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I’ve been asked for years to share a gluten free bread recipe that actually works in a bread maker. If you’re looking for a traditional loaf baked in the oven instead, try my classic gluten free bread recipe.

But if you’ve got a bread machine, this one delivers reliable results with simple ingredients, clear steps, and even a dairy free option.

tall partially sliced loaf of bread with a yellow crumb and a brown crust on a narrow dark brown wood cutting board with a blue cloth and metal bread knife with a brown wood handle

Table of Contents

my take

Why this recipe works in a bread machine

Soft crumb, crisp crust: This bread bakes up with a tender, open crumb and a golden-brown crust that isn’t too hard or chewy.

Buttery flavor: Even with just one rise, it develops a subtle tang and deep, buttery flavor.

Optimized dough texture: The dough is soft enough to be thoroughly mixed by a bread machine paddle, but not so wet that the loaf collapses as it cools.

Bread machine-friendly: This recipe fits the cycle of most modern bread makers, especially those with a single rise and longer bake.

Recipe ingredients

ingredients for gluten free bread machine recipe in small bowls with black block letters spelling name of each ingredient

To make this gluten free bread recipe work in your bread machine, you’ll need a few extra ingredients that improve rise, structure, and flavor. Here's what each one does and why it matters:

  • Gluten free flour blend: Any high quality, rice flour-based all purpose gluten free flour blend should work fine, as long as it's meant to be used for yeast bread (unlike KAF Measure for Measure). If you use Bob's Red Mill 1-to-1 gluten free, you'll need to add more xanthan gum.
  • Tapioca starch: Adds more stretch and flexibility to the bread. Add this even though your all purpose blend already contains some.
  • Cream of tartar & vinegar: Both add some acidity to the bread to help it rise.
  • Baking powder: Adds some instant rise to the bread and acts as insurance in case your bread machine's preset rising time of 1 hour isn't quite enough.
  • Sugar: Feeds the yeast, adds a bit of tenderness to the crumb.
  • Salt: Controls the yeast, and adds flavor.
  • Yeast: Provides most of the rise and even some flavor without a first rise.
  • Milk: Adds moisture, brings the dough together, and adds richness.
  • Eggs: Help with rise and structure. The yolks also add richness and flavor.
  • Butter: Adds moisture, flavor, and tenderness.

How to make this gluten free bread recipe in a bread machine

Making gluten free bread in a bread machine is as easy as layering the ingredients, setting your machine, and letting it do the work. Just follow these steps to get a consistent, bakery-style loaf every time.

To begin making this gluten free bread in your bread maker, whisk the wet ingredients—warm milk, melted butter, apple cider vinegar, and eggs—in a large liquid measuring cup. In a separate bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients, except for the yeast: gluten free flour blend with xanthan gum, tapioca starch, cream of tartar, baking powder, sugar, and salt.

Pour the wet mixture into the loaf pan of your bread machine. Then carefully spoon the dry mixture on top in a flat, even layer—do not mix.

2 cup glass measuring cup with yellow whisked mixture and metal wire whisk in cup
medium round metal mixing bowl with white flour and large metal wire whisk on marble surface
fingers holding 2 cup glass measuring cup pouring yellow mixture into baking pan for bread machine
hand holding large metal mixing spoon filled with white flour mixture turning flour over into black bread machine baking pan with more flour

Use a clean finger to make a shallow well in the dry ingredients. Pour the yeast into the well, making sure it doesn’t touch the liquid below. Insert the pan into the bread machine.

Select the “homemade” setting on your bread machine, if available, and program it for a 1.5-pound loaf with:
– 20 minutes of mixing or kneading
– 1 rise of 1 hour
– 1.5 hours baking time
– Dark crust setting (if available)
If your machine doesn’t allow manual settings, use the “gluten free,” “rapid rise,” “basic,” or “1 rise” cycle instead. Close the lid and start the machine.

When the mixing cycle finishes, use a silicone spatula to scrape down the sides of the pan and incorporate any dry spots. Smooth the top of the dough, then close the lid and allow the machine to complete the rise and bake cycle.

same baking pan with flour on top and instant yeast granules in small hole in center of flour in baking pan in bread machine
hand holding white silicone spatula with black handle scraping sides of bread machine baking pan with soft raw yellow bread dough

Let the loaf bake for at least 1 hour, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 205°F on an instant-read thermometer. If your machine browns the top, continue baking until it’s golden and firm to the touch.

