If you have longed to try making homemade gluten free bread, I have a really simple recipe you will love! This gluten free bread machine bread is light and fluffy and is the perfect texture for sandwiches. All you need are a few simple ingredients and a bread machine with a gluten free setting.
If you don't have a bread machine, don't worry because I include oven-baking instructions too!
Jump to:
- Why This Bread Machine Bread Is The Best:
- Ingredient Notes:
- Breadmaker Notes:
- Recipe Step-By-Step Directions:
- Best Gluten Free Flour For The Bread Machine
- Oven Baking Directions:
- Variations:
- Tips and Recipe FAQ:
- What bread machines are best for gluten free bread?
- More Gluten Free Bread Recipes:
- 📖 Recipe
- 💬 Comments
I am really proud of this gluten free bread machine recipe. I have blogged for a long time and have never posted a gluten-free bread machine recipe until today. This new recipe is special! Baking gluten free sorghum bread has never been easier than this recipe.
This is the best gluten free bread machine bread you will try! It is soft, and it sort of tastes like Wonder Bread. Do you remember Wonder Bread from way back before going gluten free? That bread was my favorite growing up. I didn't know gluten was like poison to my body at that point in my life.
While you are visiting, you may want to check out all of my delicious gluten free bread recipes!
Made this recipe in my bread maker using Just egg substitute and it came out AMAZING!! Thank you so much for making a gluten free bread that finally tastes delicious and holds up when using it to make sandwiches. We will continue to make this bread and refer it to others searching for a great gluten free tasting bread. You're the best!"
Mia K, Raving Fan
Why This Bread Machine Bread Is The Best:
- I love this new bread recipe because it boils down to control. I can control the ingredients that go into this recipe with sorghum flour, and I realize that baking gluten free bread isn't that hard.
- It is gluten free, dairy-free, soy-free, and corn-free! You can also use Just Egg to make it egg-free.
- My secret to making the gluten free bread flour mix is to use more starch than I usually use. It keeps the bread fluffy and light. If you have been looking for that perfect sandwich bread, this is it!
- You can make it in the oven if you do not own a bread machine!
- Use this bread to make my popular Gluten Free Pumpkin French Toast Casserole recipe!
If you love sourdough, my loaf-style gluten free sourdough bread is really good too! If you want something sweeter, this gluten free lemon poppy seed bread is delicious.
Ingredient Notes:
- Gluten free flour blend - as I mention in more detail below. I tested a few gluten free blends in my bread machine. For this recipe, I highly advise using my custom gluten free bread flour blend. You will need sorghum flour, brown rice flour, tapioca, and potato starch. See the FAQ to see what modifications you need if using Cup4Cup! Note my DIY Gluten Free All Purpose Flour Blend works very well in this recipe. It is gum-free.
- Flaxseed meal - I recommend using a ground flaxseed meal. Do not use whole seeds. You can read more about how to make sure flaxseed is gluten free.
- Apple cider vinegar - this gives a little flavor and helps the bread poof up.
- Baking powder - I use this to help give more rise.
- Salt - usually, I don't have anything special to say about salt. Many trying to lower sodium will want to use less, but I wouldn't lessen the salt in this recipe. It helps the flavor and browning of this bread.
- Yeast - ALWAYS double-check the label to ensure your yeast brand is gluten free. Note Red Star Platinum Yeast is NOT gluten free!
This is the gluten free bread machine that I use. I had a really old Breadman machine, but after 10 years it died, and I found this Hamilton Beach machine. It works really well. I do wish it had a longer bake cycle to get the top of the bread slightly darker, but otherwise it works perfectly.
Breadmaker Notes:
Before I go into the recipe steps, I want to discuss breadmakers. This recipe depends on the bread machine you use and the cycle type you run. The gluten free time/cycle settings differ on EVERY machine and model number. I am not sure why this is, but I am noticing it. Here are things I noticed and some ideas:
- If you are at a high altitude, your yeast may be much more explosive than at typical altitudes. I do not live at a high altitude, and I do not know what to do about this except to use less yeast and bake this bread in the oven.
- Some breadmakers do not have a gluten free cycle, or the cycle isn't long enough. If this is the case, use the "Home Made" custom cycle, programming in about: 20 minutes Mix, 45 minutes Rise, 90 minutes Bake.
- Often, the gluten free setting does not bake the bread long enough. If this happens, you can run a short "bake-only" cycle to brown the bread more.
