These soft and fluffy, gluten-free orange rolls are bursting with citrusy sweetness in every bite! Filled with buttery orange zest and sugar, then topped with a luscious orange glaze, they’re the perfect treat for breakfast or brunch. Plus, there’s a dairy-free option so everyone can enjoy them!
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You may also love this Gluten Free Bunny Rolls recipe that uses the same gluten free orange dough!
Wait until your house fills with the aroma of these freshly baked orange rolls, it is so good. My new orange roll recipe is a sweet, cinnamon roll-like treat you can serve for breakfast, brunch, or dessert. They are made from a gluten free yeasted dough, orange juice and orange zest, which gives them their distinct citrus flavor. 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 citrusy cravings.
👀 Sandi Says: Please read the whole post; I know it is long, but I jam-packed this post with many tips and tricks for each flour blend. I did extensive testing and shared the best two gluten free flour blends to use so you can make them perfectly, without fail.
If you love to bake, check out my delicious gluten free bread recipes. There are all types of bread, both sweet and savory! If you love citrus, you will also want to try these fluffy Gluten Free Lemon Rolls.
Allergen Information:
These homemade, fluffy orange rolls are gluten-free, nut-free, soy-free, and oat-free. Make them dairy-free using plant-based butter and milk.
Flour Blends Tested:
- I tested Authentic Foods Steve’s GF Bread Blend
- Cup4Cup. Note that Cup4Cup recently changed its flour blend formulation, and it doesn’t behave as the old formulation. I haven’t had a chance to retest this recipe with the new flour blend formulation.
- One reader said Namaste Gluten Free Flour worked well in this orange rolls recipe, but she did have to add more flour.
- Two readers have written to let me know that Walmart Great Value Gluten Free Flour Blend worked in this recipe.
Ingredient Notes:
For the full list of ingredients and amounts, please go to the recipe card below.
- Gluten Free Flour Blend – I tested the first two two gluten free flour blends listed above. Both had VERY different wet-to-dry ratios. Following the directions for the flour blend you are using is critical. I will probably test my DIY Gluten Free Flour Blend (gum-free) next. It tends to behave very similarly to Steve’s blend.
- 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. Note, Steve’s GF Bread Blend has a different type of binder and you do not need to add any xanthan gum.
- Yeast – I used active dry yeast. I will not test rapid yeast, so if you try that, let me know how it works. Note that Red Star “Platinum” is NOT gluten free!
- Fresh 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.
- Cup4Cup Modifications: I needed to use a lot more of this flour. I used 390 grams (2 1/2 cups) then added an additional 170 grams (or 1 1/4 cups of flour.) You want your flour to be workable. You will need to dust your silicone mat with flour if you use Cup4Cup.
I have 100s of easy-to-make gluten free dessert recipes if you love to bake! Let me know which you try!
Tips For Success
1. If you store your flour in the refrigerator it will affect the moisture level. Let it come to room temperature.
2. Use a silicone mat to roll and shape the dough. It will help prevent sticking.
3. Use a citrus zester. This recipe is so much better when you add in orange zest.
Step-By-Step Photos and Directions:
Step 1: Measure the Flour. Use a digital scale to measure or weigh your gluten free flour. Pour the flour into a large
Step 2: Activate the Yeast. Proof the active dry yeast in warm milk or plant-based milk. Do not use hot water. The milk should be no hotter than 110º F. Let it sit for 5-7 minutes until it is frothy. If it is cold in your house, the yeast can take longer to activate.
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Step 3: Prepare the Wet Ingredients. 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 until they are well mixed.
Step 4: Add the dry ingredients from the mixing bowl and and orange zest to the stand mixer bowl.
Step 5: Mix the Dough. Turn the mixer low and gradually increase the speed until your dough forms. Let the dough mix for 3-4 minutes.
Step 6: Prepare the Dough. Remove the dough and put it onto a silicone mat. You do not need to dust the mat with flour using Steve’s blend. If you use Cup4Cup, you may need to dust the mat with flour.
🔑 Sandi says: You only get one good rise with gluten free dough. It is important to shape your dough quickly and then let it rise. If you rise the dough and shape it, your rolls will not puff up.
