Granite Kitchen: Gluten-free breads from your own kitchen

What’s gluten? It’s a protein component of wheat, rye, barley and crossbreeds of those grains. It acts as a binder in doughs. But there are a range of intolerant reactions to gluten, including celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder that can cause intestinal damage.

Buying gluten-free breads can be pricey — the average cost of a loaf of bread made from wheat is around $2.50, while the price of a loaf of gluten-free bread is often double or triple the price. Making your own gluten-free food at home can save money without sacrificing taste.

One of my favorite do-it-yourself flatbreads uses unsweetened yogurt, a mix of dried herbs, gluten-free flour and a little baking soda. I like to make these in the air fryer because the outside gets a little crispy while the inside remains tender. They’re delicious on their own or used like slices of bread to build a sandwich.

Another delicious gluten-free flatbread worth trying uses just a few ingredients — avocado, egg and mozzarella cheese. You can use whatever seasoning you like too; I like adding a little garlic powder and salt, and topping it off with whatever seeds I have on hand. They’re really flavorful and also good for you.

You can even make gluten-free naan at home. This flatbread also only uses a handful of ingredients and cooks quickly in a skillet on the stovetop. You can make the naan however big you like — just make sure your batter is spread in an even layer so it cooks evenly.

Air-Fryer Gluten-Free Herb Flatbread

• 1 cup gluten-free flour
• 1 1/2 tablespoons dried herbs de Provence
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 cup unsweetened yogurt (regular or lactose-free)
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• Flaky salt, for sprinkling

Combine the flour, herbs and baking soda in a bowl and whisk together. Add the yogurt and mix well with a spatula.

Cut a piece of parchment paper so it fits in the air fryer basket and place it in the basket. Add about 1/4 to a 1/2 cup of batter to the middle of the parchment paper and spread it into a disc shape with the back of a spoon. Sprinkle with a little flaky salt.

Set the air fryer to 380 degrees and air fry the flatbread for 7 to 8 minutes or until light golden brown. Repeat with remaining batter.

Gluten-Free Avocado Bread

• 1 avocado, ripened, pitted and peeled
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 1 egg
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• Pinch of sea salt
• Pinch of black pepper
• Assorted seeds such as black sesame and flax, for garnish, if desired
• Flaky salt for sprinkling, if desired

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.

Add the avocado to a bowl and mash thoroughly with a fork. Add the cheese, egg, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper, then stir until well mixed.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place 1/4 cup to 1/2 cup of mixture on the parchment paper. Use a spoon to spread the mix into a disc shape about 1/4 inch thick. Repeat with the remaining mixture.

Sprinkle the tops with the seed mixture and flaky salt, if desired. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until cooked throughout and lightly browned.

Gluten-Free Naan

• 1/2 cup coconut flour
• 1 tablespoon almond flour
• 1/2 cup tapioca flour or arrowroot
• 1 cup canned coconut milk (full fat)
• 1 teaspoon salt

Combine the dry ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Add the coconut milk and stir until well-combined.

Place a nonstick skillet over medium heat and add about one-quarter of the batter. Spread the batter with a spoon into an even layer, about 1/4 inch thick.

Cook for 3 minutes, then flip it over and cook the other side for 2 to 3 minutes or until lightly browned.