Also, please read my post on Gluten Free Bread Troubleshooting for more tips and my top recommendations for the Best Gluten Free Bread Making Tools.
Recipe Step-By-Step Directions:
Step 1: Add the dry ingredients and whisk to blend in a large bowl.
Step 2: Add your wet ingredients and blend in a smaller bowl.
TIP: Many bread recipe directions say you can dump all ingredients in the bread maker. Do not do this! When mixing as many ingredients as are needed for gluten-free bread, you risk the ingredients not getting mixed thoroughly, which can affect how the bread turns out!
I now realize I'd forgotten the taste and texture of really good bread. Thank you for returning that pleasure to me."
Lou J.
Best Gluten Free Flour For The Bread Machine
There are so many good gluten-free flour blends, and I tried a few while developing my recipe. Most didn't perform the way I wanted, I decided to create my own blend. I chose sorghum flour, brown rice flour, tapioca starch, potato starch, and ground flaxseed meal.
This combination of gluten free flours yielded the best results by far. This bread is a good gluten free sandwich bread. It holds up to peanut butter and jelly and a full lunchbox without breaking! The flavor and mouthfeel of the bread are light and fluffy.
NOTE: After two people reached out, I want to re-emphasize this recipe works with my custom flour blend or Cup4Cup, with a few modifications. See the FAQ for the modifications. Bob's 1 to 1 and King Arthur Measure for Measure are not as good for yeast recipes.
Step 3: Open your bread machine and make sure the paddle is on the spinner. Pour in your mixed wet ingredients.
Step 4: Pour the whisked dry ingredients on top of the wet ingredients.
Step 5: Dump the yeast on top of the dry ingredients. Close the cover and press the button. My bread machine has a gluten free setting. If your bread machine has this setting, use it. After 5 minutes, take a soft rubber spatula and press the flour down from the sides. This tip will help prevent unmixed flour pockets on the side of your bread.
Step 6: This is what the batter looks like after the bread machine mixes the bread dough. You will see how wet this batter is compared to normal bread dough. This is what you want.
When the mixing has stopped, you can try to remove the paddle with the long tongs I linked below, or you can remove it when the bread is baked.
Step 7: Remove the bread from the bread machine when it is done. I gently slide my bread out of the pan and place it on a cooling rack. This helps prevent your bread from cooking longer in the hot pan.
The only downside to using a bread machine is the little paddle comes off into your bread. The bread stays hot for some time, so I highly recommend you use tweezers or these pointed tongs to remove the paddle. It is easier to remove when the bread is hot.
Oven Baking Directions:
- Proof your yeast in ½ cup of warm water and 1 tablespoon of sugar. Make sure the water temperature is no hotter than 120º F. Let this sit 5 minutes until your yeast is frothy.
- Follow the directions to mix your wet and dry ingredients.
- Add the frothy yeast mixture to the wet ingredients. Mix, then pour into the dry ingredients.
- Preheat the oven to 200º F, then turn off the oven.
- Mix your batter, pour it into a greased loaf pan, cover it with plastic wrap, and allow it to rise in the warm oven for one hour.
- Preheat the oven to 350º F.
- Bake your bread for 35-40 minutes until the top of the loaf is golden.
- Test to see if it is done baking by sticking a long toothpick into the middle. If the toothpick comes out clean, the bread is done baking. If you see batter or crumbs, the bread must be baked a little longer.
- Remove the bread from the oven and place it on a rack to allow cooling. Do not slice the bread when it is hot.
Variations:
Feel free to vary the flavors you add to this gluten free bread machine bread. Here are some fun ways to do this:
- Add dried herbs and seasonings.
- When the mixing cycle has stopped, swirl in a combination of sugar and cinnamon.
- Add roasted garlic, butter, and shredded parmesan.
Tips and Recipe FAQ:
Most yeast is gluten free EXCEPT Red Star Platinum. As always, definitely check the ingredients label for any yeast you buy.
For a long time, I didn't think a bread machine could make great bread, but this recipe has completely changed my mind.
Always put your wet ingredients into the bread machine first. It helps prevent flour pockets at the bottom of your bread loaf.
If you are using a bread machine, the baking time is automatic. To test for doneness, insert a toothpick into the center of the bread. If the toothpick comes out clean, it is done baking. If you see batter or crumbs, the bread needs to be baked longer.
If your bread didn't fully cook and you did cook it on the gluten free setting, it may be the machine brand. You should be able to lengthen the bake time. See above section titled Bread Machine Notes.