As soon as baking is complete, remove the loaf pan and turn the bread out onto a wire rack. Carefully remove the paddle if it’s stuck inside. Let the bread cool for at least 1 hour (ideally 2) before slicing, to allow the crumb to fully set.

image of top of bread machine bread on wire silver metal rack
image of side of bread machine bread on same wire silver metal rack

My Pro Tip

Bread Machine Tips for the Best Gluten Free Loaf

Choose a 1-rise cycle (or the “homemade” setting):
If your bread machine has a “homemade” or custom setting, use it—it gives you control over the knead, rise, and bake times. Otherwise, choose a preset with one kneading cycle and one rise, like “gluten free,” “rapid rise,” “basic,” or “one rise.” Skip any setting that includes a second rise or punch-down, which won’t work well with gluten free dough.

Start with warm or room-temperature ingredients:
Bread machines can’t adjust rise time for cold dough. If your milk, eggs, or butter are too cold, the yeast won’t activate properly and your loaf may not rise enough. Use ingredients at the temperature listed in the recipe—no shortcuts here.

Get a golden top crust (even if your machine can’t):
Set your machine to the darkest crust setting, if available. If the top doesn’t brown well, finish the loaf in a 400°F oven for 10 minutes after baking. A golden, firm top means the crumb inside is fully baked.

Cool completely before slicing:
Wait at least 1 hour (ideally 2) before slicing your loaf. Cutting too soon especially into gluten free bread leads to gummy slices and releases steam that can dry the bread out.

whole brown crusted loaf of bread on the same brown cutting board with blue cloth and bread knife

Ingredient substitutions and allergy-friendly options

Dairy Free:
Use unsweetened almond milk or another smooth, unflavored nondairy milk (avoid gritty options like oat milk). Replace butter with vegan butter from a block for best flavor. You can use 35 grams (2½ tablespoons) neutral oil, but the bread will be less rich.

Egg Free:
Try two flax or chia eggs (1 tbsp ground seed + 3 tbsp water per egg). Bob’s Red Mill Egg Replacer or refrigerated JustEgg may also work, but results may vary.

apioca Starch:
Even if your flour blend includes tapioca, you still need the extra here for structure and flexibility. If needed, replace it with more flour blend by weight or superfine glutinous white rice flour—but tapioca starch gives the best texture.

Yeast:
No substitute for yeast here, but you can use active dry yeast instead of instant. Use 10 grams total, mix it into the milk mixture, and let it sit until bubbly before continuing.

2 individual slices of sandwich bread on brown cutting board on gray surface

🔄 Thinking of using your oven?

This recipe was made just for bread machines.

If you’d rather bake your bread in a regular oven, check the FAQ below for the link to my classic loaf.

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Gluten Free Bread Recipe For Bread Machine

5 from 3 votes
By Nicole Hunn
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Resting/kneading/rising time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
Yield: 8 slices
Yellow sliced bread with brown crust on brown cutting board
Pin Print
This gluten free bread recipe for the bread machine makes a tall, crusty loaf with a soft, flexible crumb. Made with gluten free flour, yeast, milk, and eggs—or easily made dairy free.

Equipment

  • Bread machine with "homemade" adjustable setting or at least a "gluten free" setting (See Recipe Notes)
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Ingredients 

  • 1 ½ cups (12 fluid ounces) whole milk, warm (about 95°F)
  • 3 tablespoons (42 g) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
  • 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
  • 2 (100 g (weighed out of shell)) eggs, at room temperature
  • 2 ⅝ cups (368 g) all purpose gluten free flour blend, (See Recipe Notes)
  • 3 teaspoons xanthan gum omit, if your blend already contains it
  • ½ cup (72 g) tapioca starch/flour
  • ¼ teaspoon cream of tartar
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • 2 tablespoons (24 g) granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons (12 g) kosher salt
  • 2 ½ teaspoons (8 g) instant yeast, (See Recipe Notes)

