Gluten-Free Hot Cross Bun Recipes for Easter--The Top 40 (2024)

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Have you been looking for gluten-free Hot Cross Bun recipes that will restore that seasonal favorite to your festive Easter table? Well, you’re in luck! With Easter this Sunday, that means Good Friday—also known as National Hot Cross Bun Day in some circles—is this Friday.

Note that other sources say that Hot Cross Bun Day is September 11 but I don’t know anyone who enjoys Hot Cross Buns on that particular day. Of course, if you enjoy Hot Cross Buns and you have the right recipes, you can make and enjoy them any time you like!

In this newly updated collection of gluten-free Hot Cross Bun recipes, you’ll find traditional recipes simply made gluten free, grain-free recipes, gluten-free and vegan recipes, recipes with non-traditional flavors (such as apple and cinnamon, chocolate, and ginger), recipes made from non-traditional ingredients (such as plantain), recipes made in a slightly different way (e.g., microwave singles), and even slightly different Hot Cross delivery methods—muffins, scones, and cookies. Honestly, I think you will love them all!

Some of the Gluten-Free Hot Cross Bun Recipes Featured on gfe

Hot Cross Buns are one of those seasonal items that get folks very excited because they’re so delicious and also because they usually only make their appearance during a very short period of time. It’s very, very special to enjoy a delicious Hot Cross Bun, but those of us who are gluten free can’t just run down to the corner bakery and pick up a package of hot cross buns as most people can. We require terrific gluten-free recipes from equally terrific gluten-free recipe creators to make our gluten-free Hot Cross Bun recipe dreams come true!

With all these recipes and flavor choices, I kind of feel the same way about Hot Cross Buns as I do about Pumpkin Pies. It would be a shame to only make them once a year! Go ahead and take a look and see which recipes work best for you. Enjoy! Now … and later. (All photos are copyrighted by the individual authors/photographers and reprinted with their permission.)

~ Allspice Hot Cross Buns from Gluten Free SCD and Veggie ~ gluten free, grain free, dairy free, refined sugar free, Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD)-compliant, with egg-free option (which is not SCD compliant)

Vicky not only shares this hit recipe; she also shares some really interesting information about allspice.

Reader reviews: “I made them again this year! Only thing I would change is to use a little bit less baking soda.” and “Made these last night – they are fabulous!! AND using wet hands to smooth the dough is a brilliant suggestion.” and “Made these for our traditional Good Friday breakfast this morning – a hit with the whole family. Thanks so much for a recipe that we can all enjoy!” and “Made my second batch of these yesterday – without the crosses. This time I substituted about 1/5 of the almond meal with coconut flour—all I can say is Nom nom nom! Happy Easter everybody!!”

~Almond and Honey Hot Cross Buns from Pocketfuls ~ gluten free, grain free, dairy free, egg free, and yeast free

Despite all the ingredients these hot cross buns don’t contain, they look amazing, don’t they? Plus, one big advantage of yeast-free baking is there’s no waiting for the dough to rise!

~ Apple-Cinnamon Hot CrossBuns from Art of Gluten-Free Baking ~gluten free, vegetarian

Some of you love the combination of Apple and Cinnamon, and I do, too. It is definitely a classic and favorite combo for sure! Well, Jeanne Sauvage accepted the challenge to re-create her friend’s recipe as gluten free for another mutual friend. Aren’t these lovely? Jeanne says they have “an appley-cinnamon sticky glaze on top that puts this recipe right over the edge.” Butter is used in the recipe, but I am guessing that non-dairy butter could possibly be used instead.

~ Hot Cross Buns from Carol Fenster Cooks ~ gluten free, vegetarian, with dairy-free option

Carol Fenster is one of the most well-known, beloved gluten-free chefs and cookbook authors. She gives you the tips that will result in high-rising, soft Hot Cross Buns.

~ Hot Cross Buns (Five Flavors) ~ gluten free, dairy free, vegetarian (Note that this blog is no longer active so I’ve included links to her recipes by using the Wayback Machine web archives.)

Kylie (The Gluten & Dairy Free Bakehouse) offers four different versions of First, there are her Traditional Hot Cross Buns. Kylie shared on Facebook: “The kitchen smells amazing!! My Traditional Hot Cross Buns have just come out the oven. I brush over a sugar spiced glaze, which adds another depth of flavour and deliciousness.”

Then there are her Cinnamon-Apple Hot Cross Buns.She says, “The apple makes the buns lovely and moist and the texture is soft and fluffy. They have just the right amount of spice and sweetness, topped with a delicious sugar spice glaze.” She adds that theyfreeze well, with no sogginessafter being defrosted and reheated. Sounds like a great wayto ensure thatthese Hot Cross Buns are eaten more often than at Easter!

Last, she offers not one, not two, but three chocolate versions: Chocolate Hot Cross Buns, Double Chocolate Hot Cross Buns., and Double Chocolate Ginger Hot Cross Buns. These are all standout Hot Cross Buns, don’t you think? The crosses are made with chocolate paste and then the buns are glazed. The double chocolate versions are a bit different—with both containing chocolate chips and the ginger version using candied ginger as well.

Kylie says her family enjoys all her hot cross buns, but “the boys’ favourites are definitely the chocolate ones.”

~ Hot Cross Buns and more from Gluten-Free Alchemist ~ gluten free, vegetarian

Specifically, Kate offers classic “Best Ever” Hot Cross Buns, Chocolate Chip Hot Cross Buns, Marzipan Hot Cross Buns (they come with a hidden Marzipan surprise!), and even Hot Cross Scones.

