We raised this question to find the best for all budgets and came up with our top picks. Don’t think that a gluten-free life has to also mean a ‘bread maker free’ life. You can have your bread and eat it too with a great gluten-free recipe for your bread maker.
By the way, this post may contain Amazon affiliate links. This means that I receive a small commission, (at no extra cost to you) if you make a purchase through the links provided. Thank you for supporting Betty’s Bakeware.
Can you bake tasty gluten-free bread without a breadmaker? Absolutely. The questions are how much time do you have and do you want to make life easy and by the way make a tasty loaf. After you’ve tried a bread machine I don’t know anyone who’s looked back.
It can’t get easier. In a nutshell, simply mix wet ingredients and place in the pan, add dry ingredients and add yeast on top. Select cycle. It really can be that simple. One very important point I’ll add though, is measuring ingredients accurately is crucial to success. There’s science to getting that perfect texture!
If you’re just realizing how easy it is to make your own gluten-free bread and want to buy your first bread maker, these are some of the best selling models to consider. To successfully bake gluten-free bread that tastes as good a regular bread can be hard so it’s a choice to carefully consider. We’ve listed our top breadmakers here and show why we consider these the best.
What you should know
Pre-program settings on a bread machine alter the kneading, rising and baking functions depending on the type of bread you’re baking. If you already have a machine but it doesn’t have a gluten-free setting, you can try a setting that has just one mixing cycle (it might be the quick, rapid or basic setting). Gluten-free bread doesn’t need a second rise.
Wait until bread is thoroughly cooled to slice.
Storage for left over bread – wait until totally cooled and store in an airtight container. This can be kept at room temperature and bread can be warmed the next day.
You might wonder what some of the cycles mean on breadmakers
express – cook in a quicker time
It’s better not to slice the left-over portion of bread before storing.
When opening the lid of your breadmaker, take care, it gets hot in there!quick breads – any breads that don’t require yeast
Zojirushi Vitruoso Plus Breadmaker BB-PDC20BA
Settings are standard for sugar-free, salt-free, vegan and gluten-free as well as all those settings you expect on a quality breadmaker like this one. This is a good choice for people with a variety of special dietary related needs.
There’s a reason Zojirushi breadmakers consistently makes the top product list. It’s an excellent breadmaker and when you’re talking gluten-free, the products it produces are delicious.
Double Kneading Blades means the dough mixes more thoroughly than when just 1 paddle is used. And dual heaters for even baking and browning the crusts evenly results in a top quality bread.
The loaf produced is more like the standard size loaves we are used to. It’s wider and a nicer shape than others.
This is what else you’re getting
A baking pan that is non-stick and BPA free
Sourdough starter, dough, cake and jam
A ‘Rapid’ setting to bake a loaf in under 2 1/2 hours
13 hour delay timer so you can wake to freshly baked bread
Choose your preferred crust – light, medium or dark
In addition to pre-programmed settings, there’s a setting which allows you to be totally flexible and input the settings and timing you want for kneading, rising and baking. If you have some recipes you just love, or love experimenting, ‘Homemade’ puts you in control.
A viewing window so you can watch the progress of kneading, rising and baking bread if you want.
Easy setting touch button selection with an LCD display
Good to know tips:
The timer you set is for when you want the bread baked and not for when it starts like other bread makers.
Gluten-free bread setting is number 5. When gluten-free bread is finished baking you must let it completely cool before slicing.
Don’t just think bread. There’s an array of products you can put this baby to work on. Gluten free products like apple cake, carrot cake, raisin bread, sourdough starter, pizza dough, jams, vegan bread, herb breads.
Package comes complete with a recipe book that includes recipes for breads and other dough products like homemade pasta
If you don’t have much counter space, This Machine is solid and larger than most. (10.5″deep, 18″ wide, 12.88″ high)
Negatives:
Does not have an automatic fruit and nut dispenser however you can add ingredients when indicated by the beep.
Be aware that recipes in the book included in the purchase tend to bake a 1.5lb loaf not 2lb. Note: you are not limited to recipes that come with the breadmaker.
Price – it is more expensive than other brands, but if you are going to bake a lot of bread consider Zojirush a worthwhile investment in your health. (By the way, Zojirushi has been manufacturing quality, innovative products for over 100 years, so they have runs on the board to back up their reputation for manufacturing durable products>)
Manufacturer recommends hand washing product
Paddles can be hard to remove. The solution is to grip firmly as you juggle to remove. Add a couple of inches of water to the pan and let soak for a few minutes to loosen the dough and paddles are easier to remove and wipe clean. Note: This doesn’t mean immersing the bread pan in water.
