By Wendy Stoltz and Gusti Ayu Wahyuni Mertawati / Last Modified On March 19, 2023

 These gluten-free vanilla wafers are so crisp on the outside and soft on the inside, flavored with vanilla and butter. Bite after bite, you'll find yourself wanting increasingly more, they're so good! You can also add these GF Nilla wafers to your favorite banana pudding dessert if you can resist the urge not to devour them all. 

These cookies bake up so well. They're the perfect bite-size snack. Add them to your kids' lunchboxes so they don't miss out or they can enjoy them once they're back from school. They are also fun to make, so get them involved for a fun baking activity.

If you love cookies, try these gluten-free shortbread cookies. Gluten-free Ladyfingers are a simple-to-make cookie that you'll want to make often. If you have any leftover GF wafer cookies, make this gluten-free banana pudding.

GLUTEN-FREE VANILLA WAFERS RECIPE

These cookies are so easy to make, and they really reward you with their great taste. They have the perfect crunch on the outside and a soft center you'll love. 

They are great to add to your GF banana pudding or any other dessert calling for GF vanilla wafer cookies. These gluten-free wafers store well and can last up to 4 days if you let them. No more trying to find them at the store when you can make these at home. Scroll down for added tips and advice. You'll be enjoying these soon!

WHY YOU’RE GOING TO LOVE THESE GLUTEN-FREE VANILLA WAFERS

Cost-effective - GF vanilla wafers are usually expensive in stores. These are far more cost-effective and, dare I say, tastier. 

Control the ingredients - You get to control the ingredients, so no added preservatives and other ingredients that are not so good for you.

Kid-friendly - Why not get the children involved in making these cookies? It makes a fun holiday activity.

INGREDIENTS IN GLUTEN-FREE VANILLA WAFERS

Flour - 1 ⅓ cups all-purpose gluten-free flour blend. 

Baking powder - 1 tsp. gluten-free baking powder.

Salt - ¼ tsp. salt.

Butter - 1 stick butter, softened.

Sugar - ½ cup powdered sugar and ¼ cup granulated sugar

Egg - 1 large egg at room temperature.

Milk - Milk at room temperature.

Vanilla extract - Use a decent quality pure vanilla extract.

EQUIPMENT NEEDED FOR THESE GLUTEN-FREE VANILLA WAFERS

Mixing bowls - These Pyrex mixing bowls come in handy.

Baking sheet - I like to use this set of baking sheets.

Handheld mixer - This electric handheld mixer is a wonderful affordable choice that's got enough power and speed.

Piping bag - A piping bag with a large round tip to pipe the cookies

Parchment paper - This parchment paper works well; you can also get all sorts of pre-cut versions.

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

HOW TO MAKE GLUTEN-FREE VANILLA WAFERS

1. Preheat the oven to 325°F. Line rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper and set them aside.
2. In a mixing bowl, mix the gluten-free flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix until incorporated. Set aside.
3. In a large mixing bowl, using an electric hand mixer, mix butter, powdered sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, 4-5 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add the egg, milk, and vanilla extract. Beat until well incorporated, around one minute.
4. Add the dry ingredient mixture and mix on low speed until just combined.
5. Put the dough into a piping bag with a large round tip. Pipe dough on the parchment paper around ¾ inch each and give around 1 ½ inches space apart for each dough.
6. Wet the tip of your finger, and gently flatten the top of each raw cookie if anything is sticking up.
7. Bake for approximately 14-17 minutes, or until golden brown, especially around the edges and the bottom.
8. Allow cooling before serving. Store in a glass container or jar to keep them from losing their crispness.

These numbered steps match the numbered photos above and are for illustration purposes. For the complete list of ingredients and instructions in gluten-free vanilla wafers, please see the complete recipe below.

TIPS FOR MAKING THE BEST GLUTEN-FREE VANILLA WAFERS

Press the cookies down - You need to press the tops of the cookies down.

Bake for the correct time - Bake for 14-17 minutes, or until golden brown, especially around the edges and the bottom.

Space the cookies out - Give around 1 ½ inches space apart for each cookie to bake.

CAN YOU GET GLUTEN-FREE VANILLA WAFERS?

Yes, you can buy store-bought. But these bake so easily and are fun to make so save your money and make them at home.

