How to Make Gluten Free Muffins

Gluten free desserts tend to have a reputation of being dry, dense, gummy, and crumbly—especially among people who haven't tried many gluten free foods before. While it's true, some gluten free foods are a bit more challenging to make than others; it doesn't have to be that way. 

With a few simple tricks and tips, using gluten free ingredients is much easier than it sounds. By learning how to create the perfect combination of flours and ratios, you can ensure that baked goods turn out great each time you make them.

This being said, the type of gluten free ingredients you use largely depends on the recipe you're making. One of our favorite desserts, muffins are an excellent baked good to make if you're new to gluten free baking. Continue scrolling to learn more about how to make gluten free muffins, and the many different types of flour to use.

What is The Role of Gluten in Baking?

One of the most popular flours used in baking is all-purpose flour which is derived from grounded wheat. While all-purpose flour's neutral taste makes it ideal for sweet and savory baked good recipes, its high wheat content means that it's off-limits to individuals who have celiac disease or gluten intolerance.

So, why does all-purpose flour have gluten, and what is its purpose? Wheat flour contains two significant sources of protein: glutenin and gliadin. When liquid is introduced, these protein sources activate and combine to create a robust elastic chain called gluten. The strength of the bond made when forming gluten works to give the dough its strength and elasticity. When cooked, the baked goods maintain their structure and chew, and the gas bubbles formed help the dough rise properly.

What Happens When Gluten is Removed?

As you remove gluten from baked recipes, the structure and binding capabilities of the dough are lost with it. When making muffins, this usually results in a treat that is more dense than usual and crumbles upon handling. Because no one wants a crumbly muffin, you'll need to find a flour alternative that will take over the binding capabilities of gluten.

Flours That Can be Used to Replace Wheat Flour

Wondering what type of flour can be used to replace wheat flour and still produce great-tasting muffins? We have you covered. While there are several flours and starches to choose from, a few mimic the function of gluten better than others. Here are our favorites.

Gluten Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour

Making delicious gluten free muffin recipes is easier than ever with this Gluten Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour blend. Perfectly formulated with a blend of high quality ingredients like sweet rice and brown rice flour, potato starch, sorghum flour, tapioca flour, and xanthan gum, this mix is excellent for baking dessert recipes, especially those that call for baking powder and baking soda. With no additional specialty ingredients, this gluten free flour blend makes it easy for everyone to enjoy their favorite recipes—especially people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.

Paleo Baking Flour

When making grain free goods, Paleo Baking Flour is an excellent choice. A unique blend of arrowroot starch, coconut flour, almond flour, and tapioca flour, this mixture combines these flours in the perfect proportion to create the ideal paleo friendly and gluten free dough. Use one of our delicious recipes like these Paleo Lemon Blueberry Muffins as a starting base, and step outside your kitchen comfort zone by mixing in your favorite add-ins.

Grain Free Blueberry Muffin Mix

Searching for a no-fail way to make the perfect grain free muffins? Start with one of our premade flour mixes. This Grain Free Blueberry Muffin Mix is quick to prepare and an easy-to-use mix that offers an unparalleled flavor and texture to your favorite baked good sans the grains. It's so simple that you can mix up a batch today and enjoy it with everyone you love.

Mix The Batter For Longer

When it comes to making baked goods, one of the most common tips is to make sure you don't overmix the dough. Overmixing dough containing gluten can cause the protein strands to break, resulting in a tough, dry, and dense texture. Conversely, gluten free batters require a bit more mixing. Mixing gluten free batter allows it to create a needed structure that will help it rise and hold up against add-ins like fresh fruits, nuts, and seeds.

Let The Batter Rest

Part of the bad reputation that gluten free baked treats receive is that they are often sandy in character. When discovering how to get rid of this unwanted grit, we've found that letting the batter sit for a while before baking makes a significant difference. 

After you've mixed all of the dry ingredients and the wet ingredients, allow the batter to rest. This provides the flours and starches time to absorb all of the wet ingredients before baking. Additionally, it helps thicken up the dough so that the result is less gummy.

Check Your Oven Temperature

The key to baking the perfect baked good is to cook it at the right temperature. Most recipes will clearly state the temperature and time required for the muffins to cook thoroughly. 

This being so, you want to make sure your oven is heating to the right temperature. Some ovens may run hotter or colder than others, and it's essential to routinely check your oven temperature with a thermometer to ensure that its temperature is reading accurately.

Additionally, even when fully cooked, many gluten free baked goods look undercooked. Because of this, the time stated on the recipe is the most reliable way to know if your muffins are done cooking. 

Gluten Free Muffin Recipes

Put your newfound gluten free muffin-making skills to the test and try out some of the delicious gluten free muffin recipe options below.

Gluten Free Apple Muffins

Searching for a gluten free muffin recipe that can be enjoyed year-round? You've found it. While some flavors are seasonal, apple is one fruit that never goes out of style. The perfect muffin recipe no matter what time of year it is, these Gluten Free Apple Muffins are sure to have everyone heading back for seconds. 

Made with hearty oats and our Gluten Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour, the satisfying flavors of apple and cinnamon make these sweet muffins perfect when enjoyed as breakfast or paired with your afternoon tea. 

Gluten Free Savory Bacon and Cheese Muffins

Sweet muffins often take the spotlight. However, we believe that some of the most satisfying free muffin recipes are the savory ones. This Gluten Free Savory Bacon and Cheese Muffin Recipe is the perfect food if you're craving a great-tasting snack. Excellent when enjoyed as a breakfast recipe or a dinner side, this dish uses Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour to ensure that it's entirely gluten free. Surprise your family this week, and work this recipe into the menu.

Gluten Free Blueberry Muffins

It wasn't hard to turn this classic muffin recipe into a gluten free version of itself. Made with our Gluten Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour and fresh blueberries, it's hard to tell these Gluten Free Blueberry Muffins apart from the traditional ones. So whip up a batch of these to enjoy throughout the week, or double up on the batter and bring them to your next gathering. We're confident that everyone who tries these muffins will love them!

Gluten Free Lemon Zucchini Muffins

While zucchini might not be the first ingredient you think of when making a tasty muffin recipe, it's the star of these Gluten Free Lemon Zucchini Muffins. Tender and golden, these muffins are lively with the flavors of lemon. 

Additionally, shredded zucchini and turbinado sugar help keeps the zucchini muffin moist throughout the baking process. Enjoy these muffins in the morning with breakfast or as a midday snack when you require a quick pick-me-up. 

Paleo Muffins

While not all paleo muffin recipes are gluten free, this one is! These grain free and Paleo Muffins are the perfect treats to make if you're baking for individuals following a specific diet. 

Paleo Baking Flour, coconut oil, and honey are used to create a sweet, neutral-tasting batter to make these muffins. Ideal for using as a gluten free muffin base, we recommend getting creative when testing out this recipe and working your favorite add-ins to the muffin batter.

And there you have it, a complete guide to making the ultimate gluten free muffins—complete with three of our favorite recipes. From using gluten free flour to mixing the batter for more extended periods, the tips and tricks on this list will help you create a perfect muffin every time. Don't believe us? Try it out for yourself. We can't wait to hear what you think. From everyone at Bob's Red Mill, we wish you the best on your gluten free baking journey!

Have a gluten free muffin tip that you'd like to share. We love hearing from you. Let us know how you create the perfect gluten free goods in the comments below!