Gluten Free Pop Tarts Recipe

Published on Apr 28, 2023

  by   Kristina Stosek

13 reviews

Prep Time: 20 minutes Cook Time: 17 minutes Serves: 8
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The Very Best Homemade Gluten Free Pop Tarts. This is an easy recipe for bakery-style gluten free pop tart pastry filled with blueberry jam. These pop tarts are extra flaky, hinted with butter, perfectly sweet, baked until toasted, and topped with a light glaze. 

close up of gluten free pop tart exposing blueberry filling

Homemade Gluten-Free Blueberry Pop Tarts

Recently, gluten-free pop tarts have become one of the most requested recipes. So today, I share my best homemade blueberry pop tarts – I promise you, they are so delicious!

The crust is extra flaky, hinted with butter, the filling is a five-minute homemade blueberry jam, and the glaze has a hint of pretty color created with fresh juice.

glazed baked pastries with blueberry icing on a cooling rack

What is a gluten free pop tart?

Pop tarts are America’s favorite breakfast pastries. They are made with two layers of pastry filled with various fillings and topped with either frosting, glaze, or chocolate sauce, to name a few. Traditionally pop tarts are served warm for breakfast. But you can enjoy them anytime as a snack when you crave something sweet.

What type of dough is used for pop tarts?

The type of dough used is crucial for perfect texture and flavor when making pop tarts. Traditionally, pop tarts are made with flaky pastry dough. For this recipe, I kept the dough extra flaky and gluten free, making these pop tarts acceptable for gluten free diet.

5 minute homemade blueberry jam in a bowl

favorite fillings for pop tarts

There’s no denying that pop tarts are a breakfast classic loved by people of all ages. One of the best things about pop tarts is that you can fill them with sweet fillings of your choice. Here are our favorites. 

1. Strawberry or Blueberry Jam: Classic, sweet, and perfect for anyone who loves fruit-filled pastries. Use your favorite brand or homemade jam for maximum flavor.

2. Nutella: This hazelnut spread is gluten free and adds a rich, chocolatey taste to your pop tart filling – perfect for those with a sweet tooth! 

3. Apple Cinnamon: A fall-inspired flavor that works year-round; mix fresh, finely chopped apples with cinnamon sugar.

4. Brown sugar cinnamon: A classic childhood favorite is brown sugar, butter, cinnamon, tapioca flour, and vanilla.

helpful tips on rolling gluten free pastry dough

Rolling gluten-free pastry dough can be a challenge; here are some frequently asked questions about rolling the dough: 

1) How do I prevent my gluten-free pastry dough from sticking to the surface when rolling? 

A: Chill the dough for 30 minutes or dust your working surface with gluten free flour or starch and sprinkle some over the top of the dough. It will help you roll out your dough without sticking.

2) My gluten-free pastry dough keeps cracking around the edges while rolling. What should I do?

A: This is common in gluten-free baking due to a lack of elasticity in the dough. Adding an egg yolk will give you a better structure. However, it wasn’t necessary in this gluten free pop tart pastry dough.

3) Can I use a regular rolling pin for my gluten-free pastry dough?

A: Avoid using wooden ones because they tend to absorb moisture and leave sticky residue behind. I use a stainless steel rolling pin and highly recommend it for pastry dough.

4) Can you freeze gluten free pop tart pastry dough?

A: Yes, the pastry dough can be frozen. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap, and place it in a plastic freezer bag. The dough can be frozen for up to 3 months. Then, defrost the frozen dough in the refrigerator overnight.

Why are store-bought pop tarts banned in some European countries? 

As per Mashed Reviews publication, Pop-Tarts are banned or come with a warning in some European countries due to their use of food dyes such as Yellow 5 and Red 40. Concerns range from cancer, hyperactivity, and other behavioral issues.

blueberry icing with a squeeze bottle and a spoon

Icing vs Glaze

You have two main options when topping your gluten-free pop tarts: icing or glaze. Both are delicious and add something extra to your breakfast pastry. But which one should you choose?