Step 7: Preheat the oven to 200º F and then turn the oven off. I like to rise my easy orange rolls in a warm oven.
Step 8: Prepare the Dough. Spread the dough into a rectangle. You can use a rolling pin or your hands. I roll my dough to 1/2 inch thickness.
Step 9: Prepare the Citrus Sugar. Mix the melted butter, sugar, and orange zest in a bowl. Spread the sugar mixture evenly over the dough. Leave a little of the dough edges plain so they adhere better. I love using this sugar and orange zest blend in my Gluten Free Cruffins recipe.
Step 10: 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 without crushing them.
Step 11: Prepare the Baking Pan. Line the pan with parchment paper. Carefully place the dough rolls into a 9×13 pan. Leave a little space between each roll to allow room for them to rise.
Step 12: Rise the Rolls. Cover the pan loosely with plastic wrap and place them into the warm oven. Let the rolls rise for 45 minutes, or until they double in size. You can see the rise with the Cup4Cup rose like crazy. I needed a bigger pan.
Step 13: Bake the rolls at 350º F for 22-25 minutes. The baking time will vary depending on the size and thickness of your rolls.
Step 20: Prepare the Icing. In a small mixing bowl, add the icing ingredients. Whisk to blend. Spread it over the rolls after they have cooled a little.
If you love baking with orange juice and zest, also try these Gluten Free Orange Scones too. I have so many gluten free cinnamon roll recipes in a variety of flavors for you to try!
Frequently Asked Questions:
Yes, you can use this orange bread dough any way you like! This orange bread dough would be great to make fried donuts with! You can also use this gluten free orange sweet dough to make a version of my Gluten Free Monkey Bread recipe.
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.
Cinnamon Roll Troubleshooting:
Why didn’t the rolls rise?
If your rolls didn’t rise, you need to check your expiration date on the package of yeast. Also be sure your milk wasn’t too hot or it could kill the yeast. If you didn’t rise the dough in the oven, was the area you rose your rolls in warm enough?
Why is the dough too soft to roll?
If your dough is too soft to roll, you needed to add more flour. Every gluten-free flour blend has a different starch-to-grain ratio. The brand of gluten-free flour you use will affect the moisture of the dough. My rule of thumb is if your batter or dough is too runny, add more flour, and if it is too thick, add more liquids.
If you love these orange rolls, you will 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 Apple Cider Cinnamon Rolls – Sweet and delicious!
- Easy Gluten Free Nutella Cinnamon Rolls
- 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.
Love This Recipe?
If you made and enjoyed this recipe, I would be incredibly grateful if you could leave a comment below. Include which flour blend you used. This helps others know this recipe is delicious. Thank you!
The Best Gluten Free Orange Rolls
Equipment
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 cane sugar
Rolls
- 2 ½ cups gluten free flour blend *Important to read notes!
- 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
Orange Sugar Filling
- ½ cup cane sugar Add more sugar if you want the layer thicker thicker
- 2 tablespoons orange zest
- 2 tablespoon melted butter
Glaze
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 3 tablespoons orange juice
- 2 teaspoons orange zest
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Instructions
- Measure the Flour. Use a digital scale to measure or weigh your 2 ½ cups gluten free flour blend. Pour the flour into a large mixing bowl. Add ⅛ teaspoon salt. Whisk to blend them. Although I like to mix my dough in a stand mixer, I recommend mixing the dry ingredients in a bowl. This will help ensure your dry ingredients are mixed thoroughly.
- Activate the Yeast. Proof the 2 ½ teaspoons active dry yeast in ¾ cup milk or plant-based milk, and 1 teaspoon cane sugar or plant-based milk. Do not use hot water. The milk should be no hotter than 110º F. Let it sit for 5-7 minutes until it is frothy. If it is cold in your house, the yeast can take longer to activate.
- Prepare the Wet Ingredients. Add the yeast mixture, 2 large eggs, ½ cup orange juice, and melted ¼ cup unsalted butter to a stand mixer. (If you use Steve's Bread Flour Blend ONLY – add ¼ cup warm water.) Put on the paddle attachment. Turn the mixer on low and blend the wet ingredients until they are well mixed.