Reader reviews: “Ok, made these and they turned out awesome, wonderful, yummy, absolutely delicious!!!!!” and “Yeah!!! I’ll just have to make another batch. I did fruit today and they were amazing! The ones I made this afternoon are almost all gone.” and “I just made your “Best Ever Hot cross buns” and my husband says they’re the best hot cross buns he’s had!”

Classic “Best Ever” Hot Cross Buns from Gluten-Free Alchemist

Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Hot Cross Buns from Gluten-Free Alchemist

Gluten-Free Marzipan Hot Cross Buns (with a hidden Marzipan surprise!) from Gluten-Free Alchemist

Gluten-Free Hot Cross Scones from Gluten-Free Alchemist

~ Hot Cross Buns from The Loopy Whisk ~ gluten free, with oat-free, rice-free options (note: this recipe has many gluten-free flour and starch substitution options)

Kat says: “These are 100% the real deal: perfectly soft and squishy, packed with dried fruit and super easy to make. If you’re not a fan of dried fruit, you could throw in some chocolate chip instead, and I’ve also seen a version with marzipan which sounds absolutely DIVINE – so use whichever flavours you fancy most, the dough is super versatile.”

Reader reviews: “These were delicious and so soft and resilient I just wanted to share them with my gluten-free family and friends and make them again when they were gone! I substituted 2 of Tbsp of applesauce for the 1 1/2 Tbsp of milk because my old recipe for Hot Cross Buns used that.” and “I am not really a ‘baker’ but wanted to bless my coeliac wife and granddaughter with gluten free hot cross buns… as I make glutinous ones for the rest of the family and they miss out. Wow, these buns are a real winner. Wife is overjoyed and grand baby loves them. Thanks, Kat. I have definitely kicked a goal with this winning recipe. So easy to follow. I used a different mix of flours and a bit more fruit… still worked well.” and “Once again I find myself overwhelmed with gratitude for your amazing recipes. These came out perfectly and are so delicious and soft. The cross mixture makes the perfect soft crosses. Too yum for words really.”

Gluten-Free Hot Cross Buns from The Loopy Whisk

~ Hot Cross Buns from No Gluten, No Problem ~ gluten free, vegetarian

Pete and Kelli Bronski have other Easter traditions such as Polish sweet bread (“mock cake”) but they were prompted by their Facebook followers to create this particular gluten-free recipe. They even offer the slight adjustment they had to make for the higher altitude in their Colorado location.

Reader reviews: “Thanks a million for this recipe. I adapted slightly to accommodate other health considerations but the proof was definitely in the pudding as my wife and three kids wolfed down the buns at the rate of one per minute. I love the icing sugar and soy milk mix. It’s just like a crispy creme donut.”

~ Hot Cross Buns from Let Them Eat Gluten-Free Cake ~ gluten free, vegetarian

Kim uses her Ultimate Gluten-Free Cinnamon Roll Dough to make her Hot Cross Buns. As she says, “To me, they’re a lot like a cinnamon roll in flavor, just not all rolled up. I like to eat these warm, split open with butter in between.” Just like shown below.

Reader reviews: “By far, hands down, the BEST Gluten Free Hot Cross Bun recipe EVER! I have been trying for over 10 years to re-create a GLUTEN FREE hot cross bun that wasn’t a biscuit or a hockey puck when I was done and Kim’s recipe absolutely delivered! These rose beautifully and didn’t become dense or dry in the baking process. They not only looked like a bun but they actually tasted like one too!” and “I just made these hot cross buns. The BEST EVER! I am extremely picky about gluten free food and this is not like gluten free food! Your bread flour blend is the best! ( and I have made many)!”

~ Hot Cross Buns from Mama Me Gluten Free ~gluten free, vegetarian

Caneel was unhappy with her early attempts at Hot Cross Buns, but she achieved success when she used the same flours as she uses in her yeast bread recipe. She says the resulting Hot Cross Bunscome close to recreating her Mom’s originals from The Joy of Cooking recipe.We all want to makesuccessful gluten-freeversions of ourMom’s beloved recipes, right? Caneel used the muffin tin approach forthe version shown in this photo.

~ Hot Cross Buns from Smith Bites ~ gluten free, vegetarian

Debra and “The Professor”—the husband-wife team—researched, collaborated, and tested recipes over a three-month period to create a gluten-free version of Thomas Keller’s Hot Cross Buns from his latest cookbook, Bouchon Bakery. Debra seriously doubted whether she could accomplish the task, but she did! Her summary of their gluten-free version: “Soft and tender, speckled with plump, vanilla-laced fruit and dressed in a cinnamon-cardamom icing, these gluten-free buns have the perfect balance of sweetness—Chef Keller uses the word ‘beguiling’ to describe them and he’s exactly right.”

~ Hot Cross Buns from Quirky Cooking ~ gluten free, sugar free, vegetarian

Jo uses brown rice, basmati rice, sweet rice flour (also known as glutinous rice flour, but don’t worry; despite the name, it’s gluten free), tapioca starch, Rapadura (or xylitol), and other ingredients using her Thermomix to make her version. Jo instructs you on how to make them in a muffin tin or by using the traditional method. Read comments to see how her readers made xanthan gum-free, egg-free, etc. adaptations as needed. Readers gave these Hot Cross Buns rave reviews. Jo also has a gluten-full Hot Cross Monkey Bread recipe, which uses her Hot Cross Bun dough. Wow, does it look incredible! Finally, Jo also has a grain-free Hot Cross Muffins recipe.