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How To Make Gluten Free Pastry

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Gluten free pastries. You read that right! If you love flaky pastry, you will want to dive right into this gluten free pastry recipe. You can fill the gluten free pastries with jam, pastry cream, Nutella, or any filling you like.

Learning how to eat gluten free has never been so delicious!

Flaky Gluten Free pastry filled with jam on a plate with a fork next to the plate

Those three words just don’t seem to go together at all.

Flaky.

Pastries.

Gluten free.

I don’t even know what initially inspired me to attempt to convert one of Martha Stewart’s pastry recipes to a gluten free pastry recipe. Scanning though her baking handbook and I just saw this flaky Danish dough recipe.

Totally silly of me, but I stared….drooled…and grew more and more determined to make this pastry recipe work with gluten free flour. Making gluten free pastries is easy and the results are mouth-watering. These pastries are great for dessert, or any time of day!

(* It is obvious I drool a lot. Here are two more delicious gluten free recipes to make your mouth water: Fool Proof Gluten Free Apple Cake and Gluten Free French Apple Cakes.)

It is a lot easier to make gluten free pastries than I thought.

These Gluten Free Flaky Pastries on a plate with a spoonful of jam

(Couldn’t resist taking a big bite :-). These delicious pastries will not last long.

My gluten free flaky pastry recipe is totally worth trying!

homemade Gluten Free Pastries on dessert plates

A note about making homemade gluten free pastries:

This is not a recipe for those in a hurry. Making this pastry dough has a lot of steps to get the flakiness into the dough.

There are a lot of photographs of each step so you can see in detail how to make this recipe. I hope you can give this a try in your own kitchen.

***Trust me it is worth it…and if you LOVE this gluten free pastry recipe, just wait until you try my Gluten Free Cheese Danish recipe!!***

What is the best gluten free flour to make gluten free pastry dough?

For this recipe, I used a light gluten free flour blend by Authentic Foods called Bette’s Gourmet Rice Featherlite flour. I have also made this recipe with Bob’s Red Mill 1 to 1 Gluten Free Flour Blend.

If you decide to use a different gluten free flour blend, make sure it has NO bean flours. Bean flour will negatively impact the taste and consistency of this gluten free pastry dough.”

You will also want to make sure your gluten free flour blend contains Xanthan Gum. If yours doesn’t have Xanthan Gum, please add 1 teaspoon to your mix.

Can you make this gluten free pastry recipe dairy free?

Unfortunately, the secret to the flaky pastry is butter so I do not know a way to make this recipe dairy free.

How do you make gluten free flaky pastry?

Are you ready to see how to make this gluten free flaky pastry dough step by step?

frothy yeast in a measuring cup

First, you will want to proof your yeast in warm (NOT HOT) water.

wet and dry ingredients in a bowl to make a gluten free pastry dough recipe

Add the frothy yeast mixture to the other wet ingredients and mix well.  Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Mix until your mixture forms a dough. Set aside to rise.

Gluten Free Dough Rising Tips

It is really hard to get gluten free dough to rise. I am not sure why but it can be hit or miss. Here are a few tips to help make the process a little easier:

  • Allow the dough to rise overnight in a cool spot. Slower rising in cool temperatures can make your dough stronger and rise better.
  • For this recipe, I have the yeast ferment in warm milk instead of water. The sugars in the milk feed the yeast as they start to grow and ferment. Make sure the temperature is no higher than 110F degrees.

Reasons why your gluten free dough didn’t rise:

  • Was your liquid too hot?
  • Did you include a sugar (milk or sugar) to feed the yeast as they fermented?
  • Did you let the dough rise long enough?
  • Did you roll in a lot of butter layers?
  • Did you use a light flour blend with Xanthan gum? (Some gluten free flour blends have almond flour and bean flours in them and this could affect the lightness of the dough…and flavor!)

Shopping List for Making Gluten Free Pastries:

  • Gluten free flour blend (see notes)
  • Yeast
  • Sugar
  • Eggs
  • Butter
  • Milk
  • Cardamom, salt
  • Fillings

Is this gluten free pastry dough the same as puff pastry?

