If you have someone special on your gift list who follows a gluten-free diet, this curated selection of cookbooks and resources will make excellent presents. Whether the recipient is an experienced home cook or someone who rarely spends time in the kitchen, a beautiful cookbook or a practical kitchen tool can be both inspiring and deeply useful.
Below are some of the newest and most trusted gluten-free cookbooks on my shelf. If you also want kitchen tools or appliances, I maintain an updated list of recommended products on my blog, which includes gadgets and essentials I use myself — from silicone baking mats and pasta wheels to mixers, bread machines and pizza pans. These recommendations are a great starting point for gift shopping.
The Latest & Greatest in Gluten-Free Books
- The Intolerant Gourmet by Barbara Kafka (Artisan, 2011)
Barbara Kafka, a New York Times bestselling author who lives with lactose and gluten intolerance, offers a thoughtful, flavorful approach to dairy-free cooking. Rather than focusing on baked goods or sandwich breads, this book emphasizes savory dishes and the sensations that make food satisfying. Kafka uses ingredients like gelatins, eggs, coconut milk, oils and puréed nuts to recreate rich textures and flavors typically provided by dairy.
The book includes helpful primer sections—“How We Do It,” cooking tables on grains and flours, and a chapter devoted to essentials such as stocks and spice mixes—making it a practical reference as well as a recipe collection. Kafka also evaluates gluten-free pasta brands and includes about 300 recipes centered on vegetables, salads, soups and meats. Her warm, conversational writing makes the book an inviting kitchen companion you’ll return to often.
- The Gluten-Free Asian Kitchen by Laura B. Russell (Ten Speed Press, 2011)
If Asian flavors appeal to you or the person you’re shopping for, this book is an excellent choice. Asian cuisines often offer naturally gluten-free options and many ready-made gluten-free noodles, wrappers and sauces are available at Asian groceries. Laura Russell’s book explains how to use those products and includes a thorough “Guide to Gluten-Free Asian Noodles,” with photographs and brand notes that simplify shopping and cooking.
The recipes are focused on main dishes and quick dinners, many of which can be assembled rapidly using store-bought gluten-free ingredients. The cookbook also includes guidance for dining out safely at Asian restaurants. Beautiful photography and practical tips make this a useful and delicious addition to any gluten-free kitchen.
- The Dairy-Free and Gluten-Free Kitchen by Denise Jardine (Ten Speed Press, 2011)
Denise Jardine, an experienced dairy-free cook and nutrition educator, expands her expertise to include gluten-free recipes across a wide range of dishes. The book contains sections for vegetarian meals, yeasted and quick breads, and desserts, along with a back-of-book “Basics” section that provides a master gluten-free flour mix, dairy-free milk alternatives, nut yogurts and cheeses, stocks, and essential sauces.
The recipes blend nutritious ingredients with practical techniques, and Jardine’s inventive dairy-free options—like her “Soy Velvet Whipped Cream”—offer inspiration for cooks looking to broaden both sweet and savory repertoires.
- Gluten-Free Makeovers by Beth Hillson (Da Capo Press, 2011)
Beth Hillson, a longtime advocate in the gluten-free community and founder of The Gluten-Free Pantry, adapts familiar favorites into approachable gluten-free versions. Her practical, no-fuss approach includes multiple gluten-free flour blend recipes and clear explanations of the science behind them, making it easier to substitute successfully in a variety of dishes.
This book is ideal for anyone who misses classic recipes and wants faithful, tested gluten-free adaptations. It’s the sort of cookbook you’ll keep nearby for quick reference and everyday cooking.
- Simply Sugar & Gluten-Free by Amy Green (Ulysses Press, 2011)
Amy Green’s personal journey led her to give up refined sugar and gluten, resulting in major health improvements. While not dairy-free, this cookbook focuses on alternatives to refined sugars—such as agave, coconut palm sugar, stevia and carob—and offers creative dessert recipes from chewy chocolate-date brownies to pineapple-mint sorbet.
For anyone looking to reduce refined sugar alongside gluten, this book provides recipes and motivation, plus a range of creative sweet options.
- Defeat Wheat by Brian Gansmann (Sakura Publishing, 2011)
Brian Gansmann offers a candid and often humorous account of his experience with celiac disease, weight loss and improved health. Unlike many gluten-free cookbooks, this title combines personal narrative with practical advice on food selection, exercise and lifestyle changes to help readers lose weight, build muscle and feel better overall. It’s an encouraging read for anyone new to gluten-free living or considering dietary changes for health reasons.
Ebooks
For last-minute gifting, ebooks are an excellent option. There are many downloadable gluten-free e-cookbooks available that cover everything from holiday baking to everyday breads, cookies and meals. They’re instantly accessible and often beautifully photographed, making them convenient and thoughtful gifts.
My own published books are listed on the Books tab of my site and include:
- Free For All Cooking: 150 Easy Gluten-Free, Allergy-Friendly Recipes the Whole Family Can Enjoy (Da Capo Press, 2010)
- The First Year: Celiac Disease and Living Gluten-Free (Da Capo Press, 2008)
- Nearly Normal Cooking for Gluten-Free Eating (BookSurge, 2006)
Happy gifting and happy reading!
~jules