HOW DO I STORE GLUTEN-FREE VANILLA WAFERS?

Store them in a sealed glass jar for up to 4 days. A glass container keeps them fresher for longer. 

CAN I FREEZE GLUTEN-FREE VANILLA WAFERS?

Yes, you can freeze them once baked. Add them to an airtight container or Ziploc bag. Freeze them for up to 4 months.

CAN YOU MAKE GLUTEN-FREE VANILLA WAFERS AHEAD OF TIME?

Yes, you can store them on the counter for up to 4 days or alternatively freeze them for 4 months. Take them out as you need them.

WHAT CAN I USE INSTEAD OF NILLA WAFERS?

You can either use this recipe or look at the next question for gluten-free store bought options.

WHAT STORE BRANDS OF VANILLA WAFERS ARE GLUTEN-FREE?

Here are some brands that are gluten-free:

• Kinnikinnick Vanilla Wafer
• Schar Vanilla Wafers
• HighKey Gluten-Free Vanilla Wafer Cookies

DO YOU HAVE TO PRESS THE COOKIES DOWN?

Yes. All you need to do is wet the tip of your finger, and gently flatten the top of each raw cookie if anything is sticking up.

WHAT SUBSTITUTIONS CAN I MAKE TO THESE GF VANILLA WAFERS?

Vegan - You'll need to substitute the butter, eggs, and milk. I have not tried this yet.

Dairy-free - Change out the milk to dairy-free milk of your choice. As above, I have not tried it.

WHY MAKE YOUR OWN GF VANILLA WAFERS?

GF vanilla wafers are expensive, so making your own makes it more cost-effective. It also tastes better than store-bought, and you can control the ingredients placed in the vanilla wafers.

Continue to Content

Yield: 6 portions

Gluten-Free Vanilla Wafers

Print

These gluten-free vanilla wafers are so crisp on the outside and soft on the inside flavored with vanilla and butter. Bite after bite you'll find yourself wanting increasingly more, they're so good!

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes

Total Time 45 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 ⅓ cups all-purpose gluten-free flour blend
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• ¼ tsp. salt
• 1 stick butter, softened
• ½ cup powdered sugar
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 2 tbsp. milk, room temperature
• 1 tbsp. pure vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 325°F. Line rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper and set them aside.
2. In a mixing bowl, mix the gluten-free flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix until incorporated. Set it aside.
3. In a large mixing bowl, using an electric hand mixer, mix butter, powdered sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, 4-5 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add the egg, milk, and vanilla extract. Beat until well incorporated, around one minute.
4. Add the dry ingredient mixture and mix on low speed until just combined.
5. Put the dough into a piping bag with a large round tip. Pipe dough on the parchment paper around ¾ inch each and give around 1 ½ inches space apart for each dough.
6. Wet the tip of your finger, and gently flatten the top of each raw cookie if anything is sticking up.
7. Bake for approximately 14-17 minutes, or until golden brown, especially around the edges and the bottom.
8. Allow cooling before serving. Store in a glass container or jar to keep them from losing their crispness.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases. They never cost you extra.

• 
  Bob's Red Mill Resealable Gluten Free All Purpose Baking Flour, 22 Ounce (Pack of 2)
• 
  Round Tip for Macarons,Round Decorating Piping Tip #12,3 Pcs
• 
  Hamilton Beach 6-Speed Electric Hand Mixer with Whisk, Traditional Beaters, Snap-On Storage Case, White
• 
  Reynolds Kitchens Parchment Paper Roll, 60 Square Feet
• 
  Pyrex Smart Essentials 3-Piece Prepware Mixing Bowl Set
• 
  NutriChef Non-Stick Kitchen Oven Baking Pans-Deluxe & Stylish Nonstick Gray Coating Inside & Outside, Commercial Grade Restaurant Quality Metal Bakeware with Red Silicone Handles NCSBS3S, 3 Piece Set

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

6

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 300Total Fat: 16gSaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 72mgSodium: 314mgCarbohydrates: 34gFiber: 1gSugar: 18gProtein: 4g

This nutrition info is based on the exact ingredients and brands that I used a the time. It may not be 100% accurate. Please check your ingredients nutrition labels.