Jewish holidays, whether it’s a Shabbat challah or Passover matzah can be tough for someone with Celiac disease or who is otherwise gluten free. This oat-flour challah compromises nothing, offering a delicious loaf of challah and allowing someone to make the Hamotzi blessing that isn’t possible with something like rice flour.
Ingredients:
- 3 cups oat flour
- 1 cup tapioca flour
- 1/4 cup ground flaxseed
- 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup
- 1 packet (2 ¼ tsp) active dry yeast
- 1 tsp salt
- 4 eggs (or egg substitute for a vegan version)
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/2 cup warm water
Instructions:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the oat flour, tapioca flour, ground flaxseed, yeast, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs (or egg substitute), honey or maple syrup, olive oil, and warm water.
- Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the wet mixture. Stir until well combined and a dough forms.
- Knead the dough gently in the bowl until it becomes smooth and elastic. If the dough is too sticky, add a little more oat flour.
- Cover the bowl with a damp cloth and let the dough rise in a warm place for about 1-2 hours, or until it doubles in size.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Punch down the dough and divide it into three equal parts. Roll each part into a long rope.
- Braid the ropes together and place the challah on the prepared baking sheet.
- Cover the challah with a damp cloth and let it rise for another 30-45 minutes.
- Brush the top of the challah with a beaten egg or an egg substitute (such as aquafaba) for a glossy finish.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the challah is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
- Allow the challah to cool before handling.
Note: Gluten-free baking can be sensitive, and results may vary based on the specific brands and ratios of ingredients used. Adjustments to the recipe may be necessary to achieve the desired consistency and texture of the challah.
Enjoy your gluten-free oat flour challah!
