Who Knew? Gluten Free Bread in a Crock-Pot
| February 28, 2012 | Posted by Amee under Gluten-Free, Slow Cooker |
Welcome to Inspired-Housewife! My name is Amee. I love to share what inspires me. You will find a little of everything from How to Get Pee Stains Out of A Mattress to recipes like Who Knew? Gluten Free Bread in a Crock Pot. I would LOVE to have you subscribe via RSS or by e-mail on the right sidebar to automatically receive every post.
 |
New Post using a recipe not from a box, sandwich and sweet bread, and more tips I learned baking bread in five different crock pots.
When my husband and I got married one of the many gifts we received was a Crock-Pot®. I did not see the use for it, and it sat catching dust in my pantry. As the years went by and I became a better cook I soon realized the beauty of that lonely small appliance. I could make soups, lasagnas, chilies, and roasts. We even made our Thanksgiving turkey this year in a slow cooker.
A few weeks ago, a food blog I follow (http://www.adrizzleofoilapinchofsalt.com/) made a blog post about how they made this beautiful herbed bread in their Crock-Pot. Who knew you could bake bread in a Crock-Pot! I was intrigued and excited at the prospect, because we are “mostly” gluten-free, bread is my biggest cheat or downfall. I am not a great baker, and I have experienced limited success with baking my own gluten-free bread. My hope was renewed in that I might be able to provide my family homemade bread without all the stress of feeling like a baking failure.
This particular recipe was not gluten-free so I googled what I could find. Finally, I found this blog by Stephanie O’dea where she explained how to use boxed gluten-free bread mix from Whole Foods Market. The closest Whole Foods Market to me is over an hour away, but I did have another box of gluten-free bread from Gluten-Free Pantry. I followed her directions and my bread rose beautifully, but with my six quart crock pot I could only use a regular sized bread pan. The dough rose so much it dropped over the sides, and the middle of the bread fell flat. The bread cooked and tasted great, but it looked horrible and the bottom quarter was over-cooked compared to the top.
On my second attempt, I put half the amount split between two pans with the thought it would rise to the top of the pan, and I would get two loaves out of it. I did get two loaves, but they did not rise enough, but it still tasted yummy.
For my third and final attempt, I decided to put a buffer between my pan and the bottom of the Crock-Pot. Some Crock-Pot bakers suggest crumpled aluminum foil, but I had some canning rings, so I used four of those instead. I also did not put a spoon to crack open the lid like Stephanie did with her recipe to help it cook more evenly. Another change I made was to switch to a different pan. I did not use my regular sized bread pan, but used an oval white Corelle® serving dish I owned. It was oven safe and the same height as the bread pan, but wider. My hope was the bread would rise to the top, but not spill over because it had more area in which to spread. Three hours later I had a beautiful and evenly cooked gluten-free sandwich bread. I am so excited about this, because it was not difficult once I discovered a good system. It is less expensive to run my Crock-Pot than my oven, and I can make bread this coming summer and not heat up my kitchen. Throwing the bread in my Crock Pot is super easy. I set a timer, walk away and let the Crock-Pot do all the work from raising to baking.
How to Make Gluten Free Bread in Your Crock Pot
One box of gluten-free bread mix
(Follow the directions on the box in terms of ingredients)
Use a large slow cooker if you have one. Mine is a six quart oval Crock-Pot, but you could make bread in a circle slow cooker also.
Use cooking spray or shortening to grease the inside of your baking pan (not the slow cooker).
Mix the ingredients as specified on box. Add crumpled aluminum foil or use some canning rings laid on the bottom to create an air space buffer between the bottom of the pan and the slow cooker. Put your pan with the bread dough into the Crock-Pot, put the lid on, and turn your Crock-Pot to high.
My bread was done in three hours, but different slow cookers cook differently. I recommend the first couple of times to check your bread at about the two hour mark to estimate when your bread will be done.
This is super easy and I wish I had thought of this sooner. I plan to do several blog posts dedicated to baking bread, cakes and many other things in my Crock-Pot. Enjoy and get to baking that yummy bread in your slow cooker!
XOXO
Amee
If you enjoyed this post please share it with your friends on Pinterest by clicking the “Pin it” button below or “share” it on Facebook.
Related posts:
|
Subscribe below and never miss a post!
Subscribe to Posts in a Reader or by e-mail.
What a great idea! May have to give this a try, I love homemade bread but like you was discouraged with the several attempts at good gluten free bread. I think this will be a project for Tapanga and I
)
I know when I read about how the one lady did it I was shocked. What bread in a crock pot? Seriously because I cannot bake hardly at all for the life of me so this idea I fell in love with. Let me know how it turns out for you and your daughter. I also like this idea because older kids can make bread and you do not have to worry about them burning themselves with the oven.
Ok so would any GF bread recipe work the same way? My son is GF and I can not afford $7 a box to make my own bread of one loaf so I mix my flours myself. But I should just be able to make it any way put it in the pan in the crock and it should work correct?
