Easy Homemade No Cook Playdough Recipe (Gluten Free) (2024)

Last Updated on by Jean Choi 4 Comments

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Make your own playdough with the BEST no cook playdough recipe. You’ll love this easy, gluten-free method perfect for gluten-sensitive or celiac toddlers and kids! Natural materials, perfect consistency– the ultimate rainy day (or any day!) activity.

Easy Homemade No Cook Playdough Recipe (Gluten Free) (1)

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

I have an almost 2-year-old, and I’ve been trying to get creative with some toddler activities that she might be interested in. Since she loves sensory play, playdough seemed like the perfect thing she can occupy herself with to enrich her creative side.

However, the classic Play-Doh ingredients (here’s their patent) include preservatives, chemical fragrances, and synthetic dyes that I would rather my kid not swallow (since she puts everything in her mouth). The original recipe also contains wheat, which isn’t ideal if your kid is gluten-sensitive. There ARE several cleaner, better-for-you brands of store-bought playdough that you can buy, but I’ve found that they can get pretty pricey.

Luckily, it’s actually SO easy to make your own homemade, No Cook Playdough Recipe that’s gluten-free with great texture. My kid has been loving playing with and I don’t have to worry about her accidentally swallowing it! All you need are simple ingredients to make a quick batch of playdough that will last up to 3 months!

How to Make This No Cook Playdough Recipe

If you are looking for an easy homemade playdough recipe, you will love this one. In most homemade versions I’ve seen, you have to heat the dough in a pot until it firms up. Depending on the type of flour you use, it can become a sticky mess and not turn out. However, with this recipe, it doesn’t require that extra step. You just need to boil water, which I honestly don’t consider cooking!

There are just 6 basic ingredients, and it takes only 15 minutes to make!

Ingredient Notes

Easy Homemade No Cook Playdough Recipe (Gluten Free) (2)
  • All-purpose gluten free flour: I used Bob’s Red Mills brand, but other brands may work. I’ve heard that King Arthur’s brand is not great for playdough, so I would avoid that brand.
  • Salt
  • Cream of tartar: You’ll see many recipes of homemade playdough with cream of tartar. Despite the name, cream of tartar is dairy free, and it’s what makes the texture soft.
  • Boiling water
  • Olive oil or coconut oil
  • Food coloring: I used this natural brand. While it’s not as bold as conventional food coloring, I would rather choose more natural ingredients for what my family uses. Just a personal preference! I haven’t tried them but these food coloring powders may also be a great healthier alternative.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Easy Homemade No Cook Playdough Recipe (Gluten Free) (3)
  1. Stir together the dry ingredients: gluten-free flour, salt, and cream of tartar in a large mixing bowl.
  2. Combine boiled water and oil in a separate large bowl.
  3. Pour the water and oil mixture over the flour mixture and stir with a wooden spoon until a dough forms.
  4. Knead into a ball with your hands. If the dough is too dry, add a bit more water. If it’s too wet, add more flour. Transfer to a parchment or wax paper.
  5. Knead with your hands a few more times, then divide the dough equally into the number of colors you want to create.
  6. Use your fingers to make a dent in the center of each dough, then add 5-6 drops of food coloring to start. Knead until the color is fully incorporated, adding more for a bolder hue. Since you are adding moisture with food coloring, you may need to add a little bit more flour if the texture gets too sticky.
  7. How to store homemade playdough: Store in a resealable zip-lock bag or an airtight container at room temperature. If the playdough gets too moist or too dry during storage, you can fix the consistency with more flour or water.
Easy Homemade No Cook Playdough Recipe (Gluten Free) (4)

Tips & Tricks

  • Storage: If stored at room temperature in an airtight container or zip-top bag, homemade playdough can last up to 3 months. If the texture does change to too wet or dry, you can knead in some flour or water to fix it.
  • Colors: You can combine primary colors (red, yellow, and blue) for different colors and shades! Red and yellow will make orange, yellow and blue will make green, and red and blue will make purple. You can even knead the primary color doughs together after you make them to create new color dough.
  • Essential Oils: You can add a drop or two of your favorite essential oils as a fragrance for your playdough if desired. Be sure to use as directed and consult your doctor if there are any allergies.

Recipe FAQs

How long does homemade playdough last?

It actually has a pretty long shelf life. If stored at room temperature in an airtight container or bag, homemade playdough can last up to 3 months. If the texture does change to too wet or dry, you can knead in some flour or water to fix it.

I made my homemade playdough too sticky / too dry. Can I fix it?

