One bite of these fluffy Glazed Gluten Free Orange Rolls and you will want to make this all of the time. These orange rolls are topped with a sweet orange glaze. They almost have the same fluffy texture of a Krispy Kream Donut, without the frying! There is also a dairy-free option.
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The aroma of these freshly baked orange rolls will fill your house with the scent of sweet citrus. If you enjoy the sweet and tangy flavor of oranges, then making these gluten free orange rolls would be a great way to satisfy your cravings.
My new orange rolls recipe is a sweet, pastry-like roll you can serve for breakfast, brunch, or dessert. They are made from a gluten free yeasted dough and orange juice, which gives them their distinct citrus flavor.
I tested two different gluten free flour blends, and there is also a dairy-free option for those who do not eat dairy. Please read the whole post, I know it is long, but I jam-packed this post with a lot of tips and tricks for each flour blend.
If you love to bake, check out all of my delicious gluten free bread recipes. There are all types of bread, both sweet and savory!
Why This Recipe Is Great:
- I did extensive testing and share the best two gluten free flour blends to use so you can make them perfectly, without fail.
- They taste great with or without the orange glaze.
- These gluten free orange rolls are easy to make ahead. You can freeze them and glaze them when you are ready to enjoy them.
- Use this dough to make cinnamon roll-shaped orange rolls, or have some fun and make them shaped like bunnies for Easter!
- If you're planning to host a brunch or breakfast gathering, serving freshly baked orange rolls these fancy rolls are sure to be popular!
This Authentic Foods Steve's Gluten Free Bread Blend is hands down the best gluten-free flour for yeasted bread recipes. With this flour, you can braid, shape, and roll incredible bread, cinnamon rolls, and pizza crust. (Note, it doesn't work in a bread machine.)
Ingredient Notes:
- Gluten Free Flour Blend - I tested two gluten free flour blends. Both had VERY different wet-to-dry ratios. It is critical to follow the directions for the flour blend you are using. I tested Authentic Foods Steve's GF Bread Blend in the bunny-shaped rolls and Cup4Cup in the cinnamon roll-style rolls. I will probably test my DIY Gluten Free Flour Blend (gum-free) next. It tends to behave very similarly to Steve's blend. One reader said Namaste Gluten Free Flour worked well, but she did have to add more flour. She didn't mention a quantity. Two readers have written to let me know that Walmart Great Value Gluten Free Flour Blend worked in this recipe.
- Sugar - Use cane sugar so your rolls don't turn brown.
- Xanthan Gum - If you decide to use a flour blend I did not test, check to ensure it has a binder. If it doesn't add a teaspoon of guar or xanthan gum.
- Yeast - I used active dry yeast. I am not going to test rapid yeast so if you try that, let me know how it worked. Note that Red Star Platinum is NOT gluten free!
- Oranges - You can use any variety. I used navel orange for the bunny rolls and mandarins for the rolls. You can also use orange juice, but you want fresh oranges for the zest.
- Eggs - Use size large.
- Butter - I recommend using unsalted butter. If you are dairy-free, you can use plant-based butter.
- Milk - You can use regular or plant-based milk. I made both test batches with Milkadamia dairy-free milk.
If you are looking for more Easter recipes, try these Gluten Free Easter Cookies too!
Main Observations on the Two Tested Flour Blends:
- Steve's GF Bread Blend had more of the texture of real gluten yeast rolls. The Cup4Cup was a fluffier, more airy texture...maybe a little less substantial and starchy.
- As I will mention a few times, I needed a LOT more flour using the Cup4Cup flour.
TOOLS:
Tips For Success:
- Take special care to measure correctly. If you add in too much gluten free flour or other ingredients, it can make recipes turn out dry. Spoon Method: You can also use a spoon to fill the measuring cup. Use a knife to level along the top to remove the extra flour. Leveling Method: Put the measuring scoop into the flour and fill. Do not pack the flour. Use a knife to scrape along the top to remove the extra flour.
- Use a silicone mat for rolling and shaping the dough. It will help prevent sticking.
