These buttery Gluten Free Orange Scones are full of sweet orange flavor. Top them with the orange glaze, or enjoy them plain. The orange flavors shine through in every bite of these delicious gluten free scones recipe. If you are new to making scones, check out my Gluten-Free Scones Guide for more tips and 20+ recipes.
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If you are looking for the perfect scones recipe to enjoy with breakfast or tea time, this is the scones recipe to make. They are infused with fresh orange juice and orange zest. The scones are flaky and tender.
This scone recipe uses butter, which gives the scones a rich, buttery flavor. When baked, the butter creates air pockets in the dough, resulting in a flaky and tender texture. My scones are easy to make. All you need are a few basic ingredients and minimal prep time. This makes them a popular choice for gluten free bakers who want to make something delicious without spending hours baking.
Scones are one of my favorite things to make. If you want to try more scones flavors, I have many great sweet and savory gluten-free scones recipes to try, including holiday flavors. I even have created a scone flavor for Mr. Fearless Dining, these Gluten-Free Snickerdoodle Scones.
I used to love the orange scones from Panera Bread Co. before I had to be gluten free. These are actually BETTER! I used King Aurthur flour and let it rest before baking. I can’t wait to bake these again for Christmas.”
Brynn B., blog comment
If you are new to gluten free baking, check out my gluten free pantry with all my favorite ingredients and tools for gluten free baking.
Allergen Information:
These homemade orange scones are gluten-free, nut-free, oat-free, and soy-free. Make them dairy-free using plant-based butter.
Ingredient Notes:
For the full list of ingredients and amounts, please go to the recipe card below.
- Gluten Free Flour Blend – I tested this recipe with King Arthur Measure for Measure Flour Blend. That doesn’t mean other blends will not work; it means I haven’t tested other blends. I have used other blends in other scone recipes. See the Tips for Success section for more details.
- Sugar
- Xanthan Gum – If your blend doesn’t contain a binder like xanthan or guar gum, add one teaspoon.
- Baking Soda – I used baking soda instead of my usual baking powder in this recipe. Baking soda works better with the acids in the orange juice.
- Salt – Sea salt or kosher salt are both fine in this recipe.
- Eggs – Use size large.
- Oranges – I am a big fan of fresh orange juice in this recipe. Getting fresh oranges also allows you to use the orange zest.
- Butter – Use unsalted butter.
- Milk or non-dairy milk – I used Milkadamia plant-based milk. Any plant-based or regular milk will work.
Substitutions:
- Use another citrus juice like lemon for lemon scones.
- To make this recipe dairy-free, use plant-based butter.
If you love baking with orange juice, you will love these Gluten Free Orange Rolls.
I made the orange scones this morning. They are delicious.
Nancy R.
Tips For Success:
- Always ensure your baking powder or baking soda is not expired. Expired products will affect your gluten-free baked goods’ rise and texture.
- Be sure your butter is very cold. It will help the flakiness of the gluten free orange scones.
- Every gluten free flour blend has a different starch-to-grain ratio. This affects how much moisture is needed in the recipe. If your scone dough is wetter or drier than mine, you must adjust it with more flour or milk.
Step-By-Step Photos and Directions:
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Step 1: Add the gluten free flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt to a large
Ways to cut butter into the flour:
There are two main ways to cut butter into the dry ingredients. I prefer using a pastry blender, but both methods work really well.
- Add the cold butter chunks to the flour mixture. Use a pastry blender (aka pastry cutter) to cut the butter into the flour.
- Freeze the butter and grate it into the flour mixture.
Step 2: In a smaller bowl, add the orange juice, non-dairy milk, eggs, and orange zest. Use a whisk to mix the wet ingredients. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients.
Step 3: Mix the wet and dry ingredients into a nice scone batter. The mixture should not be too sticky to work with.
Step 4: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the scone dough on the parchment paper and shape it into a circle. I like the dough to be two inches thick.
Note you can also use a scone pan to make your scones.
Step 5: Use a knife to score the scone dough. (I cut through the dough.) Optional: Sprinkle coarse sugar over the top of the dough.
Step 6: Bake the scones for 22-27 minutes, depending on the thickness of your scones and if you bake them in a circle or separate them.
Step 7: Remove the scones from the oven. They should have a slight golden color when they are finished baking. Place them on a wire cooling rack.
Step 8: Mix up the orange icing while the scones are cooling. For best results, wait for the scones to cool before icing. I seriously think these are the best gluten free scones! You may also love these incredible Gluten Free Chocolate Scones.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Yes, gluten free scones can rise nicely as long as you include either baking powder or baking soda.
Scones are popular for both breakfast and tea time.
