Homemade Gluten-Free Blueberry Pop Tarts (Flaky & Buttery)

15 Reviews
Published Apr 28, 2023 ∙ Kristina Stosek

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These Homemade Gluten-Free Blueberry Pop Tarts have flaky, buttery pastry filled with sweet homemade jam and finished with a light fruit glaze. The tender, golden crust has a delicate crunch, while the fresh blueberry filling adds just the right amount of sweetness. They’re a delicious homemade alternative to the classic breakfast pastry.

Homemade Gluten-Free Blueberry Pop Tarts (Flaky & Buttery)

Why you’ll love these homemade gluten-free Pop Tarts

Flaky pastry: A homemade buttery gluten-free crust with a tender, delicate texture.

Fresh blueberry filling: Homemade blueberry jam takes just minutes to prepare and has fresh fruit flavor.

Simple glaze: A light fruit glaze adds sweetness and a pretty natural color.

Customizable fillings: Easily switch the blueberry filling for strawberry, apple cinnamon, or chocolate hazelnut spread.

Make ahead: Prepare the pastry dough in advance and refrigerate or freeze it for later.

What makes gluten-free Pop Tart pastry flaky?

The secret to flaky pastry is keeping the butter cold and handling the dough gently. This recipe uses a combination of gluten-free measure-for-measure flour, millet flour, rice flour, and tapioca flour to create a pastry with a tender texture and enough structure to hold the filling.

 

Cold butter creates little pockets in the pastry as it bakes, helping produce a delicate, flaky crust. The addition of cold cream and a little apple cider vinegar or lemon juice create perfect dough.

 

Key ingredients and swaps

  • Gluten-free measure-for-measure flour: Provides the base for the pastry. Use a good 1:1 glute-free blend with xanthan gum.

  • Millet flour: Adds structure and a mild flavor to the pastry.

  • Rice flour: Helps create a delicate pastry texture.

  • Tapioca flour: Helps bind the dough and gives it a little flexibility. You can sub for corn starch or potato starch.

  • Cold butter and cold crem: Essential for a flaky pastry. Keep it chilled until ready to use.

  • Blueberries: Fresh or frozen blueberries work equally well for the homemade jam. You can use any berry or cherries.

  • Powdered sugar and fruit juice: Make a simple glaze with a natural hint of color.

Gluten-free reminder: Make sure all packaged ingredients you use are labeled gluten-free or verified by the manufacturer. Shop my favorite gluten-free products and baking essentials in my Amazon Store.

5 minute thick homemade blueberry jam in a bowl

4 Tips for best flaky gluten-free Pop Tarts

1. Keep the butter cold. Cold butter is essential for flaky pastry. I recommend cutting it into small pieces and placing it in the freezer for about 10 minutes before using.

2. Chill the pastry dough. Refrigerating the dough for at least 30 minutes makes it easier to roll and shape. If it feels too firm after chilling, let it sit at room temperature briefly.

3. Don’t overfill the pastries. Use approximately 1 tablespoon of filling per Pop Tart. Too much jam can leak through the seams during baking.

4. Use a stainless steel rolling pin. Gluten-free pastry can be delicate and sticky. A stainless steel rolling pin is easy to clean and works particularly well for this dough. See my recommended stainless steel rolling pin.

Other fillings for homemade Pop Tarts

One of the best things about homemade Pop Tarts is that you can change the filling to suit your taste.

  • Strawberry or raspberry jam: A classic fruit-filled option.

  • Nutella: A rich chocolate hazelnut filling. Gluten-free hazelnut spread.

  • Apple cinnamon: Finely chopped apples mixed with cinnamon and a little brown sugar.

  • Brown sugar cinnamon: Combine brown sugar, butter, cinnamon, a little tapioca flour, and vanilla.

Glaze or icing: What’s the difference?

Both glaze and icing work well on homemade Pop Tarts, but they give different results.

Glaze: A simple mixture of powdered sugar and fruit juice creates a thin, glossy topping that adds sweetness without overpowering the filling. I prefer this option for blueberry Pop Tarts.

Icing: Icing is thicker and richer, often made with powdered sugar and butter or cream cheese. Choose it if you prefer a sweeter, more substantial topping.

I like using a squeeze bottle for glazing because it makes drizzling the pastries easier.

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!

 

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.

 

BAKE

Bake pop tarts for 15 – 18 minutes.

glazing cooled pop tarts with blueberry glaze

Frequently asked questions

Can I make the gluten-free pastry dough ahead?

Yes! Prepare the dough, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for up to 2 days. Let it soften at room temperature before rolling. You can also freeze the unbaked dough for up to 3 months.

Why does my gluten-free pastry crack when rolling?

Gluten-free pastry doesn’t have the elasticity of regular wheat pastry. If the edges crack, gently press them back together. If the dough feels too cold and firm, let it sit at room temperature briefly.

Can I use store-bought jam?

Absolutely. Use your favorite thick blueberry jam or another gluten-free fruit preserve. Avoid runny jam because it can leak out during baking.

Can I make these without eggs?

Yes. Replace the egg wash with melted butter mixed with a pinch of brown sugar. The pastry itself still contains dairy, so additional substitutions would be needed for a fully dairy-free version.

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

How to store homemade gluten-free Pop Tarts

Room temperature: Store cooled, unglazed pastries in an airtight container for 1–2 days. Add the glaze when ready to serve.

Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

Freezer: Freeze baked and cooled pastries individually, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 2 months.

Reheating: Thaw at room temperature and warm briefly in a 300°F oven until heated through. Add the glaze after reheating.

More gluten-free childhood sweet favorites

 

Hi, I’m Kristina — I’ve been developing and testing gluten-free recipes in my own kitchen since 2012, with help from my very honest family.

 

Did you make this recipe? Leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating and a quick review below, it helps other gluten-free cooks find recipes they can trust. For more, join me on Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram.

Nutrition Info

  • Estimated per Pop Tart, including glaze: Calories: 390 | Protein: 4 g | Carbohydrates: 58 g | Fat: 18 g | Fiber: 3 g | Sugar: 27 g | Sodium: 220 mg Note: Nutrition information is automatically calculated and is an estimate. Values may vary depending on the ingredients, brands, and serving size.

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Comments

  1. Rachel

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

  2. Jennny

    omg, these pop tarts are so good!

  3. 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!