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
- Place all ingredients into a medium sized saucepan.
- 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.
- Remove from the heat and turn dough out onto a board or bench top.
- 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.
- 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?
Related Posts
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 the comments or scroll down to add your own: