These gluten free buns are made with milk kefir to give the perfect rise and softness without added yeast. They are delicious served with butter for afternoon tea. The recipe I’ve shared can be adapted according to your desires. I’ve shared variations to my lemon and spice buns to make gluten free slider buns (for burgers or sandwiches) or even Hot Cross Buns.
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The story behind the recipe
“My chest hurts and I feel poorly” says Pickle as he emerges from his room half an hour later than normal, hair askew with dark rings around his eyes…
So I am resigned to yet another day in front of tedious children’s television, while I try to get on with the jobs that I have set myself for the day.
In addition to that, I am not bursting with energy having once again given up sugar and carbohydrates. I’m attempting to get to the bottom of my ongoing bloating, tiredness, sugar cravings and eczema that I’ve put down to candida. The only way to get rid of that is to starve the yeast that cause the problems, which means no carbohydrates or sugar.
For me, that is like a form of torture since I love sugar so much. But as they say, if you love something and desire it that much, it probably isn’t doing you much good.
So yesterday I said goodbye to fruit, all carbohydrates and all forms of sugar and set about once again to eliminate the problem.
How does it make me feel right now?
Pretty darn miserable!
However, even after one day off said substances my tummy is way less bloated!
What is milk kefir?
You may have read last week that I was experimenting with milk kefir. It is a very strong natural probiotic drink that can be made at home.
I had been hoping that it could be the answer to my problems. And would also cost considerably less than buying good quality probiotics such as Biokult, my current ones of choice.
However, rather than make me feel better it instantly re-ignited my worst symptoms so I have taken a reluctant step back from using it. If you find you have an excess of milk kefir then check out my milk kefir recipes. It’s a great way to use up milk kefir if you’re only able to drink a small amount.
Many people find that kefir is very helpful in their diet, particularly if they suffer from IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) and even if they are lactose intolerant. This is because most, if not all of the lactose, is used by the beneficial bacteria in the process of creating the kefir.
Making gluten free buns
Because milk kefir contains yeast it is perfect to use in place of yeast for baking.
These gluten free buns are lightly sweetened with honey, rather than refined sugars which can compromise the immune system. They also contain very few ingredients.
You could, of course, add dried fruits and mixed peel and make hot cross buns for Easter. Equally these make the basis to any manner of gluten free buns that take your fancy, sweet or savoury.
Variations to the basic recipe
The great thing about this recipe is it’s versatility. Here are some options for you:
- Remove the honey, mixed spice, vanilla and lemon to make a savoury gluten free roll that’s perfect for sandwiches or burgers. Your very own gluten free slider bun recipe
- Add cheese to make gluten free cheese bread
- Add mixed dried fruit for Hot Cross buns
- Bake in a bread tin for a gluten free fruit loaf
- Add chocolate chips for a sweet brioche type bun for breakfast
Whatever you do the results are light and delicious.
If you want to develop the flavour of these gluten free buns you’ll need a bit of patience. The milk kefir works like a sourdough starter so the longer you leave the first stage, the more sourdough-like the flavour.
Having said that, it isn’t entirely necessary to prove these buns for 24 hours. If you can’t wait then skip that step and just do the usual 1 hour prove.
If you’d like to know more about kefir and how to make it then head over to my article – Milk Kefir Recipes And How To Make Milk Kefir.
Gluten Free Buns (Dairy Free, No Added Yeast)
Ingredients
- 300 g plain Free From Fairy gluten-free flour - you may need a little more depending on what milk kefir you use and how big your egg is
- 2 tsp psyllium husk powder - or xanthan gum
- 240 ml milk kefir
- 30 g coconut oil - melted (30 - 60 seconds on high in a microwave will do)
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 2 medium eggs - beaten
- 100 g cheddar cheese - (mature) grated
Instructions
- Place the flour and psyllium in a bowl and add the milk kefir. Stir well until a sticky dough forms. I use my Sage stand mixer for this.
- Optional step to develop flavour & create a 'sourdough' - cover the bowl with a clean T-towel and leave on the kitchen side for between 20-24 hours by which time the dough should have risen very slightly.
- Mix the baking powder into the beaten egg and mix well.
- Add the egg mixture to the dough along with coconut oil (cooled slightly if very hot) and cheese.
- Combine the dough with a wooden spoon (better still in a stand mixer) and beat well.
- Remove a large tablespoon of the very sticky dough and place it on a greased or lined baking tray. With floured fingers shape into a rough bun shape. Repeat with the remaining mixture to make 10 medium sized rolls.
- Place a damp clean T-towel over the baking tray and place somewhere warm. If you don't have a warm place put a cup of boiling water in your cold oven along with the tray of buns and close the door.
- Leave to prove for an hour.
- Bake the buns at 220 degrees, 200 degree for a fan oven, gas mark 8, for 10 minutes then reduce the temperature to 200 degrees, 180 degree for a fan oven, gas mark 6 and cook for a further 10 minutes or so until they sound hollow when you tap the bottom.
- Serve immediately. Freeze any that are left over at the end of the day or warm through in the microwave to 'refresh' them to full softness.
Notes
Nutrition (Approx)
I shared this recipe with:
Terry says
Hi,
You should check out low nickel foods. Some people with nickel allergies react to high nickel levels in food. Good luck
Terry
Vicki Montague says
Hi Terry, that is interesting! I have never heard of that and have just done some research! I don’t think I react to nickel when I touch it (at least I don’t seem to react when I touch metals around the house)…? Worth bearing in mind though! I am currently off dairy and egg whites and my skin has cleared up perfectly so I suspect one or both of them are the problem! Thank you for alerting me to the nickel allergy though!
Ceri says
A super interesting experiment Vicki! I didn’t realise kefir could be used instead of yeast. I have some grains in my fridge which I’ve been using from time to time to make kefir, though with a sauerkraut on the go I at the moment I am trying not to go into pro-biotic overdrive. Best of luck with your sugar starve. I know from experience it is painful….
Vicki Montague says
Very painful Ceri!!!! Give using kefir a go instead of yeast. I think you will be pleasantly surprised by the results. I certainly have been…much nicer than yeast containing bread…and far better for you since the phytic acid will have been broken down in the flour during the ‘soaking’ period.
HonestMum says
Read so much about Kefir and heard a lot from Turkish friends too, it sounds fabulous. I have probiotics that I put int goat’s milk and they literally stopped all IBS, miracle cure! Thanks for linking up to #tastytuesdays
Vicki Montague says
You should give it a try! A cheap form of probiotic. Unfortunately for me, probiotics seem to make my IBS worse…but that is a whole other story! Thanks for hosting tasty tuesdays.
Kate - glutenfreealchemist says
These sound lovely Vicki. Sorry to hear you are feeling poorly. I often make these rolls which are gluten, yeast and dairy free. You could give them a try. They have a lovely texture! K x
Vicki Montague says
Ooo I will come over and check out your recipe. Thanks for sharing!
Emma says
How interesting, I didn’t know anything about kefir. Great job experimenting and making those buns, they look really light. #freefromfridays
Vicki Montague says
It is certainly worth experimenting with!
Sarah James says
Your Sweet Lemon & Spice Buns look fab & what a good idea to add fruit & peel to make hot cross buns. Hope you’re feeling a bit brighter soon, take care.
Vicki Montague says
Thanks Sarah! They really were a break-through this week!
Reneé @ Mummy Tries says
These sound amazing honey, and I love this photo! Kefir is fab isn’t it 😉 Can I just say every single time I come on to your site it looks better and better. Well done lovely lady xx
Vicki Montague says
Thank you Renee! These are something you could eat aren’t they?? I wish I could 🙁