten free dough together? ›

Mix the Additives in Before the Wet Ingredients

Without it, gluten-free products can be dry and crumbly. There is a way to compensate for this however — use xanthan gum. Some bakers also use gelatin or agar. If you're using additives, mix them thoroughly with the dry ingredients before adding the wet.

How to make gluten free dough more elastic? ›

Psyllium husk is the crucial ingredient in gluten free bread baking. It acts as a binder, and it gives gluten free bread dough the elasticity, flexibility and extensibility it needs so you can actually knead and shape it without any problems.

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.

Can I substitute applesauce for oil in gluten free baking? ›

However, one of my favorite ways to use applesauce is in gluten free baking. When I saw my friend Vegetarian Mamma's Easy Apple Cake, I knew I needed to make it. However, I wanted to cut down on the amount of fat in the recipe. Therefore, I substituted a portion of the oil with natural applesauce.

What is the best oil to use in bread making? ›

When baking, I generally recommend using a neutral flavoured oil such as an organic canola oil, extra virgin olive or grapeseed oil. An exception to this is when you're wanting the oil to contribute to the flavour of the bake such as coconut, sesame or macadamia oil.

How to get gluten-free rolls to rise? ›

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.

How do you thicken gluten-free bread? ›

In gluten-free baking, two ingredients step in to do this heavy lifting: xantham gum and starch. Both provide thickening and elasticity and without them, your bread will crumble, unable to hold any air.

Why does gluten-free bread not taste good? ›

“Historically, gluten-free flour alternatives come from rice, pea, corn, tapioca, and potato. Even when finely milled, these flours are very gritty and/or rubbery in texture, making products taste substandard.”

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 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.

How do you get more air in gluten free bread? ›

To promote the volume in bread loaves, you can use carbonated water or gluten-free beer in place of the water called for in the recipe. Carbonated liquids contain carbon dioxide bubbles that lighten the batter and gluten-free beer has the added benefit of adding flavor.

What binds gluten free bread? ›

The three most commonly used binders in gluten free recipes are xanthan gum, guar gum and psyllium husk. You don't need to understand the science of these ingredients to use them but a little bit of knowledge will help you when making decisions in the kitchen and lead to the excellent results you want.

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