KBS Large 17-in-1 Bread Machine
So many reasons to like this product but these are my top 3.
1. The pan has a non-stick ceramic pan which is pfoa free and ptfe free, (doesn’t contain teflon), and we all know every little bit we can do for our health, the better.
2. The second reason is the design has dual heaters for even heat circulation. This means steady and precise temperatures during baking so the bread is evenly baked and browned.
3. And it’s easy to operate so it suits newbies and pros. Simply follow the recipes, add the ingredients and choose your options on the intuitive digital touch-button display panel and wait for the delicious smell of freshly baked bread to enjoy perfect results.
This is what else you’re getting
- A multi-purpose machine that you can also use to make yoghurt and jam
- Options to bake 3 loaf sizes 1lb, 1 1/2lb or 2 lbs loaf (approx 500g/ 750g/ or 1kg)
- 3 crust color choices light/medium or dark
- 15 hour time delay
- 1 hour automatic ‘keep warm’ function
- Viewing window so you can see the progress
- Fruit & nut dispenser that adds the ingredients at the perfect time
- Sleek brushed stainless steel exterior
- Ceramic non-stick pan
- Choose from 17 program options that include gluten-free, whole wheat, white, sourdough, low carb, multigrain, pizza dough and yoghurt, cake
- Removable components are dishwasher safe
- 2 year manufacturer warranty for parts and accessories (*depending on your retailer)
Good to Know Tips:
- If you find the stirring rod is hard to get out, soak the bread pan in water. Rotate it to the left and right and take it out slowly.
- If you want to cancel your program, long press the start icon.
- It’s important to pay attention to the control of yeast, water and temperature. Be exact when you’re measuring ingredients.
- Terms such as ‘delay’ used in the manual may appear as reservation on the screen
- It is quieter than some other brands
Oster Expressbake in under 1 hour
The Oster 2-Pound Epressbake Bread Maker is unbelievable value for its price. It has 13 different bread settings and a large LCD display that makes it easy to see which options you’re choosing.
This is what you’re getting
- Home baking is made easy so you’re not having to pay for expensive already baked food.
- 2 lbs loaf capacity
- Setting for gluten free bread baking
- You can have freshly made bread in under 1 hour.
- 3 crust option colors – light/medium/dark
- 13 settings and 13 hour programmable baking timer so you can wake up to freshly baked bread on a Sunday morning.
- A removable non-stick baking pan
- 1 year limited warranty
Good to know
If you’re on a specific diet with low fat or no sugar recipes, adapt your ingredients to suit and Oster will handle the rest for you.
Manufacturer recommends handwashing pan
This is a compact model (12″ x 11″ x 11″) if you are limited with bench space
See resources at the bottom of this post for *User Guide and product manual.
And don’t forget you’re not limited to baking just bread. Think jams, making yoghurt, preparing dough and baking cakes in your breadmaker.
Looking for a cheap bread maker? You won’t find better value than the Oster.
The old saying you get what you pay for, of course is true. However given the price of commercially bought gluten-free bread, if your budget is super tight, Hamilton Beach breadmakers are worth consideration. It’s a popular brand that has been around a long time.
Hamilton Beach Bread Maker (29885)/ (29882)
A popular cheap option to consider if budget it tight. Does it do the job? Yes
3 loaf sizes – Make a 1lb, 1 1/2lb or 2lb loaf and choose from 14 pre-programmed settings. These include gluten-free, cake, jam, dough and artisan loaves. Quick bread (breads that doeneed year, sweet breads have the addition of nuts and fruit)
As with our other options, Hamilton Beach offers 3 crust colors- light/ medium and dark
Nonstick interior with stainless steel exterior
Small and light
Touch button selection
Keep warm function for after cooking (Note: be aware that bread will keep baking to a much lesser extent with automatic keep warm feature)
Delay timer – organize and add your ingredients to the baking pan when convenient for you and just set the timer to when you want it to start.
Non stick pan is easily removed for cleaning
Good to know
If free space on the counter top is your problem, the Hamilton Beach is only 9.5″wide x 12″ high x 14.5″ depth. The loaf of bread produced is short and high. Note:It’s shorter than the older Hamilton Beach model 29882
Before first use: To avoid the ‘factory chemical’ smell that can sometimes occur on the first use of a product, run the bake cycle for 10 minutes and cool before using.
