Choosing to eat both vegan and gluten-free can feel like navigating a culinary maze.
Bread is possibly one of the most beloved and versatile foods in the world. From freshly baked sourdough loaves and fluffy bread rolls to crispy ciabattas and baguettes.
But, bread, let alone good bread, can also be the most challenging food item for gluten-free vegans to find.
No one understands the frustration of finding eggs or gluten in foods that don’t need them, more than a gluten-free vegan on the hunt for a loaf of bread that is soft and moist with the right level of chewiness. This is why baking your own bread is a great idea!
Not only can you choose the exact ingredients you want to use, but it also means you’ll always be a few steps away from having warm, freshly baked bread ready to make a delicious sandwich.
We’ve got a great vegan, gluten-free bread recipe for you! Best of all, it’s just a few ingredients and can be made in a bread machine, making this one of the easiest vegan bread recipes ever!
Is Gluten-Free Bread Vegan?
Often ‘free from’ foods get lumped together, and people associate food that is ‘gluten-free’ as being free from all animal-based ingredients, but that’s not necessarily the case.
Not all vegan foods are gluten-free, just like not all gluten-free foods are vegan.
While gluten-free bread is typically made without wheat flour, which contains gluten, it can still contain non-vegan ingredients, like eggs, milk, or honey.
However, there are plenty of vegan gluten-free bread options available, made by substituting animal-based ingredients with plant-based alternatives. In this vegan bread recipe, we use simple substitutes like flaxseed, psyllium husk, and xanthan gum, for example.
Another benefit of making this delicious bread is that you have full control of the kitchen setting and every ingredient used, which is especially important for anyone with celiac disease.
What’s the Difference Between Oven Baked Bread and Using a Bread Machine?
Nowadays, it feels like there’s a machine for just about everything. It can be difficult to know whether doing things the traditional way is better than using the tech, especially when it comes to all the kitchen gizmos and gadgets available.
When it comes to baking vegan gluten-free bread, the choice between using a bread machine or the oven can create two fairly different baking experiences.
The convenience of a bread maker and its ability to effortlessly whip up a loaf of heavenly fresh bread with just a push of a button can be difficult to compete with.
It takes care of the mixing, kneading, rising, and baking, ensuring a stress-free baking experience. With its programmable timer, you can also wake up to the aroma of freshly baked bread or come home to a warm loaf after a long day.
On the other hand, baking bread in the oven offers a more hands-on approach. With the flexibility to adjust the recipe, you have complete control over the texture, crust, and overall taste of your loaf.
The most important difference between oven baking and using a bread maker is consistency and conciseness. While baking bread in the oven gives you more flexibility, it is generally a more time-consuming and challenging process, as there is more room for error.
As vegan and gluten-free bread can be tricky to perfect, using a bread machine is a great way to make sure you get the results you want, and end up with a mouth-watering loaf of bread every single time.
The Best Vegan Gluten-Free Flours
In the realm of gluten-free baking, the choice of flour is the key to achieving the right texture and flavor.
For this GF bread recipe, we have carefully selected a winning combination of almond flour, tapioca flour, and gluten-free all-purpose flour, all of which are also vegan-friendly.
Almond flour, which is made from finely ground blanched almonds, brings a delicate nuttiness to the bread, while providing moisture and tenderness to the crumb. It also adds a dose of healthy fats, protein, and fiber.
Tapioca flour, which is derived from cassava root, plays a vital role in binding the ingredients together and giving the bread a satisfying chewiness. Its starchy nature gives the bread a lighter texture and helps mimic the elasticity of gluten.
When it comes to gluten-free all-purpose flour for this recipe, there are several great options available at most grocery stores, like Bob’s Red Mill GF flour.
Something to keep in mind when choosing a gluten-free flour blend is to find one that consists of a blend of various naturally gluten-free flours and starches. This combination helps replicate the texture and performance of traditional wheat flour in baking.
Look for gluten-free flour blends that include brown rice flour, sorghum flour, buckwheat flour, almond flour, and chickpea flour. Starches like tapioca starch, potato starch, or cornstarch are also great ingredients, as they help improve the binding and structure of baked goods.
By using this terrific trio of almond flour, GF all-purpose flour, and tapioca flour, you can ensure your gluten-free vegan bread will be a delicious success, with a soft and moist loaf that rivals even its wheat-based counterparts!
Recipe Notes
Before we dive into how to make this delicious vegan bread, take a look at these important recipe notes.
Vegan Egg Replacement
In most traditional recipes, eggs are used as the binding agent to help the bread maintain its shape.
In this vegan bread machine recipe, we substitute eggs with flaxseeds as one of the binding agents.
Flax seeds serve as an excellent vegan egg replacer for several reasons.
Not only are they plant-based, but they also offer a multitude of health benefits. Flax seeds are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, and lignans, making them a nutritious addition to any recipe.
When ground and combined with water, flax seeds form a gel-like consistency that acts as a binding agent, similar to eggs. This binding property helps hold the ingredients together and provides structure to the bread.
Flax seeds also bring a subtle nutty flavor and contribute to the moistness of the bread.
If you’re in a rush and don’t want to be bothered mixing flax, JUST Egg is a popular store-bought option that is fully plant-based as well.
Vegan Gluten Replacement
In this vegan gluten-free bread machine recipe, the other main binding agent used is psyllium husk powder that mimics gluten.