Instructions 

  • Remove the loaf pan from your bread machine and attach the mixing paddle. Set the pan aside.
  • In a large liquid measuring cup or mixing bowl, whisk together the warm milk, melted butter, vinegar, and eggs until fully combined.
  • In a separate bowl, whisk together the gluten free flour blend, xanthan gum, tapioca starch, cream of tartar, baking powder, sugar, and salt.
  • Pour the wet ingredients into the loaf pan. Carefully spoon the dry mixture on top in an even layer—do not mix. Use a clean finger to make a small well in the center and add the yeast to the well.
  • Plug in and set up your bread machine for use.
  • If your machine has a “homemade” or custom setting, set it for:
    • 1.5 pound loaf setting
    • 20 minutes of mixing/keading (1 cycle only)
    • 1 hour rise (one rise only)
    • 1.5 hours baking
    • Dark crust (if available)
    Otherwise, choose a “gluten free,” “basic,” or “one rise” cycle.
  • Place the bread pan securely in the machine and close the lid. Press the start button.
  • Listen for when the mixing/keading cycle is done or nearly done, and use a silicone spatula to scrape down the sides of the pan to mix in any loose flour.
  • Wet the spatula, and smooth the top of the raw dough into an even layer.
  • Close the lid and allow the bread to rise fully and bake for 1 hour.
  • Open the lid and use an instant read thermometer to check the internal temperature at the center of the loaf. It should read at least 205°F.
  • If your machine browns the top, let it bake until the top is browned and feels firm on top (another 15 to 20 minutes).
  • When baking is complete, check that the internal temperature reaches 205°F. If the top isn’t fully browned, remove the bread from the pan and bake in a 400°F oven for 10 more minutes.
  • Let the bread cool on a wire rack for at least 1 hour (ideally 2) before slicing.

Notes

Recipe Notes: Bread Machines, Flour Blends, and Yeast
Many modern bread machines now offer a “homemade” or custom setting that lets you control the knead, rise, and bake stages. I’ve used and recommend the KitchenArm 29-in-1 SMART Bread Machine for this recipe, but any model with a 1-rise cycle will work. I’ve also tested the Zojirushi, but note that it requires a 2-pound loaf and comes at a premium price.
Flour blend choices
Recommended gluten free flour blends for this recipe:
  • Better Batter Original Blend – Works beautifully
  • Nicole’s Best Blend – Be sure to add 3 tsp xanthan gum
  • King Arthur GF Bread Flour – Works, but loaf may be denser
  • Caputo Fioreglut – Loaf may be shorter and pale
Avoid these:
  • KAF Measure for Measure – Not suitable for yeast recipes
  • Cup4Cup – Formula changed and I no longer recommend it.
  • Bob’s Red Mill 1-to-1 – Can be used if you add 1½ tsp extra xanthan gum
I don't recommend Bob's Red Mill 1-to-1 Gluten Free Baking Flour here, but I can usually use in somewhat effectively in yeast bread by adding an extra 1 1/2 teaspoons xanthan gum to the dry ingredients.
To make your own blend using one of my “mock” recipes, please see the all purpose gluten free flour blends page.Always measure by weight, not volume, for consistent results.
Instant yeast
Instant yeast is also called rapid-rise or breadmaker yesat.
To use active dry yeast instead of instant yeast, use 10 grams instead of 8, and mix it into the milk mixture. Let the mixture sit until the yeast begins to bubble, then continue with the recipe.

Nutrition

Serving: 1slice | Calories: 298kcal | Carbohydrates: 50g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 58mg | Sodium: 701mg | Potassium: 142mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 265IU | Vitamin C: 0.01mg | Calcium: 80mg | Iron: 0.4mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Like this? Leave a comment below!

make ahead/leftovers

Storage instructions

Yeast bread is always best the day it's made. If you wrap the cooled loaf tightly in plastic wrap, unsliced, it will still be great the next day.

For longer storage, place it in a freezer safe zip top bag, sliced or unsliced, squeeze out as much air as possible and freeze for up to 3 months.

Defrost by the slice in a toaster oven or microwave. To refresh any slightly stale slices, sprinkle lightly with lukewarm water and place in a 300°F toaster oven for 5 to 10 minutes or until warm.

Gluten Free Bread Machine FAQs

Can I use honey instead of sugar?

You can, but I don’t recommend it. I tested this bread machine recipe with 2 tablespoons (42g) of honey and found the flavor overpowering. If you still want to try, reduce the milk by 1 tablespoon to keep the dough balanced.

