Easy Gluten-free French Bread

This easy gluten-free french bread recipe makes a loaf that is soft and tender on the inside with the perfect crispy, crusty outside that is perfect no matter how you eat it.

Tell me if I am wrong, but there is just something about the smell that delicious freshly baked bread makes. Especially when it comes to fresh baked gluten-free bread because let's be honest, not all gluten-free bread is created equal. This crusty gluten-free french bread is simple to make. Not only is it gluten-free, but this bread is also dairy-free and egg-free. It is really the perfect loaf for everyone to enjoy!

Jump to:

• Ingredients.
• Equipment.
• Steps.
• Tips and tricks.
• Storing
• Serving suggestions.
• More gluten-free bread recipes.
• 📖 Recipe

Ingredients.

• Gluten-free Bread Flour - For this gluten-free french bread, you want to use a gluten-free bread flour blend. This is NOT the 1:1 or all-purpose blends. These blends do not work as well with yeast recipes. I use Pamela's gluten-free bread flour blend.
• Tapioca Starch - You can also use corn starch.
• Psyllium husk powder - Psyllium husk powder helps to add more structure to the gluten-free bread that is not there with the absence of gluten. If you cannot handle psyllium husk powder, you can add an additional egg.
• Yeast - For gluten-free bread, I use instant yeast, also known as rapid-rise yeast, which works best. Not all yeast is gluten-free, so always double-check and make sure that the brand you are using is. I tend to buy Fleischmann's brand of active dry yeast that is gluten-free, and I can find it at my local store.
• Sugar - We are only using a little bit to help ensure that our yeast gets nice and bubbly, but you can also substitute in some honey instead of the sugar.
• Baking Powder - Baking powder is not typically found in bread, but I find it helps to give a little bit more lift to gluten-free bread, making it less dense.
• Salt
• Warm Water
• Egg - There is only one egg in this gluten-free french bread recipe. If you can't have egg, you could try an egg replacer, but I will be honest and say I have not attempted this with this recipe.
• Olive Oil - Olive oil gives the gluten-free bread a tiny bit more moisture as well as flavoring.
• Apple Cider Vinegar - A little apple cider vinegar goes a long way when paired with baking soda to give the bread more of a light texture.

Equipment.

While it's not totally necessary, I highly suggest getting a baguette baking pan to make this gluten-free french bread. I find that it helps the bread to hold its shape better during rising and baking since the gluten-free dough is softer than traditional bread dough.

If you don't have one, you can just shape the dough on parchment paper and place it on a regular baking sheet. Just know that your loaf might flatten out on the bottom. I suggest shaping your loaf taller to help counteract this.

Steps.

Step 1. Make the dough.

1. Bloom the yeast.
2. Mix the dry ingredients together.
3. Add the egg, olive oil, and yeast mixture to the dry ingredients.
4. Mix just until combined.
5. Once combined, increase the speed of the mixer and whip it for about 3-5 minutes.
6. Scrape down the bowl and let the dough sit to hydrate.

Step 3. Shape the baguettes.

1. Scoop half of the dough into a line.
2. Lightly dust the top with some more gluten-free bread flour.
3. Using your hands, gently press the dough into a baguette shape.
4. Repeat with the other half of the dough for the second loaf.

Step 4. Let the baguettes rise.

Step 5. Bake the gluten-free french bread.

Step 6. Rest, slice, and enjoy!

Tips and tricks.

• Measuring gluten-free bread flour. - I find the best results come from measuring gluten-free bread flour with the spoon and level method.
• Bloom the yeast. - Even though we are using an instant yeast that usually does not need to be bloomed, I find that blooming it with the warm milk gives the gluten-free bread a bit more rise giving it a light overall texture without over-proofing it.
• Don't skip whipping the dough. - This is not your typical bread dough; it is softer and whipping the dough actually brings the dough together more to help with the final overall texture.
• Let the dough hydrate. - This just means to let the dough sit. We are not looking for it to start rising at this point yet, but instead, we want the gluten-free flour to absorb the liquids, so you don't end up with gritty bread.
• The dough is soft. - Unlike my gluten-free brioche recipe, this dough is moldable. It is still soft though, so you can't roll it out like traditional bread dough. Instead, I like to scoop the dough into a line and gently shape it into the baguette shape with the tapered ends.
• Do NOT overproof. - Gluten-free bread only needs one rise and not two like other bread, so you want to watch it. If your bread starts to look uneven on the surface, it is over-proofed.
• Changing the crust. - French bread is known for its outer crust, and this gluten-free french bread has it. To ensure you get that beautiful outer crust, toss 5-6 ice cubes into the oven before you close the bread into it. It will create steam and help to seal the bread. If you love it crispy, just let it rest for about 10 minutes when it comes out of the oven before slicing. If you want your outer crust crispy but still soft, cover your baked baguettes with a dish towel while it cools. It will slightly soften the outer crust but leave it with the nice chew that you want.

Storing

In our house, this gluten-free french bread does not last enough to store it once it's baked. But if you find yourself with some leftovers, don't worry it will stay soft when stored in a Ziploc bag at room temperature for 2-3 days.

You can eat it cooled or warm it up in the oven or microwave if you prefer. I find 15 seconds in the microwave works great.

Serving suggestions.

I have yet to find a recipe that this gluten-free french bread doesn't pair with, but my kids would say they love when I make it with my gluten-free lasagna.

This recipe also makes delicious toppings for my gluten-free french onion soup or turned into some gluten-free bread crumbs.

Of course, my favorite way is warm, topped with melted butter, or turned into some gluten-free garlic bread. I mean, talk about yum!

More gluten-free bread recipes.

📖 Recipe