Effortless Gluten-Free Vegan Orange Rolls

The Best Gluten-Free Vegan Orange Rolls: Easy & Top 8 Allergen-Free with a Mix!

You’ve been asking for it, and after years of searching, testing, and perfecting, it’s finally here! We’re thrilled to share a recipe for sweet orange rolls that are not only gluten-free and vegan but also completely free of the top 8 major food allergens. This has been a true labor of love, and we genuinely hope you find these rolls to be worth the wait! The absolute best part? This recipe simplifies the baking process by utilizing a premade mix, eliminating the need to meticulously measure various gluten-free flours or handle yeast separately. These delightful orange rolls boast that irresistible classic zesty filling and bright citrus glaze, though for those who prefer, a simple swap to cinnamon can transform them into traditional cinnamon rolls.

Delicious Gluten-Free Vegan Orange Rolls, freshly baked and ready to eat

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Why You’ll Love These Allergy-Friendly Orange Rolls (They’re Bomb!)

For years, the idea of enjoying homemade orange rolls or cinnamon rolls felt like an impossible dream for our family. With severe allergies to staples like wheat flour, eggs, and dairy butter, I never imagined we could create a version that truly satisfied. It was heartbreaking to tell readers who frequently requested such a recipe that I simply didn’t have one that met all our strict dietary requirements. While there were certainly some gluten-free cinnamon roll recipes and others for dairy-free versions, a truly good orange roll that was simultaneously gluten-free, vegan, AND free of the top 8 allergens remained elusive. It seemed every recipe I stumbled upon contained at least one ingredient that was off-limits for us.

The primary hurdle was always achieving that perfect dough texture – soft, pliable, and capable of rising beautifully without traditional gluten, eggs, or dairy. That’s when inspiration struck! I realized that Bob’s Red Mill offered a gluten-free pizza crust mix that, with a few clever tweaks, could form the perfect base. This was my “Eureka!” moment. Instead of enduring the arduous task of sourcing and blending a multitude of gluten-free flours – like brown rice flour, potato starch, millet flour, sorghum flour, tapioca flour, potato flour, xanthan, and guar gum – Bob’s Red Mill had already done the hardest part for me. Honestly, who has the time or desire to measure out all those precise ratios? A huge thank you to Bob’s Red Mill for making this possible! (And no, this post is not sponsored, just genuine appreciation for a fantastic product).

Once the dough challenge was overcome, my next mission was to ensure every component of these rolls burst with authentic orange flavor. I meticulously integrated fresh orange juice into the dough itself, added vibrant orange zest to the sweet filling, and then brightened the creamy frosting with even more orange juice. This multi-layered approach guarantees that every single bite delivers a delightful citrusy punch. If you’ve been longing for these classic treats but have been held back by dietary restrictions, I sincerely hope these gluten-free, vegan, and top 8 free orange rolls become a cherished go-to recipe for you and your family.

Gluten-Free Vegan Orange Roll Recipe, showing a single roll with orange zest

How are These Orange Rolls Gluten-Free?

Achieving the gluten-free aspect of these orange rolls was surprisingly the most straightforward part of the process, all thanks to the Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free Pizza Crust Mix. This brilliant mix already contains a carefully balanced blend of gluten-free flours and binders, taking all the guesswork and complex measuring out of your hands. My role was simply to adapt this excellent base to suit a sweet roll application. When it comes to rolling out the dough, you will need a little extra help to prevent sticking. I recommend dusting your wax paper or silicone mat and your rolling pin generously with a gluten-free flour of your choice. Any all-purpose gluten-free flour blend you have on hand will work perfectly for this. In a pinch, even powdered sugar can be used to lightly dust the surface, offering a subtle sweetness while preventing sticking. Another fantastic tip I received from a reader is to use a non-stick cooking spray on both your rolling surface and your hands instead of extra flour, which can sometimes dry out the dough.

How are These Orange Rolls Vegan?

To ensure these delectable orange rolls are completely vegan, we’ve made key substitutions for traditional animal products. Instead of regular dairy butter, this recipe calls for Earth Balance vegan butter, which performs beautifully and imparts a rich, buttery flavor without any dairy. For the eggs, we utilize aquafaba – the liquid from a can of chickpeas. Aquafaba is an incredible egg replacer, particularly for its ability to mimic the binding and leavening properties of egg whites. With no other animal-derived ingredients, these rolls are a fantastic and compassionate treat for anyone following a vegan diet.

What If I Can Use Eggs?

If your dietary needs allow for eggs and you prefer to use them, you can easily substitute them in this recipe. Simply omit the aquafaba and use two standard large eggs in its place. The rolls will still be delicious!