- Use a citrus zester. This recipe is so much better when you add in orange zest.
I have 100s of easy-to-make gluten free dessert recipes if you love to bake! Let me know which you try!
Recipe Step-By-Step Directions:
Step 1: Use a digital scale to measure or weigh your gluten free flour. Pour it into a large
Step 2: Proof the active dry yeast in warm milk or plant-based milk. Let it sit for 5-7 minutes until it is frothy.
Step 3: Add the yeast mixture, eggs, orange juice, and melted butter to a stand mixer. Put on the paddle attachment. Turn the mixer on low and blend the wet ingredients together.
Step 4: Add the dry ingredients and orange zest.
Step 5: Turn the mixer on low and gradually increase the speed until your dough forms.
Step 6: Remove the dough and put it onto a silicone mat. If you use Steve's blend, you do not need to dust the mat with flour. If you use Cup4Cup, you may need to dust it with flour.
🔑 Sandi says: You only get one good rise with gluten free dough. It is important to shape your dough quickly, then let it rise. If you rise the dough and then shape it, your rolls will not puff up.
Step 7: Cut the dough into evenly sized pieces. Roll them into a long rope.
Step 8: Bring one side over the other side, making a circle.
Step 9: Twist the dough again and pinch the ears to a pointy shape.
Step 10: Take a small piece of dough and roll it into a ball. Press it gently down in the hold. This will be the bunny tail. Place the rolls onto a parchment paper-lined cookie sheet. Repeat this until you use all of the dough.
Step 11: Preheat the oven to 200º F and then turn the oven off. Place a sheet of plastic wrap loosely over the dough. Put it into the oven to rise for 45 minutes.
This is a photo to show you before and after the rise. If you are making these gluten free orange rolls rolled up like cinnamon rolls, see below.
Step 12: If you are making these in a rolled style, spread the dough out into a rectangle. You can use a rolling pin or your hands.
Step 13: Add the melted butter, sugar, and orange zest to a bowl and mix it. Spread the sugar mixture over the dough.
Step 14: Roll the dough tightly. Use sewing thread to cut out the rolls. I slide the thread under the log, then twist the ends up and cross them. This will cut out the roll shapes.
Carefully place the dough rolls in a 9x13 pan. (Line the pan with parchment paper.)
You can see the rise with the Cup4Cup got a little crazy. I definitely needed a bigger pan.
Step 15: Bake the rolls at 350º F for 20-25 minutes. The baking time will vary depending if you are making bunny shapes, or rolls packed in a pan.
Step 16: This is what the baked bunnies will look like. Carefully slide the parchment paper with the bunnies onto a wire cooling rack.
Step 17: Mix up the glaze in a small bowl. If you are making the icing for the rolled orange rolls, mix that up. You want the gluten free orange rolls to be cooled before icing or adding glaze.
Step 18: Hold a bunny roll over the glaze and use a spoon to pour the glaze over the front of the bunny. Don't glaze the back side. If you are making rolled rolls, spread the icing over each cinnamon roll shape. Hold the bunny gently so that the excess glaze drips off the roll.
Step 19: Let the glaze firm up and eat! These gluten free orange rolls make the perfect gluten free orange bunny rolls for Easter! You can add a tuft of cotton candy (when they cool) for the tail if you prefer.
Step 20: If you made rolls, mix up the icing for the rolls. Spread it over the rolls after they have cooled.
You can also use this gluten free orange sweet bread dough to make a version of my Gluten Free Monkey Bread recipe.
Recipe FAQ:
Yes, you can use this orange bread dough any way you like! This orange bread dough would be great to make fried donuts with!
Store either style of these gluten free orange rolls in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will keep fresh for up to 4 days. I highly recommend freezing them. You can freeze the cooled rolls in a zip-style freezer bag.
You can thaw these rolls by letting them sit out for 30 minutes, or warm them in the microwave oven for 30 seconds.
If you love these orange rolls, you will also love my incredible Gluten Free Cinnamon Rolls recipe! Over the holidays, these Gluten Free Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls are also amazing.
