Buying guide for best gluten-free cookbooks
As a growing number of people look to do away with gluten in their diet, whether for health, medical, or personal reasons, an influx of cookbooks have come onto the scene to help. Gluten-free cookbooks not only offer up specific recipes, but they also help inform home chefs about different foods, grains, spices, and other ingredients. If you understand how to best combine foods, you’ll be more open to experimentation and preparing recipes of your own.
The best cookbooks inspire readers, and gluten-free cookbooks are no exception. Especially for those transitioning to a new diet, cooking in new and different ways with unfamiliar ingredients can be challenging. That’s why investing in a gluten-free cookbook is a smart – and tasty – idea.
Our buying guide details everything you need to consider when shopping for gluten-free cookbooks.
Key considerations
Terminology
Before you start shopping for a gluten-free cookbook, it’s worthwhile to have a handle on the terminology because there is a lot of overlap when it comes to some of the more common diets. As a result, gluten-free cookbooks may also cater to those with other diets and vice versa.
- Gluten-free: To enjoy a gluten-free diet, one must abstain from foods with gluten. Gluten is regularly found in grains, such as wheat, barley, and rye. Those who adhere to a gluten-free diet may do so because they believe it to be healthier or because they have celiac disease, in which gluten damages one’s small intestine.
- Vegan: A diet with no animal products is referred to as vegan. Gluten-free diets and vegan diets share some similarities, including soy products, fruits, and vegetables. However, vegan diets often incorporate grains, which contain gluten.
- Keto: A ketogenic diet, commonly referred to as keto, is a popular diet that is high in fat and low in carbs. It is meant to help users lose weight. Because keto stresses very little carb consumption, it’s often combined with a gluten-free diet.
- Paleo: A paleolithic diet, sometimes referred to as a caveman diet, requires people to eat as ancient humans did. Fish, lean meat, fruits, and vegetables are permissible but grains are not. A paleo diet can overlap with a gluten-free diet because of the lack of grains.
Focus
Some gluten-free cookbooks feature a wide variety of recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert. Others, however, are more focused, dedicated to baking, for example, or comfort food. Consider both your needs and tastes when it comes to cooking. Also keep in mind that cookbooks in general, especially gluten-free ones, can be used as handy reference books for substituting ingredients. This is especially important for gluten-free baking, which does not use traditional flour.
Format
Are you a digital person, or do you prefer to go analog in the kitchen? Gluten-free cookbooks are sold as books and ebooks. Digital cookbooks are best enjoyed on a tablet, with its bigger screen, rather than a smartphone. However, with cookbooks, many people prefer a physical copy that you can bookmark and edit as you wish or page through quickly.
Features
Time commitment
Some gluten-free cookbooks put an emphasis on the amount of time it takes to make the recipes. These cookbooks cater to those who are frequently on the go and have little time for meal prep. And who doesn’t want to put dinner on the table in 30 minutes or less?
Family-friendly
Certain gluten-free cookbooks are geared toward creating recipes the whole family can enjoy. Of course, tastes and preferences may vary, but these cookbooks focus on larger meals and those that appeal to picky children. These gluten-free cookbooks also cater to those families where kids head off to school and parents to work, which means many meals are quick, easy, and transportable.
Personal touch
Gluten-free cookbooks are often not only about the quality and quantity of the recipes but the attitude and personality of the author. Many strive for a unique angle in order to appeal to a certain type of consumer. Some authors emphasize humor or a carefree spirit, while others take a no-nonsense or strict approach. With gluten-free cookbooks, authors are likely to share their journeys, offering you insight into why they started eating gluten-free and how they feel as a result. You may want to seek out an author who is relatable and compatible with your gluten-free journey to get the most out of the cookbook.
Accessories
Instant Pots: Instant Pot Duo Electric Pressure Cooker
Some gluten-free cookbooks focus on meals made in Instant Pots. Other recipes may simply be cooked more quickly with these pressure cookers. We love the sizable Instant Pot Duo that combines seven appliances in one.
