By Wendy Stoltz / Last Modified On January 15, 2023
Crunchy on the outside, smooth and creamy in the middle, and the perfect treat to end the day.
These Gluten-Free Vegan Cannolis are free from the top eight allergens and simple to make.
My Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies are also super simple to make.
Gluten Free Cannolis
Gluten Free CannolisWe are headed to Europe in a few months and all I can think about is gelato and cannolis. The only problem is that we probably won't find gluten-free cannolis, but I'm sure as heck going to try.
I will be doing tons of research to make sure we know where we are eating.
I'll also bring some of our favorite snacks and mixes, like Enjoy Life Foods Pizza Crust, so I can make pizza and these Gluten-Free Vegan Cannolis, in case we're in a city that doesn't have the gluten-free version for us. I try to be prepared, just in case.
You're probably wondering what pizza dough mix has to do with these Gluten-Free Vegan Cannolis.
EVERYTHING. The pastry for cannolis can lend a super thin cookie-like cannoli shell, or a slightly thicker and chewy/puffy cannoli shell.
Vegan Cannolis
I like a balance to my cannoli shells and used the Enjoy Life Foods Pizza Crust to make these cannolis. Crunchy on the outside, chewy in the middle, and filled with a mock cream-cheese filling, these are my new favorite treat. And they're free from the top eight allergens.
I've used the Enjoy Life Foods pizza crust mix before and I love how easy it is to work with.
The dough isn't sticky like a lot of gluten-free pizza mixes. If it is, you may have added a touch too much water.
Just add a tablespoon or two of gluten-free flour and your dough will be back on track. Easy-peasy.
What other pizza crusts can I use?
Honestly, this one is the best I've tried with this recipe but if it's out of stock, or you can't find it you can also use Bobs Red Mill Pizza crust mix.
The dough for these Gluten-Free Vegan Cannolis is just as easy to work with as regular pizza dough. I rolled it out to less than ⅛th of an inch when I was testing how thin I could make it.
I used a 4" biscuit cutter to cut out my cannoli circles before peeling them off the parchment paper and wrapping them around the cannoli tubes.
If you don't have cannoli tubes, you can order some off Amazon (affiliate link), or make smaller circles, and use a muffin, or mini muffin pan.
Press the dough into cups in your muffin pan, bake them at 350F for 12-15 minutes, and fill the centers with cream. You'll have cannoli cups and they'll still be super tasty.
Sometimes the cannoli shells stick to the tubes.
If you buy the ones I purchased you can squeeze the tubes together and the cannoli shell will pop off. I haven't tried other cannoli tubes but I suggest letting them cool completely before you work them off.
What can I use for the filling instead of yogurt and sour cream?
A few brands make a dairy-free ricotta. You could make a more traditional cannoli filling with the ricotta and some powdered sugar. The other option is to let this filling sit in the refrigerator for a couple of house. It will help it thicken.
My filling was a little runny, what I can do to thicken it?
It may be the brand of dairy-free yogurt that you used. You can add more powdered sugar and refrigerate it or you can switch to using a dairy-free ricotta.
I used the entire box of pizza mix and got about 30 cannolis. You don't have to make that many. You can easily cut this recipe in half.
Store any leftover Gluten-Free Vegan Cannolis in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.
I'll be surprised if they last that long.
Looking for more sweet treats? You might like my Fried Chocolate Donut Holes or my baked Gluten-Free Chocolate Cake Donuts.
If you make these cannolis please stop back by and let me know what you think!
Gluten-Free Vegan Cannoli’s
Crunchy on the outside, smooth and creamy in the middle, and the perfect treat to end the day. These Gluten-Free Vegan Cannolis are free from the top eight allergens and simple to make.
Ingredients
For the cannoli shells:
- 1 box Enjoy Life Foods Pizza Crust Mix
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 1 ⅓ cup water
For the filling:
- ½ cup dairy-free butter, room temperature
- ½ cup palm shortening
- ¼ cup vegan sour cream or unsweetened dairy-free yogurt
- 3 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl whisk pizza crust mix, sugar, and cinnamon.
- Add oil and water and mix until combined. You will need to work it with your hands and form a dough ball.
- Cover the bowl and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- While your dough is chilling, combine the dairy-free butter, palm shortening, vegan sour cream, and powdered sugar in a medium mixing bowl. Beat until smooth and creamy. Place in the refrigerator until you are ready to use.
- Knead the dough ball a couple of times. Divide the dough into two balls and roll each ball out onto a large piece of parchment paper until ⅛-1/4 inch thick.
- Using a 4" biscuit cutter, cut circles for the cannoli's. Repeat until all the dough is used.
- Wrap one dough circle around each cannoli tube, pressing the dough together at the top (pictured above).
- Add vegetable oil to a large pot or saucepan over medium heat. Once it reaches 350 degrees F, carefully drop 2-3 cannoli tubes with dough into the hot oil. Fry for 3-4 minutes, flipping them over for even cooking. Remove with a slotted spoon to the paper towel. Repeat until all cannoli shells are fried.
- Once cooled, remove the cannoli tubes, and fill each cannoli with cream. I inserted a piping nozzle into one end, filled, and then inserted the nozzle into the other end to finish filling them.