More Gluten Free Rolls Recipes:
- Gluten Free Dinner Rolls - These fluffy rolls can be made in the air fryer or baked in the oven!
- Gluten Free Garlic Knots - These are amazingly good served with Italian dishes.
- Gluten Free Crescent Rolls - These crescent rolls are full of buttery layers.
- Gluten Free Bread Sticks - These are perfect for dipping in any yummy sauce.
📖 Recipe
The Best Gluten Free Orange Rolls
Ingredients
Yeast Mixture
- ¾ cup milk or plant-based milk * see note
- 2 ½ teaspoons active dry yeast Do not use Red Star Platinum, it has gluten.
- 1 teaspoon sugar
Rolls
- 2 ½ cups gluten free flour blend *Important to read notes!
- ⅓ cup sugar use white cane sugar
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup warm water Use for Steve's Blend ONLY!
- 2 large eggs
- ¼ cup unsalted butter melted
- ½ cup orange juice
- 2 tablespoons orange zest
Glaze
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 3 tablespoons orange juice
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter melted
See notes for orange sugar filling
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 200º F and then turn the oven off. This is where you will rise the dough.
- Proof the active dry yeast in warm milk or plant-based milk. Let it sit for 5-7 minutes until it is frothy.
- Measure or weigh your gluten free flour. Pour it into a large mixing bowl. Sprinkle the salt and add the sugar. Whisk to blend them together.
- Add the yeast mixture, eggs, orange juice, and melted butter to a stand mixer. Put on the paddle attachment. Turn the mixer on low and blend the wet ingredients together.
- Add the dry ingredients and orange zest to the stand mixer.
- Turn the mixer on low and gradually increase the speed until your dough forms. If you notice your dough is sticky, add more flour. Every flour blend has a different starch to grain ratio and this will factor in depending on what you are using.
- Remove the dough and put it onto a silicone mat. If you use Steve's blend, you do not need to dust the mat with flour. If you use Cup4Cup, you may need to dust it with flour.
- Important: You only get one good rise with gluten free dough. It is important to shape your dough quickly, then let it rise. If you rise the dough and then shape it, your rolls will not puff up.
To Make Bunny Shapes
- Cut the dough into evenly sized pieces. Roll them into a long rope. Bring one side over the other side, making a circle.
- Twist the dough again and pinch the ears to a pointy shape.
- Take a small piece of dough and roll it into a ball. Press it gently down in the hold. This will be the bunny tail. Place the rolls onto a parchment paper-lined cookie sheet. Repeat this until you use all of the dough.
- Preheat the oven to 200º F and then turn the oven off. Place a sheet of plastic wrap loosely over the dough. Put it into the oven to rise for 45 minutes.
To Make Cinnamon Roll-Style Rolls
- If you are making these in a rolled style, spread the dough out into a rectangle. You can use a rolling pin or your hands. Make the rolls before the rise!
- Add the melted butter, sugar, and orange zest to a bowl and mix it. Spread the sugar mixture over the dough.
- Roll the dough tightly. Use sewing thread to cut out the rolls. I slide the thread under the log, then twist the ends up and cross them. This will cut out the roll shapes.
- Carefully place the dough rolls in a 9x13 pan. (Line the pan with parchment paper.)
Baking Instructions For Both
- Bake the rolls at 350º F for 20-25 minutes. The baking time will vary depending if you are making bunny shapes, or rolls packed in a pan.
Glaze
- Mix up the glaze in a small bowl. If you are making the icing for the rolled orange rolls, mix that up. You want the gluten free orange rolls to be cooled before icing or adding glaze.
- Orange Rolls Glaze: Note if you are making cinnamon roll style, skip the butter so your glaze is thicker like icing. Add 1 tablespoon of orange zest to the glaze
- Bunny Shape Rolls: You want your glaze thin so use the recipe above as directed. Hold a bunny roll over the glaze and use a spoon to pour the glaze over the front of the bunny. Don't glaze the back side. If you are making rolled rolls, spread the icing over each cinnamon roll shape. Hold the bunny gently so that the excess glaze drips off the roll.