- Add the dry ingredients from the mixing bowl and 2 tablespoons orange zest to the stand mixer bowl.
- Mix the Dough. Turn the mixer low and gradually increase the speed until your dough forms. Let the dough mix for 3-4 minutes.
- Prepare the Dough. Remove the dough and put it onto a silicone mat. You do not need to dust the mat with flour using Steve's blend. If you use Cup4Cup, you may need to dust the mat with flour.
- Sandi says: You only get one good rise with gluten free dough. It is important to shape your dough quickly and then let it rise. If you rise the dough and shape it, your rolls will not puff up.
- Preheat the oven to 175º F and then turn the oven off. I like to rise my easy orange rolls in a warm oven.
- Prepare the Dough. Spread the dough into a rectangle. You can use a rolling pin or your hands. I roll my dough to 1/2 inch thickness.
- Prepare the Citrus Sugar. Mix the 2 tablespoon melted butter, ½ cup cane sugar, and 2 teaspoons of orange zest in a bowl. Spread the sugar mixture evenly over the dough. Leave a little of the dough edges plain so they adhere better. I love using this sugar and orange zest blend in my Gluten Free Cruffins recipe.
- Roll the dough tightly into a log. 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 without crushing them.
- Prepare the Baking Pan. Line the pan with parchment paper. Carefully place the dough rolls into a 9×13 pan. Leave a little space between each roll to allow room for them to rise.
- Rise the Rolls. Cover the pan loosely with plastic wrap and place them into the warm oven. Let the rolls rise for 45 minutes, or until they double in size. You can see the rise with the Cup4Cup rose like crazy. I needed a bigger pan.
- Bake the rolls at 350º F for 22-25 minutes. The baking time will vary depending on the size and thickness of your rolls.
Glaze
- Prepare the Icing. In a small mixing bowl, add the 2 cups powdered sugar, 3 tablespoons orange juice, 2 teaspoons orange zest. Whisk to blend. Spread it over the rolls after they have cooled a little.
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 or your yeast may be killed.
- 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. 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.
- I tested Authentic Foods Steve’s GF Bread Blend
- Cup4Cup. Note that Cup4Cup recently changed its flour blend formulation, and it doesn’t behave as the old formulation. I haven’t had a chance to retest this recipe with the new flour blend formulation.
- One reader said Namaste Gluten Free Flour worked well in this orange rolls recipe, but she did have to add more flour.
- Two readers have written to let me know that Walmart Great Value Gluten Free Flour Blend worked in this recipe.
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, my rule of thumb is to add more flour if your dough or batter is wet and add more liquid if the dough or batter is too dry!
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.
Can’t wait to try these! Thank you thank you! Quick question, Step 3 in your blog post section says to mix the butter, sugar, and orange zest into the dough. But then step 13 says to spread the butter, sugar, and zest across the rolled door. Am I understanding right that if we are going to do the cinnamon-roll like method, we should skip Step 3? Thank you!!
Yes, I wrote directions to make them as bunny rolls or cinnamon roll style.
My daughter recently went gluten free. Orange rolls are a family tradition, so finding a gluten free recipe that worked has been a challenge for us. Your recipe was the closest to the Pillsbury rolls that the rest of us so love. However, the recipe was challenging as a lot of the measurements are not standard, e.g., 1 1/3 eggs. We had to eye the 1/3rd egg part, as well as any of the 1/3 or 2/3 tsp measurements, since our standard measuring spoons didn’t have a 1/3rd designation. Providing the flour in grams was helpful. To make this recipe easier to make it would be really helpful to have all the measurements in grams. Thank you!
Hi Robin, I am glad you enjoyed the recipe. I only have 1/3 once, in the sugar. I am a little confused where you see 1 1/3 eggs. The sugar should be 42 grams.
I followed all the directions. They came out more like a biscuit and not a lot of flavor.
Hi Annalee, what gluten free flour blend did you use? If your rolls didn’t rise (hense more a biscuit) my guess is you may have used a flour blend that doesn’t work with yeast.
I don’t know if you have done this or anyone has mentioned this, but when I cut my rolls I use dental floss. It works great I keep a roll in the drawer for slicing dough. I love reading your recipes. I make my own flour mixture up and being GF and sugar free has helped me.