What If I Don’t Need These Orange Rolls to Be Dairy-Free?

For those who can consume dairy, feel free to use regular butter instead of vegan butter. The ratio remains the same as specified in the recipe. The classic butter flavor will certainly shine through!

Step-by-step guide on how to make orange rolls gluten-free and vegan

What If I Have a Yeast Allergy?

Unfortunately, for these specific gluten-free vegan orange rolls, the yeast is an absolutely critical component. It’s what gives the dough its essential rise, creating that light and fluffy texture we all love in a sweet roll. At this time, I haven’t found a reliable workaround or substitute that yields comparable results for a risen dough in a gluten-free and vegan context. If you happen to discover a successful alternative for yeast in such a specialized dough, please don’t hesitate to let me know – I’d be incredibly grateful to hear about it!

What Do You Use for the Egg Replacer in These Vegan Orange Rolls?

For this recipe, my go-to egg replacer is aquafaba, which is simply the liquid found in a can of chickpeas (also known as garbanzo beans). I’ve found that aquafaba remarkably replicates the elasticity and binding properties of egg whites, which is absolutely vital for developing a gluten-free and vegan dough that has a good ‘pull’ and stretchiness. This characteristic helps the rolls hold their shape and contributes to their overall texture. In my experience, powdered egg replacers can sometimes lead to a drier dough, while alternatives like applesauce or mashed bananas, though popular in other baking, often make the dough too wet or introduce an unwanted flavor or density that isn’t ideal for a light, fluffy roll. If you have a legume allergy and cannot use aquafaba, you are certainly welcome to experiment with your preferred egg replacer. While I can’t guarantee the exact same results, sometimes with specific allergies, a bit of tweaking is necessary, and you might still achieve a delicious outcome tailored to your needs!

Close-up of a bite taken out of an allergy-friendly orange roll, showing fluffy texture

Where Do You Find the Bob’s Red Mill Mix & What’s In It?

For these fantastic gluten-free vegan orange rolls, the hero ingredient is the 16oz Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free Pizza Crust Mix. I typically purchase it at my local Walmart, but I’ve also consistently found it in most major grocery stores and natural food markets. For convenience, it’s also readily available on Amazon. A wonderful bonus is that the yeast packet is conveniently included right within the mix, making your baking process even smoother. This means no extra trips for yeast!

To give you full transparency, here are the ingredients listed directly from the label:

  • MIX: BROWN RICE FLOUR, POTATO STARCH, WHOLE GRAIN MILLET FLOUR, WHOLE GRAIN SORGHUM FLOUR, TAPIOCA FLOUR, POTATO FLOUR, CANE SUGAR, XANTHAN GUM, SEA SALT, GUAR GUM.
  • YEAST PACKET: YEAST, SORBITAN MONOSTEARATE, ASCORBIC ACID.

I Heard Bob’s Red Mill Also Processes Nuts?

This is a very common and incredibly important question, especially for those managing severe allergies, and one I receive frequently when recommending Bob’s Red Mill products. Your concern is absolutely valid, and I want to provide as much detail as possible to help you make an informed decision for your family.

Here is a direct statement from their website regarding allergen control:

“Each manufacturing facility follows Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) and follows allergen control strategies to minimize the potential cross contact of food allergens. These practices include, but are not limited to: HACCP training, separation of like materials and sanitation.” Source.

From a personal standpoint, both of my sons have anaphylactic allergies to peanuts and tree nuts (excluding hazelnuts), and we have been using a variety of Bob’s Red Mill products for almost ten years now with absolutely zero issues. This long-term experience has built significant trust for our family.

Furthermore, I took the step of emailing them directly about this specific pizza crust mix and my concerns regarding potential cross-contact with tree nuts. Their response, received on December 17, 2020, was incredibly reassuring and detailed:

  • “We do process the following tree nuts in our GF facility: almonds, cashews, coconut, hazelnuts, and macadamia nuts. The chance of cross contact would be incredibly slim. Each facility follows Good Manufacturing Practices and follows allergen control strategies to minimize the potential of cross contact between food allergens. We clean our machinery thoroughly with high-pressure air and vacuums between each production run, inspecting and validating cleanliness before a new product is introduced. When a new product is introduced, we flush the lines, donating or discarding the first 20 pounds of product per lot before beginning the new packaging process.”

The detailed explanation of their cleaning procedures – including high-pressure air, vacuums, thorough inspections, validation of cleanliness, and the practice of flushing lines and discarding initial product – gives me confidence in their commitment to allergen safety. However, I always encourage individuals to do what feels best for their family. If you ever have doubts or need further clarification, I highly recommend reaching out to the company directly to speak with them one-on-one. I’ve found that these direct conversations often provide the most peace of mind.