Unfortunately, this is not the same as puff pastry. There is a brand of gluten free puff pastry I have seen by Schar, but I haven’t tried it yet. If you have tried it, please comment below so we know if it is worth trying!

pastry dough on waxed paper

How to get those flaky layers of pastry!

After lots of rising, place the dough on wax paper or a mat. Roll the dough flat to about 1/4 inch thickness.

butter chunks on top of homemade pastry dough

Add butter chunks to half the dough. You don’t want your butter chunks too big. Mine are about 1-inch and thinly cut.

folding butter into pastry dough

Fold the dough up over the butter. They key is to cover the butter up and nestle the dough all around it.

rolling the dough again

Roll it to 1/4 inch thickness again. (If you look closely, you can see the butter inside.) We are going to repeat this process a lot. Each layer breaks up the butter into thin bits mixed into the dough. Think of the thin areas of butter creating those flaky layers.

add more butter folding the dough over the butter chunks

Add more butter. You will then fold the dough over the butter again. Repeat this process of rolling, adding butter, and folding, for a total of 3-4 more times. This process is lengthy and takes time but it is what gives the pastry its flaky layers. I promise it is worth it!

Then it goes back into the refrigerator to rise again.

Adding jam to the gluten free pastry dough to make gluten free pastries

Cut the dough into the shape you want and add filling. This one has cream cheese and apricot preserves.

What to fill your gluten free pastry with:

  • Jams (I like jam better than jelly because jam has fruit pieces in it.)
  • Nutella
  • Chocolate chunks
  • Cream cheese

brushing egg wash onto pastry dough

Roll or fold and then brush egg wash over the dough.

cooling homemade pastries on a rack

Allow cooling after baking.

Sprinkling powdered sugar onto Flaky Gluten Free Pastries

Optional….dust the gluten free pastries with powdered sugar.

(*This post was updated from the 2/23/15 post date.)

More Delicious Gluten Free Dessert Recipes To Try:

(*Please note this post has affiliate links. Ordering through my site will not change the price you pay. A tiny commission will come to Fearless Dining to help offset the cost of running this blog. I truly appreciate the support!)

Tools You Need To Make This Gluten Free Pastry Recipe:

  1. Cookie sheet. This will help you because you can lay the pastries out on this easily to bake.
  2. Rolling pin. You want the dough to be consistently flat and this rolling pin is really easy to control when rolling. Even better it is dishwasher safe.
  3. Authentic Foods Bette’s Featherlite Flour Blend. This is super light and is helpful so you get those flaky layers.

recipe love

How to Make Gluten Free Pastries:

Flaky Gluten Free Pastries

Flaky Gluten Free Pastries

Yield: 10 pastries
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes

If you love flaky French pastry, you will want to dive right into this gluten free pastries recipe. You can fill gluten free pastry dough with jam, pastry cream, Nutella, or any filling you like.

Ingredients

  • 2 1/4 cup gluten free flour blend, I used Bette's Gourmet Rice Featherlight Blend.
  • 1 teaspoon xanthan gum
  • 1 teaspoon dry yeast
  • 1/2 cup warm milk
  • 2 tablespoons butter, melted
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
  • 1 stick butter, cold
  • Filling, (chocolate, jam, fruit, etc are all fun options.)
  • 2 eggs, plus one egg for wash

Instructions

  1. In a small bowl, add yeast and the 1/2 cup warm milk. Make sure your milk isn't too hot or it can kill the yeast.
  2. Allow yeast to get foamy. I would say about 3-5 minutes.
  3. In a large bowl add dry ingredients.
  4. Add melted butter, eggs, and frothy yeast mixture to dry ingredients. Use a pastry blender to blend dough. (Add a little milk if dough looks dry.)
  5. Cover bowl and allow to rise for 1 hour.
  6. Remove dough and put onto a floured work surface.
  7. Roll dough into a rectangle that is 1/4 inch thick.
  8. Put small chunks of cold butter over half of the dough.
  9. Fold the dough over the butter.
  10. Roll again to 1/4 inch thickness and add butter.
  11. Repeat this process so you add butter and roll three times. This is how you get the flaky layers!
  12. After the last turn, wrap dough in plastic wrap and put in the refrigerator for 1 hour.
  13. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  14. Remove dough and roll to 1/4 inch thickness.
  15. Cut dough into shape you want your pastries to be.
  16. Add filling like jam, Nutella, chocolate chips, etc.
  17. Brush beaten egg mixture over the top of the pastry.
  18. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until done.
  19. Remove from the oven and allow to cool.