This is a great tip! I am assuming you use unflavored? Thank you!
You are my “go-to” source for gluten-free cooking. I have a daughter and 2 grandkids who have Celiac and it is so important to cook gluten-free for them when they come to visit. I made an entire Thanksgiving meal this year all gluten-free and most choices I got from your website. The orange rolls were a big hit and very much enjoyed. in addition to great recipes, your recipe tips and extra advice are so helpful and your pictures are beautifully done. Thank you so much!
You absolutely made my day (maybe even my week.) I am so glad that you made a gluten free Thanksgiving meal for your family. Those orange rolls are fun to make and shape, maybe the kids can help you make them next year :-).
Can I use juice from the orange or should it be from concentrate?
I love using fresh orange juice!!
These looked so good so I had to try them! Unfortunately I didn’t read the recipe before I made them so I purchased bobs red mill gf cup to cup flour. I think I ended up using an extra cup or more of this flour(I used the whole bag minus 2 tbsp for rolling). The rolls were okay since I had to keep adding flour I think it made them a little dense/tough, I may try again now that I know how much I need to use. The recipe was a little confusing to make rolls..I followed the first part up until rising then went to the roll instructions. I had already added the butter, zest and sugar to the dough but it said to add more for the filling? I had to keep going back and forth from the first instructions to the roll instructions, just a little confusing so not sure that I made them completely correct but they had good flavor. Thanks!
Hi Sadi, I know my readers love using that Jump to Recipe button to bypass ads, but I put a huge amount of time into writing the recipe, with tips for success in the post above. Bob’s Red Mill 1:1 doesn’t work in yeast recipes, as they state on their website, so your rolls turning out dense makes a lot of sense. I can try to clarify more, but I can’t put an entire post worth of testing/tips/and notes into a recipe card.
I’m getting ready to try this recipe, it sounds delicious! I did have a question before I get started. Is the sugar orange zest filling ingredients you have listed in Notes IN ADDITION TO the Ingredients listed under the Rolls?
So I would add all Rolls ingredients to the dough which include zest, sugar and butter, and then make the filling with additional butter, sugar and zest?
Hi Pam, use the recipe as stated and then the zest/butter/sugar mixture is what is spread on the dough before you roll it. I hope that makes sense.
Has anyone tried this with the King Arthur gf blend? Thx!
Hi Lisa, King Arthur Measure for Measure doesn’t work well in yeast recipes. I believe it says this on the back of the bag.
Sandi you are a genius! I can’t believe I actually made these delicious orange bunnies! My husband, who has celiac disease and is very strict about avoiding gluten, took one bite and said “I love the texture of the bread!” He really misses good bread. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Hopefully there will be some left for the grandkids on Easter!
This is the first GF yeast recipe I’ve been brave enough to try. I used Steve’s GF flour, added the extra water per the instructions, then I had to add extra flour until the dough wasn’t too sticky to work with.
I am so excited your husband loved these rolls. I keep telling everyone that Steve’s GF Bread Blend is life-changing :-). I hope you have a good weekend. Thank you!
I just finished glazing these bunny rolls, I’m going to freeze them for Easter. They are outstanding!! I used Steve’s GF Bread Flour, and followed your recipe as written. The dough was a dream to work with. I made them bigger at 100 grams each, so I got 9 good-sized bunnies… 8 for the freezer and one for taste testing of course. Thank you for all of the work you do developing and testing these recipes, and writing them with such clear, thorough instructions and lots of pictures!! I realize this is an incredible amount of work. I forgot to link to Amazon through your website for the flour so I “bought you coffee” instead.
I am so excited that you loved this recipe. Thank you so much for buying a coffee. That is so kind of you. I really appreciate that.
Could I make this recipe without the orange juice? I would like to make bunny roll for Easter just not orange flavour. Thank you 🙂
I haven’t tested this, but if you do, you will need a little less flour to compensate for the moisture difference.
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.
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.
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.
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!!
Can you make rolls without the egg
Is there an alternative to egg
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.
Steves flour is expensive. what other recipes would this flour good for
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.