Gluten-Free Bread Pudding (Dairy-Free)

This subtly sweet and ooey-gooey gluten-free bread pudding will melt in your mouth. Simple and delicious, it’s topped with the most spectacular toffee sauce. The perfect homemade comfort sweet treat. Bonus: The recipe can be gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, nut-free, egg-free, or regular.

Note: This post contains affiliate links to which I earn a small commission, but don’t worry, there is no extra cost to you! Thank you for supporting CAKED by Katie.

The Best Gluten-Free Bread Pudding

Finished with a decadent toffee sauce, this easy gluten-free bread pudding is full of simple but classic vanilla custard flavor. Simple to make with only 8 ingredients; it’s ready to be devoured in under 60 minutes. Here’s why you’ll love it:

The Best Texture – Crunchy top and a soft moist bread pudding base.

Versatile – Jazz it up with fun tasty add-ins like nuts, chocolate chips, or raisins. Top it with a scoop of ice cream for dessert or serve it with maple syrup for breakfast.

Easy To Make – 8 ingredients and 60 minutes.

Dietary/Lifestyle Friendly – This recipe can be easily adjusted to suit your specific lifestyle or dietary needs, whether vegan, gluten-free, nut-free, dairy-free, or regular.

Gluten-Free Bread Pudding Ingredients & Substitutions

As always this recipe is gluten-free. That said, I test each recipe with “regular” ingredients and make notes of alternatives or swaps so that everyone can enjoy it.

Here are a few key ingredients for this gluten-free bread pudding, but scroll to the bottom recipe card for the complete ingredient list.

Bread: Any type of bread, gluten-free or regular, will work. I used a loaf of gluten-free French bread. Make sure it’s stale. If it’s a fresh loaf, cube it up and give it a quick toast in the oven at 350ºF for 5 minutes.

Brown Sugar: This recipe calls for brown sugar. You can substitute it with organic cane or coconut sugar if desired.

Butter: Becel plant-based bricks are my favorite for baking but any brick-style dairy-free, vegan, lactose-free, or regular butter will work. 

Milk: I used unsweetened almond milk, but any kind will do the job. The higher the fat content the yummier.

Eggs: The eggs can be swapped for ½ cup of unsweetened applesauce, liquid egg replacer, or 2 tablespoons of ground flax seed to make it egg-free/vegan.

Step-By-Step Instructions

You’ll need an 8 x 8-inch baking pan, mixing bowl, pot, and a whisk. Let’s get started!

1. Preheat the oven to 350ºF and prepare an 8 x 8-inch baking pan with non-stick baking spray or butter.

2. Place the bread cubes (and add-ins if using) into the prepared pan and spread evenly. Set aside.

3. Vigorously whisk the eggs in a mixing bowl.

4. Add in the milk, brown sugar, melted butter, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt and whisk until well combined.

5. Pour the mixture over the bread cubes and gently pat down with a spatula.

7. Bake for 40-50 minutes or until lightly golden brown.

8. While the bread pudding is baking, prepare the toffee sauce. Combine the butter, sugar, milk, and salt in a medium heavy-bottomed pot and cook on medium heat until the butter is melted and the sugar has dissolved.

9. Turn the heat up to medium-high and boil the toffee sauce for 5 minutes, whisking frequently.

10. Remove from the heat and drizzle on the warm bread pudding. Enjoy!

Pro Tip: You can skip the toffee sauce and serve bread pudding with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, maple syrup, or whipped cream and berries.

Recipe Tips & Tricks

Flour Measurement: Dry crumbly cookies are often due to improper flour measurement. If you are not measuring by weight, which I always recommend, spoon, not scoop, the flour out of the container and into the measuring cup. 

Let The Bread Soakl: For the best bread pudding texture, ensure all the bread cubes have soaked in the liquid. Gently press them down to ensure each piece is saturated before baking. You can even rest the pudding for up to 20 minutes before baking.

Baking Time: Bread pudding can be a bit tricky to know when it’s fully baked. Look for a lightly golden top with set edges. If you note the bread on top is getting too brown but has not risen, lightly cover it with foil and continue to bake.

Baking Location: I always recommend baking on the middle rack; this allows the heat to circulate evenly around the bread pudding.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Make These “Regular” (ie. not gluten-free, egg-free, etc?)

Yes! Swap the vegan/dairy-free & gluten-free ingredients with their regular counterparts. See the above section titled Ingredients & Substitutions for more detail.

Can I Reheat Gluten-Free Bread Pudding?

Place a slice of leftover pudding in the microwave and heat for 30-45 seconds. The toffee sauce can be reheated in the microwave too.

Am I Able to Double the Recipe?

Absolutely. This recipe doubles like a dream.

Help! My bread isn’t stale!

Fresh bread can be used for this easy gluten-free bread pudding recipe. Cube the bread and toast it in the oven at 350ºF for 5-7 minutes or until warm and slightly crunchy.

How To Store Gluten-Free Bread Pudding

While I highly encourage you to enjoy this bread pudding fresh and warm from the oven, it can be stored and re-heated. Cover any leftover pudding with plastic wrap or in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Make sure to warm the leftovers back up before enjoying.

Pro Tip: The toffee sauce can be served and stored on the bread pudding or separately. If you store and serve it separately, note that it might need to be stirred vigorously to re-incorporate.

The Easiest Gluten-Free Bread Pudding Recipe

Full of warm vanilla custard and buttery flavor, this incredible gluten-free bread pudding recipe is almost too good to be true. A simple and scrumptious sweet treat, everyone will love this classic bread pudding with toffee sauce.

With an adaptable ingredient list, you can tailor this recipe to suit vegan, gluten-free, egg-free, dairy-free, or just plain regular to create the most amazing bread pudding that everyone can enjoy.

I would love to know if you make this spectacular gluten-free bread pudding recipe. If you do, tag me on social media @cakedbykatie and leave this recipe a 5-star rating and review below. I can’t wait to see it!

More Simple & Classic Recipes

Sometimes simple is best. Here are a few of my favorite sweet & simple treats to bake.

• Gluten-Free Oatmeal Raisin Cookies (Vegan Option)
• Gluten-Free Vanilla Cupcakes (Dairy-Free)
• Gluten-Free Apple Crisp (Vegan)

Print