By

Wendy Stoltz / Last Modified On February 25, 2026

This easy Gluten-Free Cherry Cobbler is made with tart cherries and a tender, cake-like topping that bakes up golden in under 30 minutes. Use fresh, frozen, or canned cherries and it comes together with simple pantry ingredients. It is the kind of homemade dessert that makes the whole house smell incredible.

If you don't want to make an entire cherry cobbler you can make my cherry cobbler for one. It's ready in minutes. More of a pie person? You'll love my Gluten Free Cherry Pie. For more sweet treats check out my Gluten-Free Desserts.

Why You'll Love This Gluten-Free Cherry Cobbler

• Quick and easy. Ready in about 35 minutes from start to finish.
• Fresh, frozen, or canned cherries all work. No need to hunt for fresh fruit.
• Tender, cake-like topping. Not dense or gummy like some gluten-free baked goods.
• Easy to make dairy-free. Simple swaps keep it accessible for more diets.
• Doubles as a cherry crisp. One filling recipe, two dessert options.

The Cherry Tree That Started It All

I've been baking gluten-free cherry cobbler for years. It was one of the first recipes I made gluten-free, and I love all gluten-free cherry desserts.

Something that most people don't know about me is that I started my baking career with cherries. When I was twelve years old we lived in a small farm house and right out the front door was an old tart cherry tree. One summer day, sitting around bored with nothing super interesting to do, I climbed the cherry tree and picked a bucket full of cherries.

I then searched through the storage boxes until I found an original edition of the Better Homes and Gardens cookbook. I thumbed through it until I found the cherry pie recipe. It looked easy enough. I spent the rest of the day carefully reading the instructions and crafting what would be the beginning of the rest of my life: a fabulous cherry pie.

My family loved the pie and I was so excited to make something from scratch that they could enjoy. I felt like I had brought happiness into our house when we were in a period of little happiness. Long story short, we had a couple of rough years, being homeless for some time, my parents looking for jobs, and so on. I continued to pick the cherries and make pies until the tree ran out. It was a large tree and I probably made more than ten pies with the cherries from that tree. Now I make everything from cherry pie to this gluten-free cherry cobbler recipe.

A friend of ours has a cherry tree in her yard. When I saw it, it brought back memories of the pies I baked that summer. She kindly picked about five cups worth and brought them over to me. I was feeling a bit under the weather and wanted to make something quick, so I opted for a gluten-free cherry cobbler. The tart cherries are perfect with the sugar and cobbler topping. There is something about a homemade gluten-free cherry cobbler, made with fresh picked tart cherries, that brings all the good memories flooding in.

Ingredients in This Gluten-Free Cherry Cobbler

For the full quantities, see the recipe card below. Here is what you need and why each ingredient matters.

Tart Cherries. The star of the cobbler. Tart cherries hold up better during baking than sweet cherries and give the filling a bright, balanced flavor. Fresh, frozen, or canned all work. If using canned, drain them well. And if you're using fresh cherries, make sure to pit them first.

Sugar. Used in both the filling and the topping. The filling sugar dissolves into the cherry juices to create a thick, glossy sauce.

Water. Helps the filling come together in the saucepan. If using fresh cherries, the cherries will release enough liquid that you may need slightly less. The juices inside the cherries can be a major asset for flavor.

Cornstarch. Thickens the cherry filling so it sets up properly instead of staying watery beneath the topping.

Gluten-Free All-Purpose Flour Blend. Use a blend with xanthan gum already included for the best topping texture. Bob's Red Mill 1-to-1 and King Arthur Measure for Measure are both reliable.

Baking Powder. Gives the topping its lift and cake-like texture.

Cinnamon. Adds a warm spice note that pairs beautifully with tart cherries.

Palm Shortening. Creates a tender, flaky topping. Cold unsalted butter or cold coconut oil are the best substitutes if you don't have palm shortening on hand.

Egg and Milk. Bind the topping together. For dairy-free, use any unsweetened non-dairy milk such as almond, oat, or coconut milk.

