Homemade Gluten Free Twizzlers Recipe

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As a passionate advocate for inclusive snacking—because no one should have to miss out on the joy of their favorite treats— It’s been a journey of trial and error, mixing and matching various gluten-free flours and natural flavors to capture the essence of what makes Twizzlers so irresistibly unique. And, oh, what a rewarding journey it has been!

In this article, I’m beyond excited to unveil a Gluten-Free Twizzlers recipe that mimics the texture and taste of the original while using ingredients that are safe and comforting for those of us avoiding gluten.

How to make Gluten-Free Twizzlers

Gluten-Free Twizzlers are a variation of the popular candy made by Hershey’s, designed to cater to people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity. Regular Twizzlers contain wheat flour, which has gluten, so the gluten-free version uses alternative ingredients to achieve a similar texture and taste without gluten.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup gluten-free all-purpose flour mix
• 1 teaspoon xanthan gum (omit if your flour blend already contains it)
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (for chocolate-flavored Twizzlers)
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons coconut oil or unsalted butter, melted
• 2 large egg whites
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (for classic flavor) or strawberry extract (for strawberry-flavored Twizzlers)
• 2-3 tablespoons water or as needed
• Red food coloring (if making strawberry-flavored Twizzlers)

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 325°F (163°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the gluten-free flour, xanthan gum (if using), cocoa powder (if making chocolate-flavored Twizzlers), granulated sugar, and salt until well combined.
3. In a separate bowl, mix together the melted coconut oil or butter, egg whites, and your choice of extract.
4. Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, stirring to combine. Add water, one tablespoon at a time, until the dough comes together in a ball. The dough should be firm but pliable.
5. If making strawberry Twizzlers, add red food coloring to the dough until the desired color is reached.
6. Transfer the dough to a clean surface dusted lightly with gluten-free flour. Knead it gently to ensure it’s homogeneous.
7. Pinch off small portions of dough and roll out into thin, long ropes about 1/4 inch in diameter. A silicone mat marked with measures can help you achieve uniform lengths.
8. Cut the ropes into pieces of roughly 7 to 8 inches in length or to your preferred size.
9. Place the ropes on the prepared baking sheet, giving them a slight twist to achieve the classic Twizzler shape.
10. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until set. Don’t overbake, as this can make them too hard. The Twizzlers should still be a bit flexible when warm; they will firm up as they cool.
11. Allow the Twizzlers to cool on the baking sheet for at least 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Tips:

• Consistency of Dough: Your dough might differ depending on the humidity and type of gluten-free flour used. If the dough is too dry, add a bit more water. If it’s too sticky, add a little more gluten-free flour.
• Extracts: You can experiment with different extracts to create various flavors of Twizzlers. Popular options include cherry, orange, and lemon.
• Coloring: For non-chocolate flavors, use food coloring to match the expected color of the fruit flavor – for example, green for apple or yellow for lemon.
• Storage: Store your gluten-free Twizzlers in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain their chewiness.
• Flour Choices: Different gluten-free flour blends will yield different textures, so find the one you like best for this recipe.

What to serve with

Gluten-free Twizzlers are a delightful, chewy treat that can be enjoyed on their own or paired with a variety of complementary snacks and beverages.

Sweet Pairings:

• Ice Cream: Serve your Twizzlers with a scoop of gluten-free ice cream. The chewiness of the Twizzlers combined with the creaminess of the ice cream makes for a satisfying dessert.
• Chocolate Fondue: Melt some gluten-free chocolate and use the Twizzlers as dippers for a fun and interactive dessert experience.
• Fruit Salad: A fresh fruit salad complements the sweetness of Twizzlers and adds a refreshing element. Opt for seasonal fruits or a mix that echoes the flavor of your Twizzlers.

Savory Combinations:

• Popcorn: Gluten-free popcorn seasoned with a touch of salt makes a great companion to the sweet chewiness of Twizzlers. It’s a classic combo for movie-watching.
• Nuts and Seeds: A mix of nuts and seeds can add a crunchy texture contrast to the chewy Twizzlers and offer a protein boost as well.

