If you’ve missed flaky, bakery-style pastries since going gluten free, this gluten-free cheese Danish recipe is for you. I’m now sharing two delicious ways to make it—with my soft and pillowy yeasted gluten-free dough or my new gluten-free rough puff pastry, which creates those buttery, crisp layers you usually only find in a bakery. Whether you want a cozier, classic texture or crave true flaky layers, I have both ways for you to try.
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❤️ Sandi’s Recipe Summary
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This gluten free cheese Danish recipe will be your new favorite breakfast! This isn’t just for special occasions—these danishes are too good not to enjoy anytime! When you bite into this sweet, delicious Danish, you’ll be surprised to find that it contains no gluten. My gluten free pastry recipe has been a favorite of my readers for years, and I used it as the base for this recipe.
This base gluten-free pastry dough is based on my most popular Gluten-Free Flaky Pastries recipe. If you love pastries, you will also want to try my Czech Gluten-Free Kolache recipe!
Allergen Information:
I know many of my readers have other food allergens they need to avoid. This homemade cheese Danish recipe is:
- gluten-free
- nut-free
- soy-free
- oat-free
Each Danish has the perfect amount of flakiness and sweet goodness! You will fall in love once you make this pastry recipe and figure out its versatility. Below are a few more ideas for using the same recipe and making a few adjustments to change it up. Want the easiest flaky version? Try it with my new gluten-free rough puff dough.
Two Dough Options:
You can make these Danish pastries using either of these gluten free doughs:
Option 1: Yeast Dough (my original recipe)
- Soft and pillowy Danish.
- Slightly chewy, classic Danish texture.
- It requires a dough rise time but a shorter lamination time.
Option 2: Rough Puff Dough (new!)
- It is faster and easier to work with because you are not balancing the dough rising with laminating.
- Flaky, crisp, bakery-style layers.
- No yeast is needed, which is great for my readers who can’t tolerate yeast!
- Grab the 👉 gluten-free rough puff pastry dough.
Ingredient Notes:
For the full list of ingredients and amounts, please go to the recipe card below.
- Gluten-Free Flour Blend – I tested this recipe with my brand new => Gluten-Free Pastry Flour Blend, DIY Gluten Free Flour Blend, and Cup4Cup. Other blends work, but make sure the blend you use works with yeast.
- Xanthan Gum – If your gluten free flour blend doesn’t contain xanthan gum or guar gum, please add 1/2 teaspoon. This helps to hold the pastries together.
- Cane Sugar – Cane sugar will help activate and froth the yeast.
- Yeast – I used active dry yeast. Always double-check that the brand you use is gluten free. Red Star Platinum is NOT gluten-free!
- Butter – Use unsalted European-style high-butterfat butter. Here are some common brands found in grocery stores: Plugra Premium European Butter, Kerrygold Irish Butter, Strauss Family Creamery European-Style Butter, Nancy’s Organic Butter (European-style), and Danish Creamery European Butter.
- Eggs – Use size large.
- Cream Cheese – I used full-fat because it is a creamy cheese, but low-fat also works well. Be sure to read the label to ensure your cream cheese is gluten free.
- Jam or Pie Filling – Use any brand.
Step-By-Step Photos and Directions:
Note From The Kitchen: Gluten-free pastry can be tricky, but this cheese Danish recipe is here to make it easier. I’ve tested the dough so that it is as simple and workable as possible, with clear steps to guide you. The filling is creamy and classic, just like a bakery Danish. If your dough cracks or feels sticky, don’t worry! A little more milk and some chill time go a long way. You don’t need perfection—just a bit of patience.
The step-by-step photos below walk through the yeasted dough method. If you’re using the rough puff pastry dough, follow the assembly and baking steps once your dough is laminated and ready to roll out.
Step 1: To make the Danish dough with yeast, activate the yeast by adding the active dry yeast, sugar, and warm milk to a bowl. Allow the yeast to proof until it is frothy, for about 5-10 minutes. Add the yeast mixture and the other wet ingredients to a mixing bowl and whisk until well blended.
Step 2: Add the dry ingredients to a large mixing bowl and use a whisk to blend them together.
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Step 3: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Mix well into soft dough. Dust a silicone mat with flour and place the dough on it. Roll it to 1/2 inch thickness.
👀 Sandi Says: You can use a standing mixer with a dough hook or paddle attachment to make the dough.
Step 4: Since gluten-free dough only yields one good rise, you must quickly shape your dough and incorporate the butter layers. Let the butter partially freeze in the freezer. Cut the butter into chunks and place it on half of the dough.
Step 5: Roll out the dough on a flour-dusted silicone mat with a rolling pin. Dust the dough with extra flour as well so that it won’t stick to the rolling pin. The rolling of the dough should be done quickly, before the dough starts to rise. Roll the dough and fold it over itself in what is called an envelope fold.
Step 6: Roll the dough in one direction into a rectangle. Fold the dough over itself. You will see the butter chunks start to flatten and elongate. That visible butter is a good sign. These are what make the flaky layers!