How to Make Gluten-Free Cherry Cobbler

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
2. In a saucepan combine cherries, sugar, water, and cornstarch and cook until boiling and thickened.
3. Pour into an 8-inch square baking dish.
4. In a medium mixing bowl, stir together flour, sugars, baking powder, and cinnamon.
5. Cut in palm shortening until the mixture is crumbly.
6. Mix together egg and milk.
7. Add to flour mixture and stir just until combined. Do not overmix.
8. Drop topping by tablespoonfuls onto filling, making about 9 mounds.
9. Bake for 22 to 25 minutes until the cobbler topping is golden brown.
10. Remove from the oven and let cool for at least 10 minutes before serving.

Tips for the Best Gluten-Free Cherry Cobbler

• Drain canned cherries well. Excess liquid will make the filling too thin. Reserve a little juice but don't pour the whole can in.
• Don't overmix the topping. Stir just until the wet and dry ingredients are combined. Overmixing makes the topping tough.
• Check at 22 minutes. Ovens vary. The cobbler is done when the topping is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
• Let it rest. Allow at least 10 minutes before serving so the filling can set up properly and won't run when scooped.

How to Make Gluten-Free Cherry Crisp

If you prefer a crisp over a cobbler, simply make the cherry filling the same way using the recipe below, then swap the cobbler topping for this oat-based crisp topping from my Gluten-Free Blackberry Crisp Recipe. Either version makes a perfect summer dessert, and they're both favorites in the autumn too.

Cherry Crisp Topping

• 1 cup gluten-free oats
• ¾ cup brown sugar, packed
• ¼ cup all-purpose gluten-free flour blend
• ½ cup butter, cold (or dairy-free butter)
• ½ cup chopped almonds

In a medium mixing bowl combine oats, brown sugar, and flour. Cut in butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in nuts. Sprinkle the crisp topping evenly over the cherry filling. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until the fruit is tender and the topping is light brown.

Serving Suggestions

Serve warm with a scoop of gluten-free vanilla ice cream or a dollop of freshly whipped cream. For a dairy-free option, coconut whipped cream pairs beautifully with the tart cherries. A light dusting of powdered sugar over the topping also makes a simple, pretty finish.

Storage

Store leftover cherry cobbler covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave for 30 to 60 seconds, or warm the whole dish in a 350-degree oven for about 10 minutes. To freeze, let the cobbler cool completely, wrap tightly, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Frequently Asked Questions

More Cherry and Cobbler Recipes

• Gluten-Free Cherry Cobbler for One
• Gluten-Free Cherry Pie
• Gluten-Free Cherry Pie Dessert Shots
• Gluten-Free Peach Cobbler
• Gluten-Free Blackberry Crisp

Did you make this gluten-free cherry cobbler recipe? Please leave me a comment letting me know what you thought.

Continue to Content

Yield: 9 servings

Gluten-Free Cherry Cobbler

Print

Simple and sweet, this Gluten-Free Cherry Cobbler made with tart cherries and a tender cake like topping is a quick dessert for someone who has a sweet tooth and loves cherries.

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 25 minutes

Additional Time 10 minutes

Total Time 45 minutes

Ingredients

For the Filling:

• 5 cups tart red cherries, pitted
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup water
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch

For the Cobbler Topping:

• 1 cup all-purpose gluten-free flour blend
• ¼ cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon
• 3 tablespoons shortening
• 1 large egg
• 3 tablespoons milk

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
2. In a saucepan combine cherries, sugar, water, and cornstarch and cook until boiling and thickened.
3. Pour into an 8-inch square baking dish.
4. In a medium mixing bowl, stir together flour, sugars, baking powder, and cinnamon.
5. Cut in palm shortening until it is crumbly.
6. Mix together egg and milk.
7. Add to flour mixture and stir just until combined.
8. Drop topping by tablespoonfuls onto filling (about 9 mounds).
9. Bake for 22-25 minutes until cobbler is brown.
10. Remove from the oven and let cool for at least 10 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

9

Serving Size:

½ cup
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 580Total Fat: 20gSaturated Fat: 13gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 60mgSodium: 186mgCarbohydrates: 96gFiber: 2gSugar: 63gProtein: 5g