Pizzelles are a tradition for many families during the holidays and a gluten free version of this classic Italian cookie is possible! These Gluten Free Italian Pizzelles are thin and crisp and have the same sweet anise flavor you love.
Italian Pizzelles History
My grandmother made fresh pizzelles and brought them to every family gathering. Holidays, birthdays, graduation parties....she had a container of pizzelles just about every time we saw her!
After my daughter was diagnosed with Celiac Disease, it was sad to think of all the family traditions that would end because they revolved around food. We quickly learned that it wasn't the end.
We could keep the tradition alive by recreating any and ALL things we loved into a version that would be celiac safe.
Around Christmas time of that year, one of my amazing friends had come up with this recipe for our favorite Italian cookies. She surprised us with a box of gluten free pizzelles on our doorstep! We've now been making the same pizzelle recipe for many years. I've even heard some family members whisper that they might be better than the original Italian recipe 😉 Shhh....don't ever tell my grandmom I said that!
Ingredients Needed for this Gluten Free Pizzelles Recipe
All you need is a pizzelle iron and a few basic pantry staples, then you're on your way to making a gluten free version of the classic Italian waffle cookies.
Only five ingredients to be exact!
- Eggs
- Butter
- Sugar
- Pure Anise Extract
- Gluten Free Bisquick
Plus, you always need some confectioner's sugar for sprinkling on top!
How to Make this Recipe For Gluten Free Italian Pizzelles
- Add the anise to the melted butter and set aside. In a medium size bowl, whisk together the eggs and sugar until well combined.
- Add the melted butter mixture to the eggs and sugar in a slow, steady streamwhile continuing to whisk until well blended.
- Add the bisquick. Using a spoon or spatula, stir everything together until just combined. Do not over mix.
- Each pizzelle press is slightly different, so you should follow the instructions that came with your particular press. Scoop the batter by the tablespoon into the center of the design. Bake them the length of time needed to achieve your preferred level of darkness. Typically, this takes 25-30 seconds for each set.
- Let cool on a papertowel or wire rack. Do not stack while cooling. Store in an airtight container in the pantry. These pizzelles also freeze well for up to two months!
When the pizzelles are removed from the pizzelles maker, they are very malleable. You have a few seconds to mold them into any desired shape.
They can also be used for a cannoli shell, or fold them into small waffle cones to fill with ice cream!
Let's bake!
If you've tried this recipe, be sure to leave a review below and tag me on instagram @thrivingglutenfree so I can see how it turned out!
Gluten Free Italian Pizzelles
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Add the anise to the melted butter and set aside. In a medium size bowl, whisk together the eggs and sugar until well combined.
- Add the melted butter mixture to the eggs and sugar in a slow, steady streamwhile continuing to whisk until well blended.
- Add the bisquick. Using a spoon or spatula, stir everything together until just combined. Do not over mix.
- Each pizzelle press is slightly different, so you should follow the instructions that came with your particular press. Scoop the batter by the tablespoon into the center of the design. Bake them the length of time needed to achieve your preferred level of darkness. Typically, this takes 25-30 seconds for each set.
- Let cool on a papertowel or wire rack. Do not stack while cooling. Store in an airtight container in the pantry. These pizzelles also freeze well for up to two months!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Aina says
Absolutely a great recipe…. Used nutmeg and almond extract… made them for mini cannolis for a wedding rehearsal dinner! Fabulous! Thank you for this recipe!!! The recipe yield was 38
Thriving Gluten Free says
Amazing! If you have a picture, I would love to see it and share 🙂
Aina says
Absolutely a great recipe…. Used nutmeg and almond extract… made them for mini cannolis for a wedding rehearsal dinner! Fabulous! Thank you for this recipe!!!
Pat says
The anise flavor is very light! I doubled the anise extract and added anise seeds. Very good recipe. Simple to make!
ThrivingGlutenFree says
So happy to hear you enojoyed the pizzelles! My grandmother used to add anise seeds,too 🙂 I did keep it light on the anise flavor because some people(especially kids!) are picky with such a bold flavor. Hope you had a wonderful holiday season!
Brian Barbero says
I'm a 70 year old Italian male who started making pizzelles with my grandmother about 66 or so years ago. Our recipe had been jealously guarded for literally generations. These have been a Christmas cookie staple in my own home for 45 years and I have always given them to neighbors, friends, and co-workers. However, I recently moved and one of my new neighbors is gluten and dairy intolerant. What to do? So I tried this recipe. Much to my disgust, they are better then my old standby. I hate you.
ThrivingGlutenFree says
hahaha love that story! Thank you for sharing 🙂
Pat says
That’s funny! I found the exact same thing when I made them gluten-free…crispier and tasty!!
Cristina says
This might be the best cookie rating review I have ever read! Having Italian parents and grandparents and zias who made these all the time, I’m now going to make these for my Celiac self.
collg says
These pizzelles are amazing!!! Delicious and easy to make with the w Bisquick mix. My celiac daughter and myself have made them several times and they have turned out perfect. We have also doubled the recipe because even our non gluten free family members love them!!
Deb McMenamin says
These cookies are fantastic! Our daughter was diagnosed with CD at age 24 followed by our son 2.5 years later at age 23. Deb’s recipes & tips have been fabulous resources. Give these a whirl! They will become a quick family hit!