Because who does not need long, golden brown, crusty loaves in their lives? And yes, that is very much a rhetorical question!! For my gluten free friends, I got you!! My gluten free French bread is another beautiful variation on the GF Dinner Roll recipe, which is turning out to be a wonderfully versatile creation. Hope you find yourself baking these loaves again and again!
Why This Gluten Free French Bread Actually Works
Long, golden, crusty loaves fresh from the oven are one of those things that you should NOT have to give up when you need to be gluten free. It shapes beautifully into a classic French bread loaf with that slightly crisp outer crust and soft, tender interior that will have your taste buds drooling! Get ready to cut yourself a slice while it’s warm and slather on some butter.
The Dinner Roll Dough That Makes It Possible
That original gluten free dinner roll dough has turned out to be one of the most versatile recipes I have ever developed. Born from a desire to give a dear friend’s son a proper Thanksgiving roll after his Celiac Disease diagnosis. When a loved one needs a recipe, I’m on it!! It has since become sandwich bread, hamburger buns, pretzels, and now these beautiful French bread loaves. One dough, endless possibilities.
The Mashed Potato Secret
Just like the dinner rolls, this French bread relies on the use of leftover mashed potatoes in the dough. Giving it that soft, pillowy interior that does not dry out. It is the detail that sets this recipe apart from so many other gluten free breads. Day-old mashed potatoes work great here. If you need a nightshade free version, mashed sweet potatoes will do the job – just add a few extra tablespoons of flour to bring the dough to the right consistency.
Choosing Your Gluten Free Flour
My top pick for this recipe is Caputo Fioreglut gluten free flour. It gives you the chewiest, most authentic-tasting crust of any blend I have tested and it holds the loaf shape beautifully during baking. King Arthur Measure for Measure and Bob’s Red Mill 1 to 1 both work well too. The dough should feel soft and pliable when you go to shape it and not sticky or stiff.
How to Shape and Bake Your Loaves
No French Bread Pan? No Problem
A French bread/baguette pan gives you the best shape and helps the loaves hold their form while they rise, but it is not required. As needed you can bake the two bread dough logs close together on a parchment-lined baking sheet and they will still bake up beautifully. Just give them a little room and do not let them touch before they go in the oven.
The Egg Wash Makes the Crust
A generous brush of egg wash right before baking is what gives you that gorgeous golden color and the slightly crackly crust that makes this bread look stunning, so do not skip it. Bake at 350F for 25 to 30 minutes until deeply golden all the way across the top. You may see it start to “crackle” a bit up on top, not a worry! If you want to cut a coupe angled cuts on the top after you egg wash, you can but honestly I like the personality the cracks give it.
What to Do With Your Gluten Free French Bread
Warm slices with salted butter is honestly the best starting point. But this loaf is also the base for my Gluten Free Caprese Garlic Bread recipe, which is worth making on the same day – they come together so easily when the bread is fresh. It also makes a great base for sandwiches and bruschetta, or slice it thick and use it for dipping into soups and stews. So many possibilities right? Let your imagination take your taste bud to amazing places.
Gluten Free French Bread
Course: Back Porch Entertaining, Baked Goods, Gluten Free8
servings25
minutes25
minutesIngredients
1 whole batch Gluten Free Dinner Roll dough (see recipe on blog)
1 whole Egg, whisked for egg wash
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a French bread pan with parchment if using.
- Prepare the gluten free Dinner Roll recipe as directed.
- Divide dough into 2 equal portions. Carefully shape each into a log approximately 12 inches long on a dusted surface. Shape each end to a slightly rounded point.
- Place each log carefully in the French bread pan. Cover with plastic and allow to rise in a warm spot for approximately 15 minutes.
- Brush with egg wash and bake for 25-30 minutes or until deep golden brown.
- Allow to cool slightly before slicing. Use for the GF Caprese Garlic Bread, sandwiches, or simply with butter!
Notes
- If you do not have a French bread pan, bake the logs close together on a parchment-lined baking sheet. This bread is the base for the Gluten Free Caprese Garlic Bread recipe – make both on the same day for an incredible appetizer!
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