This strawberry Gluten Free Dutch Baby is made with almond flour and topped with pecans and sweet maple syrup. A delicious breakfast or brunch recipe, serve this easy Dutch baby recipe for a special Mother's Day, Easter or a weekend morning.
What Is a Dutch Baby?
First things first, a traditional Dutch Baby is a large, oven pancake, very similar to a Yorkshire pudding or a giant popover. This German pancake recipe is usually slightly sweet. You can fill it with fresh fruit and or nuts, drizzle it with syrup, or any toppings you desire. And since strawberry season is here, that's what were using for this gluten-free Dutch baby recipe.
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Here's What You Need
- Strawberries: I used about 2 cups of fresh strawberries. Be sure to core them, then cut in half.
- Sugar Just one tablespoon of sugar for masticating the strawberries.
- Lemon Juice For the strawberries
- Almond Flour: This makes the recipe gluten-free! You can substitute a gluten-free flour blend or all purpose flour if desired. This recipe won't work with coconut flour, however.
- Baking Powder Along with the eggs, baking powder is our leavening agent, and it's how we get the puffy pancake we're looking for.
- Sour Cream: This This gives these gluten-free Dutch babies richness and a nice tang. Feel free to use either a low or full fat version.
- Almond milk You can substitute any other nut milk, oat milk, or regular milk. I don't recommend using coconut milk for this recipe.
- Eggs Three large eggs give that custard-y filling. Have the eggs at room temperature before mixing the batter.
- Butter Some of the butter goes in the batter, and some goes in the hot pan before you pour batter into it. You can substitute coconut oil, but be aware that it will impart a coconut flavor to the pancake.
How to Make It
Full instructions are in the printable recipe card below.
- In a bowl, toss the strawberries with lemon juice and sugar, then set aside. Pre-heat the oven to 400° F, and place a 10" oven safe or cast iron skillet in the oven while it's pre-heating
- In another bowl, mix together almond flour and baking powder.
- In another bowl, whisk together sour cream, almond milk, half of the melted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract.
- Add the sour cream mixture to the dry ingredients, stirring until smooth.
- Remove your hot skillet from the pre-heated oven and add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter to the pan, swirling to coat.
- Immediately pour the batter evenly into the hot pan. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until golden and puffed.
Top with the strawberry mixture, and optionally, a sprinkle of pecans. Cut into wedges and serve immediately with a drizzle of maple syrup, or whipped cream, if desired.
Expert Tips
- Customize this recipe by changing up the type of fruit you use! I love strawberries, but you can easily substitute any of your favorite fresh berries or seasonal fruits to enjoy this easy simple recipe all year long.
- You can use fresh or frozen fruit; however, I do prefer to use fresh when I can. If using frozen fruit, allow it to thaw and soften first.
- Depending on the size of oven safe skillets you have, this recipe can easily be doubled to feed a crowd.
- If you don't have an oven safe or cast-iron skillet, you can use a pie plate to bake this gluten-free Dutch baby pancake.
FAQs
Because I am using almond flour, rather than regular flour, in the recipe, it's gluten-free. The almond flour means the pancake, although it will puff, it may not have quite the oven spring as a wheat flour version. However, this almond flour take is very delicious in its own right. It still has that crisp light exterior, and a creamy, custard-like center.
Almond flour is perfect for gluten-free desserts too, like Meyer Lemon Curd Tart, or Cherry Almond Clafoutis.
This gluten-free strawberry dessert is always best enjoyed immediately, as that's when it's at its most fresh and puffy deliciousness. If you end up with leftovers, you can store them in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. You can also freeze Dutch babies for about 2 months. However, whether refrigerating or freezing, the texture of the pancake will likely not be the same.
The Dutch baby is actually a German pancake, and it's also known as a Dutch puff pancake or Bismark. A Seattle restaurant called Manca's Cafe actually introduced these German pancakes, and a daughter of the owner coined the name, "Dutch Baby." The cafe owned the trademark for the Dutch Baby Pancake, but the business closed in 1950.
Besides being baked in the oven instead of flipped on a griddle, German pancakes have more eggs than normal pancakes. They are larger and thinner in the centre with crispy edges.
Looking for more brunch & breakfast recipes?
- Blueberry Coconut Waffles
- Buckwheat Pancakes
- Blueberry French Toast Casserole
- Baked Huevos Rancheros
- Baked Breakfast Egg Cups
Recipe
Gluten Free Dutch Baby
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh strawberries halved
- 2 tablespoon lemon juice (one lemon)
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- ½ cup almond flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 4 tablespoon butter melted
- ½ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup almond milk
- 3 eggs large
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup pecans chopped
Instructions
- In a bowl toss strawberries with lemon juice and sugar. Set aside.
- Preheat oven to 400° Put a 12" cast iron skillet in the oven while it's pre-heating.
- In a bowl, mix together almond flour and baking powder.