Psyllium husk powder is derived from the seeds of the Plantago ovata plant and is known for its binding and thickening properties. It acts as a natural gluten substitute, providing structure and cohesion to the bread dough.
Psyllium husk powder absorbs moisture and forms a gel-like consistency when mixed with liquid, which helps hold the ingredients together and prevent the bread from crumbling.
Flour Substitutes
When it comes to gluten-free baking, the flour is the most important ingredient. For this recipe, we don’t recommend making any flour substitutions than the almond and tapioca flour, as it could alter the taste and texture of the bread.
What is Xanthan Gum?
Xanthan gum is a key ingredient used in gluten-free baking, including in this recipe, to enhance texture and provide stability.
It’s derived from the fermentation of carbohydrates and also acts as a binding and thickening agent.
Xanthan gum helps mimic the properties of gluten by providing viscosity and improving the texture of the bread.
Adding xanthan gum to this recipe will help the bread dough stay together, creating a moist, chewy, and delicious gluten-free loaf. It also helps prevent the bread from crumbling and keeps it moist, allowing the bread to stay fresh for longer.
You can find xanthan gum at most grocery stores or health food stores, and it’s a great addition to your pantry.
Can You Use This Recipe Without a Bread Machine?
This recipe is specifically adapted to be made using a bread machine.
However, the ingredients listed can be used to make oven-baked vegan bread, but the steps will need to be slightly adjusted.
Instead of combining all the ingredients, you would need to activate the yeast first by adding it to 10 tablespoons of warm water. Similarly, you would need to make the flaxseed egg mixture separately by combining the 2 tablespoons of flax with 6 tablespoons of water.
The rest of the steps will remain the same.
Another key difference to keep in mind is that you will need to give the bread dough time to rise in a warm place until it doubles in size, which usually takes around 1-2 hours.
Once the dough has doubled in size, place it in a prepared loaf pan and bake it for 45-55 minutes at 375°F (190°C).
All in all, while this recipe can be adapted to be used for oven-baked bread, we recommend using a bread machine for the best results.
How Long Does This Bread Stay Fresh?
This gluten-free vegan bread can stay fresh for about 3 to 4 days when stored properly. To maximize its freshness and shelf life, allow the bread to cool completely before storing it, and wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container. This helps prevent condensation, which can lead to a soggy texture, and prevents it from drying out. No one likes hard, stale bread!
Remember that gluten-free bread tends to have a slightly shorter shelf life compared to regular bread. So, it’s best to consume it within a few days for the best taste and texture. Trust us, with this loaf, it will be more difficult not to eat it all in one go!
How to Make Vegan, Gluten-Free Bread Using a Bread Machine
Get ready to enjoy a vegan and gluten-free loaf of bread that is not only easy to make, but also light and fluffy. Grab your apron and let’s get baking!
Preparation Time: 25 minutes
Baking Time: 2-3 hours (depending on your bread machine)
Yield: One loaf of gluten-free vegan bread. The size of the loaf may vary depending on the capacity of your bread machine pan and the settings you choose.
Ingredients:
1 3/4 cups gluten-free all-purpose flour blend
1/2 cup almond flour
1/2 cup tapioca flour
2 tablespoons ground flaxseed
1 teaspoon xanthan gum
1 tablespoon psyllium husk powder
1 1/2 teaspoons instant yeast
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 cups warm water
2 tablespoons maple syrup or agave nectar
2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, combine the dry ingredients, including the gluten-free all-purpose flour, almond flour, tapioca flour, ground flaxseed, xanthan gum, psyllium husk powder, instant yeast, and salt. Give it a good mix.
- Next, in a separate small bowl, whisk together the warm water, maple syrup or agave nectar, and olive oil.
- Now, pour the wet ingredients into the bread machine pan.
- Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture into the pan of the bread maker, ensuring that the wet ingredients are fully covered. Use a spatula to scrape down the sides, if needed.
- Place the bread pan into the machine and select the gluten-free setting (or a similar setting suitable for gluten-free bread). Set the crust color and loaf size according to your preference.
- Start the bread machine and let it run through the full cycle, including the kneading, rising, and baking phases. This usually takes around 2 to 3 hours, depending on the bread machine model.
- Once the baking cycle is complete, carefully remove the bread pan from the machine and let it cool for a few minutes. Then, transfer the bread to a wire rack to cool completely, at room temperature, before tucking in.
- Now for the fun part, slice and enjoy your freshly baked gluten-free vegan bread! It’s perfect for sandwiches, toast, or enjoying on its own.
Why Not Make the Best Gluten-Free Bread?
Baking your own bread when you have so many options to choose from at the grocery store may seem like an unnecessary task, but there are so many benefits to making your own bread!
This vegan GF bread is much healthier than regular white bread or whole-wheat bread! It’s also perfectly safe for anyone who wants to avoid gluten contamination.
In just a few simple steps, you can make easy gluten-free sandwich bread that is completely plant-based!
Whether you slather it with your favorite spread or vegan butter, stack it high with flavorful fillings, or simply enjoy it on its own, this is the perfect vegan gluten-free bread that only takes a few simple ingredients to make.
Instead of spending ages in the grocery store, poring over the ingredients list of different loaves of bread, enjoy the wonderful aroma of freshly baked bread and savor every bite with this easy recipe!