Depending on what flour you use or if you’re in a humid climate, the dough can be a little sticky or too dry. You can add more flour or boiled water when kneading to reach the ideal consistency.

What is cream of tartar?

Not only is this homemade playdough with cream of tartar is gluten free, it’s dairy free as well. Despite the name, cream of tartar is dairy free and it’s what gives the playdough that soft and malleable texture. It’s an acidic powder and it’s a byproduct of fermenting grapes into wine (there’s no alcohol in it). You can usually find it in the spice aisle at your local grocery store.

What are the benefits of playdough for young children?

Playdough is an excellent sensory activity that can promote fine motor skills. Grab some cookie cutters and let those little hands explore and cut and shape the play dough. It’s perfect for creativity and hands-on play.

  • Easy Homemade No Cook Playdough Recipe (Gluten Free) (5)
  • Easy Homemade No Cook Playdough Recipe (Gluten Free) (6)

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If you make this recipe, please leave me a star rating and comment below! I love to hear your thoughts and feedback. Follow me on Instagram for even more delicious recipes!

Easy Homemade No Cook Playdough Recipe (Gluten Free) (7)

Easy Homemade No Cook Playdough Recipe (Gluten Free)

Make your own playdough with the BEST no cook playdough recipe. You'll love this easy, gluten-free method perfect for gluten-sensitive or celiac toddlers and kids! Natural materials, perfect consistency– the ultimate rainy day (or any day!) activity.

5 from 1 vote

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Keyword: homemade playdough with cream of tartar, how do you make homemade playdough without cooking, how to store homemade playdough, ingredients for homemade playdough, make homemade playdough, quick homemade playdough recipe

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes minutes

Ingredients

Equipment

  • Parchment or wax paper
  • Resealable plastic bag or airtight container

Instructions

  • In a large mixing bowl, stir together gluten free flour, salt, and cream of tartar.

  • In another bowl, combine boiled water and oil. They will separate but that's okay.

  • Pour the water and oil mixture over the flour mixture, and stir with a wooden spoon until a dough forms.

  • Use your hands knead into a ball. If the dough is too dry, you can add a bit more water. If it's too wet, add more flour until it reaches the right consistency. Transfer to a parchment or wax paper.

  • Knead with your hands a few more times, then divide the dough equally into the number of colors you want to create.

  • Make a dent in the center of each dough, then add 5-6 drops of food coloring to start. Knead until the color is fully incorporated (this can take a bit of time), adding more for a bolder hue. Since you are adding moisture with food coloring, you may need to add a little bit more flour if the texture gets too sticky.

  • Store in a resealable plastic bag or an airtight container at room temperature. If the playdough gets too moist or too dry during storage, you can fix the consistency with more flour or water.

Notes

Tips & Tricks

  • Storage: If stored at room temperature in an airtight container or zip-top bag, homemade playdough can last up to 3 months. If the texture does change to too wet or dry, you can knead in some flour or water to fix it.
  • Colors: You can combine primary colors (red, yellow, and blue) for different colors and shades! Red and yellow will make orange, yellow and blue will make green, and red and blue will make purple. You can even knead the primary color doughs together after you make them to create new color dough.
  • Essential Oils: You can add a drop or two of your favorite essential oils as a fragrance for your playdough if desired. Be sure to use as directed and consult your doctor if there are any allergies.

What Great Grandma Ate / Jean Choi is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Regarding other affiliate links and affiliate relationships: In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsem*nt, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog. Thank you for your support and understanding.


Easy Homemade No Cook Playdough Recipe (Gluten Free) (2024)

FAQs

Easy Homemade No Cook Playdough Recipe (Gluten Free)? ›

Measure out 1 cup of baking soda, 1/2 cup of cornstarch, and 1/2 cup of water. Add everything to a microwave safe bowl with the food dye color of your choice. Stir playdough mixture until it is well blended. Microwave playdough mixture on high for 2 minutes with help from an adult.

How to make good gluten free playdough? ›

Ingredients
  1. 3 cups of W&G gluten free plain flour.
  2. 4 tbs cream of tartar.
  3. 1 cup of salt.
  4. 1 ¾ cup water.
  5. 2 tbs oil.
  6. Food colouring.

How to make playdough with 3 ingredients? ›

3 Ingredient Play Dough
  1. 1/2 cup cornstarch.
  2. 1 cup baking soda.
  3. 3/4 cup water.
  4. Optional: 2-3 drops essential oil and 4-5 drops food coloring.
Mar 23, 2024

How to make homemade playdough without flour? ›

Measure out 1 cup of baking soda, 1/2 cup of cornstarch, and 1/2 cup of water. Add everything to a microwave safe bowl with the food dye color of your choice. Stir playdough mixture until it is well blended. Microwave playdough mixture on high for 2 minutes with help from an adult.