Beverage Pairings:

• Tea: A cup of herbal tea can be soothing and serve as a palate cleanser when enjoying the sweetness of Twizzlers. Choose flavors like mint, chamomile, or hibiscus for a relaxing experience.
• Coffee or Hot Chocolate: Both beverages work well, especially with chocolate-flavored Twizzlers, creating a cozy snack pairing.
• Milk: If you’re indulging in a chocolate variety of Twizzlers, a glass of cold milk is a classic choice that complements the chocolatey notes.

For Kids’ Parties:

• Fruit Juice Spritzers: Serve Gluten-Free Twizzlers with fun juice spritzers made with a mix of fruit juice and sparkling water. It’s a festive and kid-friendly option.
• Cereal Treats: Gluten-free rice cereal marshmallow treats can also be an excellent option to serve with Twizzlers at kids’ parties for an utterly gluten-free treat table.

Special Occasions:

• Wine or Cocktails: For an adult gathering, pair your Gluten-Free Twizzlers with a glass of wine or a crafted cocktail. Choose a sweet wine like Moscato or a light sparkling wine to complement the candy. For cocktails, consider mixing up something with fruity notes to match the Twizzlers flavor.

Ingredients Substitutes

Creating Gluten-Free Twizzlers involves substituting traditional ingredients containing gluten with alternatives that achieve a similar texture and flavor without gluten. Since traditional Twizzlers typically contain wheat flour as a binding and thickening agent, we’ll need to replace this with suitable gluten-free options.

Flour Substitute

• Gluten-Free All-Purpose Flour: This is the most straightforward substitute. Look for a blend that includes rice flour, tapioca flour, and potato starch. Some mixes also contain xanthan gum, which helps to bind the ingredients together without gluten.
• Coconut or Almond Flour: These flours can also be used, but they might alter the taste and density of Twizzlers. They might need to be combined with binders like xanthan gum to achieve the right texture.

Binding Agents

• Xanthan Gum: This is vital in gluten-free baking to add viscosity and elasticity to the dough. It helps the ingredients bind together and can prevent the Twizzlers from crumbling.
• Guar Gum: An alternative to xanthan gum, guar gum can also serve as a binding agent in gluten-free recipes, providing a similar texture.

Corn Syrup Substitute

• Honey or Maple Syrup: If you prefer natural sweeteners, honey or maple syrup can be good substitutes. However, they may impart a distinct flavor to the Twizzlers.
• Agave Syrup: This alternative is slightly milder in flavor than honey and can provide the stickiness and sweetness required.

Gelatin

• Regular Gelatin: Used for the chewy texture. Ensure that it is pure and not mixed with additives that might contain gluten.
• Agar-Agar (for a Vegan Option): For a vegan and gluten-free variant, agar-agar can replace gelatin. However, it might alter the texture slightly, making the Twizzlers less flexible.

Color and Flavor

• Natural Food Colorings: Instead of artificial colors, opt for natural sources like beet juice for red color, turmeric for yellow, and spirulina for green.
• Natural Flavorings: Use pure extracts like vanilla, strawberry, or cherry. Ensure they are labelled gluten-free because some extracts might be mixed with gluten-containing carriers.

Acidic Ingredients

• Citric Acid or Lemon Juice: Adding a bit of acidity can help balance the sweetness. Ensure any commercially sourced citric acid is gluten-free.

Sweeteners

• Powdered Sugar: For coating, use gluten-free powdered sugar. Some powdered sugars include cornstarch instead of wheat starch, making them suitable for gluten-free recipes.

Final Thoughts

Enjoy your homemade Gluten-Free Twizzlers as a fun treat tailored to your dietary needs. They emulate the classic chewy candy without the worry of gluten.

More Treats Recipes:

• Homemade Katz Gluten Free Pop Tarts Recipe