By Wendy Stoltz and Yuliia Stsepeleva / Last Modified On February 15, 2023

These gluten-free hot cross buns are baked perfectly with the best blend of spices, dried fruit and topped off with a sweet topping. They're perfect for Easter, and quite frankly, I can eat them on any day of the year. Plus, they're so easy to make.

Gosh, how I missed hot cross buns when I went gluten-free. Bread in any shape or form is the MOST missed when going gluten-free. Recipe testing a gluten-free hot cross bun recipe was necessary. Easter without these tasty buns would just not be the same!

If you love bread, try these gluten-free bread options. Crumbly and sweet gluten-free cornbread is sure to be a go-to recipe in your gluten-free kitchen. Prefer something even sweeter these gluten-free cinnamon rolls are tender and fluffy. Want some dinner rolls? Then these gluten-free rolls are so close to traditional dinner rolls.

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GLUTEN-FREE HOT CROSS BUNS RECIPE

Easter is always such a fun time, especially with children in the house running around looking for those Easter eggs. Let's face it, it is also not complete without hot cross buns.

These gluten-free hot cross buns are easy to make with detailed directions. I also have some substitutions if you need to make some.

Try not to change the spice combination and the addition of dried fruit, especially the lemon zest and orange peel. These make the buns so tasty and authentic especially when you slice them open and add a generous amount of butter.

WHY YOU’RE GOING TO LOVE THIS GLUTEN-FREE HOT CROSS BUNS

Easter traditions - If you are into holiday traditions, this recipe needs to be on your list to make this Easter.

Perfectly spiced - With the combination of spices, these are just super tasty.

Smell - The wafting smell throughout your house of these GF hot cross buns is so worth the effort with my step-by-step instructions.

INGREDIENTS IN GLUTEN-FREE HOT CROSS BUNS

FOR HOT CROSS BUNS:

Flour - 1 ½ cups gluten-free all-purpose flour

Cornstarch - 5 tbsp cornstarch.

Sugar - ½ cup sugar.

Yeast - 2 tsp dry quick yeast.

Cream of tartar - 1 tsp cream of tartar.

Seasoning - cinnamon, salt, pumpkin pie spice.

Dried fruit - Dried currants and dried cranberries.

Nuts - 2 tbsp crushed almonds.

Lemon - 1 tsp lemon zest.

Orange - 1 tsp orange peel.

Vanilla extract - Use good quality vanilla extract.

Vinegar - 1 tsp apple cider vinegar.

Eggs - 2 eggs at room temperature.

Butter - ½ cup melted unsalted butter.

FOR GLAZE:

Sugar - Use powdered sugar.

Orange - 2 tbsp orange juice or milk.

EQUIPMENT NEEDED FOR THIS GLUTEN-FREE HOT CROSS BUNS

Whisk - I like to use a stainless-steel whisk.

Mixing bowls - These Pyrex mixing bowls come in handy.

Baking sheet - Use a baking sheet with parchment paper.

If you have any questions about making gluten-free hot cross buns, please leave a comment and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

HOW TO MAKE GLUTEN-FREE HOT CROSS BUNS

Preheat the oven to 360F. Pour flour, starch, sugar, quick dry yeast, and cream of tartar into a deep bowl, mix with a whisk.
Add spices, lemon and orange zest, salt, and mix again.
Add vinegar, vanilla, and butter.
Add eggs and start mixing everything. As a result, you should get a soft sticky dough, do not add a lot of flour, otherwise it will turn out to be too dense. If you see that there is not enough liquid, pour in some milk.
Add dried currants, dried cranberries, and chopped almonds.
Stir again, cover the bowl with cling film and leave for half an hour in a warm place. During this time, the dough will increase slightly in size and become even softer and fluffier.
Divide the dough into 6 parts.
Form each piece of dough into a small bun about 3 inches in diameter. Transfer the buns to a baking sheet lined with parchment, cover with cling film and leave for another 15 minutes.
On top of each bun, make an incision in the shape of a cross.
Grease each bun with sweet water made from a teaspoon of powdered sugar and 3 tablespoons of water. Put the buns in the oven and bake for about half an hour. Remove the buns from the oven and let cool slightly.
Make a glaze with orange juice and powdered sugar. If you want the glaze to be perfectly white, use milk or water instead of orange juice, lemon juice is also suitable.
Apply glaze to the cross-shaped cuts on the buns and leave to dry. Hot cross buns can be tasted as soon as they have cooled down a bit.

For the complete list of ingredients and instructions in gluten-free hot cross buns, please see the complete recipe below.

TIPS FOR MAKING THE BEST GLUTEN-FREE HOT CROSS BUNS

Let the dough rest - The resting of the dough is crucial to getting the correct rise.

Ice the buns once cooled - Wait for the GF hot cross buns to cool and then ice them or else the icing will melt.

Add correct amount of flour - If you add too much flour, they will come out too dense.

Frequently Asked Questions

HOW DO I STORE GLUTEN-FREE HOT CROSS BUNS?

Store them in an airtight container in your kitchen for 2-3 days.

CAN I FREEZE GLUTEN-FREE HOT CROSS BUNS?

Yes, you can either freeze them unbaked and then bake them as and when the cravings hit. Alternatively, bake them and then freeze them for up to 3 months. You can take them out and reheat them in the microwave or toast them in the toaster.

CAN YOU MAKE THESE GLUTEN-FREE HOT CROSS BUNS AHEAD OF TIME?