Step 7: Fold the dough into an envelope, then fold it again. You will repeat this process several times until the dough is laminated. If the dough is too sticky, add more flour.
Step 8: Roll the dough flat for the last time. Grab a round biscuit cutter or round cookie cutter. Cut out the pastry circles. Do NOT twist the biscuit or cookie cutter. This can seal the edges and prevent the steam from making flaky layers.
Step 9: Lay the round dough circles on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Use your fingers or the back of a teaspoon to press down the middle, making a shallow indentation.
Cover loosely with plastic wrap and let the Danish rise for 45 minutes, or until they have nearly doubled in size. Getting gluten free dough to rise can be tricky. I like to preheat my oven to 175°F, then turn it off and place the dough inside to rise. Leave the oven door cracked open.
Step 10: Remove the plastic wrap from the pastries. In a small bowl, whisk together the cheese filling ingredients. Fill each pastry circle with the cream cheese filling and top with jam. TIP: In the fall, try this recipe with apple pie filling!
Preheat the oven to 425º F. Place the Danish in the freezer while the oven preheats.
Step 11: In a small bowl, break an egg and whisk it with 1 TBSP of milk. Brush the egg wash over each pastry.
Step 12: Bake for 15-20 minutes until done. The baking time varies depending on how large and thick your pastry is. You will know they are finished baking when the pastry is golden brown.
Want to try my flaky version next? My new gluten-free rough puff dough bakes up with true laminated layers—no yeast required! If you are a breakfast fanatic like us, you will want to check out ALL of my yummy gluten-free breakfast recipes.
If you love this pastry, you will also want to try my homemade gluten free cinnamon rolls recipe.
Fun flavor variations to try!
There are various filling options when making a Danish. Here are some of my favorites:
- Add chocolate or Nutella
- Add nuts and marshmallows or sprinkle with coarse sugar
- Sprinkle with cinnamon & sugar mixture
- Add any flavor of jam or fruit filling you like
- Use cookie cutters to make fun shapes
- You can make a large cheese Danish in the form of a rectangle.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Yes! You can fold, twist, and shape this pastry dough any way you like!
You will know the pastry is done when it is slightly golden.
These pastries will keep fresh for up to 4 days in the refrigerator. With all of the butter, they will get hard. To soften them back up, microwave for 25-30 seconds.
More ways to use gluten-free rough puff:
Once you master the rough puff dough, you can use it in so many ways! Here are a few reader favorites and ideas to try next:
- Gluten-Free Pot Pies – Use the filling from my Gluten-Free Chicken Pot Pie recipe.
- Easy Gluten-Free Pastries – Flaky and delicious.
- Gluten-Free Turnovers – Use pie filling, jam, or even savory fillings!
Love This Recipe?
💬 Did you make this gluten-free cheese Danish recipe? Drop a comment below, and let me know how it turned out! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Please include which flour blend you used. This will help others know this recipe is delicious. Thank you!
Easy Gluten Free Cheese Danish – Two Ways
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- To make the Danish dough with yeast, activate the yeast by adding 2 teaspoons active dry yeast, 1 teaspoon cane sugar, and 1/2 cup warm milk to a bowl. Allow the yeast to be proof until it is frothy for about 5-10 minutes. Add the yeast mixture and the other wet ingredients to a mixing bowl and whisk to blend.
- In a large bowl, add 2 cups gluten free flour blend, 1/4 cup tapioca starch, 1/8 teaspoon salt, 1/3 cup cane sugar, and whisk to blend.
- In a medium-sized bowl, add 2 large eggs, 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract, 4 tablespoons of melted butter, and 1 teaspoon lemon juice. Pour in the frothy yeast mixture and whisk to blend.
- Pour the wet ingredients, including 4 tablespoons of shredded frozen butter, into the dry ingredients and mix into a nice, soft dough.
- You only get one good rise when working with gluten-free dough, so you must quickly shape your dough and work the butter layers in. Let the butter partially freeze in the freezer. Cut the butter into chunks and place it on half of the dough.
- Roll out the dough on a flour-dusted silicone mat with a rolling pin. Dust the dough with extra flour as well so that it won't stick to the rolling pin. Roll the dough quickly before it starts to rise. Roll the dough and fold it over itself in what is called an envelope fold.
- Roll the dough in one direction into a rectangle. Fold the dough over itself. You will see the butter chunks start to get flat and long. That visible butter is a good sign. These are what make the flaky layers!
- Repeat this process until you use all of the butter. Again, you will want to refrigerate the dough a bit between each butter layer. Cold butter works a lot better in making flaky layers.
- Fold the dough in the envelope, and fold again. You will repeat this process several times until the dough is laminated. If the texture of the dough is sticky, add more flour.
- Roll the dough flat for the last time. Grab a round biscuit cutter or round cookie cutter. Cut out the pastry circles. Do NOT twist the biscuit or cookie cutter. This can seal the edges and prevent the steam from making flaky layers. Lay out the round dough circles on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet.
