Easy Gluten-Free Puff Pastry (Rough Puff Method) (2024)

Learn how to make a delicious and flaky gluten-free puff pastry that is perfect for all your baking needs. This recipe is easy to follow and yields fantastic results! Now you can make all your puff pastry favorites.

If you need more recipe options, try this gluten-free baked brie pastry or these gluten-free apple turnovers. Our gluten-free cream puffs are always a huge hit. And who doesn't love a gluten-free pie crust, too?

GLUTEN-FREE PUFF PASTRY RECIPE

I couldn't wait to share this gluten-free puff pastry dough recipe with you. Gluten-free puff pastry is such a wonderful dough to master, as you can make all sorts of delicious treats with it.

This gluten-free puff pastry dough is considered a gluten-free rough puff pastry dough. A gluten-free rough puff pastry dough incorporates butter by adding it into the dough in small pieces. A traditional puff pastry adds a solid layer of butter called a butter block and folds it into the dough.

I tried several variations, some with egg and some with milk, and I kept testing until I produced the BEST gluten-free puff pastry dough that can be used for sweet and savory pastries. Please read this post for all the tips and shortcuts.

Bake Next: Gluten-Free Choux Pastry

WHY YOU’RE GOING TO LOVE THIS GLUTEN-FREE PUFF PASTRY

Tried and tested - I've put in all the hard yards for you with my extensive testing, so all you need to do is follow the recipe and tips!

Versatile - Gluten-free puff pastry is a wonderful dough to master, as you can make many easy desserts and appetizers with it.

Minimal ingredients - I've minimized the steps and ingredients as much as possible while still delivering a delicious, flaky, buttery gluten-free puff pastry dough. This recipe also works great for gluten-free puff pastry sheets.

INGREDIENTS IN GLUTEN-FREE PUFF PASTRY DOUGH

I tested this gluten-free puff pastry dough recipe with variations that included butter, egg, milk, and dried milk powder. The best results were found with a combination of ingredients that didn't include egg or milk.

White rice flour - I found this gluten-free flour blend to work best for gluten-free puff pastry.

Tapioca Starch - You can also use arrowroot starch but cannot substitute potato starch with it too.

Potato Starch - You can also use arrowroot starch but cannot substitute the tapioca starch with it too.

Xanthan Gum - This helps to bind the ingredients together.

Baking Soda - This gives the puff pastry a lighter and fluffier texture.

Salt -Salt adds a bit of flavor to the dough.

Butter - Butter is an important part of puff pastry. When the puff pastry dough bakes, it releases steam, and the butter melts, creating layers that puff up. It's hard to achieve layers of flaky dough without butter.

Water -This is used to add liquid to the dough.

Equipment Needed for This Gluten-Free Puff Pastry

Pastry blender - Pastry blenders are very useful when making GF puff pastry.

Mixing bowls - These Pyrex mixing bowls come in handy.

Rolling pin - I use the traditional wooden rolling pin, but you can choose from the fancier rolling pins, too.

Pastry brush - This pastry brush is great for applying egg wash to the GF puff pastry.

If you have any questions about making Gluten-Free Puff Pastry, please leave a comment, and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

HOW TO MAKE GLUTEN-FREE PUFF PASTRY

1. Add white rice flour, tapioca starch, potato starch, xanthan gum, baking soda, and salt to a large mixing bowl. Stir until combined.
2. Grate the cold butter into the gluten-free flour blend mixture, stirring and coating the butter pieces as you go. You can also use a pastry blender and cut the butter pieces into the gluten-free flour blend.
3. Once the butter pieces are the size of peas, make a well in the center and add the cold water. Use your hands to work the dough together and put it into a ball covered in plastic wrap. Chill for up to 2 hours.
4. Remove the GF puff pastry dough from the refrigerator, remove the plastic wrap, and let it sit for 20 minutes. Place the dough on a piece of wax paper or parchment paper and press the dough into a rectangle. If the dough cracks around the edges and is still too cold, let it sit at room temperature for another 20 minutes. If the dough is too soft, refrigerate it for 20 minutes.
5. Place another piece of wax paper or parchment paper on top of the gluten-free pastry dough and roll the dough out until it's about ¾ inch thick. Turn it vertically and fold the top into the center, then the bottom into the center (like a letter going into an envelope). Rotate it and roll it out again. Do this two more times and a total of three times.
6. Roll the dough out to ¼ inch thick and cut it into 12 pieces.
7. Fill each piece with your favorite filling.
8. Brush the tops with an egg wash and bake as directed.

Tip for making Gluten-Free Puff Pastry

• Use cold ingredients - Start with cold ingredients.
• No substitutes - Don't substitute anything not listed as a tested substitute. If you do, you're doing so at your own risk.
• Check ingredients - Make sure your ingredients aren't expired before you begin.
• Chill the dough - You can chill the dough in the refrigerator or freezer.
• Use a Silicone Baking Mat or Parchment Paper - When rolling out your puff pastry dough, using a silicone baking mat or parchment paper can help prevent sticking without adding extra flour.
• Monitor Oven Temperature - Gluten-free flours can react differently to heat than wheat flour. Ensure your oven is properly calibrated, and consider using an oven thermometer.

