This gluten-free shortcrust pastry is a true kitchen staple — simple, dependable, and endlessly versatile. It’s the kind of recipe that quietly becomes part of your routine, ready to turn into something sweet, savoury, or somewhere in between. With a tender, buttery crumb and a melt-in-the-mouth finish, it’s proof that gluten-free baking can be every bit as comforting as the classics.
Prep Time ⏱️ 20 minutes.
Cook Time 🔥 About 15 minutes (or until golden brown).
🌡️ Oven Temperature 180°C
Ingredients 🧈
- 300g Gluten-Free Plain Flour (plus extra for dusting).
- 1½ tsp Xanthan Gum.
- 145g Butter – Chilled and Cubed.
- 3 tbsp Caster Sugar (only if making sweet pastry).
- 1 tsp Salt (only if making savoury pastry).
- 2 Large Eggs Beaten.
Instructions 🥣
Step 1 – Create the Base – In a large mixing bowl, combine your gluten-free flour and xanthan gum. Grab your butter straight from the fridge — it needs to be cold! Cut into small cubes and rub into the flour mixture with your fingertips. You’re looking for that perfect breadcrumb texture. This step might take a few minutes, but it is worth it. This helps get the air into your pastry, keeping it light and lovely.
Step 2 – Add the Flavour Twist – If you’re going sweet, stir in your caster sugar. If you’re going savoury, add the salt. I wouldn’t mix the two unless you’re feeling adventurous 🙈.
Step 3 – Bring it Together – Beat your eggs and gradually add them to the flour mixture. Use a knife to gently cut the liquid through the dry ingredients until it starts coming together. Then, switch to your hands and bring the dough into a smooth ball. It shouldn’t be too crumbly — just slightly sticky is perfect.
Step 4 – Chill and Rest – Wrap your pastry dough in cling film and pop it in the fridge until it firms up and becomes easy to handle. It shouldn’t go rock solid — just firm enough to roll out nicely. At this stage, you can freeze it for later or get baking straight away.
Step 5 – Bake and Enjoy – Roll out hour pastry, line your tin, and bake at 180°C for around 15 minutes, or until golden brown and delicious. Serve warm or cold – either way, it’s melt-in-your-mouth good.
To Serve 🍓 – This gluten free shortcrust pastry is as versatile as it gets! Here are a few of my favourite ways to enjoy it:
- Sweet Treats – Use it as the base for fruit tarts, custard slices, or buttery jam pies. A dusting of icing sugar on top never hurts!
- Savoury Bakes – Perfect for quiches, cheese and onion pies, or even mini tartlets filled with veggies and herbs.
- Seasonal Bakes – Around the holidays, this pastry is divine for mince pies or pumpkin tarts.
💡 This pastry freezes beautifully, so make an extra batch while you’re at it. Future you will thank you!
A Note from My Kitchen 💛 – Don’t worry if it feels a little different to regular pastry – gluten free dough has it’s own quirks, but once you get a feel for it, it’s magic. Be patient, keep your butter cold, and trust the process.
From my kitchen to yours — lovingly homemade and Gorgeously Gluten Free 🧡 – Eve.
Gorgeously Gluten Free! 