Can I substitute psyllium husk for xanthan gum?

If your gluten free flour blend doesn’t already contain xanthan gum, you can try using 20 grams of blond psyllium husk instead. Expect a slightly different texture.

Can I use gluten free bread flour in this recipe?

Yes, King Arthur’s Gluten Free Bread Flour works here, but expect a slightly shorter loaf with a tighter crumb. You may need to increase the liquid by about 10%. Don’t use my homemade gluten free bread flour blend—it's not suitable for this bread machine recipe.

Can I reset my bread machine if I pick the wrong cycle?

Usually, yes—but it depends on your model. Check your manual or look up instructions online. For example, with the KitchenArm bread maker, you have to unplug the machine and wait at least 15 minutes before you can reset it.

Can I use a 1 pound bread machine?

Yes—just scale the recipe down by one-third (from 8 to 5 slices). Use about 67 grams of egg total (1 extra-large egg or a portion of two beaten eggs).

Can you bake this bread in the oven instead of the bread maker?

No—this recipe was developed specifically for bread machines. For a traditional oven-baked loaf, use my classic gluten free bread recipe, instead.

What bread machine do you recommend?

I’ve used the KitchenArm 29-in-1 SMART Bread Machine and recommend it for its “homemade” setting. Look for a machine that lets you control the knead, rise, and bake times. I’ve also tested the Zojirushi, but it’s pricey and only works for 2-pound loaves.
I have used and recommend the , but I'm not really partial to it. Look for something with a “homemade” setting that allows you to customize the knead time, rise time and bake time. I have a Zojirushi brand bread machine, but it's very expensive, you have to make at least a 2 pound loaf because the pan is very large.

About Nicole Hunn

Hi, I’m Nicole. I create gluten free recipes that really work and taste as good as you remember. No more making separate meals when someone is GF, or buying packaged foods that aren’t good enough to justify the price. At Gluten Free on a Shoestring, “good, for gluten free” just isn’t good enough!

Come visit my bio!

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25 Comments

  1. Derry says:

    Do I need to modify this recipe when using a Zojirushi?
    I’m so looking forward to trying your recipe, I just want my first loaf to turn out well.
    Thank you so much for sharing your recipes and time.

    Reply
    1. Nicole Hunn says:

      Hi, Derry, you’re so welcome! The only modification you’d need to make is to scale the recipe up if your machine makes only a large loaf. This recipe makes a 1.5 pound loaf in a vertical loaf pan. Read through the text of the post carefully to make sure you understand not just what’s in the recipe, but why, and you should be able to make those modifications easily. If your machine recommends a 2 pound loaf, then scale the yield from 8 slices to 11 slices.

      Reply
  2. Melody Davies says:

    5 stars
    At last, a great recipe for bread maker GF bread! Thank you so much. It is a real game changer for us. Even my non GF friends wanted it instead of ‘normal’ bread. I imagine I will be making this very frequently. Thanks again!

    Reply
    1. Nicole Hunn says:

      That’s great to hear, Melody! Many gluten free bread recipe state that they work just as well in the oven as they do in a bread maker, but I can’t see that being the case. So glad you found this recipe useful!

      Reply
  3. STEPHEN PARKER says:

    5 stars
    Nicole, thank you so much for this bread machine GF recipe. With a few change-outs my wife was able to produce an amazing loaf – pretty much like in your pictures.

    The major supermarkets here in Australia have changed their GF bread recipes to include potato starch, which I can’t do (nightshade intolerant), so I can no longer buy their bread. Besides that, their bread is no longer that good to eat.

    My wife used a standard GF flour mix, coconut milk (I’m dairy intolerant, but can do butter), salted butter (no unsalted available so she had to recalculate the amount of salt) and only 8g dry baker’s yeast instead of the 10g you recommend as I’m yeast sensitive.

    Thanks also for your well-thought-out website. A button for converting the recipe to metric and then being able to quickly print out the recipe rather than the whole article – great job.

    Thanks again and very much appreciated.

    Reply
    1. Nicole Hunn says:

      You’re very welcome, Stephen. I’m really glad to hear that you were able to make this recipe work for you and your wife with what you had available to you where you live. Thanks for sharing your experience!

      Reply