How to make gluten-free playdough

The kids and I used to love playing with playdough, but since going gluten-free I just haven’t taken the time to learn how to make it at home.  I totally should have because it only takes 10 minutes, and it’s super easy.  Also it’s fun!  This was a perfect project for Leila and I to do together.

Here’s how you do it.

How to make gluten-free playdough via inspiredrd.com

You will need

  • 1/2 cup rice flour
  • 1/2 cup corn starch
  • 1/2 cup salt
  • 2 tsp cream of tarter
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 tsp cooking oil
  • Food coloring

First, take all of your ingredients except the food coloring and mix them in a large pot over low heat.

How to make gluten-free playdough via inspiredrd.com

Keep stirring as the mixture turns from liquidy…

How to make gluten-free playdough via inspiredrd.com

…to pasty…

How to make gluten-free playdough via inspiredrd.com

…to a thick ball of playdough.

How to make gluten-free playdough via inspiredrd.com

Grab your food coloring and a piece of parchment paper.  Let the playdough sit until it’s cool enough to handle.

How to make gluten-free playdough via inspiredrd.com

Once the playdough is cool, roll it out into a log.

How to make gluten-free playdough via inspiredrd.com

Divide it into four equal parts (or however many colors you have).

How to make gluten-free playdough via inspiredrd.com

Add 2-3 drops of food coloring to each piece.

How to make gluten-free playdough via inspiredrd.com

Squish the playdough until the color is worked all the way through.  (Wear gloves if you don’t want the food coloring to stain your hands.  We obviously got a bit messy).

How to make gluten-free playdough via inspiredrd.com

And there you have it!  Start playing!

How to make gluten-free playdough via inspiredrd.com

How to make gluten-free playdough via inspiredrd.com

Gluten-Free Playdough

Gluten-free playdough in only 10 minutes!
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes

Ingredients
  

  • 1/2 cup rice flour
  • 1/2 cup corn starch
  • 1/2 cup salt
  • 2 tsp cream of tarter
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 tsp cooking oil
  • Food coloring

Instructions
 

  • Mix all ingredients except for food coloring in a large pot.
  • Cook and stir on low heat for 5 minutes or until mixture forms a ball.
  • Cool completely before adding color. Roll out playdough and divide it into 4 equal pieces (or as many pieces as you have colors). Place 2-3 drops of food coloring onto each piece of playdough, kneading it through until you reach your desired color. Wear plastic gloves if you don't want food coloring to stain your hands.
  • Store playdough in a sealable plastic bag.

 

  • Sharon July 11, 2013 at 7:52 pm

    Thank you so much for posting this! I’ve tried making play dough twice following a similar recipe but it’s always come out way too sticky. I think where I went wrong is using sweet rice flour from the Asian market instead of rice flour (because it’s so cheap!). What brand of rice flour do you use? Thanks!

    • inspiredrd July 11, 2013 at 10:55 pm

      I used the rice flour from Fresh N’ Easy that I’ve had sitting in my pantry for months!

  • Jenn July 11, 2013 at 8:46 pm

    So fun! 🙂

    And Leila is just a doll!

    • inspiredrd July 11, 2013 at 10:56 pm

      We had fun 🙂

  • Robin July 11, 2013 at 10:53 pm

    Oh, this brings back memories! My grandmother used to make homemade playdough for us as children! I remember getting to “squish” the color in- that was the best part 🙂

    • inspiredrd July 11, 2013 at 10:56 pm

      Squishing was so fun!

  • Jackie July 12, 2013 at 12:16 pm

    Why gluten free? Is it just in case she takes a bite or puts her fingers in her mouth? Sorry, I don’t have kids and am curious. Thanks! She is beautiful BTW.

    • inspiredrd July 12, 2013 at 12:41 pm

      Actually, it’s for me! I have celiac disease and I don’t want regular (wheat-filled) playdough all over my table and kitchen 🙂

  • Greta August 26, 2013 at 6:37 am

    Thanks for the recipe! How long will it last? Can it be put in a lidded container to be kept at school?

  • Eleanor's Nana October 5, 2013 at 7:50 pm

    This is great – – when made with REGULAR rice flour! Our first try was with GLUTINOUS rice flour, or sweet rice flour, and that was a washout! Do you remember ‘Flubber’? Clearly, there’s a difference between the two flours.
    As an aside, we had no cream of tartar, so substituted white vinegar (1 tbsp vinegar for each1 tsp cream of tartar called for), figuring the magic was due to the acid content that either provides. Worked just fine.