Troubleshooting Common Challenges

• Dough cracks - If the puff pastry dough cracks while you're rolling it out, the dough is too cold.
• The dough is sticky - If the puff pastry dough is sticky while you're rolling it out, sprinkle rice flour over the surface.
• Dough softens - If the puff pastry dough starts to soften or is hard to handle, place it in the refrigerator for 20 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do you grate the butter instead of cutting it in?

Grating the butter is a little less work, plus it helps you get uniform-sized pieces of butter.

Remember to pause while grating the butter into the gluten-free flour blend mixture to coat it with gluten-free flour before grating additional butter in.

Why is my gluten-free puff pastry dough oily?

Puff pastry dough has a lot of butter in it, so it will be buttery/oily.

With that said, if the butter is too cold when it goes into the oven, it won't coat the gluten-free flour the way it's intended to, and the surface of the pastry may be a little oily or buttery.

Why is my gluten-free puff pastry crunchy?

If the butter is too soft, it melts quickly and creates more of a crunchy pastry than a layered pastry dough.

If you want your pastry to be crunchier, don't chill the dough before rolling it out.

If you want it to be like traditional flaky pastry dough, make sure to chill it before working with it, and don't overwork the dough.

Can I make this in advance and freeze this gluten-free puff pastry?

Yes, you can make it in advance. Store it in the fridge overnight and use it the next morning.

Alternatively, freeze it if you intend to make it a few days later. It's best to finish rolling it out into a 15X12 rectangle before you freeze it. After you roll it out, roll the dough up with parchment or wax paper and place it in a zip lock bag and place it in the freezer.

When you're ready to use it, let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before you unroll it. If you unroll it when it's still cold, it will crack.

What substitutions can I use for this gluten-free puff pastry?

• You can substitute the potato starch (not gluten-free flour) or the tapioca starch with arrowroot starch, but not at the same time.
• You can use salted or unsalted butter, but if you use salted butter, you must omit the salt.
• You can use heavy cream instead of egg for the "egg wash".
• I haven't tried dairy-free (vegan) butter in this recipe.

Are there any gluten-free puff pastry brands in stores?

Yes, I've seen Schar Gluten-Free Puff Pastry and GeeFree Puff Pastry Sheets, but I have not tried them.

What size gluten-free puff pastry sheet does this recipe make?

This gluten-free puff pastry recipe makes one 15x12, a ¼-inch-thick sheet of puff pastry dough. It weighs approximately 22 ounces.

Can I use vegan butter in this gluten-free pastry dough recipe to make these vegan?

I haven't tried vegan butter in this recipe. But if you do, let us know.

How do you roll gluten-free pastry?

• Place the dough on a piece of wax paper or parchment paper. Then press the dough into a rectangle. TIPS: If you get cracks on the edges, let the dough sit at room temperature for another 20 minutes. This is caused by the dough being too cold. If the dough is too soft, refrigerate it for 20 minutes.
• Place another piece of wax paper or parchment paper on top of the dough and roll the dough out until it's about ¾ inch thick. Turn it vertically and fold the top into the center. Then the bottom into the center just like a letter going into an envelope. Rotate it and roll it out again. Do this two more times. In total, it will be three times.
• Roll the dough out to ¼ inch thick and cut it into 12 pieces - view the visuals above the recipe directions. TIP: It's best to roll the dough into sheets if you intend on freezing them for later use.

What Substitutions / Replacements Can I Make in This Gluten-Free Puff Pastry?

Dairy-Free - Use dairy-free butter. I have not tried it, however.

Vegan - As above, use a vegan butter alternative. Again, I have not tried it.

Does gluten-free puff pastry taste the same?

I would say it is pretty close to authentic as it comes out buttery and flaky, just like a classic puff pastry does.

Why does gluten-free puff pastry not rise?

There are two reasons. If you placed your dough into the fridge, it needs to be left out for about 10 minutes prior to baking it. Secondly, if you use your rolling pin again, you have compressed the air pockets, which then stops it from rising. So, it's best to roll the dough into sheets and freeze them to avoid this.

What Can You Make With Gluten-Free Puff Pastry?

The sky really is the limit to what you can make with GF puff pastry, from both sweet to savory. Here are some puff pastries you must make to give you ideas:

• Gluten-Free Baked Brie Pastry
• Gluten-Free Baklava - If you don't have gluten-free phyllo dough, you can make it with GF puff pastry.
• Gluten-Free Apple Turnovers
• Puff pastry bites
• Cheese straws

View our step-by-step video for this recipe on YouTube.

Did you make this gluten-free puff pastry? Please leave me a comment below letting me know what you thought.