If you have been missing that authentic, tear-and-share experience of a hot garlic pizza bread, you have come to the right place. This recipe delivers a soft, chewy base smothered in a rich, savory garlic butter.
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This homemade Garlic Gluten Free Pizza Bread is a total game-changer. It is pliable, bubbly, and tastes infinitely better than the dry, cardboard-like options you often find in the frozen aisle.
It is the perfect side dish for pasta night, a great appetizer for parties, or simply a delicious snack when you crave those comfort food vibes.
A Little Story About This Dish
One of the things I missed most after cutting out gluten was the simple joy of a garlic pizza bread from a takeaway. You know the kind—soft in the middle, slightly crisp on the edges, and dripping with garlic butter.
I tried many store-bought versions, but they were often disappointing. I decided to experiment with my own flour blend, using tapioca starch to bring back that essential stretch and chewiness.
The first time I pulled this bubbling, golden bread out of the oven, the smell alone told me I had cracked the code. Now, it is a staple in my kitchen, and my family often requests it over the main meal!
Get Ready to Cook!
You are about to bake the most delicious gluten-free bread you have ever tasted. Let’s get organized to ensure your baking process is smooth and stress-free.
What to Expect
Time: About 1 hour total (includes 30-40 minutes rising time).
Difficulty: Medium. The dough is sticky, but following the tips makes it easy.
Before You Begin
The secret to the texture of this bread is the hydration. Gluten-free dough needs to be wetter than traditional dough to remain soft after baking. Do not panic if it looks like a thick paste rather than a smooth ball; that is exactly what we want.
Using a hot baking tray is crucial. Preheating the tray in the oven while you shape the dough ensures the bottom gets crispy while the inside stays soft.
Finally, if you need a gluten and dairy free garlic bread, simply swap the butter for a dairy-free block butter. It works perfectly and tastes just as indulgent.
The Heart of the Dish: Ingredients You’ll Need
Here are the precise metric measurements for this soft and savory Garlic Gluten Free Pizza Bread.
| Ingredient | Amount |
| For the Dough: | |
| Caster Sugar | 1.5 tsp |
| Dried Active Yeast (gluten-free) | 8g |
| Warm Water | 160ml |
| Gluten-Free Plain Flour (plus extra for dusting) | 170g |
| Tapioca Starch (Tapioca Flour) | 50g |
| Fine Salt | 1 tsp |
| Olive Oil | 1.5 tbsp |
| For the Garlic Topping: | |
| Salted Butter | 40g |
| Olive Oil | 10ml |
| Garlic Cloves | 2 |
| Fresh Parsley (or 2 tsp dried) | 10g |
| Salt and Pepper | To taste |
Let’s Get Cooking! Step-by-Step Guide
Follow these steps to create your own restaurant-quality garlic pizza bread.
1. Activate the Yeast:
In a measuring jug, combine the warm water, caster sugar, and dried active yeast. Give it a good stir and leave it alone for 10-15 minutes. You want a thick layer of foam to form on top, indicating the yeast is active and ready.
2. Mix the Dry Ingredients:
In a large mixing bowl, add the tapioca starch, plain gluten-free flour, and salt. Stir these really well to ensure the flours are fully combined. Pour in the olive oil and stir it through the dry mix.
3. Make the Dough:
Pour the activated yeast mixture (liquid and foam) into the bowl with the flour. Mix everything with a spatula or wooden spoon until you have a thick mixture. It will look like a cross between a dough and a thick paste. It should ideally pull away from the sides of the bowl slightly.
4. Let it Rise:
Cover the bowl with a clean tea towel and place it in a warm spot. Let it rise for 30-40 minutes until it has doubled in size. About 10 minutes before the time is up, preheat your oven to 220°C (fan) and place a large baking tray on the middle shelf to get hot.
5. Shape the Bread:
Place a sheet of non-stick baking paper or a silicone mat on your worktop and dust it heavily with extra gluten-free flour. Tip the dough onto the paper. Dust the top of the dough with flour and flour your hands well. Use your fingers to push the dough into a pizza shape (circle or oval), about half a centimeter thick. If it is too sticky, wet your hands slightly.
6. Prepare the Garlic Butter:
Let the shaped dough rest for 5 minutes. Meanwhile, melt the butter in the microwave for 30 seconds. Stir in the 10ml of olive oil, minced garlic, salt, pepper, and chopped parsley.
