1. Home
  2. Recipes
  3. Fluffy Gluten-Free Rolls

Fluffy Gluten-Free Rolls

Category: Fresh Bread Made Simple

These soft, gluten-free rolls keep the flavor and texture you love, without compromise. Made with a fine-tuned flour mix and active yeast, they have a golden crust and fluffy insides. Melted butter makes them rich and glossy, while their easy-to-divide design lets you enjoy soft, tearable edges. Great for soaking sauces or just spreading with butter while warm.
Pin It Share Send Print Jump to Recipe
Emily Watson
By Emily Watson Emily Watson
Last updated on Sun, 13 Apr 2025 11:06:48 GMT
Soft Gluten-Free Pull-Apart Rolls Pin
Soft Gluten-Free Pull-Apart Rolls | thefamilycooks.com
Finding a decent gluten-free dinner roll recipe felt impossible after my family got our celiac diagnosis. We tried so many recipes but ended up with rolls that were either hard as rocks, fell apart in our hands, or just tasted awful. Everything changed when I took a cooking class with Rachel who used to run Gluten Free Mama. That's where I finally got what we'd been looking for. Though Rachel's original instructions aren't on the web anymore, she let me tweak her formula to pass along to others. I've changed it a bit, and now we can't go without these rolls. They're so good we make them for every holiday and at least once monthly throughout the year. They're not just an okay substitute - they're actually delicious!

My Journey Finding This Formula

Making gluten-free rolls used to drive me crazy. Each batch was a letdown, giving us something more like hard biscuits than the fluffy rolls we missed. Then Rachel showed me her technique. Her smart mix of alternative flours and extra ingredients created rolls nobody could tell were gluten-free.

Why This Version Works

What I'm showing you today builds on Rachel's foundation but with my own touches to make sure anyone can bake amazing gluten-free rolls at home. These aren't just side items - they're the highlight of many meals at our table. They come out cloud-soft inside, have a rich buttery taste, and bring pure joy with every bite.

Where It All Started

This comes from Rachel's careful testing of gluten-free baking methods. She wanted to create rolls that matched traditional ones in both feel and flavor, and she totally nailed it. The magic happens through carefully chosen ingredients and following specific steps.

What You'll Need

  • Quality Flour Mix: 2¾ cups (11½ oz.) of any premium gluten-free flour combination. Try Gluten-Free Mama's Almond blend, Authentic Foods Multi-Blend, or something similar that already has xanthan gum mixed in.
  • Xanthan Gum: 1 1/2 tsp. Skip this if your flour already contains it.
  • SAF Instant Yeast: 2 tsp.
  • Sugar: 1/4 cup.
  • Salt: 1 tsp.
  • Water: 1 cup (warm to 105-110°F).
  • Fat Option: 2 Tbsp. butter, dairy-free spread, or Spectrum organic shortening.
  • Egg: 1, best if not cold from fridge.
  • Apple Cider Vinegar: 1 tsp.

Getting Started

Step 1:
Put all dry stuff into a big bowl first. That means your gluten-free flour mix, xanthan gum, yeast, sugar, and salt. Stir them together so everything mixes well.
Step 2:
While your mixer runs slowly, pour in the warm water, melted fat choice, egg, and vinegar bit by bit. Keep mixing until you can't see any dry spots. Turn the speed up to medium and let it go for 3 minutes until your dough looks smooth all through.

Making Roll Shapes

Step 1:
Get an 8" or 9" round pan and coat it with cooking spray.
Step 2:
With a 2" scoop or 1/3 cup measure, drop 9 dough balls into the pan. Put one in the middle and arrange the others in a circle around it. Wet your fingers with warm water and gently smooth the tops of each ball. Keep wetting your fingers if the dough gets sticky.

Letting Them Grow

Step 1:
Put a clean towel over the pan and set it somewhere warm for 45-60 minutes. This waiting time matters a lot since it lets the yeast work its magic, making your rolls light and fluffy.

Oven Time

Step 1:
Turn your oven on to 400°F near the end of the rising period.
Step 2:
Put the pan on the middle shelf and bake for 25-28 minutes. They're done when the tops turn golden and if you have a thermometer, the inside hits 200°F. Watch them carefully since all ovens heat differently.

Last Touches

Step 1:
Take the rolls out and immediately brush some extra melted butter on top - about 1/2 to 1 tablespoon does the trick. This makes them taste even better and gives them a nice shine.

Fluffy Gluten-Free Rolls

Soft, airy, and ideal for any dish, these gluten-free pull-apart rolls are delightful and quick to whip up.

Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
40 mins
By Emily Watson: Emily Watson

Recipe Category: Breads

Skill Level: Intermediate

Cuisine Type: American

Makes: 12 rolls

Dietary Preferences: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free

What You’ll Need

01 1 teaspoon salt.
02 3 tablespoons sugar.
03 1 1/2 cups warm water (between 100°F and 110°F).
04 1 large egg.
05 1 teaspoon xanthan gum (optional, but improves texture).
06 1/4 cup unsalted butter that’s melted.
07 3 1/2 cups gluten-free all-purpose flour.
08 2 teaspoons active dry yeast.
09 1 tablespoon olive oil.

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 01

Pour the warm water into a big bowl, then add the yeast and sugar. Stir it gently and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until it looks foamy.

Step 02

Take another bowl and whisk the gluten-free flour, salt, and xanthan gum together if you're using it.

Step 03

To the yeast mixture, add in the melted butter, egg, and olive oil. Stir everything until it's blended well.

Step 04

Slowly incorporate the dry mix into the liquid ingredients, stirring until the dough turns sticky.

Step 05

Use a stand mixer with a dough hook to knead the dough for about 5 minutes. If you're using your hands, knead for around 10 minutes until it's smooth.

Step 06

Put the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a damp towel, and set it somewhere warm for about 1 hour or until it's doubled in size.

Step 07

After punching the dough down, divide it into 12 pieces. Roll each one into a ball and press gently to flatten into a disk.

Step 08

Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish and line the rolls inside, keeping about 1 inch of space between them.

Step 09

Cover the rolls with a cloth and set them aside for 30-45 minutes until they puff up slightly.

Step 10

Set your oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the rolls for about 18-20 minutes or until they develop a golden color on top.

Step 11

Take the rolls out of the oven and let them sit in the dish for 5 minutes. Then, transfer to a wire rack until completely cooled.

Additional Notes

  1. Use gluten-free flour if someone in your household can’t eat gluten.
  2. The proper steps for yeast and kneading really affect the texture of the dough.
  3. Including xanthan gum is optional but can make the structure of the rolls better.

Essential Tools

  • A big bowl for mixing.
  • Whisk for stirring.
  • Stand mixer with hook attachment.
  • Bowl that’s greased for the dough.
  • Baking dish, 9x13 inches.
  • Wire rack for cooling.

Nutritional Information (Per Serving)

These details are for guidance only and don't replace medical advice.
  • Calories: 150
  • Fats: ~
  • Carbohydrates: ~
  • Proteins: ~