Yeast is a tough food allergy or sensitivity to have. It’s complicated to explain to others and it’s hard to believe just how many things it’s in! Dressings, marinades, chips, spices, crackers, and of course, baked goods. But just because you’ve discovered you need to steer clear of yeast, that doesn’t mean you have to avoid goodies like bagels, bread and cinnamon buns. The traditional store-bought varieties may be off-limits but you can create your very own yeast-free versions at home that are every bit as tasty!
I’ve rounded up my five favourite yeast-free recipes so you can discover just how delicious allergy-friendly eating can be! If you’re struggling to find a yeast-free alternative to a favourite food that isn’t listed here, shoot me an e-mail or leave a message below — I would be happy to help!
1. Yeast-free bagels
One of the first yeast-free recipes I made when I discovered my yeast allergy was these yeast-free bagels from Fresh Love Homestead. They also happen to be gluten-free and vegan! And you can easily boost the nutrient level by replacing some of the gluten-free flour with seeds such as hemp, flax and sesame. These bagels also freeze well so you can make a big batch and have them on hand whenever you need them!
2. Yeast-free cinnamon buns
Most baked sweets like cookies, cakes and pies don’t have yeast so you shouldn’t have any trouble finding versions of those you can eat. One of the few treats that has yeast and which I was determined to find a yeast-free alternative for was cinnamon buns. That’s why I was so happy to discover these yeast-free cinnamon buns from Recipe Girl. Our Christmas morning tradition for as long as I can remember has been homemade cinnamon buns. When I developed my allergies, we switched over to this yeast-free alternative and everyone in my family agrees they’re even better than the traditional variety! When I make mine I replace the egg with a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flax and 2.5 tablespoons water, left to soak for 5 minutes) and use a dairy-free icing to make the recipe dairy-free and egg-free as well. I also spread them out 0.5 to an inch apart on a tray rather than in the individual muffin tins recommended so I can make more for the whole family!
3. Yeast-free pizza
Of all the foods my friends can’t believe I live without because of my allergies, the top of the list has to be pizza. Fortunately I don’t have to miss it too must because when I do crave pizza I turn to this yeast-free pizza crust from Frugal Fit Family Recipes. You can hardly tell the difference from a yeast-containing pizza crust if you use all-purpose flour but you can also make it healthier by using half whole wheat and even throwing in some seeds like hemp and flax though it will make it denser and less like the traditional pizza crust you’re used to.
4. Yeast-free soda bread
Irish soda bread is incredibly easy to make — no bread machine or waiting time required. It is definitely denser than the bread you may be used to so you may find it too thick for a sandwich but it’s incredibly flavourful and great lathered with butter (dairy-free if you’re me!) or a drizzle of coconut oil and sprinkle of sea salt. Check out this Irish Soda Bread from Easy Peasy Foodie. I like to load my soda bread up with sunflower seeds, hemp seeds, flaxseeds and sesame seeds in place of some of the flour to make it extra nutritious. It’s egg-free, dairy-free and, of course, yeast-free!
5. Yeast-free baguette
Lastly, gluten-free recipe genius and intuition-expert, Iris Higgins, was kind enough to share this yeast-free baguette recipe with us. This recipe made such a difference to me because I came upon it at a time where I truly thought I’d never be able to be have anything like a baguette ever again. Without the yeast the texture is a little different but this yeast-free baguette can be used all the same ways you might use French bread and it is absolutely delicious in its own right.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup milk (dairy or non-dairy)
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 3 tablespoons whole psyllium husks
- 1 tablespoon oil (canola, olive, etc.)
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened applesauce
- 1 3/4 cups white rice flour (254 grams) (not sweet white rice flour)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly oil a baking sheet.
- Stir together milk and apple cider vinegar. Let sit for a minute, then stir in psyllium and let sit for 5 minutes. After 5 minutes, stir in the oil and applesauce.
- In a large bowl, whisk the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Make a well in the middle, pour the wet mix in and stir. It will eventually get clumpy and you’ll need to knead it until it comes together in a dough. Alternatively, you can use a food processor to mix them together.
- Form into the shape of a french bread, about 8-inches long. Place on baking sheet and brush liberally with extra oil.
- Bake for 40 minutes. Allow to rest at least 20 minutes before cutting.
P.S. If you like this recipe, check out Iris’ FREE gluten-free and dairy-free e-book!
I hope some of these recipes help you feel liberated on a yeast-free diet! If you try them out, let me know what you think in the comments below!