Warm, buttery biscuits right out of the oven have some sort of appeal. It is the type of comfort food that warms any day with its crispy borders and fluffy, soft interior. Yet, if you’re on a gluten-free diet, it can be quite challenging to find a biscuit that tastes nice. It’s as if every biscuit with no gluten tastes bland. Guess what, I’ve found the perfect recipe for a flaky and soft gluten-free biscuit and I’ll share it with you here! Don’t worry, this gluten free biscuit recipe is super simple. Now get your hands dirty, heat up the oven, and let’s make some biscuits that will be a hit with everyone!

Why Go Gluten-Free?

Some of you may be gluten intolerant, have celiac disease, or simply feel better when you avoid gluten. But you shouldn’t have to pass up tasty biscuits for any reason! Without the gluten, this recipe is meant to be equally as delicious as regular biscuits, if not better. And believe me, baking without gluten isn’t as difficult as it seems (just like with this gluten free biscuit recipe). The correct ingredients and a few easy tips will have you baking airy biscuits in no time.

Scientific Insights on Gluten-Free Baking

Research in gluten-free baking has advanced significantly, focusing on improving texture, nutrition, and overall quality. A study on gluten-free bakery products explores innovative ingredient combinations that enhance biscuit structure and taste. Additionally, another comprehensive review delves into plant-based alternatives for gluten-free formulations, improving both functionality and health benefits. These findings provide valuable knowledge for making better gluten-free biscuits.

What Makes Biscuits Fluffy?

There’s a little bit of science (and a lot of love) that goes into a perfect biscuit. The secret? Three key things:

1. The right flour blend – Gluten-free flour can be tricky, but using a good mix of rice flour, tapioca starch, and xanthan gum makes a huge difference.
2. Cold fat – Cold butter or shortening helps create those light, flaky layers we all love.
3. Proper leavening – Baking soda and powder give the biscuits the ideal lift and cause them to rise.

What You’ll Need

Before we get started, gather your ingredients for this gluten free biscuit recipe. Having everything ready makes baking so much easier!

Dry Ingredients:

• 2 cups gluten-free flour blend (with xanthan gum)
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon sugar (optional, but adds a nice touch!)

Wet Ingredients:

• ½ cup cold unsalted butter (or dairy-free alternative), cubed
• ¾ cup cold buttermilk (or dairy-free milk with 1 teaspoon vinegar)
• 1 egg (optional, but makes the biscuits extra fluffy)

Choosing the Right Gluten-Free Flour

Gluten-free flour is the foundation of this recipe, so it’s important to pick the right one! Look for a blend that contains:

• Rice flour – It’s light and gives structure.
• Tapioca starch – This adds a bit of chewiness and helps with texture.
• Xanthan gum – This acts as a binder to replace gluten.

Don’t worry if your mixture does not have xanthan gum; simply add half a teaspoon to your dry components.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat Your Oven

First things first—set your oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Trust me, preheating is key to fluffy biscuits!

2. Mix Dry Ingredients

In a big bowl, mix up your gluten-free flour, baking soda, baking powder, sugar, and salt—just give it a good whisk until evenly mixed. It might seem simple, but this step ensures your biscuits bake evenly.

3. Mixing in the Butter

Take your cold butter and cut it into small pieces. Using a pastry cutter or even your fingers, work it into the flour until the texture looks crumbly, like tiny pebbles. This step is key to making your biscuits light and flaky! 

4. Add the Wet Ingredients

Pour in the cold buttermilk and crack in the egg. Stir gently with a spoon until just combined. The dough should be somewhat sticky so please don’t overmix it!

5. Shaping or Molding the Dough

Gently knead the dough down to about an inch thick after laying it out on a lightly floured board. If you don’t have a biscuit cutter, no worries—an upside-down glass works just as well! 

6. Bake to Perfection

Place the biscuits on the baking sheet, letting them touch slightly. This way, the biscuits will rise just fine. Bake the biscuits that you prepared in the oven (for 12 to 15 minutes). Once they’re done, let them sit for a few minutes before digging in. 

