How to Make Gluten Free Bread from Scratch
If you generally love baking or you have recently been diagnosed as coeliac and are looking at ways in which you can take control of your diet and cut out foods that contain gluten, baking gluten free bread from scratch is an amazing way to achieve this. You can purchase ready-made gluten free bread in the same way that you can with traditional bread, but many people like to bake as they find it relaxing, or it gives them a complete say in what is going into their body. Here are a few reasons why you should want to eat gluten free bread, and a simple recipe to do so.
Why do people eat gluten free bread?
There are a few reasons why a person might eat gluten free bread and want to look for the best gluten free flour available. This includes the following:
Help managing coeliac disease – The most common reason for people to eat gluten free bread is that they are coeliac and must cut gluten out from their diet. When even a tiny amount of gluten can cause physical problems for a gluten intolerant person, gluten free bread provides an easy way to avoid it, especially if you LOVE bread and don’t want to lose it from your diet!
Provide a great source of fibre – if you choose a wholegrain gluten free flour to make your bread (e.g buckwheat) you’ll be able to produce a loaf that’s packed with fibre. Dietary fibre offers many benefits, including helping to ease digestion and helping you to lose weight when used in conjunction with a balanced and healthy diet. Gluten free flour is not a silver bullet, but it can contribute towards achieving a healthy diet.
Assist with wheat allergies – For people who suffer with wheat allergies, symptoms can appear within seconds of eating. Gluten-free products are often suitable for those with wheat allergies, although you should always be careful when choosing to eat gluten-free products if you are wheat intolerant, as you may still suffer a reaction to other parts of the wheat that may be present, for example gluten-free wheat starch.
A simple gluten free bread recipe
Below is a quick and easy BBC gluten free bread recipe:
Ingredients:
- 400g of gluten free white bread flour
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 7g dried yeast (fast-action)
- 284ml of buttermilk
- 2 eggs
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
Method:
- Pre-heat the oven to 180C/160C Fan/Gas 4. Mix together the flour, salt and yeast in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, oil, and buttermilk. Once complete, mix the wet ingredients into the dry bowl to make a sticky dough.
- Grease a 900g loaf tin. Add oils to your hands and shape the dough into a sausage shape for a loaf. Place in the tin and loosely cover with oiled cling film for one hour.
- Bake for 50-60 minutes until the load is golden and has risen. Leave to cool on a wire rack for at least 20 minutes before cutting.
Finding the best flour mixes to bake delicious gluten free white bread is an important part of your baking journey as a coeliac. If you are new to gluten free baking, a gluten free prescription that allows you access to ingredients and products that are guaranteed to be suitable for you, is a massive help. If you have recently been diagnosed as a coeliac, you may qualify for a gluten free prescription, including gluten free flours that you can use to bake delicious bread at home for a special occasion or everyday use. Gluten free flours are also a great kitchen cupboard staple for experts in gluten free cooking and baking, as they can be used for more than just bread.
