Soft & Yeasty Gluten Free Orange Rolls

5 from 1 vote

Modified: Apr 29, 2025 · Published: Apr 17, 2025 by Chandice · This post may contain affiliate links · 2 Comments

These soft and yeasty gluten free orange rolls are pillowy and packed with citrus flavor. They have a fluffy texture close to cinnamon rolls, but with a fun hint of orange. We use a special blend of gluten free flours to get the perfect texture then fill them with a luscious and fresh filling and finish them with a delicate orange glaze and zest. They are great for breakfast, lunch, or if you're craving something sweet.

up close image of gluten free orange knots on a plate or orange zest on top

These gluten free orange rolls are perfect for your Sunday brunch with our gluten free breakfast casserole or sour 5-minute spiced orange mocktail. I also love using our orange simple syrup for a bit of extra sweetness when drizzled on top.

One of my favorite things about these orange knots is that they're soft and airy. After being diagnosed with celiac disease many years ago, I made it my mission to recreate classic recipes that I loved, but make them deliciously gluten free. The key to making the best gluten free bread is to use a high quality gluten free flours. What we recommended is listed down below.

What makes these orange knots irresistible

Bright flavor: We found that using both orange zest and orange juice during recipe development gives these rolls an extra bright and refreshing flavor.
Nobody will know they're gluten free: I realize that these require multiple gluten free flours rather than just an all-purpose blend, BUT hear me out... We found that this specific blend gives the most incredible texture and taste (just like with our gluten free biscuits) making them so fluffy nobody will know they're gluten free!
Perfect for many occasions: We love serving these during a Spring or Easter breakfast for that fresh baked good that everyone loves whether gluten free or not (yes, even our non-gf family loved them!).

ingredients for soft and yeasty gluten free orange knots on a grey table with titles over each ingredient

What you'll need to make gluten free orange knots

Flours & Starches: During recipe testing, we found that the combination oof brown rice flour, white sticky rice flour (aka sweet rice flour), potato starch, arrowroot powder, and tapioca starch are truly the perfect blend for the fluffy dough you are looking for here.
Yeast Mixture: Like our cinnamon rolls, this gives that truly authentic flavor to these orange knots that you really can't replicate any other way. Yes, it is an extra step but so worth it.
Wet Ingredients: The eggs, apple cider vinegar, coconut oil, butter, and soaked ground chia might seem like a lot but to get that real deal orange knot, these together work perfectly.
Orange Filling: In my opinion, this is the secret sauce. We tried these without a filling and they fell flat. Once we added the filling, WOW did they pop!
Orange Glaze: We found that another way to add more flavor was when we finished these perfectly cooked rolls with a delicate and zesty orange glaze.

How to make gluten free orange knots

Chia seeds with water in a bowl to create a gelatin like texture — Combining chia with water gives it a consistency that makes it the perfect binder for baked goods that don't have gluten.

Chia seeds soaking in water in a bowl. Yeast, warm water and sugar blooming in a bowl. — Combining chia with water gives it a consistency that makes it the perfect binder for baked goods that don't have gluten.

Soft & Yeasty Gluten Free Orange Rolls dry ingredients in a bowl — Start by mixing all your dry ingredients together in a large bowl (that can eventually fit the wet ingredients as well)

Combine all wet ingredients plus chia mixture and yeast that has been bloomed (nearly doubled in size) — Start by mixing all your dry ingredients together in a large bowl (that can eventually fit the wet ingredients as well)

Dry and wet ingredients in a bowl — Combining the dry and wet ingredients will give you the perfect dough

orange zest with dough in a bowl — Combining the dry and wet ingredients will give you the perfect dough

dough in a rectangle with butter, sugar and orange zest — Next layer of orange flavor comes with this simple filling

dough folded into thirds — Next layer of orange flavor comes with this simple filling

sliced dough then twisted to make a breadstick of sorts — Slice the dough horizontally in about ½ inch strips then give them a twist.

dough cut and also one folded into a knot — Slice the dough horizontally in about ½ inch strips then give them a twist.

orange knots on a baking sheet — Give them the perfect bake then glaze them liberally.

Gluten free orange rolls baked on a tray — Give them the perfect bake then glaze them liberally.

Tips for getting your rolls to rise

Using fresh yeast: Make sure your yeast is not expired (surprisingly this happens often, udon not buy in bulk!), and the milk is warm. If it's too hot it will kill the yeast and if it's too cold it will not activate the yeast.
Proof in a warm spot: Make sure you let the dough rise in a warm spot that's roughly 100 degrees F. This will help the dough double in size.

soft and zesty gluten free orange knots on parchment paper with orange zest on top

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