T-Fal Gluten Free Bread Machine Review
Lots of folks ask me about which gluten free bread machine is best for baking gluten free bread. I have had experience with many great ones, some of my favorites include Zojirushi® & Cuisinart®,* but I just tried a new one from T-fal® and I must say that I am SUPER impressed.
*note: after repeated problems with my Cuisinart bread maker not fully baking the loaves, I have learned to preheat my oven to 350°F and place the bread pan from the bread maker into the oven to bake approximately 10 more minutes at the end of the bread maker cycle. The machine does not have a bake setting, so access to an oven is necessary. I have heard from many other Cuisinart bread machine owners that they have had the same issues and have also learned to use the oven to finish baking the loaf.
Do I need a Gluten Free Bread Maker?
First off, let me say that you do NOT need a breadmaker to make awesome GF bread. But if you want to use a breadmaker, please read my article full of tips on what and how to use one. If you’re looking for more gluten free bread baking tips, applicable to both oven and bread maker baking, check out my Top 18 GF Breadbaking tips.
Whether you decide to bake gluten free bread in an oven or a bread maker, there are so many reasons to try baking your own gluten free bread at home: it’s not hard to make delicious bread when you use the right ingredients; the results are far better than any frozen loaf you would buy at the grocery store; the slices are sized to make real sandwiches (without holes!); and it is far more cost effective in the long run to bake delicious breads at home (how much money have you already wasted buying GF bread your family wouldn’t eat? I rest my case.)
Gluten Free Bread Maker Review
If you are in the market for a new breadmaker with a GF setting, I am happy to add this T-fal® Actibread Machine to my favorite kitchen appliances for you to consider.
All my bread machine testing has been done using my gfJules™ Whole Grain Bread Mix so that the results of each bake-out are dependent only on the machine as the variable.
Pros:
2 lb gfJules Whole Grain Bread Mix baked in T-fal GF bread machine makes a full size sandwich bread. Crown is nearly 5 inches high (putting frozen GF loaves to shame).
- Compact Size
- Bakes a beautiful, tall loaf with nice crown
- Gluten Free Settings pre-programmed (including sweet bread & cake settings)
- Bake only setting available to add time or program your own
- Different loaf size & crust settings available
- Start to finish, 2 lb loaf with nice crust done in 2 hours
- Machine fully cooked my GF loaf to 205º F in the bake time as programmed
- less expensive than Zojirushi®
- bread has a very crunchy crust
The T-fal machine baked this 2lb gfJules Whole Grain Bread Mix completely, without having to add time. Gorgeous crust and crumb, no rubbery bottom.
Cons:
- Lid attachment seems loose and may compromise oven seal with extended use
- Compact bread pan size bakes a tall loaf, but means slightly fewer slices (approximately 16, depending on how thick they are sliced)
- Pan is 7 inches long; Zojirushi® pan is 9 inches long
- More expensive than Cuisinart®
- bread has a very crunchy crust – if you prefer a soft crust, I highly recommend the Zojirushi machine instead
The compact size of the bread pan means the loaf is crowned and tall, but produces fewer slices.
All in all, I am quite pleased with the results of this T-fal® bread machine. It has produced beautiful results comparable to those of machines that cost far more, so I would highly recommend it if you are interested in baking homemade bread with a bread machine.
Do you have a bread machine and use it to bake gluten free bread? Please leave a comment below with the bread maker you use and your review of it so others will learn which machines are worth trying. Thanks for contributing your experiences!
*Thanks to T-fal® for supplying me with a bread machine to test and review. My opinions on bread machines are entirely my own, and a favorable review was not required. I only work with companies and products that I love and recommend. Some links in this post may be referral links. If you do decide to purchase a product at a retailer after following my link, I may receive a small commission, at no additional cost to you, which I use to pay for web hosting and services for this blog. Read my disclosure policy here.
Hi Jules, I just found your site today while researching gf bread making. I’m not a fan of the bread in stores. Can this machine make gf pizza dough as well?
Hi Marney, so glad you found my site! My GF bread mix has been voted #1 gluten-free bread mix by consumers in the Gluten Free Awards – it knocks the socks off of any store bought GF loaf. I make it in this machine all the time. There is a dough setting on this machine or you could make my GF pizza dough mix or recipe in a bowl with a wooden spoon or using a mixer. It’s not very thick, so it’s easy to mix, but certainly you could use a machine to do the mixing for you. Happy baking!
~jules
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Just found your page, so happy. Along with the gluten sensitivity, i am also off eggs and dairy, so far the different egg replacers have not made the best loaf. Using an old basic bread machine on the express bake. I must get a new machine soon. Thanks for your advice.
Welcome, Linda! So glad you found me!!! As for egg replacers, I prefer flaxseed meal + water for breads but you can read about other egg replacer options in my article here. Let me know what you think!
