Bread Machine Tips for Gluten-Free Vegan Recipes

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Do you find it challenging to bake bread with your special dietary restrictions? I’ve wanted to share bread machine tips for gluten-free, vegan recipes for a while now. This post includes information for bread recipes without gluten/wheat, eggs or dairy prepared in a bread machine. Ask questions in the comments.

Bread machine pan with freshly baked gluten-free vegan bread with plant-based ingredients in the top left

Did you know that including two rise times is unnecessary for gluten-free, vegan bread recipes prepared in a bread machine? And, having a gluten-free setting on a bread machine does not mean your gluten-free breads will turn out.

If only it were as simple as throwing the ingredients in and letting the machine do all the work, but a little attention is needed with specialty gluten-free recipes.

This blog post supports the Gluten-Free, No Eggs or Dairy Bread Machine Cookbook recipes by Chantal Secours. The information in this blog post offers additional tips to help bakers achieve the best possible results when baking bread in a bread machine without gluten, eggs, dairy, or other top food allergens.

Bread Machine Tips for Gluten-Free Vegan Recipes

Table of Contents

How To Make Gluten-Free Vegan Bread in a Bread Machine

The shortened summary explains how most gluten-free vegan bread machine recipes in the cookbook or the blog are prepared.

  • STEP 1 – Weigh, combine and mix/whisk the wet ingredients into the bread machine pan. 
  • STEP 2 – In a separate bowl, weigh, combine and whisk the dry ingredients.
  • STEP 3 – Transfer the dry ingredients and add-ins over the wet ingredients in the bread machine pan.
  • STEP 4 – Plug in, turn on the bread machine, select a setting (listed in the cookbook), and press start. With a soft silicone spatula, help the machine combine the ingredients by scraping down the pan’s sides. Once combined, the next step will depend on whether it’s a quick bread, yeasted bread, or sourdough bread recipe. For loaves of bread with yeast, some rising time is necessary.
  • STEP 5 – When ready to bake, use the bake-only setting or finish the cycle selected. Gluten-free bread machine recipes bake on average for 1 to 1 hour and 10 minutes (1:10). The bonus Low-Carb Flaxseed Bread recipe bakes for longer (1:20), also seen in the process photos below.
  • STEP 6 – Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes and finish cooling on a wire rack. This can take anywhere from 1 hour to 4 hours. Some types of bread, like quick breads, cool faster. Gluten-free sourdough bread recipes that need to be thoroughly cooled before slicing.
Example of process steps to make gluten-free, egg-free bread in a bread machine
Steps to prepare the wet and dry ingredients for gluten-free, vegan bread in a bread machine. Recipe: Low-Carb Flaxseed Bread

Which Bread Machine Setting Should I Use For Gluten-free Bread?

After years of experimenting with a few mid-range bread machines, here are a few settings I often use with gluten-free and egg-free recipes.

  • RAW DOUGH – Great for mixing for 5 to 10 minutes, then use a different setting for the next step. 
  • RAPID – Gluten-free loaves of bread only need one rise. A RAPID setting (white or other) is often perfect for quick breads and bread recipes with yeast.
  • GLUTEN-FREE – Depending on the bread machine, the GLUTEN-FREE setting is not always the best for making gluten-free recipes. Some machines punch down and rise again (twice) on this setting, which deflates the initial rise 😞. Doing so can sometimes change the outcome of a recipe and not always for the best. Try it at least once to learn how this setting behaves on your appliance. Some machines have a digital display that indicates the cycles for each setting. If it shows two rise times, decide whether to try it as an experiment or consider a different setting that could work better.
  • QUICK – The QUICK setting is different on my machines. On one, the cycles are almost perfect; on the other, the overall times for each cycle are way too long for most gluten-free quick bread recipes. A RAPID setting is often a better option for quick breads.
  • FERMENT – On one of my machines, I use the 30-minute FERMENT option often. It’s perfect for gluten-free, vegan bread recipes with active dry yeast. For longer ferment times, for example, gluten-free sourdough bread recipes, I often let the dough rise with the machine turned off.
  • BAKE ONLY – This is my go-to setting for many recipes, not just bread. I use the BAKE-ONLY option in the cookbook to bake bread and even some non-bread recipes like a fruit crisp and rice pudding.
  • JAM – I have a low-sugar jam recipe in the book, and the JAM setting worked fine. Keep an eye on the jam while cooking; it can be ready before the cycle ends.

Best Bread Machine for Gluten-Free Vegan Bread

I’ve tested over 100 loaves of bread in two different bread machines (Breadman Pro & KBS 17-in-1). The bread machines listed below include useful features even though I haven’t tested all of them with gluten-free, vegan bread recipes.

