There was a time when making bread was the furthest thing on my mind. All the adjustments of starches and flours plus trying to figure out if it’s fully baked or still gummy in the middle was just a lot of complicated work.
Fast forward a few years and now I can’t imagine a meal without bread!
There’s something about it that just makes a meal complete. Warm, fresh from the oven breads that melt in your mouth… Yum!
I guess I’m partial, but I especially love rolls. Maybe it’s because they’re so easy to eat or maybe it’s because they are amazing when served warm from the oven… either way, they have a special place in my heart. And a special place in my baking.
And these particular rolls will make any meal absolutely amazing.
They’re dairy free and gum free, but have this pull apart texture that only a yeast bread can offer.
Tips for Making Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Gum Free Dinner Rolls
Proof the yeast
Maybe not the biggest baking flop, but many times, baking flops have to do with the yeast. If it isn't fresh, it won't rise. And if it doesn't rise, your bread doesn't turn out. And seeing all your hard earned gluten free bread go to waste is no fun.
Overmixing isn't a problem but...
The beauty of gluten free baking is that there is no fear of over working the ingredients where breads become tough and muffins are dry. But with something as special as rolls, make sure to 'mix just until combined'.
Water bath
Like the Gluten Free Boston Style Brown Bread, these rolls are baked using a water bath - it helps develop that delicious, crusty exterior while keeping the interior tender. And it adds just the right amount of humidity to create a golden brown crust without overbaking them.
Ready to enjoy these delicious gluten free dairy free gum free rolls? Let's get baking!
Gluten Free, Dairy Free and Gum Free Dinner Rolls
Ingredients
- 2 cups water warmed to 110° – 115° F
- 2 ¼ tsp. active dry yeast
- 3 Tbsp. white sugar
- 2 Tbsp. olive oil plus more for brushing
- 2 ¾ cup gluten free flour mix
- ⅓ cup tapioca starch
- 1 Tbsp. psyllium husk powder
- 1 ½ tsp. salt
Instructions
- Prepare a 12 cup muffin tin by spraying with cooking spray. Set aside. Prepare the oven by moving one rack to the lowest setting and another rack to the middle setting.
- In a medium bowl, mix the water and yeast. Add the sugar to the yeast mixture and let the mixture sit until foamy, about 5 minutes.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, or a large bowl to use with a hand held mixer, add the flour mix, tapioca starch, psyllium husk powder and the salt. Mix gently.
- When the yeast is foamy, add in 2 Tbsp. olive oil and mix gently.
- Add the yeast mixture to the flour mixture and mix on low until combined. Stop the mixer and scrap the batter down.
- Beat on medium speed for 3 minutes. Fill each muffin cup about ⅔ full of batter. Set the pan away from drafts and let the rolls rise for about 1 hour.
- Preheat oven to 425° F. While the oven is preheating, prepare a water bath by filling an 8 x 8 baking pan ½ full of water. Place the pan on the lower rack of the oven.
- Bake the rolls for 20 – 24 minutes. Remove from the oven and let the pan cool on a wire rack for 5 – 10 minutes.
- Remove from the pan and let cool completely. Brush tops with remaining olive oil.
Notes
- Proof the yeast
- Mix ingredients just until combined
- Bake using a water bath for best results
- Serve with a dollop of dairy free butter or a brush of olive oil
Nutrition
With a light, almost buttery taste, these dinner rolls can be served as-is. Or brush them with olive oil. Perfection!
Tina Stalter
Hi There,
Is there a sub for psyllium husks? I'd like to make them without running to the store if I can help it.
Thank you!
Tina
C.J. Brady
Hi Tina,
Thanks for the comment!
Try using golden flax seed as a sub.
Hope that helps!
Annakie van Zyl
Your Gluten free, Dairy free and Gum free Dinner Rolls are really very, very good. I live in South Africa and asume that the gluten free flour mixes are not the same as in the US, but I've baked these Dinner Rolls with the flour we have available and it's delicious and also taste the closest to real bread of all the recipes I've tried so far.
Thank you very much for sharing this recipe.
Annakie van Zyl, Johannesburg, RSA.
C.J. Brady
Thanks so much for the comment - and I am thrilled to hear it!
Glad the flour works out!
Christine
Joon
I want to make these with less sugar as I don't want a sweet roll. Do you know if it would work with only 1 tsp of sugar to activate the yeast.
Christine
Hi Joon,
Sure, you can cut down on the sugar - but they really aren't that sweet. Definitely a dinner roll.
Hope that helps!
Christine
Jordi
There are lots of gluten-free mixes.
Whats in gluten free bread’s light flour mix you use here? Wich fours?
Christine
Hi!
Sure, here it is: https://zestforbaking.com/how-to-make-gluten-free-bread-flour-mix
Christine
Alexandra MacPherson
Hi there,
My daughter cannot have tapioca and potato starch. I can figure out a substitute for the GF flour mix but there’s more tapioca that you added. What would you suggest I substitute?
Christine
Hi Alexandra,
Sure - so maybe try cornstarch or arrowroot starch - those would be the best options!
Hope that helps!
Jaye
Turned out great, thanks!
Christine
Thanks Jaye! Glad you enjoyed them and thank you for the review!
~Christine
Amy
If I use a gf flour mix with xanthan gum, can I leave out the psyllium husk? Thanks!
Christine
Hi Amy,
Yes, just leave it out!
~Christine
Nancy Schroeder
I am trying to make these and the mixture is like soup is that normal?
Christine
Hi Nancy,
The batter is thin, but that sounds like it might be too thin. Did you use the flour mix referenced in the recipe?
Trying to see what could make have such a thin consistency...
~Christine
D
These rolls remained gummy and sticky inside. I cooked them first for the recommended amount of time, then another five minutes and checked, then another five minutes, and another until they got so overdone on top and stuck to the pan, I took them out. The tops were brown but the middles were a sticky, gummy mess. It was the worst bread baking disaster I’ve ever had. I don’t know what went wrong I followed all the directions. I have never visited your site before or tried any of your recipes, so now I’m a little bit cautious about trying a different one.
Christine
Hi D,
Hm, I'm sorry to hear this - so let me see if I can help troubleshoot - did you use the flour mix I reference here on the site? What about the oven temp - did the oven thermometer register 425 F? Did they rise?
Let me know, happy to help here.
Christine