I completely understand if, despite this information, you don’t feel comfortable using their products, and that is perfectly okay. Your family’s safety is paramount. My approach to labeling recipes as “top 8 free” or similar relies strictly on what is stated on the product labels. If your specific allergy management requires additional precautions beyond label reading, such as calling manufacturers for ingredient derivations or cross-contamination specifics, please ensure you do your own diligent homework. I share what works for my family, but I cannot guarantee the safety of any ingredient for every unique allergy profile.

Can You Make These Orange Rolls into Cinnamon Rolls?

Absolutely! The versatility of this dough means you can easily transform these orange rolls into classic cinnamon rolls. Simply swap out the orange-infused filling for your favorite cinnamon sugar filling. Then, instead of the orange frosting, generously top them with this luscious vegan vanilla buttercream.

Can I Frost These with a Cream Cheese Frosting Instead?

You are welcome to use any frosting you prefer on these gluten-free vegan orange rolls! I do have a wonderful recipe for a vegan cream cheese frosting included in my carrot sheet cake recipe, which would certainly be delicious. However, for these orange rolls, I personally prefer a frosting that allows the vibrant orange flavor to be the star, and I find that cream cheese frosting, while tasty, can sometimes compete with or slightly overshadow that distinct citrus note.

Fully frosted allergy-friendly orange rolls in a baking pan

How Do You Store These Gluten-Free Vegan Orange Rolls?

To keep your delicious gluten-free vegan orange rolls fresh and moist, you’ll want to store them at room temperature. Make sure they are thoroughly covered with plastic wrap or placed in an airtight container to prevent them from drying out, which can happen quickly with gluten-free baked goods. While they are undoubtedly best enjoyed on the day they are baked when they are at their softest and freshest, they will maintain their quality for about 1 to 2 days. If you’re enjoying them the day after, a little trick to revive their tender texture is to warm them gently in the microwave for just a few seconds. Be cautious not to microwave them for too long, as the frosting will quickly turn into a melted puddle, which, while still tasty, isn’t quite the desired aesthetic!

Are These Orange Rolls Top-8-Free and Allergy-Friendly?

Yes, absolutely! This recipe was specifically developed with comprehensive allergy needs in mind. These orange rolls are proudly free from the top 8 common food allergens. My son has severe allergies to wheat/gluten, dairy, eggs, and nuts, so these ingredients are meticulously excluded from all our recipes. Therefore, these rolls are gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free, peanut-free, and tree-nut-free. If you also need these rolls to be soy-free, please ensure you specifically choose the soy-free version of Earth Balance Buttery Sticks or any other trusted soy-free dairy-free butter alternative you prefer.

Are There More Gluten-Free Vegan Breakfast Recipes?

Of course, there are! Breakfast truly is the most important meal of the day, and we believe everyone deserves to start their day with delicious, allergy-friendly options. Here are some of our other favorite breakfast and brunch recipes that are gluten-free and vegan, often top 8 free:

  • 20+ of Our Favorite Allergy-Friendly Muffins
  • Gluten-Free Vegan Double Chocolate Baked Donuts
  • Gluten-Free Vegan Pumpkin Scones with Spiced Glaze
  • Egg-Free & Dairy-Free Frittata Cups
  • Gluten-Free Vegan Instant Pot Pumpkin Quinoa Porridge
  • Gluten & Dairy-Free Breakfast Potatoes (includes bacon)
  • Blender Sunbutter, Buckwheat & Banana Waffles
  • Gluten-Free Vegan Gingerbread Pancakes
  • Gluten-Free Vegan Lemon Raspberry Streusel Cake
  • And, if you just need gluten-free, try my friend Chandice’s Gluten-Free Cinnamon Rolls for an equally delicious option!
Comparison photo: gluten-free vegan orange rolls before and after baking

Here are the orange rolls after they’ve risen for 30 minutes (above) and right after they’ve baked (below), showing their beautiful transformation.

Do You Have a Video Showing How to Make Vegan Gluten-Free Orange Rolls?

Yes, I do! To give you a quick visual guide and a general overview of the process, I created a short and sweet Tiktok video. It’s a fantastic way to see the steps in action before you start baking. Enjoy making these wonderful rolls!

@allergyawesomenessOrange rolls that are ##glutenfreevegan AND ##top8free. ##allergyfriendly ##glutenfreeveganbaking ##eggfreebaking ##glutenfreedairyfree♬ original sound – Megan Lavin
vegan-gluten-free-orange-roll-recipe

Gluten Free Vegan Orange Rolls (made with a mix!)