Budget-Friendly ($175 or less) 

Mid-Range ($175-250)

High-End (over $250) 

As I get feedback from other bakers, I will revise the suggested bread machines.

Bread Machine Features To Consider

When shopping for a bread machine to make gluten-free recipes, here are a few nice-to-have features to consider:

  • Compact Design: The overall size of an appliance matters. Will you need to store it? Do you plan to keep it on your kitchen counter to bake often? 
  • Bread Pan: With gluten-free and egg-free recipes without xanthan gum, the loaves are often better when kept smaller. If the pan is too large or has a different shape (rectangular vs. square), it can change the outcome of a loaf. The pan’s finish (stainless/ceramic/Teflon) is also a detail to consider, especially if you plan to bake regularly.
  • Loaf Size: 1.5 to 2-lb. capability.
  • Paddle Features: Does the pan have one or two paddles? Can the paddle be easily removed before baking? Is it collapsible and stays in the pan while baking?
  • Variety of Settings
  • Ease of Use: Most bread machines will include a learning curve and take some trial and error.
  • LCD Display: Bread machines without an LCD screen exist, but a small appliance with a display screen makes programming it much easier.
  • Viewing Window: A must-have feature. A lid with a viewing winder is ideal for looking in without opening the bread machine lid while baking and letting all the heat escape.
  • Customizable Settings: The ability to customize a setting (e.g., mix for less time, rise for more or less time, bake for longer) on a bread machine is a bonus with gluten-free, vegan bread recipes.
  • Automatic Fruit and Nut/Seed Dispenser: For gluten-free bread recipes, the add-ins can often go in with the dry ingredients or soon after the mixing cycle begins, so the dispenser is unnecessary.
  • 13-Hour Delay Timer: As most gluten-free bread recipes need a little help with mixing the ingredients, setting an overnight delay is not something I would suggest.
  • Electrical: Do you have two or three-pronged outlets? Bread machines have different electrical features.

Oven-Baked Instructions

Here are some basic instructions to bake your dough (mixed by hand or the bread machine) in the oven if you ever need a plan B. Use the instructions as a guide for each type of gluten-free bread from the cookbook.

Oven-Baked Instructions for Quick Breads 
(Bread Recipes Without Yeast) 

Some quick breads will do better baked at a lower 350°F temperature. Others can handle a hotter 425°F oven. The bread might crack or get dark fast if your oven is too hot. Consider 400°F if unsure where to start, and adjust it up or down for your next bake, as everyone’s oven can be different. 

  • STEP 1 – Position an oven rack near the center of the oven. Baking with steam is optional but can help a gluten-free vegan bread rise. Place a second rack on the lower half of your oven with the baking sheet with sides to do so. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
  • STEP 2 – Prepare the quick bread ingredients from the recipe in the bread machine cookbook.
  • STEP 3 – Transfer the dough to a parchment-lined bread pan. A smaller 8.5 x 4.75 x 4.375-inch Pullman pan with a lid or a 7.5 x 3.75 x 2.5-inch bread pan works well. A regular 9 x 5-inch bread pan will work, too, but the loaf won’t rise as much when baking, resulting in smaller slices of bread. 
  • STEP 4 – When ready to bake, and if baking with steam, add a few ice cubes or some water (1/2 cup should be enough) to the preheated baking sheet with sides; it will create steam. Transfer the bread pan to the middle rack and bake for 60 minutes. Keep the oven door closed while baking.
  • STEP 5 – The loaf is ready when the top center feels set, the crust is darker, or the internal temperature reaches 210°F. Bake for 5 to 10 minutes longer if necessary.
  • Step 6 – Once ready, cool in the bread pan for 10 minutes. Remove the loaf from the bread pan, peel off the parchment paper, and finish cooling it on a wire rack. Enjoy!

Oven-Baked Instructions for Yeasted Breads
(Bread Recipes with Active Dry Yeast) 

  • STEP 1 – Prepare the yeasted bread ingredients from the recipe in the bread machine cookbook.
  • STEP 2 – Transfer the dough to a parchment-lined bread pan. A smaller 8.5 x 4.75 x 4.375-inch Pullman pan with a lid or a 7.5 x 3.75 x 2.5-inch bread pan works well. 
  • STEP 3 – Insert your bread pan into a large reusable bag or cover it with a clean tea towel, place it somewhere warm and let the dough rise for 1 to 2 hours or until you notice some rise.
  • STEP 4 – Position an oven rack near the center of the oven. Baking with steam is optional but can help a gluten-free vegan bread rise. Place a second rack on the lower half of your oven with the baking sheet with sides to do so. Preheat the oven to 425°F.
  • STEP 5 – When ready to bake, and if baking with steam, add a few ice cubes or some water (1/2 cup should be enough) to the preheated baking sheet with sides; it will create steam. Transfer the bread pan to the middle rack and bake for 60 to 70 minutes. Keep the oven door closed while baking.
  • STEP 6 – The loaf is ready when the top center feels set, the crust is darker, or the internal temperature reaches 210°F. Bake for 5 to 10 minutes longer if necessary.
  • Step 7 – Once ready, cool in the bread pan for 10 minutes. Remove the loaf from the bread pan, peel off the parchment paper, and finish cooling it on a wire rack. Enjoy!