Will gluten free flour work to make playdough? ›

Some gf playdough recipes call for gluten free all purpose flour. Different gluten-free flour blends contain different flours and starches in various amounts, and also different thickening gums, so the amount of water and other ingredients needed to make a dough with the right consistency can vary hugely.

Does playdough work with gluten free flour? ›

Gluten free playdough is sold on Amazon, but it is pretty pricey, so I pulled out my trusty homemade playdough recipe (I've been using it forever, no idea where I first got it) and decided to try it with some gluten free flour. I was pleasantly surprised how well it worked.

How to make play dough easy no cook recipe? ›

In a plastic bowl, whisk together flour, salt, and cream of tartar. Make a well in the center of the bowl and add vegetable oil, boiling water and food coloring. Let playdough cool completely before playing with it. When you are ready to play with the playdough, wash your hands and have fun!

How to make homemade playdough with 2 ingredients? ›

Instructions. Place the cornstarch in a large bowl. Mix in the hair conditioner with your hands--it will just start coming together and it will be pliable and very, very smooth. If desired, add a drop or two or food coloring.

What is the best homemade playdough recipe? ›

how to make the world's best homemade play-doh. You'll need 3 cups of white all-purpose flour, 2 tablespoons cream of tartar, 1 cup + 2 tablespoons of table salt, 3-4 tablespoons of any cooking oil (start with 3 and add more if necessary), 3 cups HOT water, and food coloring.

Can you make dough with flour and water? ›

Creating a smooth, pliable dough

Excess water makes a batter, while too little water renders a dough rough, dry and unpliable. Generally speaking, a flour to water ratio of 2:1 achieves a dough of reasonable consistency. So if you have 500g of flour, use about 250 mL of water.

What are the four ingredients in homemade playdough? ›

Simple Homemade Playdough Recipe
  1. 1 cup flour.
  2. 1/2 cup cornstarch.
  3. 1/2 cup water.
  4. 1 teaspoon vegetable oil.
  5. gel food coloring of your choice.
Apr 29, 2022

How to make playdough with home ingredients? ›

The phrase refers to a household where there is no ready-to-eat food, but rather ingredients used in larger dishes. Instead of opening a bag of chips after school, all that's stored in these ingredient-only households are small items such as chocolate chips, croutons, or peanut butter.

How to make homemade play dough? ›

How to make playdough
  1. 2 cups all-purpose flour.
  2. 3/4 cup salt.
  3. 4 teaspoons cream of tartar.
  4. 2 cups lukewarm water.
  5. 2 Tablespoons of vegetable oil (coconut oil works too)
  6. Food coloring, optional (I like Wilton gel food coloring or AmeriColor gel)
  7. Quart sized bags.

Is there gluten free playdough? ›

Colorations produces both a wheat based and a wheat & gluten free play dough. The gluten free playdough “does not contain peanuts / tree nuts, dairy, casein or egg. Additinally it does not contain corn starch, or latex.” Made in Great Britian, it comes in a 5 1/2 lb container, of 8 colors.

Can celiacs play with play doh? ›

Parents of children with gluten sensitivity may not have to worry about their child being exposed to gluten in school when handling materials like Play-Doh and dry pasta, a new study has found. These items don't have a significant transfer of gluten on hands or surfaces after children played with them.

What holds gluten-free dough together? ›

The three most common binders are xanthan gum, guar gum and psyllium husk powder. Each one works in a slightly different way to help create the structure we need to hold baked goods together.

How do you make gluten-free dough stick together? ›

In gluten-free baking, we rely on xanthan gum to provide elasticity and stickiness in our doughs and batters. Since we don't have gluten present, we need something that acts as the binding agent for the flour, helps hold onto some moisture, and helps give the baked good some structure.

How do you get gluten-free dough to stick? ›

The gluten in traditional flour is what gives dough its stickiness. Without it, gluten-free products can be dry and crumbly. There is a way to compensate for this however — use xanthan gum. Some bakers also use gelatin or agar.

How to make gluten-free dough bind? ›

For extra binding (since gluten is not present) a pinch of xanthan gum can be added, depending on the recipe, though I don't find it absolutely necessary. *This blend has worked wonders for me in muffins, cakes, quick breads, cornbread, waffles, gluten-free crêpes, and more.

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