Try my easy, no-cook, gluten free play dough recipe for sensory play fun for those with wheat or gluten allergies and intolerances. Quick to make, super soft and just as much fun as the original version! Ready?
Whoop! For sooooo long I’ve been meaning to test out a gluten free play dough recipe as a substitute for my best ever, no-cook play dough recipe (incidentally the most popular post on my blog of ALL time ever! Thank you all!)
Lots of you have asked for a gluten free version, even more so recently. And then last month I was forced to take up a gluten free diet myself and it reminded me instantly that it’s time to give it a go!
[ Side note: I do have this gloriously soft and squishy 2 ingredient play dough that is also gluten free. It is different in consistency to normal play dough and, although wonderful to play with, only lasts one session. Try this one too for sure!]
As with most gluten free cooking (or so I am just beginning to discover) it’s not at all as simple as a 1:1 substitution for gluten free products. Sometimes the result is either very crumbly or strangely rubbery and it’s super frustrating. I’ve just mastered adaptation of my favourite ever chocolate cake recipe though, and I’m now a happy girl again!)
So to make this gluten free play dough recipe I did need to try a few different methods and ingredients until I got it as close as I think it’s possible to get to real play dough. That is to say, I don’t think it’s 100% ever going to be identical in texture and longevity. That’s the beauty of gluten and what it does after all!
How to make gluten free play dough recipe
Ingredients:
1 cup gluten free plain flour
1 cup rice flour
2 tablespoons xanthum gum
2 tablespoons cream of tartar
2 tablespoons oil
1 cup boiling water (with food colouring or natural dye in it)
few drops vegetable glycerine (optional but adds extra stretch and shine!)
Be sure to use real measuring cups like these when making this recipe.
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Watch the video below to find out how to make it or skip to the next paragraph below.
Method:
Add all the dry ingredients to a bowl and stir through. Now add the oil and mix. Add either food colouring or natural dye to the boiling water (read my instruction post here about how to make natural dyes from fruit, vegetables and spices!) and stir in carefully.
Allow to cool a little. add the glycerine and start to knead. Keep kneading until it is soft, stretchy and smooth.
Ready to play!
I only made this gluten free play dough recipe for the first time last week so I don’t know yet how long it keeps for, but I already have a feeling it will be less time than the standard recipe. I feel it may “toughen up” over time in a way that the other doesn’t. So to counteract that as much as possible, immediately wrap it in airtight wrap or container when play is over. You can also lay a warm, damp wash cloth over the top if it has started to dry out and it should revive a little!
Let me know how you get on with this gluten free play dough recipe and if you have any extra tips to add!