First, let’s define the difference between icing and glaze. Icing, also called frosting, is thick and creamy, often made with powdered sugar and butter or cream cheese. Glaze, on the other hand, is thin and glossy, usually made with powdered sugar and milk, juice, or water.

If you prefer a sweeter option that adds richness to your pop tart, go for icing. It’s perfect if you want to indulge in a decadent treat occasionally.

However, if you’re looking for something lighter that doesn’t overpower the flavor of the filling inside your pop tart but still gives it some sweetness – then go for the glaze, such as in this recipe.

two gluten free pop tarts stacked on a plate

step-by-step recipe details

To get that perfect gluten free flaky pop tart pastry, you will need a food processor. And what a great gift idea for mother’s day or a birthday!

mixing dry ingredients in a food processor

THE PASTRY AND BUTTER

Mix all the dry ingredients for the pastry in a food processor, then add chunks of cold butter and pulse until you reach a texture of rice

pop tart dough processed in a food processor

ADD THEE LIQUIDS

Add the liquids to dry ingredients, cold cream and apple cider vinegar or lemon juice and process until you reach pastry dough. About 2 – 3 minutes. Chill the dough fo 30 minutes.

halved chilled disc of pastry dough on dusted working surface

CHILL THE DOUGH AND DIVIDE IN HALF

Once the dough has chilled, divide it into equal halves.

dough divided into 8 equal pieces

ROLL THE DOUGH INTO A LOG

roll each half into an 8-inch log, then cut each into 4 equal pieces

each piece of dough rolled into rectangles

ROLL EACH PIECE INTO A RECTANGLE

Roll each piece into a rectangle, then cut into equal halves. The size doesn’t matter as long as both halves are the same size. I used a ruler.

pastry topped with blueberry jam

ADD THE FILLING

Top each pastry with blueberry jam leaving a 1/2-inch border for sealing.

gluten free pop tart on a baking sheet before baking

ADD TOP LAYER OF DOUGH

Lay the other rectangle on top and, using a fork crimp the edges to seal the dough. Using a toothpick, poke a few holes in each pastry, then brush with egg wash.

baked pop tarts on a cooling rack without glaze

BAKE

Bake pop tarts for 15 – 18 minutes.

glazing cooled pop tarts with blueberry glaze

GLAZE (OPTIONAL)

Glaze cooled pastries with blueberry glaze. I like to use a squeeze bottle for glazing.

storing 

If you plan on eating your pop tarts within a day or two, store them at room temperature and cover them with a towel. In our house, they last only a day, haha.

However, if you want to keep them for longer than that, it’s best to freeze them. To freeze the pastries, place them on a baking sheet in the freezer for 15 minutes, then wrap each individually in plastic wrap and put them in sealed freezer bags. They should last up to two months when stored properly in the freezer.

To thaw the pop tarts, remove them from plastic wrap and thaw them at room temperature. Then, reheat briefly in the oven for that fresh-out-of-the-oven taste.

 

MORE GLUTEN-FREE CHILDHOOD FAVORITES TO EXPLORE 

Gluten Free Nanaimo Bars

Gluten Free Buckeye Cookies

Gluten-Free Fudgy Brownie Cookies

# 1 Gluten-Free Apple Turnovers

a hand holding half a gluten free pop tart exposing blueberry filling

Gluten Free Pop Tarts: Recipe Review

Making gluten-free pop tarts is a fun and delicious way to enjoy a classic treat while accommodating dietary restrictions. Whether you choose traditional strawberry filling or opt for chocolate, there are endless possibilities for fillings and toppings to satisfy even the pickiest eaters.

You’ll find this recipe easy to follow with exceptional results. And you’ll enjoy this timeless homemade breakfast pastry in no time!

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Many thanks!

Kristina x

Leave a Comment

Joan

The recipe is much easier than I thought it would be, and the pop tarts are better than the once I remember with gluten. A ***** 5 star recipe!

Jennny

omg, these pop tarts are so good!

Rachel

these pop tarts turned out so good and easy recipe too, thank you.

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