- In another bowl whisk together sour cream, almond milk, 2 tablespoon of the melted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract.
- Add sour cream mixture to the dry ingredients, stirring until smooth.
- Remove pan from the hot oven and add remaining 2 tablespoon butter to the pan, swirling to coat. Immediately pour the batter evenly into the pan.
- Bake 15-20 minutes until golden and puffed.
- Remove from oven, and top with strawberry mixture and sprinkle with pecans. Cut into wedges and serve immediately with maple syrup or whipping cream, if desired.
Notes
- Customize this recipe by changing up the type of fruit you use. I love strawberries, but you can easily substitute any of your favorite seasonal fruits or fresh berries to enjoy this easy Dutch baby recipe all year long.
- You can use fresh or frozen fruit; however, I prefer to use fresh when I can. If using frozen fruit, allow to thaw and soften first.
- Depending on the size of cast iron skillets you have, this recipe can easily be doubled to feed a crowd.
- If you don't have an oven-safe or cast-iron skillet, you can use a pie plate for this recipe.
- In the oven, the centre of the pancake will puff dramatically. It will fall when it's removed from the oven. This is normal.
Vanessa
Yum! I love german pancakes and this strawberry version is calling my name. I think I might need to forward it to my kids as a hint for Mother's Day lol.
Colleen
This Dutch Baby is so easy to make, Vanessa. I'm sure your kids can make it for you. Enjoy, and Happy Mother's Day!
Anjali
I love dutch baby pancakes and I can't wait to try your gluten free version!! This looks perfect for brunch this weekend!
Colleen
Hi Anjali, you will love it. Enjoy!
Jacqueline Debono
Can't wait to make this Dutch baby with my own homegrown strawberries! Fabulous summer breakfast recipe! Pinning for later!
Colleen
Hi Jacqueline! Even better when the strawberries are homegrown. Enjoy!
Elaine
Perfect for a summertime breakfasts, especially now with local strawberries in season. Love that you've made this gluten-free! Thanks for sharing.
Colleen
Thanks Elaine. We have to make the most of the strawberries right now!
Jacqueline Meldrum
That just looks so delicious I have to make it this weekend *adds to list*
Colleen
Hi Jacqueline, I know you'll love this Dutch baby. Enjoy!
Leanne | Crumb Top Baking
I was trying my hand at a dutch baby made with almond flour last weekend, and just couldn't get it to work out. I'm definitely trying your recipe Colleen! Looks delicious!
Colleen
Hi Leanne, it doesn't puff QUITE as much with almond flour, but it's still delicious. I hope it works out for you!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Love any dessert in a cast iron skillet so this one is totally calling my name! So perfect for summer using those beautiful, juicy strawberries! Going on the menu soon 🙂
Colleen
Hi Dawn! Cast iron skillets are the best, aren't they? Enjoy!
Joss
The almond flour is such a nice gluten-free option. A delicious breakfast for sure.
Colleen
Hi Joss, almond flour is such a great ingredient for gluten free baking.
Sabrina
Yum! I love Dutch pancakes and this is the perfect variation for my dad because he can’t eat gluten. The almond flour lends a lovely flavour and I love the simplicity of this recipe. Thanks!
Colleen
Hi Sabrina, Isn't it great when gluten free can be this delicious. I think your Dad will love it!
Jo Vanderwolf
I've never made a Dutch baby before but I like the idea of it. Love that this is gluten free! Definitely going to give this a try - I've just started using almond flour in my baking so can't wait to see how this tastes!
Colleen
Hi Jo! You will be pleasantly surprised how simple these are to make, and almond flour is a delicious alternative. Enjoy!
Melanie @ Bon Appet' Eat
It looks delicious and I need to give a try. I never made one before! Looks like I'm missing out 😉
Colleen
Hi Melanie. Don't be missing out! 🙂 It is delicious and so easy to make.
Sara Welch
Wow this looks like something straight from the bakery window! Delicious dessert; perfect for spring!
Colleen
Ha ha, Thank you Sara! Strawberries do make it perfect for spring, too.
Mikayla
I love dutch babies!! The strawberries in your recipe make this a perfect seasonal breakfast!
Colleen
I love them, too Mikayla. Dutch Babies are so impressive, but so simple to make.
Anita @ Daily Cooking Quest
Strawberries are out and most likely on sale too, so this is such a timely recipe to have.
Colleen
Hi Anita, It's always great to make the most of what's in season, isn't it? We are really loving everything strawberry while we can.
Ivana
Made this for dessert tonight and it turned out perfect! Granted, I haven't tasted it yet but it smells divine 🙂
Colleen
Ivana, thanks for popping back to let me know that it turned out perfect. I know you will love it. Enjoy!
Noelle
Wow this was a great recipe, love the strawberries, perfect summer dessert!!
Colleen
Thanks Noelle, I'm so glad you loved it!