Yes it works that way too Lyz I have tried it with a couple different recipes not in a box and it worked the same way.
Amee
is there a flour mix you like better? I am GF so is my daughter we are always buying and making bread and trying new mixes. I wanted to do crockpot bread, but not sure which one would be best.
Hi Sheri, I am still so new to GF baking, but I do like Bob’s Red Mill All Purpose Flour, I love almond and coconut flour, and the new flour Sorghum. I am still experimenting as you can tell in this more recent post.http://www.inspired-housewife.com/2012/05/16/five-crock-pots-five-gluten-free-breads-and-a-recipe/
If you do make bread in your crock pot let me know how it goes. Thanks, Amee
Does it have to be gluten free?
Hi Vicki, No you can use any bread recipe you like my family is gluten free that is why it is gluten free. The possibilities are endless on what types of bread you can make. There are boxed gluten versions of bread you can make in a bread machine that would probably do fine. Thanks for asking! Amee
Im not understanding the aluminum foil part, where exactley does this go? Is the bread mix going directly into the crock pot or a different pan that you then put into the crockpot? Sorry, I’m confused
Also, will this work on all bread recipes? I have a box of beer bread I’d love to try!
Hi Dawn, The tin foil or the canning lid rings are to create an airspace for more even heating. There are people who put the bread right into the crock pot, but when I did this the bottom got burnt and over-cooked. The best method was giving this airspace and then putting it into another pan. Depending on your crock pot size a regular bread pan will fit or I used an oval dish that was safe for my oven to bake the bread in. I am not sure if it will work with all bread recipes as I have only made about six in my crock pot and one of them never did well. I need to experiment more, but I find that recipes for bread machines do well in the crock pot. You can always try it out and see it cannot hurt because if it works it is pretty cool to do.
Sorry you were confused I try my best to explain and I did another post yesterday about cooking more bread in my crock pot. http://www.inspired-housewife.com/2012/05/16/five-crock-pots-five-gluten-free-breads-and-a-recipe/ Thanks for asking and feel free to ask more questions if you need help. Happy baking!
Amee
My crockpot might well be as old as I am. The old round one…. and I have a bread and cake baker insert … that again I bought years and years ago. However I am thinking today it would be really hard to find a tall and round baking dish. And the size of the bread in my old one, would be considerably smaller too. Maybe more than 2 loaves of bread out of a pkg. of bread mix.
You have given me lots to think about in this dept. I am sure that I can mix my own ingredients (maybe not gluten free) and try some different types of things too.
Hi Johannah, The beauty with this is it does work with most recipes. I did more experimenting and no you do not have to be gluten free to make regular bread in your crock pot. Here is my newest post where I baked five different breads in different crock pots. http://www.inspired-housewife.com/2012/05/16/five-crock-pots-five-gluten-free-breads-and-a-recipe/ If you do try this and get it to work let me know. Thanks, Amee
If your crock pot is tall, try baking your bread in a large upright can–it can be like a Hi-C can or something similar, even if you don’t drink the contents. Use a heavy coating of some kind of pan spray or else as I was told, it’s one use for good old Crisco. My daughter’s friends were all amazed that her sandwiches were always on round bread.
Thank you! That is a wonderful tip for those with round crock pots.
Thanks, Amee
when i first got married, 43 years ago, this week, I had a recipe for “Coffee Can” bread. You baked the bread in a small, 1 pound, empty, cleaned coffee can. The bread was delicious and depending on which brand of coffee you drank, the can had ridges around it, so when the finished bread came out, voila!, perfect slice lines! I’ll have to see if i can find that recipe…
Hi Chrissie,
Congrats on being married 43 YEARS! That is amazing and hard work on your part <3 The “Coffee Can” recipe sounds interesting thank you for sharing the idea.
Amee
[...] http://www.inspired-housewife.com/2012/02/28/who-knew-gluten-free-bread-in-a-crock-pot/ [...]
i’m curious about this. so do you not have to proof the dough and let it rise before you put it in the crock pot?
No, you just mix all the ingredients like the recipe says on the box, put it in a pan, and then into the crock pot. There is no prior period of letting the dough rise.
And you dont need to add water to the crock pot just curious as to if the crock pot would crack from the heat and no liquid?
Nope no water you get condensation from the bread and I have never had that issue at all. Thanks for asking!
My pan has side so it’s barely in crockpot will it work the lid is shut?
Hi Jennifer it should still work however, my concern would be is there enough room for the bread to rise and not stick to your lid. You will never know until you try it and perfect it. Thanks, Amee
I’m curious as to why anyone is putting their bread dough in a pan to begin with.
Is it just for uniform size and shape?
Coating the crockpot with 2 Tbsp olive oil and rolling the dough in it and leaving it works really well and no extra pan to wash.