Yield:
12 orange rolls
Prep Time:
50 minutes
Cook Time:
20 minutes
Additional Time:
2 hours
Total Time:
3 hours 10 minutes

A sweet roll that is gluten free, vegan AND top 8 free! The best part of these orange rolls–it uses a premade mix, so no mixing gluten free flours together, or having to measure any type of yeast or flour!

Ingredients

DOUGH:

  • 2-1/4 tsp Yeast Packet (included in the mix)
  • 1/2 cup warmed water
  • 1 Tablespoon sugar
  • 1/4 cup vegan butter (see post for details)
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 2 aquafaba eggs (6 Tablespoons aquafaba) *see post for details
  • 1/2 cup room temperature orange juice
  • 16-oz Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free Pizza Crust Mix
  • Additional gluten free flour for dusting

ORANGE FILLING:

  • 1/2 cup softened vegan butter
  • 1 cup white sugar
  • Zest of one large, or two medium naval oranges

ORANGE FROSTING:

  • 6 Tablespoons vegan butter
  • 1 and 1/4 cup powdered sugar
  • 1-2 tablespoons orange juice to thin as needed
  • 1/2 tsp orange extract (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
  2. Lightly grease an 8×11 (2 quart) glass baking dish. Set aside.
  3. In a medium bowl, make your filling by creaming together the softened butter, orange zest and sugar. Set aside.
  4. In a small bowl, add the warm water and 1 Tablespoon sugar.
  5. Sprinkle the yeast packet on top of the warm sugar water and let it sit for 5 minutes.
  6. Meanwhile, in a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, cream the 1/2 cup sugar and vegan butter. Add the aquafaba, orange juice and mix.
  7. Next, add the yeast/water/sugar mixture to the stand mixer bowl and mix.
  8. Finally, add in the entire 16-oz package of flour from the package.
  9. Remove the paddle attachment, and put your dough hook on your mixer. Mix everything for two minutes.
  10. Lay out wax paper on a clean surface, and heavily sprinkle it with a gluten free flour of your choosing. Put the dough on the sprinkled surface, and sprinkle additional flour on top of it, as well as some on a rolling pin.
  11. Roll the dough out into a large rectangle.
  12. Using your hands or a spatula, evenly spread the filling all over the rectangle, leaving a little border on the edges.
  13. Starting on the short end, roll the dough tightly into a log (like a jelly roll).
  14. Premeasure where your 12 slices will go. Use dental floss to slice 12 even slices from the roll.
  15. Place the slices into the 8×11 greased baking dish. It’s OK to crowd them. Cover them with plastic wrap and set in a warm place to rise for 30 minutes. (I sometimes set my oven to it’s lowest temperature while I’m making the dough, turn off the oven, and then set my rolls in the warm oven to rise if my kitchen is chilly.)
  16. After 30 minutes of rising, remove the plastic wrap and place your rolls in the pre-heated 375 degree F oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until edges are just starting to brown and dough is cooked through.
  17. Allow the rolls to cool (takes me about two hours) before frosting.
  18. To make the frosting, cream together all of the ingredients, slowly adding in the orange juice until you reach the consistency you prefer.
  19. Best when eaten the same day. Keep covered room temperature for 1-2 days. I find the dough softens a little, if I nuke it in the microwave for a few seconds if I’m eating them the next day.

Notes

Adapted from a mixture of Clean Monday Meals’ Cinnamon Rolls and Stay At Home Chef’s Orange Rolls.

*I know many people have concerns about Bob’s Red Mill since they process tree nuts. We have been using them for over 8 years with no problems and both of my boys are extremely anaphylactic to tree nuts. What helped me feel better was calling the company and talking to them directly about their cleaning processes in between runs. Do what is best for your own family. I have not tired other mixes. See above in the post for more details.

**Our allergies, while severe and that get re-tested frequently, are such that we can go strictly by what’s on the label. I do not call companies to see what things are derived from, or call manufacturers to see about potential cross contact. If your allergies require you to do so, please do your own homework. I cannot assure you of any ingredient’s safety, only you can do that. I simply share what works for our family.

***If you are going to feed this to someone with food allergies, and you yourself do not have food allergies, I HIGHLY recommend having them check every single brand and ingredient you are using, to ensure they’re OK with each part of the recipe. And, to make sure you’ve talked to them about how to avoid cross contamination in your kitchen.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 12
Serving Size: 1

Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 434Total Fat: 22gSaturated Fat: 13gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 83mgSodium: 377mgCarbohydrates: 54gFiber: 2gSugar: 33gProtein: 7g

© Megan Lavin

Gluten-Free Vegan Orange Rolls by Allergy Awesomeness

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