Store scones in an airtight container in the refrigerator, where they will keep fresh for up to 4 days. You can also freeze them in a freezer-safe zipper bag. Be sure the scones are completely cooled before putting them in a container.
More Gluten Free Scones Recipes:
- Gluten Free Strawberries and Cream Scones – This is a classic scones recipe that is full of juicy strawberries.
- Gluten Free Oat Scones – Add any fruit to these oat scones.
- Gluten Free Blueberry Scones – One of the most popular scones recipes on the blog.
- Gluten Free Cheese Scones – If you are looking for a savory scone, this is a tasty recipe.
- Gluten Free Maple Walnut Scones – Easy and delicious!
Love This Recipe?
If you made and enjoyed this recipe, I would be incredibly grateful if you could leave a comment below. Please include which flour blend you used. This will help others know this recipe is delicious. Thank you!
Gluten Free Orange Scones
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 350º F.
- In a large mixing bowl, add 2 cups gluten free flour blend, ½ cup cane sugar, 1 teaspoon baking soda, and ⅛ teaspoon salt Whisk to blend.
- Add the cold 6 tablespoons unsalted butter chunks and use a pastry blender to cut the butter into the dry ingredients. The resulting mixture should resemble crumbles.
- In a smaller bowl, add 2 large eggs, ¼ cup orange juice, ¼ cup milk or non-dairy milk, and 2 tablespoons orange zest. Whisk to mix.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix into a soft dough.
- Place the dough onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Shape the dough into a circle shape two inches thick.
- Cut the dough into 8 wedges. Sprinkle coarse sugar over the dough (optional.)
- You can bake the scones in a circle or separate the scones and bake.
- Bake for 22-27 minutes. The baking time will vary depending on if you bake in a circle or as individual scones and by the thickness of the scones.
- Remove the scones from the oven to a cooling rack.
- Add the 1 cup powdered sugar to a small bowl. Mix in 2-3 tablespoons orange juice. Glaze the scones when the scones are fully cooled.
Nutrition
Notes
- I used King Arthur Measure for Measure to test this recipe. Other blends will work, but I haven’t tested any others. Keep an eye on the moisture level; some blends will need more or less moisture, depending on the starch level.
- If your blend doesn’t contain xanthan or guar gum, add one teaspoon.
- You can use a pastry blender or a cheese grater to cut in the cold butter.
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Freeze in a zipper-style freezer bag.
Nutritional 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.
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!
I made these orange scones this morning!!! Followed your recipe exactly, including using oranges for juice and zest, and KA Measure for Measure GF four blend. I did use dairy skim milk, and omitted the coarse sugar on top since I did use your frosting. They came out beautifully! I was thrilled they were not super sweet!!!
I am so glad you loved this recipe. I love these orange scones. My husband doesn’t like them really sweet either :-).
I used Bob’s Redmill gluten free 1 to 1 flour. It had the xanthum gum in it where the only gluten free King Arthur brand all purpose flour did not have it. That would have meant buying a bag of xanthum gum at $13.99 & using 1 tsp. The ingredients were about the same and I figured “measure for measure” would be the same as the 1 to 1 variety. They rose well, looked and smelled great, but one bite in, you tasted bitter baking soda. I’m figuring that 2 teaspoons is way too much. My baking soda has an expire date of 2026, so that shouldn’t have been the issue. I need these in 2 days for a small group where the hostess is gluten free. I may try the recipe with half as much baking soda this time. I’m just glad I chose to try the recipe ahead of time.
I saw your note and decided to make this recipe again. They will rise just as well with one teaspoon of baking soda.
So easy and SO yummy! I have made these with orange and I have made them with lemon juice. Either way, they turn out so yummy. I serve them with homemade lemon (or orange) curd. What a delicious treat!
I bet the orange curd made them even better. I will have to try that sometime!
Mine aren’t as pretty as yours, but they are delicious and easy to make. Thank you!
I am so glad you loved the recipe. Thank you very much!
I posted a comment which disappeared about gf flour having 1/2 tsp of baking powder and 1/4 tsp per cup in mix what would I do or what difference might this make to the recipe?
Hi Karen, I have never purchased gluten free flour with baking powder in it…so I am not sure how to advise you. I can “guess” and say add 1/2 teaspoon baking powder, but I am not sure.
My blend has baking powder 1/2 tsp per cup 1/4 tsp per cup soda. What difference will this make?
Hi Karen, Baking soda is usually used for more acidic ingredients (citrus.) I would add a little baking soda to the mix to get the right rise.
Can I make a lemon Gluten Free Scones by replacing lemon juice for orange juice. Would the amount be the same?
Hi Paulette, You can definitely make lemon scones, but you will want to use way less lemon juice as it is a lot more sour. I haven’t tested it yet, but I would start with 3 tablespoons plus the lemon zest.