See Recipe Pin Recipe
This easy gluten free sourdough bread recipe is a delicious alternative to the wheat-based version of sourdough bread, that is often not accessible for people who can’t eat gluten.
![Easy Gluten Free Sourdough Bread Recipe » LeelaLicious (1) Easy Gluten Free Sourdough Bread Recipe » LeelaLicious (1)](https://i0.wp.com/leelalicious.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Gluten-Free-Sourdough-Bread.jpg)
Sourdough Vs. Gluten-Free Sourdough
The most common version of sourdough bread includes white flour, salt, water, and sourdough starter. The sourdough starter adds a slightly sour taste to the bread, improves the texture, and helps the dough rise during baking. Sourdough starter is traditionally made with two ingredients; white flour and water.
The mixture sits for several days while undergoing repeated feedings of both flour and water until it becomes active enough with yeast to aid in successful bread making.
![Easy Gluten Free Sourdough Bread Recipe » LeelaLicious (2) Easy Gluten Free Sourdough Bread Recipe » LeelaLicious (2)](https://i0.wp.com/leelalicious.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Gluten-Free-Sourdough.jpg)
While someone may love the smell, taste, and texture of traditional sourdough, they may not be able to eat it if they eat a gluten free diet. There is a gluten free sourdough recipe that can make all the difference, though. Rather than using wheat flour, gluten-free sourdough includes a gluten free flour blend with xanthan gum, such as Bob's Red Mill 1-to-1 Flour.
This blend includes white rice flour, brown rice flour, potato starch, tapioca starch, sorghum flour, and xanthan gum. Additionally, the sourdough starter is gluten free through the use of gluten free flour.
![Easy Gluten Free Sourdough Bread Recipe » LeelaLicious (3) Easy Gluten Free Sourdough Bread Recipe » LeelaLicious (3)](https://i0.wp.com/leelalicious.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Gluten-free-Sourdough-starter-feeding.jpg)
Can You Make Gluten-Free Sourdough Starter?
Yes, you can make gluten-free sourdough starter. In fact, the process, like other gluten-free baking, is relatively simple and very similar to making a traditional sourdough starter. The way you make a starter is quite easy. Basically, you stir the gluten free flour with water in a jar, cover it, and allow it to sit at room temperature for a day before feeding it with more water and flour.
The wild yeast and bacteria in the environment cause the starter to develop over time. Then, that process is continued until the starter doubles in size, forms bubbles and is active enough to use in your bread recipes. You can find my Gluten-Free Sourdough Starter recipe here, which you can make before preparing this sourdough bread recipe.
![Easy Gluten Free Sourdough Bread Recipe » LeelaLicious (4) Easy Gluten Free Sourdough Bread Recipe » LeelaLicious (4)](https://i0.wp.com/leelalicious.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/GF-Sourdough-Ingredients.jpg)
Gluten Free Sourdough Bread Ingredients & Tools
The ingredients and tools needed for the recipe are few and simple. The bread is made of just active gluten free starter, filtered water, gluten free flour blend, and salt.
You'll also need a bowl for mixing and fermenting the dough in. As well as a spatula, some parchment paper, an oven-safe glass bowl with lid or aluminum foil cover or a Dutch oven for baking the bread in.
![Easy Gluten Free Sourdough Bread Recipe » LeelaLicious (5) Easy Gluten Free Sourdough Bread Recipe » LeelaLicious (5)](https://i0.wp.com/leelalicious.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/How-to-make-gluten-free-sourdough-bread.jpg)
How to Make Gluten-Free Sourdough Bread Instructions
1. To make this gluten-free bread loaf, you begin by mixing your active bubbly gluten-free starter with the filtered water in a bowl until combined.
2. Then, you add the dry ingredients, gluten-free flour blend and sea salt.
3. Stir the mixture with a spatula or wooden spoon until it combines into a uniform mass. Alternatively, the mixing can also be done in a stand mixer.
4. Shape the dough into a ball inside the bowl. Then, cover the with a lid, plastic wrap, or tea towel, and allow it to proof at room temperature for 12 to 18 hours before moving to the next step.
