Homemade Gluten-Free Pop-Tarts

By Laura Fuentes Updated Oct 7, 2024

5 from 29 votes

Recipe

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Storebought gluten-free pop tarts have nothing on this homemade version and they couldn’t be any easier to make!

Finally, a gluten-free pop tart with a flaky crust, strawberry center, and iced to perfection. It’s a delicious allergy-friendly treat you can make right at home.

overhead view of three gluten free pop tarts on a baking sheet, one frosted

Storebought gluten-free pop tarts have nothing on this homemade version and they couldn’t be any easier to make!

It wasn’t until after making empanadas that I realized I could tweak the recipe into delicious homemade pop tarts. The results were an instant hit and I couldn’t keep the kids away from them.

Ingredients

Don’t care for the ingredient list of store-bought pop tarts? Me either, so I decided to bake my own gluten-free version. Here’s what you’ll need:

Gluten-free flour: for the dough. You can skip making homemade dough using gluten-free pie crusts.
Salt: just a little bit!
Xanthan gum: if it’s not included in your flour mix.
Butter: or your favorite non-dairy substitute.
Vanilla extract: for a dessert-like taste.
Unsweetened applesauce: adds a lot of flavors!
Filling of choice: fruit jam, strawberry preserves, peanut butter, Nutella, etc. I share more delicious ideas down below.
Powdered sugar: for the glaze.
Milk: use regular milk or a non-dairy alternative for the glaze.

These are one of those gluten-free breakfast ideas made better because let’s be honest, a hot pop tart with a cold glass of milk hits different in the morning.

If you want more kid-favorite snack recipes made into healthier, homemade versions check out my cookbook, The Best Homemade Kids’ Snacks on the Planet. There’s something for everyone in there.

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Gluten-Free Pop Tart Flavors

This recipe for gluten-free pop tarts makes the classic strawberry flavor with strawberry preserves or filling. It’s a favorite for kids, but there are so many more ways to stuff a homemade pop tart, so let’s get creative:

S’mores Pop Tarts– Nutella and Marshmallow fluff
Blueberry Pop Tarts- Blueberry preserves or filling
PB & Chocolate Pop Tarts- peanut butter and Nutella or chocolate chips
PB & J Pop Tarts- peanut butter and jelly
Apple Pie Pop Tarts- apple pie filling and a dash of cinnamon

How to Make Gluten-Free Pop Tarts

Who’s ready to make perfectly baked pop tarts with flaky, soft crusts and warm, fruit-filled centers? I know I am and while the process might seem a bit much, you can always skip the homemade gluten-free dough for gluten-free pie crusts. Here we go:

Prepare the dough
In a large bowl, combine the flour, salt, and xantham gum. Using a pastry cutter or large knife, cut the butter into the flour. Add the vanilla and applesauce to the flour and butter mixture and stir to combine.
Add Water
Add 4 to 6 tablespoons water and combine until a dough forms. Form the dough into a ball and wrap with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
Get the Oven Hot
Preheat the oven to 350F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
Roll the Dough
Roll out the pie dough to ¼-inch thickness. Cut the dough into 3 x 4-inch rectangles and place one row onto the baking sheet.
Fill the Center
Spoon 1 tablespoon of preserves or filling of choice onto a rectangle. Using your finger or a kitchen brush, lightly dab the milk on the outer edges of the rectangle.
Assemble
Place the second rectangle over the top of the filling and, using a fork, press down the edges. Repeat with the remaining dough and filling.
Bake
Using a knife, cut 3 to 4 slits into the top of each pop-tart. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until the crust is golden brown.
The Best Part
Remove from the oven and allow to cool down before topping with the icing and sprinkles. Grab a fresh pop tart and enjoy.

Easy Treat Ideas

While we are on the topic of treats and baked goods here are more of our favorite snack foods recreated into homemade versions. Those Cinnamon Soft Pretzel bits are a total 10 on the delicious scale!