- If desired, dust with powdered sugar or sprinkle on a some Enjoy Life Mini Chips.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
30Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 234Total Fat: 11gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 9mgSodium: 244mgCarbohydrates: 31gFiber: 1gSugar: 13gProtein: 3g
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.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
What a fantastic idea! One of my mom's favorites
chrystal
Thank you Rebecca. They were dreamy.
Nicole Dawson
So clever using Enjoy LIfe's pie blend! Makes me think cannoli's aren't too far away 🙂
Kortney // Allergy Girl Eats
Love seeing how you can use one ingredient for something so different. Where will you be traveling to?
chrystal
We are headed to Northern Italy and Switzerland 🙂
Lauren
OMG, I NEED THESE!!
Jeanette
You may not have to worry about gluten free; supposedly it's not the gluten we are allergic to, but the way the wheat is harvested here in the USA. I've heard of people who can't eat pasta and bread here, but had no trouble in Italy. Just thought you might like the info and could maybe google it to see what else you find. Enjoy your trip! Thanks for the great recipe!
Green
I tried making these and the filling was runny. I used vegan yogurt, what can I use to plump up the filling?
chrystal
Depending on the brand of yogurt, it may be softer. You can add a little more powdered sugar and refrigerate.
Best,
Chrystal
Erin Squier
Will any gf pizza crust work? I can only find king author or Bob red mill
chrystal
Some readers have used the Bob's Red Mill pizza crust and loved it.
Best,
Chrystal
Robyn
These look wonderful. Thanks for posting. In regards to the above post re - You may not have to worry about gluten free in Italy; that is not correct. As I'm sure you know, it only takes a tiny crumb to cause intestinal damage in someone with celiac disease and/or symptoms in some of those with gluten intolerance. Italy has been very proactive in diagnosis and treatment for CD; in other words, there are plenty of Italians with it. It's a great country to travel to because it is so gluten free friendly. You've probably already been there and returned. Hope you had a great time.
chrystal
Robyn,
I completely agree with you regarding the comment left above about not having to worry about gluten in Italy. I do know that it takes the smallest amount to make someone who is celiac or gluten-intolerant sick. Italy is gluten free friendly. We had a lovely trip and found many gluten-free bakeries and restaurants to enjoy. I think some people misunderstand and think that the gluten in Italy is "safe", when celiacs in Italy have the same struggles we anywhere in the world. Because Italy does a good job of providing options, it often gets mixed up, and people misunderstand.
Thank you so much for your comment.
Best,
Chrystal
Lisa
I thought powdered sugar was processed using bone char ( making it non vegan) what brand do you use please?
chrystal
Hi Lisa,
Yes, several brands of powdered sugar are. Wholesome has an organic powdered sugar that isn't.
Best,
Chrystal
Paola Anna
We loved these!! I actually baked the shells. They didn't have the crunch that frying would have given, but the flavor was still so amazing! Thanks for giving this Italian girl a cannoli again!
chrystal
Hi Paola,
I am so glad! Thank you for letting me know.
Best,
Chrystal
Alicia
I just found out this recipe, but when I looked up the Enjoy Life pizza crust mix, the brand's website said it's discontinued. 🙁 Any ideas for substitutions?
chrystal
Oh, no! That's such a bummer. I do know that a few people have used the Bob's Red Mill Pizza Crust mix. I'll have to do some testing.
Best,
Chrystal
Lyza Daubert
I plan to use gluten free sugar cones.
Bella rose
Both bobs red mill and enjoy life are out of stock!! its my moms birthday this weekend and i really want to make these for her (connolis are her favorite but since she's both vegan and gf no luck)
Can you recommend any other brands? Pie crust mix maybe? Please let me know asap
chrystal
Hi Bella,
Sorry, for some reason your comment was lost. You can try the Bob's Red Mill Pizza crust mix for this recipe. Other readers have tried it and loved it. Jenna Marbles made a video of my recipe using Bob's Red Mill. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9qjYySeWfU
Best,
Chrystal
Hugo
These look great. I'm going to be trying them this weekend. How long do these keep and how do you recommend storing them once filled? I'm not sure how much time I have to construct them ahead of serving them.
chrystal
Hi Hugo,
They last about 3 days after they are made.
Best,
Chrystal
Lisa S.
Hi Chrystal,
FYI, Enjoy Life Foods’ Pizza Crust appears to have been discontinued. Too bad as it looked to have been nightshade/potato starch-free.
Drats!
chrystal
Hi Lisa,
Yes, I am so sad they discontinued it. I have it on my list to test different mixes for this recipe and also to make up my own mix. Thank you for stopping by!
Best,
Chrystal
Monika
Do you use the yeast package from the pizza crust mix in the recipe or do I just throw it out? So excited to try these!
chrystal
I didn't use the yeast packet.
Best,
Chrystal
Vesna
Do you have your own mix of flours? In Europe I can't get any of the store bought mixes. Thanks!
Wendy Stoltz
Hi Vesna, you can order from Amazon or try these https://www.glutenfreepalate.com/gluten-free-flours/
Debbee
Has anyone tried air frying?
Wendy Stoltz
Hi Debbee, not yet, but I will post this to see if others have.