Easy Gluten Free Cornmeal Scones {Dairy-Free Option!}

Name: Gluten Free Cornmeal Scones
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Ingredients: 1 cup delicata squash (diced); 1 1/4 cup gluten free cornmeal (* see note); 3/4 cup gluten free flour blend (* see note); 1/2 teaspoon salt; 2 teaspoons baking powder (aluminum-free); 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (* see note); 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1/2 cup milk; 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

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These gluten free cornmeal scones are a delicious savory scone recipe. Dip these homemade scones into stews or soups. They are perfect for fall. Add roasted squash for even more sweetness and flavor!

Three cornmeal scones stacked on the counter.

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What is delicata squash?
Why This Recipe Is Great:
Allergen Information:
Ingredient Notes:
Tips For Sucess:
How To Make Cornmeal Scones:
How to cook delicata squash:
Serve Cornmeal Scones With:
Recipe FAQ:
Storage:
More Gluten Free Scones Recipes:
📖 Recipe
Fearless Dining
💬 Comments

I found a beautiful delicata squash at my local farmer's market yesterday, and I am so excited to try it in my new scones recipe. Delicata squash is a sweet, delicious winter squash that is delicious to use in baking! I used this squash in my popular Delicata Squash Brownies recipe, too!!

If you are a scones fanatic like us, you will want to sink your teeth into all of my tasty gluten free scones recipes!

What is delicata squash?

Delicata squash is just starting to hit the markets. It is a long yellow, oval-shaped winter squash with beautiful dark green stripes and orange flesh. They are the yellow squash in the photo above :-).

Delicata squash has such a mild, sweet flavor, and I suspected this vegetable would be incredible in a savory gluten free scone.

If you have been following my blog for a while, you know I love to hide vegetables in my baking. Up until recently, my kids have been none the wiser to this. As they get older, they seem to have special vegetable detection powers...much to my dismay.

From sweet to savory, I have a lot of delicious gluten free winter squash recipes to try.

Why This Recipe Is Great:

Cornmeal adds some fun flavor that combines with the delicata squash's sweetness. It is a winning combination.
These scones are simple to make, and they taste so good dipped in pasta sauce, stews, and soups.
My family has come to love these scones as part of our Thanksgiving meal, but you can enjoy them all year long!

If you make scones often, or if you are new to scones, using the right flour blend can make a big difference. My guide to what gluten free flour works in what type of recipes has a good breakdown of this information to help.

Allergen Information:

This recipe is gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, and nut-free. To make this recipe gum-free, use my DIY Gluten Free Flour Blend, which uses psyllium husk as a binder.

Top Pick

Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free Cornmeal, 24-ounce (Pack of 4)

I primarily use this cornmeal because it is certified gluten free, so there is no risk of cross-contamination.

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Ingredient Notes:

Cornmeal - I recommend using a certified gluten free cornmeal like Bob's Red Mill. Cornmeal is naturally gluten-free but can often get cross-contaminated during manufacturing.
Gluten Free Flour Blend - I tested this recipe with King Arthur Measure for Measure and Authentic Foods Multiblend Flour Blend. Other flour blends should work, but you may need to tweak the wet and/or dry ingredients.
Xanthan Gum - If your flour blend doesn't have a binder like xanthan or guar gum, you will need to add one teaspoon.
Baking Powder - I recommend using aluminum-free baking powder
Salt
Butter - Use unsalted butter. If you use salted butter, omit the additional salt.
Milk - I used whole milk. I haven't tested this recipe with dairy-free milk.
Parmesan Cheese - This adds a ton of great flavor.

Sliced Delicata Squash on a cutting board.

Tips For Sucess:

Be sure your butter is very cold.
Cool the squash before adding it to the scone dough.
Use aluminum-free baking powder to avoid any bitter aftertaste.

How To Make Cornmeal Scones:

Cubbed delicata squash roasting in a skillet.

How to cook delicata squash:

Step 1: The first step to making this recipe is to cook the squash so it is soft and caramelizes.

Roast delicata squash with some olive oil in the oven.
Sauté delicata squash in a pan with olive oil.
If you are in a hurry, you can also cook delicata squash in a microwave by cutting the squash in half. Remove the seeds and place face down on a microwave-safe dish. Add a little water and microwave for 5-8 minutes.
Allow the squash to cool before adding it to the scone dough. If you add it while it is hot, the heat will melt the butter. You need the butter to be very cold, so it creates those yummy flaky layers.

Delicata squash cooks very easily in just a little bit of olive oil. Once they are tender, they can be used in lots of different recipes.

Cornmeal scones dough in a metal mixing bowl.

Step 2: Add all of the dry ingredients to a large mixing bowl and whisk to blend.

Step 3: Take your cold butter and use a pastry blender to cut the cold butter into the dry ingredients. The final mixture will look like it has a lot of crumbs.

Step 4: In a separate bowl, add the wet ingredients and mix. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and add the cooled roasted delicata squash. Mix well into this gluten free scone dough.

A round disc of shaped scone dough ready to score and bake.

Step 4: Put a piece of parchment paper onto a baking sheet and press the dough into a round shape about 1 ½ inches tall. Score your dough by cutting the raw dough ¼ deep into wedges.

🔑 Sandi says: You can also use a biscuit cutter to cut out round scones, use a cast iron scone pan, or make drop biscuit-shaped scones!

Step 5: Bake the gluten free cornmeal scones at 350º F for 25-30 minutes until done. It will look slightly golden on top.

Step 6: Remove and finish the wedge cuts. Cool on a cooling rack. It is so easy!

Serve Cornmeal Scones With:

This savory Gluten Free Chicken Stew.
Ground Pork Chili is delicious for dipping!
Garden Vegetable Shakshuka is another great meal to serve with savory scones.
My easy Gluten Free Chili Mac Soup is another great recipe to serve with these roasted squash scones.

Recipe FAQ:

Can you make these scones dairy-free?

You can make this scone recipe dairy-free by using dairy-free butter.

Are corn flour and cornmeal the same thing?

Although both corn flour and cornmeal are 100% from corn, cornmeal is a much more coarse grind. Corn flour is a lot like regular flour in consistency and texture.

Can you roast winter squash in the oven?

You can definitely cook the delicata squash in the oven. Roast it at 350º F for 30 minutes if sliced, 45 minutes if you just cut the squash in half lengthwise to roast.

Can you use another winter squash?

You can use any winter squash in this recipe, but I do not recommend spaghetti squash.

Storage:

Store these scones in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the refrigerator. These scones freeze really well. Place them into a zipper-style freezer bag and freeze. Be sure they are not stacked on top of each other.