Gluten Free Dinner Rolls {Air Fryer or Oven Baked}

Name: Gluten Free Dinner Rolls
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 90 min
Ingredients: 1 cup milk; 2 teaspoons yeast; 1/4 cup sugar; 1 egg (large); 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1/4 cup butter (melted); 2 1/2 cups gluten free flour blend (* see note); 1 tablespoon gluten free flour blend (for dusting); 1 tablespoon butter (melted for brushing over the rolls)

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If you are looking for delicious gluten free dinner rolls that are really easy to make, this gluten free rolls recipe will become your favorite. Light and fluffy, you can make these gluten free rolls in your air fryer or bake them in your oven!

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Why this recipe is great:
Ingredient notes:
How to make gluten free dinner rolls:
Oven-Baked Directions:
Tips and Recipe FAQ:
Storage:
More gluten free bread recipes:
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Wait until you take a bite of these light and fluffy gluten free yeast rolls. They are going to surprise you. They are perfect to serve as dinner rolls or made wider for sandwich rolls. Your whole family is going to love these fluffy soft gluten free rolls!

This gluten free dinner roll dough is really versatile, so have some fun. I made these in my air fryer, but you can also bake them in the oven. If you have felt intimidated to bake rolls since going gluten free, don't worry! These will turn out delicious.

If you are trying to decide on what air fryer to get, I have a great list of the best air fryers for gluten free. I include a great pros and cons list for each model.

If you love bread as much as we do, you will want to check out all of my delicious gluten free bread recipes.

Why this recipe is great:

This easy gluten free dinner rolls recipe is so easy to make. I use simple ingredients, a gluten free all-purpose flour, and the ease of baking these in an air fryer adds a whole new layer of ease! Air fryer bread rolls are where it is at!

So many ask if you can bake bread in an air fryer, and I am so excited to say yes!! I also include oven baking directions, just in case you don't have an air fryer. I want to make sure everyone can try this recipe!

If you want to try another great roll recipe, try my gluten free crescent rolls recipe too! They are a great Pillsbury Crescent Rolls copycat.

First time I’ve made a yeast roll in over five years. The flavor was spectacular. I think they are a good cross between a yeast roll and a biscuit. I used Cup4Cup flour. Very easy recipe. Doesn’t take long at all. I went by the recipe suggestion of rising in a warmed oven. After 45 minutes they had risen but I wondered if more time would equal bigger lift and yes, it did. I went an extra 10 minutes. Followed the recipe exactly. I will definitely be making these again."
Carrie A., Pinterest user.

Ingredient notes:

The ingredients are the same whether you bake these dinner rolls in the oven or cook them in your air fryer.

Gluten free flour blend - I tested this recipe using Cup4Cup. That doesn't mean others will not work; I just have not tested other flours. Cup4Cup rose the best.
Xanthan gum - this is what holds gluten free baking together. If your gluten free flour blend doesn’t contain xanthan gum or guar gum, please add 1 teaspoon.
Light oil spray - This is only needed if you use an air fryer.
Butter - If you are dairy-free, use dairy-free butter.
Active dry yeast - For best results, double-check the active yeast brand you use is gluten free. Red Star Platinum is NOT gluten free!

I used a Corsori 3.4 qt air fryer to make this recipe, but I am getting ready to get the 5.8 qt air fryer because I need a larger air fryer to cook more at once. If you are a family of two, the 3.4 qt should be large enough.

If you love bread and rolls with your meals, you will also want to try my easy gluten Free Biscuits recipe. (And yes, you can make them in the oven or your air fryer!)

How to make gluten free dinner rolls:

Step 1: Add yeast to the warmed milk and sugar to a small bowl. Make sure your milk is no hotter than 110º F; otherwise, the yeast will die.

Step 2: Let this mixture sit for 5-10 minutes until it is frothy. Add the rest of the wet ingredients and mix well.

Step 3: In a large mixing bowl, use a measuring cup to measure and add the dry ingredients to the bowl. Whisk to blend. Pour the wet ingredients into the flour mixture and mix with a large spoon.

You only get one good rise with gluten free flour, so I encourage you to shape the rolls, then do the rise.

Step 4: Dust a surface with a little gluten free flour. Add the dough ball and press it into 1 ½ to 2-inch thick circles.

Step 5: Take the bread dough and use a biscuit cutter to cut out circles. You can make different sizes. Note larger ones will take longer to bake. Dust the rolls with extra flour if needed.

Note: If you prefer to bake these dinner rolls close together, more like tear apart rolls, make dough balls and place them close together in the baking pan.

Gluten free dough rising tip: I like to preheat my oven to 200º F then turn it off. Place the bowl with the plastic-covered dough in the oven and let it sit with the door slightly cracked open for rising. This is especially helpful during the cold months.

Step 6: Place the rolls on a piece of parchment paper and spray them lightly with oil. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and allow the rolls to rise in a warm place for 45 minutes.

Brush the tops of the rolls with melted butter or egg wash to brown them.

Step 7: See below for oven-baking directions! Preheat the air fryer to 360º F and then bake for 12-15 minutes until the tops are golden brown. Remove from the air fryer and brush the tops with melted butter. Enjoy!

Hint: Leave a little bit of space between each roll so the air can circulate around each, cooking them evenly.

a close up of the baked gluten free rolls

Oven-Baked Directions:

If you love gluten free baking and prefer to make these fluffy gluten free rolls in the oven, here are the simple directions:

Prepare and rise the dough as instructed in steps 1-5.
Preheat the oven to 350º F. Brush each dough roll with melted butter.
Place on a parchment paper-lined cookie sheet.
Bake for 15-20 minutes (depending on size).
Remove the baked rolls from the oven and enjoy!

Tips and Recipe FAQ:

Can you make these gluten free rolls dairy-free?

You can make these rolls dairy-free, but choose non-dairy milk without flavor or sweetener.

Do you need to put parchment paper down in the air fryer?

You do not technically need to put parchment paper down, but it prevents the batter from seeping down into the holes while cooking, so it will help the rolls keep their shape better.

How do you know when these yeast rolls are finished baking?

You will know the rolls are done baking when they are slightly golden on top and firm to the touch.

Why did my rolls turn out hard?

If your rolls are not light and fluffy, it is possible either the dough was too dry (not enough liquid), or you didn't let the dough rise enough. Every gluten free flour blend behaves differently. If you used a flour blend I didn't test, you will need to monitor the liquid levels. Starchy blends tend to need more liquids.

How long will these dinner rolls keep fresh?

The best way to store these dinner rolls in an air-tight container. These rolls will keep up to 3 days. or up to 4 months in the freezer.

Can you use instant yeast?

You can use instant yeast if you want these gluten-free rolls to rise quicker.

a gluten free dinner roll cut in half with butter on each half

Storage:

Store these gluten-free dinner rolls in an airtight container for up to 3 days. I keep them in the refrigerator. If you would prefer, you can freeze them in a zip-style freezer bag.