To be honest I have never tried it that way because the first time I made bread in my crock pot in a pan the bottom half cooked more than the top and not evenly. I guess I could try it in my crock pot I have seen someone use cooking parchment paper to put their dough on. Thanks Danielle I will try it sometime that way.
Amee
Amee, i still wonder if you put the pan with dough into the ceremic part of the crockpot or the metal heating part? (after taking the ceremic pot out)
Tnaks!
Lilly
Hi Lilly,
I put my pan with dough into the crock pot with the crock too. Not directly on the coil part hope this helps.
How would i make if not gluten free like just regular bread
Hi D.a Nell,
Yes simply follow directions as you would for the ingredients of a gluten recipe. Once your batter is poured into your baking pan then put in your crock pot and follow my directions. Thanks, Amee
We have found a great 1 to 1 ratio gluten free flour! Jules flour. Google Jules flour. I’ve even used as flour for chicken fried meats. Best to catch the flour on specials, which she constantly has. Use the Jules flour and don’t buy the cookie mix. She has a bread recipe booklet and also posts tips for cooking gluten free bread.
Hi Jeanie,
I have heard of Jules flour and heard wonderful things, but have never ordered any. I might have to give in and get some to try. Thanks for the tips. Amee
Jules’ flour is my favorite–I can’t claim that it works for every recipe (because I’ve had a few unexpected flops!) but it is the best I’ve found.
Haven’t been as thrilled with the rest of her mixes, but I haven’t tried them all–I’d rather bake from my own recipes than use a mix in most cases.
I will say that GF Pantry bread mix is my favorite of all the breads I’ve tried–much better than any of the ready-made loaves available out there!
Thanx for the hints on CrockPot baking–I’m thinking I’ll try it next time I bake bread!
Hi Kathi,
I have heard of Jules’ Flour, but never tried it yet because I cannot go into a store and buy it. I know sounds silly immediate gratification I guess lol. If you do try it let me know how it goes and thanks for stopping by! Amee
I have been making beer bread in my crock pot for about a year now. It is very good…..It cooks in about 2 hours(on high)
and retains much of the beer flavor. You just need to spray the inside of crock well….my recipe has butter poured over the top of bread and so that also helps keep it from sticking to the sides. Try it… you’ll like it!
Hi Mary Ann,
Thank you I have never made beer bread nor have I ever tried it. I will give it a whirl sometime thanks for stopping by! Amee
Can you send me your Beer Bread recipe for crock pot. Thank you. Also where do you buy Gluten free Bread Mix? Thanks so much.
Hi Carlee,
Not sure where you live, but Whole Foods/Wegmans/Trader Joes, some Walmarts, and even some of my local grocery stores carry gluten free bread mixes. You can also get them through Amazon. Amee
Love the information you post.
Hi Chris,
Thank you so much!
Amee
Me too!!!
my first day on here on I have loads of info now!
Thanks Jamie glad I can pass on good stuff I learn.
I gotta try this thanks so much! I have been using my crock pot more. Bread in a crock pot who knew. =)
Hi Crystal,
Amee
Hope you are successful because it really is an easy way to make bread.
Still wanna try this but I have a question do I still need to put the foil in teh bottom if I use a metal bread pan (which I am am assuming it is safe to sit inside the ceramic pan)
Hi Missy,
The foil is to create air circulation and not about whether it ruins a pan. I found I needed the air space or my bottom of my bread cooked faster than the top and got over done.
Thanks,
Amee
What was the size/capacity of the Corelle serving dish you used? Think that sounds like a good idea! I’m just trying to figure out what size to use.
Hi Laura,
The dish says 1.8 liters on the bottom side. Hope it works out for you and Happy Holidays.
Hugs,
Amee
I used the new post last night with a regular bread pan. The loaf tastes good but ran over and is droopy in the center. I will try this pan and see if I have better success.:-) Thanks!
Hi Laura,
Yeah that was the issue I had my regular sized bread pan was too small for the amount of dough which is why I used my other baking oval pan. Hope you have better luck because it makes cooking bread a breeze.
Amee
[...] caesar sandwiches","Page":"CMteam favorite things"}]);, I can’t wait to try recipes like crock pot bread_kmq.push(["trackClickOnOutboundLink","link_50c24c685586c","Article link clicked",{"Title":"crock [...]
Sounds sooooo good…..need to try this soon!
Hi Karen, hope it works for you! Amee
I have my first loaf in the crockpot right now. I have been wanting to try this for over a month but I didn’t have a loaf pan to fit in my crockpot but this weekend I went to a yard sale and found a 8×4 loaf pan for 75cents and I am so excited I hope it turns out well.I noticed you said you did not crack the lid open did you get any condensation on the lid that needs to be dried out every so often?
Thanks for your post great idea and love seeing pictures of results.
Hi Diana,
Great find at the yard sale btw. 
Amee
Yes you get condensation and no I never dried my lid out at all. Never had any over moisture issues with it at all.