7. Cool and Serve

Resist the urge to eat them straight out of the oven! You can either serve the freshly baked biscuits with honey or butter!  But hey, let them cool for a few minutes. 

Products to Consider

To make sure you’ll bake perfect, flaky biscuits every single time, you’ll need these essentials. Here are some products you should consider:

• Gluten-Free Flour Blends:
  • Bob’s Red Mill 1-to-1 Gluten-Free Baking Flour – A well-balanced flour that closely resembles regular wheat flour. This is a simple substitute for gluten-free baking.
  • King Arthur Gluten-Free Measure for Measure Flour – Ideal for recipes that require a direct gluten-free flour replacement, offering great texture and flavor.
• Baking Essentials:
  • Clabber Girl Baking Powder (gluten-free) – Ensures your biscuits rise beautifully, giving them a soft and airy texture.
  • Arm & Hammer Baking Soda – Helps create the perfect rise and enhances the biscuit’s overall structure.
• Tools for Perfect Biscuits:
  • OXO Good Grips Dough Blender – Helps cut butter into the flour evenly, ensuring flaky biscuit layers.
  • Norpro Biscuit Cutter Set – Gives biscuits a uniform size and clean edges for consistent baking.

These products will help you achieve bakery-quality gluten-free biscuits with ease!

Tips for Baking Tasty Gluten-Free Biscuits

Keep The Ingredients Cold – Flaky biscuits are made using cold butter and buttermilk. It’s as easy as that.

Don’t Overwork the Dough – Less is more! Overmixing can make biscuits dense instead of light and fluffy.

Use a Hot Oven – A high baking temperature helps biscuits rise quickly and get that perfect golden color.

Variations to Try

1. Cheesy Garlic Biscuits – Add ½ cup shredded cheese and 1 teaspoon garlic powder for a savory twist.

2. Sweet Cinnamon Biscuits – Mix in 1 teaspoon cinnamon and 2 tablespoons brown sugar for a cozy, dessert-like flavor.

3. Vegan Biscuits – Swap butter for vegan butter and buttermilk for almond milk + vinegar—easy and delicious!

Storing Your Homemade Gluten-Free Biscuits

Short-Term Storage – If you’re planning to enjoy them within a couple of days, store the biscuits in an airtight container at room temperature. This keeps them fresh and soft.

Freezing – Wrap individual biscuits and freeze for up to 3 months.

Reheating – Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes, or microwave for 30 seconds.

Pairing Ideas

These biscuits are incredibly versatile! Pair it with a:

• Gravy – Homemade biscuits and gravy in the South? Sure, please!
• Sandwich – Add eggs, cheese, or even fried chicken.
• Soup – Perfect for dipping in tomato or chicken soup.
• Dessert – Drizzle with honey or chocolate for a sweet treat.

Troubleshooting Common Biscuit Problems

1. My biscuits are dry. What went wrong?

Too much flour! Try spooning the flour into the measuring cup instead of scooping.

2. They didn’t rise. Help!

Make sure your baking powder is fresh, and your oven is fully preheated before baking.

3. What if my dough turns out to be a bit sticky?

A little stickiness is normal, but if it’s too wet, sprinkle in 1 tablespoon of flour at a time.

Final Thoughts

Making gluten-free biscuits doesn’t have to be complicated or disappointing. With this easy recipe, you’ll get fluffy, buttery, and delicious biscuits that will make you forget all about gluten. So, what are you waiting for? Get baking and enjoy every bite! For more recipes, check out this article on plant-based meals.

FAQs

1. Can I use almond flour as a substitute for gluten-free flour?

Almond flour alone won’t work, but you can mix it with a gluten-free flour blend for better texture.

2. Which dairy-free alternative to buttermilk works best?

Almond milk + 1 teaspoon vinegar works beautifully.

3. Can I make these biscuits without eggs?

Yes! Use a flax egg (1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water).

4. How do I make my biscuits extra fluffy?

Cold ingredients, fresh baking powder, and not overmixing the dough.

5. Why do my biscuits turn out gummy?

Too much moisture or the wrong flour blend. Try adding a little extra flour or baking a bit longer.