Loaf comes out shorter with a high top
stoppers on feet to
Hamilton Beach is a trusted brand and founded in 1910 at the core the business manufactured electrical devises and motor driven appliances.
If you or someone close to you avoids gluten, you know the pitfalls of grocery shopping and eating out. Most large companies are getting better at accommodating dietary needs but it can still be hard to get the food basics that you really want when you need to avoid pasta, cupcakes, canned soup, salad dressings and bread.
Check out this tried and true recipe below from All Recipes. It’s a delicious gluten-free bread that you can use for sandwiches, homemade stuffing or French toast.
And it’s easy to elevate to next level taste by adding in herbs like chives or rosemary if you’re going to team it with a soup.
Or think about experimenting to make your own artisan loaf of seeds and nuts. Seeds like sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, linseed. Chopped nuts like walnuts work well or dried fruits like cranberries or raisens if your diet allows.
Beware of the pitfalls of baking gluten-free
Initially it can be a little bit of a challenge to get the delicate balance between wet and dry just right. And as the dough is stickier it doesn’t rise as well as gluten-filled dough.
Gluten-free white bread recipe
Ingredients
- 3 eggs
- 1 tablespoon cider vinegar
- ¼ cup olive oil
- ¼ cup honey
- 1 ½ cups buttermilk, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon xanthan gum
- 1/3 cup cornstarch
- ½ cup potato starch
- ½ cup soy flour
- 2 cups white rice flour
- 1 tablespoon active dry yeast
Directions
- Place ingredients in the pan of the bread machine. Place them in the order recommended by your particular bread machine manufacturer.
- Select the sweet dough cycle. 5 minutes into the cycle, check the consistency of the dough. If necessary, add additional rice flour or liquid.
- When the machine has finished working its magic, let the bread cool for 10 to 15 minutes before removing from the pan.
- Take out pan and place on a cooling rack. Next step is to remove the paddle and let cool completely.
- When completely cooled, loaf can be sliced.
This bread is easy to make and tasty. If you’re having trouble finding some of the ingredients, you can order them online or check out your local health food store.
Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free Baking Flour
And if you want to make your bread baking even easier check out Bob’s Red Mill range of products. The 1 to 1 baking flour is 100% gluten-free.
The ingredients are sweet white rice flour, whole grain brown rice flour, potato starch, whole grain sweet white sorghum flour, tapioca flour, and xanthan gum.
To change your recipes, replace flour with this gluten-free all-purpose flour. Use it to thicken sauces, make pasta, to bake cakes, make cookies and muffins. The only thing it’s not suitable for is to make yeast dough.
This a tried and true basic Gluten free recipe using Bob’es Red Mill
Ingredients:
- 1 1/4 cups water
- 1/4 cup of oil, (alternatively 4 tbsp dairy free butter)
- 3 eggs
- 1 1/4 tsp salt
- 3 tbsp honey (can use sugar instead)
- 3 1/4 cups Bob’s Red Mill Gluten-free baking flour
- 2 tsp active dry yeast
Directions:
- Insert kneading paddle into the pan, then add the ingredients into bread machine pan in this order: liquid, oil or butter, eggs, salt, honey, baking flour and yeast.
- Select the program, gluten-free, on bread machine and press start.
- After 4 to 5 minutes of kneading, using a rubber spatula, gently scrape any dry ingredients that are stuck on the side or corners of the pan to incorporate into the dough.
- Your bread machine now gets down to business and takes care of the rest. It will beep when bread is baked. Process takes approx 2 1/4 hrs.
- Wait until cool to cut into slices
These are the basic steps bread machines undertake.
After ingredients prep and adding to the bread machine in correct order, the machine then:
- Stir/knead
- Raw dough
- Fermenting
- Dispense fruit or nuts if desired
- Baking
- Bread baking completed
If you avoid gluten, you might think that owning a bread maker would be the last thing you’d be doing, but actually the opposite is quite true. With a bread machine making your own gluten-free bread is much easier than you think. And so much cheaper than buying gluten free.
Whether it’s a personal preference or allergy-related, using a bread-maker to bake your bread is the perfect alternative to expensive store-bought bread – and you always know exactly what you’re putting into your body.
