I’ve been gluten-free since before it was a thing… so a really long time. I’ve learned that the secret to delicious gluten-free bread is a good sourdough starter. Here are my favorite gluten-free sourdough recipes.
In order to run this site, Fermenting For Foodies sometimes earns an affiliate commission on the sales of products we link to. We only feature items we genuinely want to share, and this is an arrangement between the retailer and Fermenting For Foodies. Readers never pay more for products. Thank you for reading!
A Quick Note About flour
The type of flour and flour mix makes a huge difference in the flavor of gluten-free baking. Starches and rice flour both result in really dry baked goods. Dark buckwheat and teff are earthy and dense. Here is some general advice for finding a flour that works for you:
Not all types of flour are readily available in all grocery stores. I’m lucky enough to buy my favorite flours from a local miller. Asian grocers usually have cheap tapioca starch. African grocers often have sorghum flour and teff flour. You can also find flour mixes online.
A GF diet based on store-bought white bread or white rice flour is not gut-healthy. Try to bake with at least 50% whole grain flour, which will provide flavor and fiber.
Gluten-free sourdough starters need to be continuously fed the same type of flour to be really vigorous. If you haven’t already started a sourdough starter, I recommend teff or light buckwheat flour, which both ferment very quickly.
My favorite flour is GF oat flour because oats are naturally a bit sticky. However, avoid raw oat flour which is very bitter.
There are a bunch of AMAZING-looking bread recipes from people that aren’t GF but decided to convert their typical bread recipe into a GF one. These recipes don’t have eggs, xanthan gum, or other binders… and they don’t work out. If the pictures look too good to be true, then it probably is…
I’m part of a few blogger forums, so I can tell you the dirty secret of the blogging world. A lot of bloggers use AI written content with stock images. That might work for a pumpkin soup recipe, but it doesn’t work with gluten-free bread. I recommend sticking with recipes that you can trust.
Here are my favorite recipes. They are 100% legitimate gluten-free sourdough recipes that are wholly delicious!
This gluten-free sourdough bread is my go-to for all our bread needs. It is delicious toasted at breakfast, or turned into sandwiches for lunch.
2. Sourdough Pizza
Where there is bread… there is PIZZA! I have several pizza recipes on my site. My favorite is a soft, chewy, psyllium husk crust. The flavor is SO good and won’t go stale like typical GF pizzas. Best of all, it can stand up to a ton of toppings.
I also have a gluten-free thin crust pizza dough that is just as strong and delicious. If you’re looking for a traditional pizza crust, then it’s a good option.
3. Dinner Rolls
This gluten-free sourdough roll recipe took me years to perfect. And it is AMAZING. It’s delicious as a dinner roll and strong enough for hot dogs and hamburgers. Make a double batch and stash these in the freezer because you’ll never want to buy tasteless store-bought buns again!
4. Rustic Boule
I always struggle to decide which loaf of bread I prefer, this one or the sandwich loaf (above). This GF sourdough bread is so delicious. It’s definitely the favorite with non-GF eaters. Perfect for serving at dinner parties or fancy brunches.
Best of all it is a gluten-free and vegan bread!
5. Sourdough Cinnamon Buns
Gluten-free sourdough cinnamon rolls could easily have been #1 on my list… but I felt like I had to start with a few bread recipes, first. Sticky, sweet, and perfect. Even my wheat-eating brother-in-law will easily polish off a plate of these!
6. Chocolate Cake
Sourdough starter is really the secret behind so many delicious baked goods. Unlike wheat recipes, fermenting the batter won’t result in bread-like gluten. All you get is delicious flavor. This chocolate cake is a personal favorite.
7. Cobbler
My sourdough cobbler recipe is one of the most popular recipes on Fermenting For Foodies. That’s mostly because it made the rounds in the gluten-sourdough community. I’m glad it worked out with wheat flour because I’ve personally never tried it! Using a gluten-free sourdough starter is quick, easy, and delicious.
8. Bagels
My daughter wanted bagels, so we created a sourdough bagel recipe together. She loves them so much, that we make them on a nearly monthly basis. Our bagels are often turned into weird and interesting shapes… because who wouldn’t want to eat a butterfly-shaped bagel?