~jules
I am having a great time experimenting with different gf beers and ales, gf Jules bread mix and my T-Fal actibread machine. I used Omission Pale Ale for my first two loaves (one with eggs and one with flaxseed/water). It made a nice white bread loaf with a rich yeasty aroma. I used New City Ginger Beer for loaf that had a sweeter taste. My favorite so far has been the Steadfast oatmeal Cream Stout which made a more golden colored bread with a taste that brought to mind a honey wheat bread. All have been superior to any commercial breads I have purchased. The machine and the mix cannot be easier to use and for anyone still unsure, Jules’ bread machine video shows just how easy this can be. I am definitely recommending this combination to everyone!
thank u good to know, as i have now made 3loaves of bread and they only rise 3″max….still great taste, but maybe the T-fal bread machine will make up the extra 2″
Hi Jewel, not sure why you’d be having difficulty with the bread rising, but using a bread machine certainly does remove some of the variables! Check my Top 18 tips for baking GF bread and see if any of those help, as well: https://gfjules.com/18-tips-for-gluten-free-bread-baking/. Fresh ingredients, following the recipe exactly — no ingredient substitutions — and room temperature for all ingredients help to ensure the recipe will work as pictured.
~jules
Thanks so much for all your great info. I was trying to decide between the Zojirushi and the T Fal. I finally went with the T Fal based on your great review. I have a small kitchen and don’t need a lot of bread at one time. Can’t wait to get it. I am not a celiac, but am gluten sensitive. Eliminating gluten has made a hiuge difference for me. Love your web site.
I’m so happy you’re making the most of my site and resources. Let me know how you like the T-fal – it’s a really great machine at a great price and it doesn’t take up too much space. You’ll love it with my easy bread mix, too!
~jules
Got my T Fal yesterday. Made my first loaf of bread using a gluten free mix of Pamela’s. The directions said to use the basic white bread setting which this machine does not have, and not to use the gluten free setting. I thought I would use the french setting, but the length of time seemed too long. I ended up using the gluten free setting. It came out fine, better than any store bought gluten free bread I’ve had. Thanks for your help Jules. Love the breadmaker and cost a lot less than the zojirushi.
Fantastic to hear, Benita! Happy bread baking!!!
~jules
Can this machine be filled at night, programmed to turn on in the early morning, and have fresh bread ready for breakfast? I love my Zojirushi, but it won’t do that on the GF setting. Can it be done on this machine or another one? Thanks
Hi Ann, there is a delayed start setting but it’s not applicable on the gluten-free settings. The only thing I can tell you that I’ve done with both the Zojirushi and the T-Fal is to put all my ingredients in before I go to bed, then get up and start the machine so that the bread is ready for breakfast. I’ve actually done this in my hotel room, setting my alarm and stumbling over in the dark to just press “Start!” LOL. Pretty funny, but it works! Anyway, what I wanted you to know is that the bread doesn’t rise with a nice crown on it when you do this — it is a flatter, more even loaf — but the neat part is that the bread tastes like sourdough! Very cool happenstance as a result! That may not be what you’re looking for in a machine, but I thought I’d let you know, since we’re both the kind who want early morning bread!
~jules
Have you tried this bread machine with the sweet bread or cake settings?
Hi Sarah, I haven’t tried those settings yet. Now you’re making me curious, though. I guess I’ll have to do that one day soon!
~jules
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which Tfal bread machine is best 111 or 311
Hi Carin, the only one I’ve tested is the 311, which worked very well. I hope that helps!
~jules
Missy, I ordered the TFal from Amazon right before leaving for Prague. I just got back and can’t wait to try it. Bought because of your recommendation. Bread maker , here I come!
Oh, I’m so excited to hear what you think, Yvonne! Be sure to let me know how your bread turns out!!!!
~jules
I love it! It’s amazing how well the bread comes out. On my first trial I wanted to have a positive outcome, so I used Glutino’s Bread Mix. Turned out great. I hadn’t made bread in over 15 years (due to the celiac diagnosis). My husband even noted the wonderful aroma of the bread baking. It came out gorgeous and taste good. I have since done it from scratch using your idea of subbing soda water for the water and Those were scrumptious . Better than the mix. I have to confess I didn’t use your mix. I got Pamela’s artisan gluten free flour mix.
So, Jules, you are THE best ! Thank you for your review. Otherwise , I would still be yearning homemade bread. Having grown up in Puerto Rico, where our “daily” bread was a fresh hot loaf of “pan de agua” , similar to the French baguette., I have missed a good loaf
Thanks!,
Would love to find a great G F bread and such other I.e.. hamburger and hot dog rolls, biscuits.
You’ve come to the right place, Ted! Here’s a great new recipe I just published for hamburger/hot dog buns and there are lots of other bread recipes on my site (just search the recipes tab!). Have you tried my gfJules Whole Grain Sandwich Bread Mix yet? It makes great GF bread easy!
I purchased one about a month ago after being upset about another holey loaf from the store. I have baked 3 different kinds of bread and I love them all and so did my daughter when she came to visit. I love that I can slice the pieces very thin for sandwiches instead of feeling like the bread is way to thick Will be ordering your mix when I use up stuff I already have here can’t wait to try it if is as good as the cookie mix is.
Wonderful to hear, Mary! I know you’ll love my bread mix, especially since you already have a great machine! Can’t wait to hear what you think of my bread mix when you try!
~jules
I have the Zojirushi Home Bakery and love it. But I am the only one gluten free in my house and the only one who will eat gluten free bread. About a year ago I decided a bread machine that made smaller loaves would suit my needs better and for only $70.00, I bought the predecessor to your T-Fal Actibread Machine. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008A39D5C?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=od_aui_detailpages00. I have to say I was surprisingly impressed with it after the fabulous Zojirushi! I can only imagine the new and improved T-Fal would be even better!
Thanks so much for sharing your experiences with these machines, Glenda!
~jules