Oven-Baked Instructions for Sourdough Recipes
(Bread Recipes with Gluten-Free or Grain-Free Sourdough Starter)

  • STEP 1 – Prepare the sourdough bread ingredients from the recipe in the bread machine cookbook.
  • STEP 2 – Transfer the dough to a parchment-lined bread pan. A smaller 8.5 x 4.75 x 4.375-inch Pullman pan with a lid or a 7.5 x 3.75 x 2.5-inch bread pan works well. 
  • STEP 3 – Insert your bread pan into a large reusable bag or cover it with a clean tea towel, place it somewhere warm and let the dough rise for 3 to 5 hours or until you notice some rise.
  • STEP 4 – Position an oven rack near the center of the oven. Baking with steam is optional but can help a gluten-free vegan bread rise. Place a second rack on the lower half of your oven with the baking sheet with sides to do so. Preheat the oven to 425°F.
  • STEP 5 – When ready to bake, and if baking with steam, add a few ice cubes or some water (1/2 cup should be enough) to the preheated baking sheet with sides; it will create steam. Transfer the bread pan to the middle rack and bake for 60 to 70 minutes. Keep the oven door closed while baking.
  • STEP 6 – The loaf is ready when the top center feels set, the crust is darker, or the internal temperature reaches 210°F. Bake for 5 to 10 minutes longer if necessary.
  • Step 7 – Once ready, cool in the bread pan for 10 minutes. Remove the loaf from the bread pan, peel off the parchment paper, and finish cooling it on a wire rack. Enjoy!

Troubleshooting Tips

I included some troubleshooting tips in my cookbook, but once more questions are asked, I will highlight some here.

CAKE – A baker recently shared that she baked the zucchini quick bread recipe from the cookbook on the CAKE setting on her Zojirushi bread machine. She said it turned out perfectly and incredibly tasty but did mention that the mixing cycle was longer than necessary, possibly contributing to a denser loaf.

Nutritional Information

Calculate any gluten-free, vegan bread recipe’s nutritional information using this free nutrition calculator by verywellfit.com.

Gluten-Free Bread Machine Recipes & How-To Videos 

As more bread machine recipes and how-to videos are created, I will add them here.

Bread Machine Recipes

Other Gluten-Free Sourdough Starter Recipes

Gluten-Free Sourdough Starter Videos

Gluten-Free Bread Machine Videos

Since the two videos below, I’ve learned so much more, but they could still give you tips.

Ingredients & Baking Tools

If you need help finding gluten-free, grain-free, plant-based/vegan and allergen-friendly baking ingredients, visit the GF Baking Ingredients section of my Amazon Storefront.

Here’s a short list of tools that come in handy when baking gluten-free bread recipes in a bread machine.

Gluten-Free, No Eggs or Dairy, Bread Machine Cookbook

Gluten-Free, No Eggs or Dairy Bread Machine Cookbook Cover

Gluten-Free, No Eggs or Dairy Bread Machine Cookbook
Available on Amazon

More Bread Machine Tips & Suggestions

Don’t assume that choosing a random setting and letting the machine do all the work will create good bread. Gluten-free, vegan bread recipes need some help mixing and tweaking the settings to achieve the best results with different types of bread.

Most bread machine manufacturers include a cookbook with a few gluten-free recipes, but usually not gluten-free and vegan options. The gluten-free recipes often include multiple eggs and dairy (milk, yogurt, butter).

I created many new bread recipes for the bread machine in my cookbook to help anyone struggling to find good gluten-free and vegan recipes. I hope they will inspire bakers to try something new.

Read reviews on Amazon or wherever you’re shopping for a bread machine. Watch the review videos by people who bought the appliance you’re considering. They often give the best reviews.

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Photo of gluten-free bread in a bread machine pan

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ALLERGEN NOTE

Make sure the ingredients you purchase are prepared in a facility free from the top allergens YOU AVOID. Gluten-free products should be certified GF and clearly labelled. Consult your medical professional with your dietary questions.

Even certified gluten-free ingredients such as GF oats, corn, seeds, etc., can create health problems for individuals following a GF diet. Always consult a medical professional if unsure about ingredients for your needs.