Gluten-free Dinner Rolls

Gluten Free Dinner Rolls come out of the oven soft and delicious. Simple to make in a few easy steps then baked in a muffin tin for individual gluten free, dairy free rolls. If you like Rhodes rolls, you’ll love this gluten free option!

Dinner rolls are a staple on our family table around the holidays. From Thanksgiving to New Years, rolls make an appearance a time or two. As we started to create our holiday menus, finding dinner rolls we enjoyed was a challenge. That’s when we made it our mission to create a homemade dinner roll with an outstanding flavor!

Our recipe for gluten-free yeast rolls can be enjoyed by everyone even if they don’t need the gluten-free version. For more gluten-free holiday recipes, check out our Gluten Free Cornbread Dressing, Gluten-Free Pecan Pie and Crockpot Green Bean Casserole (Fresh Green Beans). All created gluten-free without compromising texture or flavor!

The key to any gluten-free baked good is correctly measuring the flour blend. Before starting on these rolls, take a moment to learn how to properly measure gluten-free flour. Many times people will complain of dry or crumbly gluten-free products. This could directly be related to how the flour is being measured.

Measuring Gluten Free Flour

Instead of scooping the measuring cup into the bag of flour, use the spoon and sweep method for measuring. Use a spoon to scoop flour into the measuring cup and then a knife to level out the top of the measuring cup once full. This will provide an accurate amount of flour for any given recipe.

almond flour, xanthan gum, baking stick, yeast and various other ingredients for dinner rolls on baking sheet

Now that we have covered measuring flour, let’s get started! Made with kitchen essentials, these dinner rolls are prepped, left to rise then baked. Gather the equipment and ingredients then follow the directions below to have these rolls ready to serve.

Equipment

Stand mixer with paddle attachment
whisk
spatula
measuring cups and spoons
butter knife
muffin tin
nonstick cooking spray
liquid measuring cup that’s microwave safe (or microwave safe glass)
kitchen towel

Ingredients

1 cup water
2 tablespoons granulated sugar, divided
2 teaspoons active rise yeast
3 cups high quality gluten free flour blend (with xanthan gum)
2 tablespoons shortening
1 large egg, room temperature
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum

*Tested successfully with Mama’s Almond Blend. Cannot guarantee similar results if a different brand is used as all gluten-free flour blends are not created equal.

activated yeast and almond flour in mixing bowl

How To Make

Heat the water in the microwave for about 1 minute, or until the temperature is warm, not hot (105°-110°F). In the bowl of your mixer, whisk together the warmed water, 1 tablespoon of sugar, and the yeast. Let sit 5 minutes.

Add the remaining ingredients

To the yeast mixture add 1/2 of the flour, shortening, egg, salt, vinegar, and xanthan gum. Mix on medium speed until blended. Add the rest of the flour and mix for 3 minutes. The dough will be sticky.

Pro Tip: This recipe can still be made even if you don’t own a stand mixer. Use a hand mixer or mix this recipe by hand with a spoon.

yeast dinner roll dough in bowl covered with dish towel

Prepare the pan and divide the dough

Spray the muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray. Using a spoon, divide the dough into 12 rolls. Spray a little cooking spray on your fingers and smooth the dough gently.

Cover and let rise

Wet a clean kitchen towel and ring it out so it’s damp. Cover the baking pan and set aside for 1 hour to rise. The rolls will not double in size, but they will rise. Preheat oven to 400°F.

Bake

Bake the rolls for 20-22 minutes or until the tops are golden brown. Best served warm.

dinner roll dough scooped into muffin tin

Frequently Asked Questions

How to serve dinner rolls?

Dinner rolls can be paired with the main entrée or served on the side with dab of butter. Turn these rolls into an afternoon snack or after dinner treat by drizzling with honey or smearing with jam.

What to serve with dinner rolls?

Not only are these a holiday staple, but easy enough to make any night of the week year round. Pair with any of these ideas: Slow Cooker Chunky Vegetable Soup, Cheesy Vegetable Soup, Brussels Sprout Apple Salad, Porterhouse Steak Recipe (Grill), Chicken Sausage Soup, and Easy Pork Loin Recipe.

Why does this recipe call for both xanthan gum and a xanthan gum containing flour blend?

Xanthan gum contributes to the elasticity and structure of gluten free breads. Typically, the amount of xanthan gum in gf flour blends is sufficient and too much will cause a gummy texture in baked goods. However, for rolls, the extra 1/2 teaspoon is needed to reach the best texture.

How many rolls does a single batch make?

A single batch will make 12 rolls. Simply adjust as needed depending on the size of your crowd. Best served hot straight from the oven, leftover rolls can be cooled and stored at room temperature for a few days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. When ready to serve, reheat in the microwave for 15 seconds or until warm.

How do I know if my yeast is activated?

First things first, check the expiration date of the yeast packet. Expired yeast will prevent the dough from rising. If good to go, stir the yeast with warm water and wait for the mixture to become foamy. If the yeast is not foaming, discard and try again with a new packet.

gluten free dinner rolls stacked in a plate

Kids In The Kitchen

Cooking tips and suggestions for kids making this recipe.

Use a kitchen thermometer to test the temperature of the liquid before adding the yeast. If too hot or too cold, the yeast won’t activate (and the rolls won’t rise).
Spraying a little cooking spray on the spoon will help to easily transfer the sticky rolls from the bowl to the muffin tin.
One batch of rolls makes 12 rolls. How many batches do you need to make for 24 rolls? Help your family do the math!

More Easy Gluten Free Recipes

CKC Features both Gluten-Free Guidance and Kids Cooking Instructions: If you’re new to eating gluten-free we understand it’s overwhelming trying to figure out which foods may contain gluten and which ones don’t. All of our gluten-free recipes marked with this symbol ✅ represent foods that need to be checked for gluten or cross-contamination.

The ⭐️ symbol in the recipe below denotes the steps in which kid cooks may need a helper (depending on age). If there is no ⭐️ symbol, that step (or recipe) doesn’t require a helper.

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