Recommended Products

There are affiliate links in my posts. This doesn't change the cost you pay for an item, it just means a tiny commission comes to Fearless Dining to help offset the costs of running this blog.

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 10 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 290 Total Fat: 14g Saturated Fat: 8g Trans Fat: 0g Unsaturated Fat: 5g Cholesterol: 87mg Sodium: 146mg Carbohydrates: 36g Fiber: 1g Sugar: 8g Protein: 6g
Please note this nutrition information is calculated by a recipe plugin and is an estimate based on the ingredients used in this recipe.
© Sandi Gaertner
Cuisine: French / Category: Breakfast

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I would be grateful if you shared this post :-)

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sandra Shaffer

    Gluten-free baking is one method that I need more practice and you’ve given me the confidence I need with all your tips. Gathering my ingredients…wish me luck!

    Reply

  3. Judy

    Just found this recipe. I found Gee Free Puff Pastry in the Freezer at our local Schnucks Grocery Store and it s pretty good. At least my gluten free family snarfed it down happily. I cut it in small squares and added blueberry filling, then folded and sealed opposing corners.

    Reply

  4. Debra C.

    I love how clear your directions are and the step-by-step photographs make it look easy! Drool-worthy? Oh yes! I understand why you’re drooling! Looks just amazing, what a treat!!

    Reply

  5. Lorraine Kuras

    These sound amazing! Two questions. Which yeast do you use and can I use Earth Balance Buttery Sticks in place of regular butter as I am dairy free.

    Reply

    • Sandi Gaertner

      Hi Lorraine, I haven’t tried Earth Balance in this recipe. If you try this, will you please let us all know how it turns out? I am sure it would benefit other readers as well. Thank you 🙂

      Reply

  6. Lynn

    Hello. Can’t wait to try this recipe. A couple questions. What brand GF flour did you use? And did you add xanthum gum even if the GF flour had it?

    Reply

    • Sandi Gaertner

      Hi Lynn,

      I used Authentic Foods Bette’s Featherlite gluten free flour. This blend doesn’t contain xanthan gum so I did add some. Take care. Sandi

      Reply

  7. Susie McQueen

    Can’t wait to try this recipe. I’m baking for my teenage grandson who is struggling with his new diet. I made your French Apple Cake and it was delicious! Thank you.

    Reply

    • Sandi Gaertner

      Hi Susie,
      I am so glad he liked these. My kids are teens too and I know how hard it can be. Everything on my blog, with the exception of a few spicy dinner recipes, is “teen” approved so please encourage him to come and explore the recipes. He is old enough that he can make any of these himself 🙂

      Reply

  8. Michele

    You are making it very east for me to accommodate all of my friends who are going gluten free! Another delicious recipe for me to make for them!

    Reply

  10. nicole @ I am a Honey Bee

    this would be great to bring to a party so account for people with food allergies. And I bed the ‘regular’ people wouldn’t even know it was G-Free!

    Reply

    • Sandi Gaertner

      Hi Phyllis, I don’t see why not, but I haven’t tried it. My family ate these way to quickly to try freezing. If you do freeze some, please come back and let us know how it worked. Your feedback can help a lot of other readers 🙂

      Reply

  15. Judy McClelland

    Want to try these but have a question. You let the dough rise to start with and then again after it has been rolled with butter three times. That time you put it in the frig. You said to return it to the frig. Does it go in the frig the first time after it is mixed? I would have left it out for the heat of the room to let it rise. So help me please. In the frig or out of it. You just say let it rise but later it sounds like it had been in the frig the first time. Thank you so much.