7. Glaze and Bake:
Use a pastry brush to coat the pizza bread generously with the garlic butter mixture, right up to the edges. Carefully slide the baking paper with the bread onto the hot tray from the oven. Bake for 12 minutes until puffed and golden. Serve hot and enjoy!
Mastering the Dish: Pointers for Perfection & How to Store
Here are a few final tips to make sure your garlic bread is the best it can be.
Pointers for Perfection
The tapioca starch is non-negotiable in this recipe; it provides the elasticity that mimics gluten. Also, wetting your hands is the best trick for handling the sticky dough without making a mess.
How to Store
This bread is best eaten fresh from the oven. However, you can store leftovers in an airtight container for one day. Reheat it in the oven or air fryer for a few minutes to revive the texture.
You’ll find plenty of new ideas for gluten-free dishes within these recipes: Gluten Free Baked Spaghetti Squash Recipe, Gluten Free Stuffing Recipe, and The Ultimate Gluten Free Stuffing Recipe.
Garlic Gluten Free Pizza Bread (Soft & Chewy!)
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 1 large pizza bread (6 slices) 1x
Description
The ultimate Garlic Gluten Free Pizza Bread! This recipe uses a special blend of GF flour and tapioca starch to create a base that is soft, chewy, and pliable—not dry or crumbly. Slathered in a rich garlic and herb butter, it’s better than any takeaway.
Ingredients
1.5 tsp caster sugar
8g dried active yeast (gluten free)
160ml warm water
170g gluten free plain flour (plus extra for dusting)
50g tapioca starch (tapioca flour)
1 tsp fine salt
1.5 tbsp olive oil
40g salted butter (or dairy-free alternative)
10ml olive oil (for topping)
2 cloves garlic, minced
10g fresh parsley (or 2 tsp dried)
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
1. Combine warm water, caster sugar, and yeast in a jug. Let sit for 10-15 minutes until a thick foam forms.
2. In a large bowl, mix the gluten-free flour, tapioca starch, and salt. Stir in the 1.5 tbsp olive oil.
3. Pour the yeast mixture into the flour and mix with a spatula until you have a thick, sticky paste-like dough.
4. Cover and let rise in a warm place for 30-40 minutes until doubled in size.
5. Preheat oven to 220°C (fan) and place a baking tray inside to heat up.
6. Tip the dough onto a well-floured sheet of baking paper. With floured or wet hands, press the dough into a pizza shape about 0.5cm thick.
7. Let the shaped dough rest for 5 minutes. Meanwhile, melt the butter and mix with 10ml oil, minced garlic, parsley, salt, and pepper.
8. Brush the garlic butter generously over the dough.
9. Carefully slide the baking paper with the bread onto the hot tray in the oven. Bake for 12 minutes until puffed and golden.
Notes
Sticky Dough: The dough will be much wetter than wheat dough. This is normal! Use wet hands to shape it easily.
Dairy-Free: Simply swap the butter for a dairy-free block butter to make this vegan.
Tapioca Starch: Do not skip this! It provides the chewiness and flexibility.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Side Dish, Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 245
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Your Burning Questions Answered!
Here are answers to common questions about making gluten free pizza bread.
1. What are common gluten-free flour blends for pizza dough?
Most commercial blends like FREEE by Doves Farm or Bob’s Red Mill 1-to-1 work well as a base. However, adding a starch like tapioca flour or potato starch to these blends is often necessary for pizza dough to give it chewiness and flexibility, preventing it from being too crumbly.
2. I’d like to see tips for making gluten-free dough easier to handle.
Gluten-free dough is notoriously sticky. The best tips are to use a silicone baking mat or parchment paper so you don’t have to move the dough directly. Also, either heavily flour your hands or, conversely, wet your hands with oil or water. Wet hands prevent sticking better than flour for high-hydration doughs.
3. What are some popular garlic butter recipes or variations?
While this recipe uses parsley, you can switch it up! Try adding grated parmesan cheese to the butter for a cheesy crust, or mix in dried oregano and chili flakes for a spicy kick. For a gluten free vegan garlic bread recipe, simply use a high-quality plant-based butter block instead of dairy butter.
Dig In & Enjoy!
You are ready to tear into a piece of warm, garlicky goodness that tastes just like the real deal. Enjoy every bite of your homemade Garlic Gluten Free Pizza Bread!
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