Easy Gluten-Free Clafoutis (Dairy-Free)

What is Clafoutis?

Originating from the Limousin region of France, clafoutis (sometimes also written as “clafouti“) is a classic French dessert containing fruit in a thick, flan-like batter.

Traditional versions of clafoutis normally use black cherries as the fruit of choice, but other fruits such as berries or even pears can always be used.

This traditional French dessert is normally served with a dusting of powdered sugar and served lukewarm, often times with heavy cream, if desired.

The Perfect Cherry Dessert for Summer

In my opinion, cherry clafoutis is a dessert recipe that anyone should always keep on hand, because of how incredibly simple and easy it is to make.

Especially at this time of year in the summer, during cherry season when sweet cherries abound, this is one delicious but easy recipe that will have you licking the plate clean!

Also, because of how quickly it takes to make it, I recommend that you keep this recipe in your back pocket for the next time you’re in need of a fancy-looking dessert at the last minute.

My Trusty Cast Iron Skillet

One of the most used items in the kitchen is my cast iron skillet (which I’ve had for the last 7 years and counting), and we use it for frying, sautéing, and also baking. It’s the sort of multi-purpose item that can be used in so many different ways that I feel no kitchen is complete without it.

We’ve made savory foods such as sweet potato and kale breakfast skillet and my favorite crustless spinach quiche, snacks such as skillet cornbread, as well as desserts such as pear custard pie and mixed berry crumble.

In today’s cherry clafoutis recipe, we’ll be using the cast iron skillet to first cook the cherries on the stovetop until they soften, before pouring the batter over them and then baking it in the oven (in the same skillet).

I love that I don’t have to use two different pots/skillets for the stovetop and then the oven, and if you don’t already have a cast iron skillet, I highly recommend that you get one!

Why This Recipe Works:

• Simple Ingredients: The ingredients required for this gluten-free dairy-free clafoutis recipe are easily accessible at the grocery store, and you might already even have most of the ingredients at home.
• Easy and Quick to Make: You literally only need 30 minutes to prepare this perfect summer dessert from start to finish, and either fresh or frozen cherries will work as well.
• Totally Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free: I’ve used gluten-free all-purpose flour instead of regular flour, and I’ve also used coconut oil in place of butter. This makes the recipe 100% gluten-free and dairy-free, so even those with Celiac disease or gluten or lactose intolerances can still enjoy this sweet dessert!

Ingredients You’ll Need:

Here’s a visual overview of the ingredients required for this gluten-free clafoutis recipe.

(For exact measurements, please scroll down to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.)

Ingredient Notes/Substitutes:

• Gluten-Free All-Purpose Flour: I recommend using a gluten-free flour blend that includes xanthan gum and is made of lighter flours and starches such as rice flour/corn starch/tapioca starch (this will result in a lighter texture). I do NOT recommend using flour blends that include heavier flours such as garbanzo bean flour as it will result in a denser texture. If your flour blend does not include xanthan gum, add 1/8 teaspoon of xanthan gum to it.
• Eggs: The eggs are essential in this recipe and help to bind the ingredients together as well as to give the clafoutis a custardy texture. I do NOT recommend substitute the eggs in this recipe.
• Sugar: I used normal white sugar, but feel free to use light brown sugar, dark brown sugar or coconut sugar if you prefer (just bear in mind that the darker the sugar used, the darker the batter will be). If you are diabetic or insulin-resistant, I highly recommend that you use granulated monkfruit sweetener (a 1:1 sugar substitute that is zero glycemic index and does not raise your blood sugar).
• Almond Milk: I used my 5-minute homemade almond milk for this cherry clafoutis recipe, but you can also use other non-dairy milks (such as cashew milk, tigernut milk, rice milk, coconut milk, or soy milk). Alternatively, if you are not lactose-intolerant, feel free to use regular milk instead.
• Cherries: I used fresh cherries because they were available, but you can also use frozen cherries if that’s what you have. Simply make sure the frozen cherries are thawed and drained before using them.
• Coconut Oil: I prefer using refined coconut oil which has a neutral taste (as opposed to extra virgin coconut oil which has a stronger coconut flavor and smell). Alternatively, if you are not lactose-intolerant, feel free to use butter or ghee instead.
• Finely Shredded Coconut: I like to use finely shredded coconut (you can easily process shredded coconut in your blender until you get a fine powder) instead of powdered sugar. However, if you prefer powdered sugar or powdered monkfruit sweetener, go ahead and use that instead.

How to Make Gluten-Free Clafoutis (Step by Step)

1. Preheat Oven

Preheat oven to 425F (220C).

2. Pit Cherries

Using a cherry pitter, remove the cherry pits and stems. Cut cherries into halves. Set aside.

3. Prepare Gluten-Free Clafoutis Batter

In a large bowl, combine the gluten-free all-purpose flour with eggs, sugar, milk and melted coconut oil. Whisk very well until you get a completely smooth and creamy batter.

4. Cook Cherries

In a large 12-inch cast iron skillet, melt the coconut oil over medium heat on the stove. Add in the pitted cherries, and cook until the cherries have just softened and are completely coated with coconut oil (approximately 2 minutes).

Sprinkle the cherries with sugar and cook until the sugar has turned into a syrup (1 to 2 minutes).

5. Pour Clafoutis Batter over Cherries

Pour the cherry clafouti batter over the softened cherries.

6. Bake Until Golden on the Edges

Pour the batter over the cooked cherries. and place the skillet on the middle rack of the oven then bake for 18 to 20 minutes or until the clafoutis is puffed and golden brown on the edges.

(Tip: Do not oven the oven door before baking time is up or the clafoutis may collapse).

7. Garnish and Serve

Sprinkle the top of the clafoutis with finely shredded coconut (or confectioners’ sugar or icing sugar) and serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Dish by Dish Tips/Tricks

• No Cast Iron Skillet? No Problem: Ideally, using a cast iron skillet would be the best as you can cook the cherries in the skillet on the stovetop and pour the batter directly in the same skillet to bake. However, if you don’t own a cast iron skillet, you can cook the cherries in the skillet that you have, and the transfer the cherries to a baking dish or cake pan before pouring the batter over the cherries to bake.
• Swap Cherries for Berries or Other Fruits: If you want to make this gluten-free clafoutis with berries instead of cherries, go ahead! You can either use fresh berries or frozen berries (just make sure the frozen berries are thawed and drained). Or use stone fruit such as peaches, apricots or plums to make peach clafoutis, apricot clafoutis or plum clafoutis.
• Optional Flavoring: If you like, feel free to add a teaspoon of vanilla extract for extra flavor.

Recipe FAQs:

Cast Iron Skillet Recipes to Love:

• Pear Custard Pie (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
• Mixed Berry Crumble (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
• Sweet Potato and Kale Breakfast Skillet (Gluten-Free, Paleo)
• Easy Gluten-Free Naan Bread (Dairy-Free)
• Crustless Spinach Quiche (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
• Easy Skillet Cornbread (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)

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