They last 2-3 days so you can either make them a few days in advance or else freeze the shaped raw hot cross buns and bake them as required.

WHAT SUBSTITUTIONS / REPLACEMENTS CAN I MAKE IN THESE GLUTEN-FREE HOT CROSS BUNS?

Dried fruit - You can leave it out, but I do love it in. Try other dried fruit like dried apricots or raisins. You can experiment with any small, dried fruit.

Glaze - If you want the glaze to be perfectly white, use milk or water instead of orange juice, lemon juice is also suitable.

Vegan - You would need to use an egg replacer and vegan butter. I have not tested this.

WHY ARE THEY CALLED HOT CROSS BUNS?

The cross is a symbol of the crucifixion of Jesus in the Christian faith.

WHY ARE MY GF HOT CROSS BUNS SO DRY?

If they are dry, check how much flour you placed in. It could be that you placed in too much. I would suggest you use the spoon in cup method.

SHOULD GF HOT CROSS BUNS DOUGH BE STICKY?

Yes, it is a soft sticky dough.

HOW DO YOU SOFTEN GLUTEN-FREE HOT CROSS BUNS?

You can place them in the microwave for 20-40 seconds, depending on your microwave.

DO YOU SOAK THE FRUIT FOR GF HOT CROSS BUNS?

No, you don't need to soak the fruit.

HOW LONG DO GLUTEN-FREE HOT CROSS BUNS LAST?

I must say I prefer them straight out of the oven. You can however store them in an airtight container in your kitchen for 2-3 days at a maximum. They are great heated up in the toaster to soften them up again.

HOW DO YOU SPACE GF HOT CROSS BUNS ON THE BAKING SHEET?

I like to place them at least 2cm apart. If they bake too closely the buns will be heavy and moist. If baked even closer, they will then not rise correctly too as they then join.

HOW DO YOU SHAPE GF HOT CROSS BUNS?

Divide the dough into 6 parts.
Form each piece of dough into a small bun about 3 inches in diameter.
Take one part and make sure all the edges of the dough are folded up to the center. Pinch the edges together.
Place the pinched ends face down. Rotate the ball with your hand on top to shape it tighter.
Use the heel of your palm to rotate the ball of dough and place it on the baking sheet.

Yield: 3-6 servings

Gluten-Free Hot Cross Buns

Name: Gluten-Free Hot Cross Buns
Prep time: 1 h 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 1 h 40 min
Yield: 3
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups gluten-free all-purpose flour; 5 tbsp cornstarch; 1/2 cup sugar; 2 tsp dry quick yeast; 1 tsp cream of tartar; 1/3 tsp cinnamon; 1/3 tsp salt; 1/3 tsp pumpkin pie spice; 1/3 cup dried currants; 3 tbsp dried cranberries; 2 tbsp crushed almonds; 1 tsp lemon zest; 1 tsp orange peel; 1 tsp vanilla; 1 tsp apple cider vinegar; 2 eggs; 1/2 cup melted butter; 1/2 cup powdered sugar; 2 tbsp orange juice (or milk)

These gluten-free hot cross buns are baked perfectly with the best blend of spices, dried fruit and topped off with a sweet topping and they're so easy to make.

Prep Time 1 hour 10 minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes

Total Time 1 hour 40 minutes

Ingredients

For hot cross buns

1 ½ cups gluten-free all-purpose flour
5 tbsp cornstarch
½ cup sugar
2 tsp dry quick yeast
1 tsp cream of tartar
⅓ tsp cinnamon
⅓ tsp salt
⅓ tsp pumpkin pie spice
⅓ cup dried currants
3 tbsp dried cranberries
2 tbsp crushed almonds
1 tsp lemon zest
1 tsp orange peel
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp apple cider vinegar
2 eggs
½ cup melted butter

For glaze

½ cup powdered sugar
2 tbsp orange juice (or milk)

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 360F. Pour flour, starch, sugar, quick dry yeast, and cream of tartar into a deep bowl, mix with a whisk.
Add spices, lemon and orange zest, salt, and mix again.
Add vinegar, vanilla, and butter.
Add eggs and start mixing everything. As a result, you should get a soft sticky dough, do not add a lot of flour, otherwise it will turn out to be too dense. If you see that there is not enough liquid, pour in some milk.
Add dried currants, dried cranberries, and chopped almonds.
Stir again, cover the bowl with cling film and leave for half an hour in a warm place. During this time, the dough will increase slightly in size and become even softer and fluffier.
Divide the dough into 6 parts.
Form each piece of dough into a small bun about 3 inches in diameter. Transfer the buns to a baking sheet lined with parchment, cover with cling film and leave for another 15 minutes.
On top of each bun, make an incision in the shape of a cross.
Grease each bun with sweet water made from a teaspoon of powdered sugar and 3 tablespoons of water. Put the buns in the oven and bake for about half an hour. Remove the buns from the oven and let cool slightly.
Make a glaze with orange juice and powdered sugar. If you want the glaze to be perfectly white, use milk or water instead of orange juice, lemon juice is also suitable.
Apply glaze to the cross-shaped cuts on the buns and leave to dry. Hot cross buns can be tasted as soon as they have cooled down a bit.

Gluten-Free Hot Cross Buns

GLUTEN-FREE HOT CROSS BUNS RECIPE

WHY YOU’RE GOING TO LOVE THIS GLUTEN-FREE HOT CROSS BUNS