I have not tested an egg replacer in this recipe, but I suspect the Just Egg bottled vegan liquid egg replacer would work very well in this recipe if you want your gluten free bread also to be egg-free.
If you can't have potato starch, use arrowroot starch to replace the potato starch.
This loaf makes a 1.5-pound loaf.
To make this recipe with Cup4Cup, omit these separate flours/ingredients listed, the flaxseed, vinegar, and xanthan gum. Use 3 cups of Cup4Cup. Note I tested the original Cup4Cup and not their whole-grain blend in this recipe.
What bread machines are best for gluten free bread?
There are several great brands of gluten free bread machines that have a gluten free setting. My friend, Jane, who wrote The Gluten Free Bread Machine Cookbook, likes to recommend the Cuisinart CBK-200 machine. I have an old Breadman Pro, but I do not think they even make it any longer. Many in my gluten free FB group like this Hamilton Beach model.
More Gluten Free Bread Recipes:
- Gluten Free Bagels
- Gluten Free Crescent Rolls
- Easy Gluten Free Dinner Rolls
- Gluten Free Zucchini Bread
- The Best Gluten Free Breadsticks
- Gluten Free Naan
📖 Recipe
The Best Gluten Free Bread Machine Bread Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup sorghum flour 156.09 grams
- ½ cup brown rice flour 88.1 grams
- 1 cup tapioca starch 143.4 grams
- ½ cup potato starch 93.4 grams
- 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed meal
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon xanthan gum
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder aluminum free
- 2 eggs size large
- ¼ cup light oil * see note
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- 2 teaspoons yeast
- 1 ½ cups water * SEE NOTE
Instructions
- In a large bowl, add the dry ingredients and whisk to blend. In a smaller bowl, add your wet ingredients and blend.
- Open your bread machine and make sure the paddle is on the spinner. Pour in your mixed wet ingredients.
- Pour the whisked dry ingredients on top of the wet ingredients.
- Dump the yeast on top of the dry ingredients. Close the cover and press the button. My bread machine has a gluten free setting.
- If your bread machine has this setting, use it. After 5 minutes, take a soft rubber spatula and press the flour down from the sides. This tip will help prevent unmixed flour pockets on the side of your bread.
- Remove the bread from the bread machine when it is done. I gently slide my bread out of the pan and place it on a cooling rack. This helps prevent your bread from cooking longer in the hot pan.
- The only downside to using a bread machine is the little paddle comes off into your bread. The bread stays hot for some time so I highly recommend you using tweezers or these pointed tongs to remove the paddle. It is easier to remove when the bread is hot.
Notes
- Many bread recipe directions will say you can dump all of the ingredients in the bread maker. Do not do this! When you are mixing as many ingredients as is needed for gluten free bread, you risk the ingredients not getting mixed thoroughly, and that can affect how the bread turns out!
- Most yeast is gluten free EXCEPT Red Star Platinum. As always, definitely check the ingredients label for any yeast you buy.
- Light oils include avocado and canola oil. You can use other oils, but they may impart a flavor to the bread, which can be good or bad.
- To use Cup4Cup, add 3 cups Cup4Cup instead of the individual flour. Omit the xanthan gum, vinegar, and flaxseed.
- WATER - For some reason, some have had the middle cave, indicating there is too much water. Others don't experience this. I am assuming it is the bread maker. If you notice the bread sinks in the middle, use 1 ¼ cups of water.
Oven Baking Instructions:
- Proof your yeast in ½ cup of warm water and 1 tablespoon of sugar. Make sure the water temperature is no hotter than 120º F. Let this sit 5 minutes until your yeast is frothy.
- Follow the directions to mix your wet and dry ingredients.
- Add the frothy yeast mixture to the wet ingredients. Mix then pour into the dry ingredients.
- Mix your batter, pour it into a greased loaf pan, cover with plastic wrap, and allow it to rise one hour.
- Preheat the oven to 350º F.
- Bake your bread for 35-40 minutes until the top of the loaf is golden.
- Test to see if it is done baking by sticking a long toothpick into the middle. If the toothpick comes out clean, the bread is done baking. If you see batter or crumbs, the bread needs to bake a little longer.
- Remove the bread from the oven and place it on a rack to allow cooling. Do not slice the bread when it is hot.