Notes
- This is not the recipe to hit the Jump to Recipe button on. Read the whole post because it has a lot of information and step-by-step photos.
- Warm the milk or non-dairy milk. It should be no hotter than 110º F.
- The flour measurement is for Authentic Foods Steve's Gluten Free Flour Blend. You need less of this flour than other flour blends. I have only tested this recipe with Steve's blend and Cup4Cup. You will need a LOT more flour for Cup4Cup. See below for the specific amounts. I have not tested this recipe with other flour blends. Some store-bought blends do not work with yeast so read the labels, and check the brand website. Note you will most likely need more flour if you are not using a blend I tested.
- The weight of Steve's GF Bread Blend is 377.09 grams.
- If you want to make this recipe dairy-free, use plant-based butter. Note Cup4cup has dried milk powder so you will need to use Steve's blend if you are dairy-free. I do plan to test my DIY gluten free flour blend in this recipe. I have tested my blend in my cinnamon rolls and it worked great, so I believe my flour blend will work well. I haven't measured it for weight in this recipe, so I don't know if you would need to add more flour. Also, note my DIY blend is gum-free for those who can't have xanthan or guar gum.
- If you choose to use a flour I haven't tested, I can't guarantee the results. Do make sure the blend you use has a binder like xanthan or guar gum. (Steve's blend uses something else.) If there is no binder, add one teaspoon of xanthan or guar gum.
- Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the refrigerator. These also freeze really well in a zipper freezer bag.
SPECIAL NOTE
Please know that every gluten free flour blend has a different starch to grain ratio. If you use a blend I didn't test, you may need to adjust your moisture levels in your baked goods.
Nutrition
Nutrition 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.
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Amanda
Could I make this recipe without the orange juice? I would like to make bunny roll for Easter just not orange flavour. Thank you 🙂
Sandi Gaertner
I haven't tested this, but if you do, you will need a little less flour to compensate for the moisture difference.
Ruth Davis
I have been craving orange rolls forever! I made them this morning and they are FANTASTIC. Surely cannot tell that they are GF. I didn't see amounts for the butter, sugar & zest to spread on the rolled out dough, so made up my own. Can't say enough wonderful things about this recipe. I love yeast doughs, and this one will be adapted to many other things because it is so quick and easy to make.
Thank you so much - I look forward to trying more of your recipes.
PS FYI - I use King Arthur one-to-one flour - I needed about 4 cups for the dough.
Sandi Gaertner
Thank you for the heads up on the filling. I just added that in. You are the first, besides me, to test the recipe. Thank you so much. I am surprised the KA 1:1 worked...it notoriously doesn't work well in yeast recipes. That will give some of my readers hope.
Liz S
I made these orange rolls with Steve's GF bread flour. I followed the directions exactly and they came out perfectly. I left a few unglazed and froze them sliced . I toasted them and the were even better! They were very easy to make once I read through the directions and I had a thorough understanding. It was so nice to enjoy baked goods. They are truly a joy to bake and eat. My non GF husband was also thrilled and couldn't get over how good they were. He said he'd never had a GF bread so good. I encouraged my GF daughter to bake them and she called me and we talked about them for a long time! I will make them many more times. It's become my Sunday ritual to try a new Fearless Dining recipe.
Sandi Gaertner
You absolutely made my day. I am so glad you love the recipe, and that your GF daughter is also able to enjoy them. Thank you so much!!
Parli
Can you make rolls without the egg
Is there an alternative to egg
Sandi Gaertner
Hi Parli, I haven't tested any egg replacers. If you try one, please let me know how they turned out. I would recommend Bob's Egg Replacer as I have had good luck with it in other recipes.
peggy
Steves flour is expensive. what other recipes would this flour good for
Sandi Gaertner
Hi Peggy, I know that blend is pricey, but you do need to use a lot less of it. I have quite a few recipes on the blog using it including gf monkey bread, cinnamon raisin bagels, cinnamon rolls (regular and gingerbread), hamburger and hot dog buns, challah (braided bread), panettone (Christmas bread), and soft pretzels recipes.