![Easy Gluten Free Sourdough Bread Recipe » LeelaLicious (6) Easy Gluten Free Sourdough Bread Recipe » LeelaLicious (6)](https://i0.wp.com/leelalicious.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/GF-Sourdough-before-and-after-rise.jpg)
During the fermentation time the dough ball will expand significantly. And if you use a transparent bowl, you'll be able to see from the sides how active and bubbly the dough becomes.
Getting the Dough Ready to Bake
When you are getting close to being ready to bake the dough, you should preheat your oven to 450°F with an oven-safe baking dish like a cast iron Dutch oven or Pyrex glass bowl for about 30 minutes.
![Easy Gluten Free Sourdough Bread Recipe » LeelaLicious (7) Easy Gluten Free Sourdough Bread Recipe » LeelaLicious (7)](https://i0.wp.com/leelalicious.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Shaping-and-baking-GF-Sourdough.jpg)
5. Next, dust a sheet of parchment paper with some gf flour and turn the dough onto it.
6. Dust the dough with a little flour to make it easier to gently shape and press it into a ball with your hands. Optionally, score the top with a sharp knife or lame.
Baking the Bread
7. Carefully lift the parchment paper up with the round of dough on it and place it in the heated bowl or Dutch oven. The bread should bake covered for a total of 30 minutes. Use any oven safe lid or aluminum foil in a pinch. Covering is important here as it will allow the bread to steam, which helps with achieving a crisp textured crust.
8. After the 30 minutes are up, though, you can remove the cover to allow the bread to become pleasantly golden brown during the last 15-20 minutes of baking time.
![Easy Gluten Free Sourdough Bread Recipe » LeelaLicious (8) Easy Gluten Free Sourdough Bread Recipe » LeelaLicious (8)](https://i0.wp.com/leelalicious.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Easy-Gluten-free-Sourdough-Bread.jpg)
After baking, remove the loaf of bread from the oven and pan/bowl/Dutch oven. Remove it from the parchment paper and let it cool, ideally on a wire rack. Make sure to let it cool completely before slicing it.
Since this is an easy gluten free sourdough bread recipe made with the shortcut of a gluten free flour blend, the bread it produces has a beautiful crispy crust, but the middle is usually slightly gummy (due to the xanthan gum in the blend). For that reason it is best enjoyed thinly sliced and then toasted. I find it particularly great toasted and then spread with salted butter. But you can also enjoy it for sandwiches or with honey, jam, or nut butters too.
![Easy Gluten Free Sourdough Bread Recipe » LeelaLicious (9) Easy Gluten Free Sourdough Bread Recipe » LeelaLicious (9)](https://i0.wp.com/leelalicious.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Best-Gluten-Free-Sourdough-Bread.jpg)
Ways to Vary Your GF Sourdough
Once you have mastered this gluten free sourdough recipe, feel free to experiment in the kitchen and make it your own. You can infuse some seeds into the dough or sprinkle them on top. Alternatively, you can play around with different gluten free flours and try homemade blends for different flavours and textures. Here are some ideas of combinations you could try.
- Knead toasted walnuts and dried cranberries into your bread dough for a more textured bread.
- Make a triple seed bread with sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, and sunflower seeds on top. Brushing the bread with a little water first can help them stick.
- Add some flax seeds into the dough for a healthier note.
- Try scoring pretty designs on top of your bread including swirls or wheat designs.
More Gluten Free Recipes You'll Love:
- Gluten Free Peanut Butter Blossoms
- Gingerbread Mug Cake
- Blackberry Skillet Cake
- Coconut Flour Buns
Easy Gluten Free Sourdough Bread
5 from 9 votes
Sourdough bread is delicious, but it is not often accessible for people who can’t eat gluten. Luckily, this easy gluten free sourdough bread recipe is a delicious alternative to the wheat-based version.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 45 minutes mins
Fermenting Time 12 hours hrs
Course Bread
Cuisine Baking
Servings 1 small loaf (about 10 thick slices)
Calories 96 kcal
Equipment
Oven-safe glass bowl (like Pyrex) or Dutch Oven
Ingredients
- 50 g active gluten free sourdough starter *
- 250 g water filtered
- 300 g gluten free flour blend with xanthan gum (I use Bob's Red Mill 1 to 1 baking flour)
- 6 g sea salt
Instructions
In a large mixing bowl whisk together the gluten free sourdough starter and water until lightly frothy and well combined.
