These took a lot of experimenting with to get something that had the taste I wanted PLUS the shape I associate with a proper French baguette. (Oh, and it cannot require some extra pan I don't have space for in the kitchen). I have been making French bread in loaf pans for awhile (i.e. it has the flavor and exterior crunch/interior tenderness) and also a French bread-style sandwich bread, which we also really like. However, I wanted something that could be easily used as a proper baguette for things like a brie & tomato sandwich, or thinly sliced and baked with olive oil for things like topping with bruschetta. Or just pulling off pieces of hot bread to eat fresh! Voila! The parchment paper came to the rescue! This recipe is easy to whip together, and you'll have fresh baguettes in no time! Best fresh, in my opinion. Enjoy!

They're just so pretty! Fresh Gluten-Free French Baguettes!

So yummy. They get eaten quickly around here.

They slice cleanly and work perfectly for appetizers, dipping, toasted with olive oil or butter.

Easy Gluten-Free French Baguettes!!!

Makes six 12" baguettes or three 20" baguettes

Line pan(s) with parchment paper, creased with folds to make baguette-sized hollows for the bread to rise and bake in. I love to use two 9x13 pans, but you could make all 6 half-sized loaves on a large cookie sheet or make 3 long baguettes on the large cookie sheet.

In a mixer, combine thoroughly:
2 cups tapioca flour/starch
1 1/2 cups brown rice flour
6 Tbsp potato starch
3 tsp xanthan gum
1 Tbsp quick/rapid-rise yeast
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 Tbsp sugar

Optional: 1/2 cup quick-cook steel cut oats (if you use, add 1/2 cup water)

Add and mix in, beating 4 minutes:
1 1/4 cup lukewarm water
2 tsp apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup oil (avocado oil is my preferred choice)
1 cup egg whites (these can be purchased at the store near the eggs)

Scoop bread into a large freezer ziploc. Snip the corner. Pipe out your baguettes. Aim for a size that is not too thick, as you want these to double in size while rising. Let baguettes rise 45 - 60 minutes in a warm location, until bread has doubled and is getting cracks in the tops from rising. Use kitchen scissors to snip little slashes on the top of each baguette before baking, if desired.

Piped into prepared pans and ready to rise!

Doubled in size, ready to bake as-is or slash (below)

You don't have to add the diagonal slashes, but I think it looks really pretty once they're baked.

Bake at 375 F for 40-45 minutes. This length of time will allow the outside to get nice and crispy, but also allow the inside of the bread to fully cook. If you cook it for less time, you'll find the inside is too sticky. Let the bread cool a little before slicing (yes, we always taste-test it piping hot, but best to cool a little before slicing). Sliced bread can be left in a sealed container on the counter and will still be delicious the next day! The crust will soften after being sealed, but a reheat in the oven will crisp it back up! This has become the uncontested new family favorite bread recipe! Enjoy!