Cookware sets: Cuisinart Multiclad Pro Stainless Steel Cookware Set
In order to effectively follow recipes, you’ll need the right tools. You can cook any dish with a comprehensive cookware set. These durable stainless steel sets by Cuisinart will keep you covered.
Bakeware sets: Rachael Ray Cucina Nonstick Bakeware Set
There are unlimited possibilities when it comes to gluten-free baking. Grab this inexpensive 10-piece bakeware set from Rachael Ray to explore all that your cookbook offers.
Measuring cups: 1Easylife Measuring Cups and Spoons Set
Precision is often key when it comes to following a recipe, at least when you’re starting out – and it’s always essential when baking. This set of measuring cups and spoons also comes with a handy conversion chart.
Gluten-free cookbook prices
Inexpensive: For $10 or less, you can find a handful of gluten-free cookbooks, mostly those that are smaller in scope or focus on a specific food, meal, or style. You can also find ebooks in this price range, which are generally cheaper than physical cookbooks.
Mid-range: Most gluten-free cookbooks range from $10 to $20. These may be paperback or hardcover books or ebooks, and they feature any number of recipes.
Expensive: For over $20, you’ll find hardcover gluten-free cookbooks that are comprehensive in scope. They should have a good number of varied recipes, and they generally come from trusted or popular names in cooking.
Tips
- Scan recipes before buying. If you can, scroll through the cookbook to get a feel for the style. Check to see if you are comfortable with the ingredients, language, and time and energy commitments.
- Set up your pantry. Without gluten in your repertoire, you may need to invest in new cooking and baking basics, like chickpea flour, for example. Craft a pantry filled with dry goods essential to your cooking.
- Add notes. Think of your cookbook like a textbook: it’s for you to make the most out of. Jot down notes, thoughts, and substitutions to help your future self when you return to different recipes.
- Plan ahead. Some of the most satisfying recipes take some forethought, including letting beans soften in water or marinating meat or tofu overnight. Think about tomorrow today for the tastiest meals.
- Buy more than one. One gluten-free cookbook does not trump all the others. For invested cooks, buy several cookbooks to see creative differences and spark ideas.
Other products we considered
Gluten-free cookbooks are widely available these days, and there are a few more titles we recommend. Check out Cauliflower Power: 75 Feel-Good, Gluten-Free Recipes Made with the World’s Most Versatile Vegetable by Lindsay Grimes Freedman, which details 75 recipes featuring, you guessed it, cauliflower.
We also like Cook Once, Eat All Week: 26 Weeks of Gluten-Free, Affordable Meal Prep to Preserve Your Time and Sanity by Cassy Joy Garcia, which offers 26 weeks of gluten-free recipes that are mindful of both time and budget restrictions.
Lastly, we urge you to look at Eat Happy: Gluten-Free, Grain-Free, Low-Carb Recipes Made from Real Foods for a Joyful Life by Anna Vocino, a gluten-free cookbook with over 150 recipes that are grain-free and low in carbohydrates.
FAQ
Q. Is a gluten-free diet healthier than a gluten-friendly diet?
A. Talking to your doctor or dietician, while also listening to your own body, is the first step in determining what a healthy diet is for you. Regardless of your exact diet, it’s always recommended to eat more whole foods than processed foods, cook at home as opposed to going out for dinner, and pair moderate food intake with regular exercise.
Q. Is gluten-free cooking more expensive?
A. Cooking without gluten doesn’t necessarily have an effect on the price of ingredients. Items like buckwheat or chickpea flour, which are often used as substitutes for traditional flour, are reasonably priced and may be found on sale, like any other foodstuffs. Cooking at home is almost always cheaper than dining out, especially over the long term.
Q. Are gluten-free recipes more time-consuming?
A. Some gluten-free recipes may be more elaborate than others, requiring adequate prep and cooking time, but there are countless recipes that can be done in under half an hour. Some cookbooks advertise quick-and-easy recipes. The lack of gluten doesn’t affect preparation or cooking time – unless you’re running to the store to buy ingredients.