    Reply

    • Sandi Gaertner

      Hi Judy, I know there are a lot of steps and it can be confusing. I let the dough rise in the refrigerator before the initial rolling. I suspect letting the dough rise out of the refrigerator might be better with gluten free dough as my dough didn’t get as big as I had hoped. Then I put it into the refrigerator again after the rolling three times. The butter needs to stay cold for when it goes into the oven to get it to flake up. (I hope this makes sense.)

      Reply

  16. Cassidy @ Cassidy's Craveable Creations

    These look amazing! I’m featuring this recipe at Gluten Free Wednesdays this week 🙂

    XO,
    Cassidy

    Reply

  17. Beth

    I can’t wait to try these out! I have been wanting some sort of flakey pastries for over 3 years now. =) Thanks so much for sharing this! I’m going to try some kind of chocolate filling, any advice?

    Reply

  19. Debi @ Life Currents

    I’m really impressed that you were able to get flakey GF pastries. I saw you post about these on Facebook, but haven’t gotten the time to stop by and say how impressive these look until now. I definitely want to try to make these. These cream cheese pastries were always my favorite at the bakery, and to make them at home would be fabulous. Maybe for Mother’s day! Thanks for the recipe. I’ve yummed it for later.

    Reply

    • Sandi Gaertner

      I love these with the cream cheese as well. I am really sad I didn’t get a photo of those…my family swooped in and ate them before I got the chance.

      Reply

  20. Brandy M

    I have a friend that can’t eat gluten at all she is aways on the look out for recipes that she can enjoy with her sweet tooth! I will share this recipe with her.

    Reply

  22. Gretchen @ Two Healthy Kitchens

    These.are.stunning!!! Absolutely gorgeous!! I can tell from the pic just how wonderfully flakey they are! And I’m totally drooling over the cream cheese and apricot filling … guess I’ll be making a batch of pastries today! Mmmmmm …..

    Reply

  25. Angela

    Wow Sandi, these look absolutely perfect!!! You certainly worked hard and really got this to turn out great as a gluten free recipe! Beautiful job!

    Reply

  26. Nicole Neverman

    This pastry has turned out really wonderful! Good on you for taking on such a big challenge! It’s really paid off 🙂

    Reply

  27. Laura O|PetiteAllergyTreats

    Wow Sandi! Gluten Free pastries scare me… you’ve done an incredible job with this! Seriously. Awesome!! Pinned. 🙂

    Reply

  31. Jamie @ Coffee With Us 3

    I definitely wouldn’t have thought you could make such a delicious looking GF pastry! Sharing this with our followers since we know they’ll love it too!

    Reply

  32. Sandra - The Foodie Affair

    Love that you can fill these with whatever you have on hand. I’m a chocolate lover, so I would definitely add the chocolate chips!

    Reply

    • Suzanne M Morss

      Why not order it online? I tried a vegan option last night and it turned out OK. I think the vegan butter was ok, but I wasn’t sure how “frothy” the yeast/milk should be, and I think I rushed it. How long does it usually take? I just started through the recipe, and assumed that because there were no timing instructions, it was something that should take a few minutes. Novice pastry maker here 🙂

      Reply

      • Sandi Gaertner

        Hi Suzanne, thank you so much for writing. I should clarify a bit. I wrote that post a long time ago when I first started blogging. You do want your yeast frothy before mixing it in. It should be fine as this pastry isn’t the “puffy” type. I will clarify the directions too. Thank you.

        Reply

  37. Debra @ Bowl Me Over

    Those words look like they go together pretty good to me! Your sweet treats look amazing. I can’t wait to try them!

    Reply

  40. Audrey @ Unconventional Baker

    Flakey pastry is totally on my hit list — figuring out a gf, eggless, and df version is quite challenging. Even just a good gluten-free version is a feat to figure out, and yours turned out to-die-for Sandi! Love it.

    Reply

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