- Use your fingers or the back of a teaspoon to press down the middle, making a shallow indentation. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and let the Danish rise for 45 minutes or until they come close to doubling in size. Getting gluten free dough to rise can be tricky. I like to preheat my oven to 175º F, turn off the oven, and place the dough in the oven to rise. Leave the oven door cracked open.
- Remove the plastic wrap from the pastries. In a small bowl, whisk together the cheese filling ingredients. Fill each pastry circle with the cream cheese filling and top with jam. TIP: In the fall, try this recipe with apple pie filling!
- Preheat the oven to 425º F. Place the Danish in the freezer while the oven preheats.
- Make the cream cheese layer by adding room temperature 8 ounces cream cheese, 1 egg yolk, 1 tablespoon cane sugar, and 1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice to a stand mixer with a whisk attachment and whip until the mixture is creamy.
- Break an egg and whisk it with 1 TBSP of milk in a small bowl. Brush the egg wash over each pastry.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes until done. The baking time varies greatly depending on how large and thick your pastry is. You will know they are finished baking when the pastry is golden brown.
- Make the icing with 1 cup powdered sugar and 1 teaspoon lemon juice to a bowl. Feel free to add more lemon juice to get the right consistency. Drizzle onto each Danish.
- Make your Danish super flaky using my brand new Gluten-Free Pastry Flour Blend, which uses the perfect types of flour and starches to get the best flaky layers.
- Follow the directions to make and laminate the gluten-free rough puff dough in my Gluten-Free Rough Puff Dough recipe.
Nutrition
Video
Notes
- I have tested this recipe with Cup4Cup and my DIY All Purpose Flour Blend. My brand new Gluten-Free Pastry Flour Blend uses the perfect types of flour and starches to get the best flaky layers. To learn more read my article about flour blends.
- If your gluten free flour blend doesn’t contain xanthan gum or guar gum, please add 1/2 teaspoon.
- I used milk, but dairy-free kinds of milk will work. I do not recommend canned coconut milk.
- Use any jam flavor you like!
- These pastries will keep fresh for up to 4 days in an airtight container or for up to 4 months in the freezer.
Nutritional Disclaimer
Nutritional information is an estimate provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the actual nutritional information with the products and brands you are using with your preferred nutritional calculator.
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!
This post was updated from an older January 2019 post with more detailed instructions.
I’m excited to try this out!! Can I sub the tapioca starch for potato starch?
Hi Sharon, I haven’t tested that, but it should be okay to substitute. Just keep an eye on the moisture level and add more flour if needed.
Question – when exactly do you let the dough rise? In the narrative at the top of the article, it sounds like you let it rise AFTER folding in the butter and cutting it.
However – in the actual recipe at the bottom, you have the rise happening right after the wet ingredients are mixed into the dry. Which is it? Thanks!
Hi Barb, I went in and clarified the rising. Thank you for bringing it to my attention. You want to shape the dough into the rounds and then rise.
Is yeast necessary? I can substitute – which I do for anything else that calls for yeast. {yeast is fungus & I do not purposely put fungus in my body}
Thank you,
I have never tested my recipe without yeast. I believe you need it to get the puffy rise.
Can I only use King Arthur Flour instead of tapioca starch?
Hi Savannah, it should be fine to use just the King Arthur Measure for Measure flour blend.
When you say add all the wet ingredients do you mean the vanilla extract, lemon juice and 2 eggs?
Yes, and the bubbly yeast mixture.
I used Bobs Red Mill gf flour. I also did not refrigerate after each butter addition to the dough, I was too impatient. Easy dough to work with and such a yummy danish! My daughter, who has celiac disease, loved them! As did everyone else in the family who does not need to eat gluten free. Thanks for the recipe!
I am so glad you and your daughter enjoyed them Carol. Thank you for coming back to let me know 🙂
I am dairy free. What kind of butter should I use? – I would use almond milk.
Hi Joyce, I have never made this recipe dairy free so I am not sure how vegan stick butter would perform in this recipe. If you try it, please do come back and let us know.
Hello! Do the 10 tablespoons of butter go into the dough mixture? Or only when folding/rolling out? Thank you!
One more question 🙂
Can I braid this dough?
Hi again, I haven’t tried to braid this dough so if you try it, please let us know how it turns out.
Hi,
Looks amazing! I’m a first timer making gluten free stuff.
Can I use this recipe to put some filling in the Centre and close the pastry? As I’m using some filling will may burn whilst baking if not covered. Kindly suggest the required changes I should make. Thankyou!
I think it would be fine to add filling and close it. I haven’t tried it but it should work well. Thank you so much.
Do you use instant yeast or dry active yeast?
Hi Mercy, I used dry active yeast. Thank you 🙂
Can I use corn starch or something else instead of tapioc starch?
Hi Carlie, I haven’t tried corn starch, but in theory, it should work. Do come back and let us know how it turns out.
Thank you so much 🙂
LOL I think back to when we went gluten free 10 years ago and couldn’t even buy a loaf of bread in stores! Times are so much better now.