Breadmaker Issues:
Before I go into the recipe steps, I want to discuss breadmakers. This recipe depends on the bread machine you use and the cycle type you run. The gluten free time/cycle settings differ on EVERY machine and model number. I am not sure why this is, but I am noticing it. Here are things I noticed and some ideas:- If you are at a high altitude, your yeast may be much more explosive than at typical altitudes. I do not live at a high altitude and do not know what to do about this except to use less yeast and bake this bread in the oven.
- Some breadmakers do not have a gluten free cycle, or the programmed gluten free cycle isn't long enough. If this is the case, use the "Home Made" custom cycle, programming in about: 20 minutes Mix, 45 minutes Rise, 90 minutes Bake.
- Often, the gluten free setting does not bake the bread long enough. If this happens, you can run a short "bake-only" cycle to brown the top of the bread more.
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.
If you love the recipes you find on my blog, I would love for you to sign up for my newsletter (and get my free gluten free lemon dessert e-cookbook!)
Suzy Chaillou
I’m not an avid baker but I’m not new either. I’ve been making GF bread for some time and tried to experiment myself. This is the best bread recipe I’ve made. I love the texture and flavor! However I’m having a hard time cutting the bread. It seems to fall apart easily. Maybe the bread is still too warm when I’m cutting it? How long do you let it sit out on a wire rack before you cut it? Previous breads I could cut after or cooling for only a few minutes.
Sandi Gaertner
Hi Suzy, I am so glad you loved this bread. The bread does need to be fully cooled (like at least an hour on a wire rack to cool) before cutting it. As regular and gluten free bread cools, the process of starch retro-gradation is completed and the water molecules move outward, toward the crust. If you cut into a hot loaf, the crumb is still too soft and wet. The bread won't slice neatly, it will tend to be gummy and stick to your knife.
Shauneen Carlin
Can I use honey or maple syrup in place of sugar? We try hard to be refined sugar free.
Sandi Gaertner
Hi Shauneen, I haven't tested either, but I have used them in other recipes. If you try it, please do come back and let me know how it worked.
RVelez
I just tried this recipe and it was delicious. Also avoiding regular added sugar and I used coconut sugar instead of white refined sugar. We couldn’t taste any coconut flavor. The top sunk a bit but i’ll try little less water next time as in the tips I’ve read.
Sandi Gaertner
I love that you tried coconut sugar. I will try this next time. Thank you.
Angelina Steiner
Just took this out of my bread machine and it was the best bread I’ve made! Thank you, Sandi for another great recipe!! I used the full 1 1/2 cups of water and actually added another 2 Tablespoons. I just watched the dough after it was blended and it looked a little dry
Sandi Gaertner
I am so glad you loved the bread, Angelina. Thank you!
Lisa
Have you tried Steve's GF blend with this recipe? Does it work the same as your blend?
Sandi Gaertner
Hi Lisa, Steve's blend doesn't work in the bread machine. It also needs less flour than other blends. If you try this, use 1/3 cup less flour and bake it in the oven.
Tayler
If I cannot have yeast what can I use? And, can this be done if you do not have a bread machine?
Sandi Gaertner
Hi Tayler, You can easily bake this bread in the oven. There are directions to do this in the post. As for yeast, I have never made this recipe without yeast, so I do not have any suggestions. I don't want to recommend something and have it fail.
Katie S
Hello! In regards to yeast should I be using traditional dry yeast or the fast active one?
I also noticed the cook time was about an hour and a half but my bread machine is saying it will take 3 and a half hours! Is that normal?
Thanks!
Sandi Gaertner
Hi Katie, I used active dry yeast. The cook time is going to vary widely by breadmaker brand, setting, etc. Go with what your bread maker says...but that does sound really long. Is that a gluten free cycle?
Katie Newman
Yeah it was on the gluten free cycle on the Hamilton beach bread machine! I was very surprised at the amount of time it’s taking! It’s still going haha
Thanks so much for replying!
Leyla Dwelle
My bread maker also takes 3 1/2 hours for this recipe
Mrs Bailey
New to cooking gluten free & curious if I omit the tapioca & potato starch along with the when using the Cup4Cup flour or are those still necessary? Thanks!
Sandi Gaertner
Hi Jaime, if you are using Cup4Cup, omit all of the gluten free flour and starches listed. This is listed in the FAQ section in more detail.
Anna
Hi there, I have an egg allergy, do you have any suggestions for how to effectively substitute it, I really wanna make a gf bread machine bread 🙂
Thank you!
Anna
Sandi Gaertner
Hi Anna, I haven't tested any egg replacer in this recipe. I am hesitant to make a suggestion because I can't guarantee it would work.