9. Pancakes
I make and use a lot of sourdough starter… however, sometimes it catches up on me. Sourdough pancakes are a great way to use up a bit of extra starter. It’s perfect for a quick breakfast. Best of all, I can leave my tween to flip pancakes while I shower and get ready for the day.
10. Waffles
We make waffles every Sunday morning. Crispy, buttery, and delicious, this sourdough waffle recipe can be served with savory or sweet toppings.
Do you have a favorite gluten-free sourdough recipe to share? Post in the comments section!
*Whole grain gluten free flour options include brown rice flour, millet flour, sorghum flour, buckwheat flour, and teff flour to name a few. **See the sourdough starter recipe post for more details about how to work with the starter and get it going. Ripe starter is starter that's been fed within the past 12 hours.
Your bread will not rise if your yeast or baking powder has expired. A dense loaf could also be the result of not measuring your ingredients accurately. Weight measurements are best (I have to update my recipes). Otherwise scoop the flour into your measuring cup and level without shaking or packing the flour down.
Sourdough is not gluten free, but we know that many people with IBS, gluten intolerance, or gluten sensitivity can tolerate sourdough bread. This is because the methods used to make sourdough break down some of the gluten in the flour so it is easier to digest. Think of sourdough as low-gluten rather than gluten-free.
Sourdough bread may be easier to digest than white bread for some people. According to some studies, sourdough bread acts as a prebiotic, which means that the fiber in the bread helps feed the “good” bacteria in your intestines. These bacteria are important for maintaining a stable, healthy digestive system.
Although Ezekiel bread is technically flourless, it is not a gluten-free product. Those with celiac disease or gluten intolerance shouldn't eat it. There are other flourless breads that do not contain gluten.
The best bread to reduce gut inflammation is bread made from whole grains. Refined grains, such as the grains found in white bread and white pasta, are known to increase inflammation across the whole body. Sourdough bread and rye bread are both good options for an anti-inflammatory diet.
Eggs are natural leaveners that help boost the rise and volume of bread. Eggs also add moisture, flavor, and protein to gluten-free bread recipes. If you select a gluten-free bread recipe that includes eggs, you have a better chance that the resulting bread will have good color, more volume, and softer texture.
Lifestyle factors may contribute to how you feel when you eat gluten when traveling abroad. In Europe, you're likely to eat fewer processed foods, smaller portions of gluten items and more fresh foods, Meyer-Jax said.
Sourdough bread is a low gluten bread. Sourdough bread and rye bread are often considered ideal alternatives for those on a reduced-gluten diet, because they both fall into the category of low-gluten bread.
To be considered gluten free, food needs less than 20 ppm (you can read about this in detail here). So while sourdough bread may be more easily digested by most people, it's still unsafe for people with celiac disease. And it could still be inflammatory for those with gluten intolerance.
Is it healthy to eat sourdough everyday? You could eat sourdough every day, but it isn't necessarily healthy to do so. A healthy diet is characterized by balance and moderation. Whether or not it is healthy for you to consume sourdough every day depends on the rest of your diet.
The Arthritis Foundation lists rye bread and millet as two varieties that work well for anti-inflammatory diets. Rye bread is anti-inflammatory because it is high in fiber, which slows the absorption of sugar into the bloodstream.
Glutenous flours, such as spelt, einkorn, rye, and wheat, tend to work best. However, it's possible to use gluten-free flours, including buckwheat, amaranth, brown rice, and teff, but these may need a little help at first, known as a boosted starter.
Feed starter with GF flour and water every 4 hours by using one of the following methods: If using a scale to measure ingredients, combine equal amounts by weight of starter, water, and GF flour. For instance, 50 grams of starter, 50 grams of water, 50 grams of GF flour.
Beyond Celiac does not recommend that those with celiac disease eat sourdough bread unless it is clearly labeled gluten-free or has been made safely at-home with gluten-free starters/ingredients.
You'll want to use whole grain gluten-free flour – something like brown rice flour, buckwheat flour, sorghum flour, or millet flour. Do NOT use a gluten-free flour blend, which can contain starches, gums, and other additives that you don't want in your starter.
Introduction: My name is The Hon. Margery Christiansen, I am a bright, adorable, precious, inexpensive, gorgeous, comfortable, happy person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
We notice you're using an ad blocker
Without advertising income, we can't keep making this site awesome for you.
