Convert a Bread Machine Recipe To Gluten Free

Millions of Americans suffer from gluten intolerance, a condition that although is not life threatening, can be very bothersome at times and this is why they opt for alternatives to traditional flour. The good news is that gluten-free flour can be found at any store, it is cost-effective and its taste is similar to the taste of classic flour as we know it. If you have decided to switch to a gluten-free lifestyle and you do not know where to start from, here are some tips and hints that will help you convert your bread machine recipes to gluten free:

Flour Mixes

When it comes to gluten-free bread, you basically have two options: you can either buy special gluten free flour directly from the store, or you can create the mix at home. The latter option is more cost-effective and healthier, given the fact that you know all the ingredients in your gluten-free bread. Having said that, the basic gluten-free flour replacement should be a mix of one pound white rice flour combined with half a cup of tapioca flour, whisked together very carefully.

However, you do not necessarily need to use rice flour as you can opt for all-purpose wheat flour as well. Moreover, you can add more tapioca flour depending on what you plan to prepare.

Read The Product Label

Make sure that all the ingredients are certified gluten-free and that they are manufactured in a gluten-free facility, this is an essential aspect when purchasing rice flour or wheat flour. It is important to understand that gluten-free baking is not very different from the classic baking, the sole difference is that instead of regular flour (which can wreak havoc on your health over the years) you use gluten-free flour, which is tastier and healthier.

At the same time, it is recommended to opt for gluten-free bread mixes that use only superior, high-quality ingredients: almond flour, millet or brown rice flour are only some examples. The modern gluten-free flours are high-protein, they are affordable and they come in a variety of flavors.

Convert The Recipe

Converting your favorite bread recipe to GF flour is very simple, provided that you understand the basics of gluten. Basically, this is the ingredient that gives bread a fluffy and light texture but on the other hand, breads that are made using gluten-free flour are heavy and dense. Make sure to focus on gluten-free yeast as well, if you plan to make a delicious bread in your machine.

One of the most important aspects to consider when converting traditional recipes to gluten-free recipes is to substitute 1 cup of wheat flour with 1 cup of gluten-free flour, no more and no less. It is highly recommended to add some guar gum or xanthan gum to the combination (one teaspoon per every cup of flour). The purpose of this gum is to bind the ingredients together, and the good news is that you can find this binding agent at any health food store.

As you may already know, breads made with gluten free flour tend to flatten out, this is why adding extra baking powder or an extra egg will surely help you create a consistent dough that will maintain its shape.

Gluten-Free Alternatives To Traditional Flour

The gluten-free market is booming, and an impressive number of alternatives to traditional flour have emerged on the market over the past few years. Rice flour is an outstanding, nutritious and delicious flour: no matter if you opt for sweet, brown or white rice, this alternative will surely help you bake delicious homemade bakes without a trace of gluten.

Corn flour, on the other hand, is another wise choice in terms of GF flour and so is potato, soy or tapioca flour: you should be able to find all of them at your local supermarket. However, there are some exotic assortments of flour that are very good yet not as popular as these ones: the sorghum flour, the coconut flour or the amaranth flour are also three great choices. Nut flour (hazelnut or almond, usually) is also good for a GF recipe that your entire family will enjoy.

There are many options you can choose from, but make sure to steer clear from oat, graham and rye flour if you want to adopt a GF lifestyle!