Add in the gluten free flour and salt. Stir everything together with a spatula until all the flour is incorporated into a ball of dough.
Cover the bowl (with a lid, large plate, plastic wrap) and let the bread ferment at room temperature for 12-18 hours.
Preheat your oven to 450°F for 30 minutes with a large, oven-safe glass bowl (Pyrex) or Dutch oven, if you have.
Sprinkle a generous amount of gluten free flour onto a piece of parchment paper. With the help of a spatula gently turn out the dough onto the floured parchment.
Sprinkle a little more flour onto the dough and gently reshape it with your hands into a round ball. Let it rest while the oven finished preheating.
Using oven mitts remove the preheated glass bowl (or Dutch oven) from the oven. Lift the parchment paper with the gluten free sourdough bread ball and lower it into the bowl. Using a sharp knife or lame score an X into the top.
Cover with an oven-safe lid or aluminum foil. Return the bowl to the oven (carefully, with oven mitts) and bake the bread covered for 30 minutes.
Then remove the lid/cover and bake another 15-20 minutes. The bread should be lightly browned with a crunchy crust. The internal temperature should reach at least 195°F.
Remove the bread from the oven and from the bowl. For a better texture, let it cool to room temperature before slicing.
This gluten free sourdough is best enjoyed sliced and toasted.
Notes
*I feed 15g of gf sourdough starter with 25g gf flour blend and 25g water about 6-10 hours before making the dough
1. For a stronger sourdough flavor you can slow down the fermentation process in the fridge. Reduce the room temperature rise in step 3 to 6-8 hours. Then proceed to shape like in step 6, and transfer the parchment with dough to a bowl (or place dough in a banneton) and refrigerate covered for another ~12 hours. After that bake the bread as directed above directly from the fridge.
2. For a bigger loaf use 75g gf sourdough starter, 375g water, 450g gf flour, and 9g salt. Baking time will be 10-15 mins longer.
Nutrition
Nutrition Facts
Easy Gluten Free Sourdough Bread
Serving Size
1 slice (out of 10)
Amount per Serving
Calories
96
% Daily Value*
Fat
1
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
1
g
Monounsaturated Fat
1
g
Sodium
234
mg
10
%
Potassium
1
mg
%
Carbohydrates
21
g
7
%
Fiber
3
g
12
%
Sugar
1
g
1
%
Protein
3
g
6
%
Calcium
20
mg
2
%
Iron
1
mg
6
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Keyword easy gluten free sourdough bread recipe, gluten free bread, gluten free sourdough
Tried this recipe?Please leave a comment below! Share a picture on social media with tag #leelalicious !
Pin for later?
![Easy Gluten Free Sourdough Bread Recipe » LeelaLicious (11) Easy Gluten Free Sourdough Bread Recipe » LeelaLicious (11)](https://i0.wp.com/leelalicious.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Gluten-Free-Sourdough-Bread-LP.jpg)
Random Questions
How long does gluten-free sourdough need to ferment?
Fermentation times vary, but it's generally 12-18 hours during proofing. Observe the dough's significant expansion to determine readiness, especially visible in a transparent bowl.
How to tell when gluten-free sourdough starter is ready?
Wait until it doubles in size, develops bubbles, and becomes active. A "float test" can help – drop a small amount into water; if it floats, it's ready.
How often to feed gluten-free sourdough starter?
Feed daily if actively baking; if not, weekly maintenance suffices. Adjust frequency based on your baking routine to keep the starter lively.
Reasons for gluten-free sourdough not rising?
Possible factors include insufficient fermentation, inactive starter, or overmixing. Ensure proper proofing, active starter, and gentle mixing for optimal results.