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Gluten & Corn Free Play Dough Recipe

With AJ showing signs of a corn allergy we are currently learning to live as a gluten, dairy and corn free home. It presents lots of new challenges, not only with what we eat but also with how we play. As play dough is a favourite activity in our house it has been important for me to find a gluten and corn free recipe that works. Many of the gluten free recipes I have found online include cornflour/cornstarch which means that they are now not suitable. So I decided to try tweaking my favourite regular cooked play dough recipe to make it gluten and corn free and I am really pleased with how it turned out.

Gluten & Corn Free Play Dough Recipe

You will need:

  • 1 firmly packed cup brown rice flour
  • 1 cup water
  • 1/2 cup salt
  • 1 Tablespoons oil
  • 1 Tablespoons cream of tartar
  • Food colouring as desired
To make:
  1. Place all ingredients into a medium sized saucepan.
  2. Stir continuously over a medium heat until the mixture congeals and forms a ball, approximately 3-5 minutes. Continue to turn the ball over on the heat for another 1-2 minutes.
  3. Remove from the heat and turn dough out onto a board or bench top.
  4. Allow to cool completely* and then knead until the dough is smooth. Sprinkle with a little rice flour as you knead if the dough feels at all sticky but be sure to only add a little at a time to prevent your dough drying out.
Hints & tips
  • Although it can be difficult to wait, I find so often when cooking with alternative flours that you need to let the item cool before handling so the ingredients fully bind. Break your ball of dough into smaller pieces to speed up the cooling process.
  • Liquid food colouring can be added to the pot or kneaded into the cooled dough. If kneading, only use a few drops or your dough may become very sticky. If this happens add a little more rice flour and knead.
  • This dough is generally moister than other homemade play doughs and may stick to paper or a wooden tabletop. We work on a plastic place mat and have had no problems.
  • Store play dough in an air tight container or wrapped tightly in a plastic bag.

What are your favourite ways to play with play dough?

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Christie Burnett is an early childhood teacher, presenter, writer and the editor of Childhood 101. More importantly, she is a Mum who believes wholeheartedly in the value of children learning through play, the importance of quality early education, and the togetherness of family.

Read more of Christie's adventures at https://childhood101.com.

Read the comments or scroll down to add your own:

  2. Thanks for this recipe!!! We are currently gluten-free for my 5 year old (not specified as to what the exact problem is - allergy or Celiac) and sometimes I feel that he is still being exposed to "triggers" somewhere. You mentioned a corn allergy in this post and I'm curious as to what you are experiencing - if you don't mind me asking. I only ask because I have been trying to do this by myself for a little over a year now - none of his doctors "believe" me (long story). If you feel like sharing your experiences I would greatly appreciate it! Have a great day! Amy

  4. This could be great for kids with eosinophilic GI disorders. Triggers vary, but wheat and corn are common triggers! Looking forward to trying it. Thank you!

  5. Great recipe! For corn allergic people...iodized salt is processed with corn (dextrose). A substitute would be Mediterranean Sea Salt.

  6. I modified a play dough recipe recently for my 2 year old with a wheat and corn allergy (he's also allergic to dairy, eggs, peanuts, soy and sesame). I am going to give your recipe a try as well! Thanks!

  7. As a preschool teacher I had a love playdough. In a classroom, playdough is absolutely vital but as a celiac, I can't go anywhere near it. I've never had it in my classroom and feel a twinge of guilt whenever the children as why we don't have any. Finally I had the brilliant idea to make gluten-free stuff. This is the first recipe I've seen without corn starch, thank you! I can't wait to make it and bring it to preschool :)

    • Ours lasts for quite a long time if we pack it away straight after we've finished playing with it, NancySue. We wrap it in plastic (air tight) and keep it in the pantry, not the fridge.

      • Thanks so much… we're going to try this too, for a substitute for mini marshmallow with toothpick building. (bridges etc.) Thanks again!!

  10. Thanks so much for this! We just found out about our daughter's many allergies. I'm making this for her to take to preschool when her class plays. Quick question: Can I use Kool-aid for the coloring? (it'll also add a yummy smell!)

  11. Thank you for posting your recipe. I look forward to trying it out. It's not easy looking for substitute play items or food when a loved one has a food allergy. I'm a new mom and adding a corn allergy to that is a challenge. I would appreciate any other tips or recipes. It's encouraging to find what other people come up with to side step the issue. I'm still hoping he grows out of it since he's only 21 months but it doesn't hurt to prepare for the long run. Thanks again!

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