Top 10 Best Gluten-Free Baking Mixes in 2020 (Pamela's, Good Dee's, and More)

If you're new to the world of gluten-free baking, don't worry! Whether you are craving some sweet and crispy chocolate chip cookies or some savory and cheesy biscuits, this list has all that you need. 

Now that you know some of the best gluten-free baking mixes, let's jump right in our buying guide. We've put together some handy tips to help you choose the right product and covered important factors, such as the kinds of flour to look for. So check it out! 

When choosing a gluten-free baking mix, it's crucial to know what kinds of things you want to make so that you can pick out an appropriate flour blend. Keep in mind that mixes often contain certain proportions of flour, starches, and thickeners, so they might be best suited to make one or two types of baked goods only. 

Cakes, muffins, pancakes, doughnuts, and the like require raising agents to get a light and fluffy texture. So besides gluten-free flour and starches, your mix will likely contain some baking powder and baking soda to help your baked goods rise, as well as xanthan gum to prevent them from crumbling and falling apart.

Since the mix already has the right amount of raising agents, you don't need to add anything extra and can just jump right into the mixing and baking steps! 

Mixes that already have leavenings include brownie mix, pancake mix, cake mix, and so on; they can be used interchangeably without significantly altering the final results. For instance, you can probably purchase a pancake mix to make muffins and will just need to adjust the amount of liquid, butter, or oil a little.

To make sure that everything works, check to see if any reviewers have done the same thing. See if there are any other recipes on the packaging as well! 

If you're trying to make doughy goods such as bread, pizza crust, or biscuits, look for bread mixes. You'll find that their ingredients are quite similar to other gluten-free counterparts, with something along the lines of rice flour, tapioca starch, and potato starch. 

However, the ratios of those components are different from cake mixes. Bread mixes will contain a higher amount of xanthan gum as well. This ingredient acts as a stabilizer and thickener that helps your baked goods hold together and achieve an elasticity similar to gluten. 

Also, check if your bread mix already contains yeast. Some mixes actually are crafted without yeast, so you might need to add your own! 

If you've just started your gluten-free baking adventure and want something versatile, opt for a product labeled as a general baking mix. It's likely to contain all the basic ingredients, such as root starches and ground cereals, along with some thickeners to bind everything together. 

With this versatile mix, you'll be able to bake various things, from bread to cake. But you might have to add a few extra ingredients to get the best results. To make fluffy muffins or pancakes, you might need to add a teeny bit more of raising agents. For bread, grab some yeast! 

A big component of baking mixes is obviously the flour. Just like ordinary wheat flour, there are various kinds of gluten-free flour. You'll find that most mixes contain multiple types! This combination will help your gluten-free baked goods obtain a similar texture to wheat-based treats.

Also, each gluten-free flour has its own characteristics, nutritional values, and might be best suited to make certain bakery products only. In this section, we'll introduce you to some common gluten-free flours! 

Rice flour is almost a staple in all baking mixes. What makes it a great alternative for wheat flour is its smooth texture. Plus, it has a neutral flavor that won't upstage other components in your mix. 

There are generally three rice flour types used in baking: white, brown, and sweet rice flour. These flours might end up producing dense baked goods that taste like cardboard if used on their own. But once combined with other flours, they can result in cakes or bread that taste just like gluten-based ones!  

Almond flour is one of the most commonly found gluten-free flour alternatives that is well-loved for its health benefits. While low in carbs, this flour is loaded with protein (approximately 21 percent of its weight), magnesium, vitamin E, fiber, and monounsaturated fats. You can probably call almond flour a superfood! 

Compared to wheat flour, almond flour is denser and will help you bake perfect biscuits, bread, and cookies. 

When used by itself, almond flour has a gritty texture. It's often combined with other kinds, particularly coconut flour, to help your baked goods achieve a smooth and moist texture similar to all-purpose flour. 

Coconut flour is another superfood since it's packed with protein and fiber while being low-carb. It has a naturally sweet and nutty flavor that is ideal for cakes, cookies, and muffins. 

However, coconut flour absorbs a lot of moisture, and its nutty flavor might be quite overbearing if used alone. So it's often used in small quantities (a few tablespoons or so) and with other kinds of flour, such as almond or rice flour. 

An indispensable component in a gluten-free mix is starch. Some common ones include potato, arrowroot, and tapioca starch. Starchy flours such as sorghum flour and sweet rice flour are frequently used as well. 

Since gluten-free flours lack gluten and are dense and crumbly in nature, these starches help bind everything together and give your baked goods more moisture and texture. 

Nonetheless, a high starch content might make your bakery products too gummy. So they are usually used in a smaller quantity than heavy flours such as rice, almond, or coconut flour. 

Many gluten-free baking mixes are crafted with simple ingredients, including flours, starches, thickeners, and raising agents. But some contain common allergens like nuts, eggs, milk, and so on. 

It's not uncommon to find ingredients such as nonfat dried milk powder, buttermilk, or butter in a baking mix. These components add a rich flavor to your baked goods, but, obviously, many people are allergic to them! 

So always look through the ingredient list to make sure everything is okay for you, whether you have allergies or are following a specific diet, like veganism. Look for the "may contain" label as well, since it often indicates the specific allergens or any potential cross-contamination in the mix. 

The majority of gluten-free baking mixes require you to mix in ingredients like eggs, water, milk, butter, or oil. To make bread, you might have to add yeast, and some mixes might also ask for baking powder or baking soda. These ingredients are often already in your pantry, so you probably won't have to rush to the supermarket.

If you're extremely busy, you can easily find mixes that only require water. They are probably the most convenient choice to help you make some tasty treats. You can even use these mixes when you're at school or your office and don't have access to a fridge for eggs or milk. 

 
Plus, there are often recipes for you to try on the product packaging. Manufacturers might provide some suggestions for ingredient substitutions as well. So take a look at this information if you want to tweak the traditional recipe a little bit to match your preferences or diet! 

Although a product might claim to contain no gluten ingredients, it might still be cross-contaminated with gluten if produced in a shared facility or with equipment that also makes products containing gluten. 

So to be on the safe side, you might want to go for products that are certified gluten-free! Those that bear a certification logo have to comply with stringent guidelines for gluten-free safety. They are also acknowledged as safe for people with celiac disease and any other gluten-related problems. 

If you're new to gluten-free cooking and struggling to make a fulfilling meal, don't worry! We've found some great gluten-free options that will help you make some tasty dishes. 

Gluten-free baking can be a challenge since gluten-free flours often can't produce soft, moist baked goods like regular wheat flour. But with a gluten-free baking mix, things become much easier and tastier! 

Keep in mind that you'll need to add a few extra ingredients to complete the mix, such as oil, water, milk, or eggs. Now that you know some tips for choosing a gluten-free baking mix, go purchase one and get your baking game on! 

Author: Thuy Nguyen

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If you're not looking for a full-on baking mix, there are still plenty of gluten-free goodies out there that you can stock your pantry with. Here's one that nutritionist Kara Swanson recommends!