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 endorsement, 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)? ›

For the most part, homemade playdough recipes contain the same essential ingredients: flour, salt, cream of tartar, oil, water, and food coloring.

Can you make homemade playdough with gluten free flour? ›

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 easy playdough no cook? ›

Simple no-cook playdough
  1. A large bowl.
  2. 1 cup of salt.
  3. 2 cups of plain flour.
  4. 4 teaspoons of cream of tartar.
  5. 2 tablespoons of cooking oil.
  6. 2 cups of boiling water.
  7. Food colouring (optional)
Oct 12, 2023

What are the 4 ingredients in homemade playdough? ›

For the most part, homemade playdough recipes contain the same essential ingredients: flour, salt, cream of tartar, oil, water, and food coloring.

Can I use olive oil instead of vegetable oil for playdough? ›

(I could probably write a blog on things I do with coconut oil, but that's for another time.) Any oil will work just fine though, vegetable oil, sunflower oil, olive oil, even margarine will do the job.

How to make playdough soft and stretchy? ›

Adding the cornflour into a bowl with the conditioner gave her the opportunity to use those larger arm muscles and mix the 2 ingredients together. After about 1 minute of kneading, the two ingredients come together to make the most incredible silky and stretchy playdough you can imagine.

What is the secret recipe for play-doh? ›

Ingredients for Super Soft Playdough
  1. 3/4 cup flour.
  2. 1/4 cup baby powder (this is the secret ingredient! If you don't like using baby powder, corn starch is a good alternative)
  3. 1/4 cup salt.
  4. 2 tsp cream of tartar.
  5. 1 tablespoon of baby oil.
  6. 3/4 cup of water.
  7. food coloring (I used gel food coloring)
Feb 20, 2023

How to make playdough with flour ingredients? ›

1 cup flour ½ cup salt 2 tsp. Cream of tartar Then add: 1 cup of water 1 tbs. Oil Food coloring Mix all ingredients together, put in a microwave for 30 seconds.

What can I use instead of play dough? ›

Clay is an inexpensive alternative to storebought playdough that doesn't leave the crusty mess when it dries out. It's easily rehydrated, a breeze to store and costs as little as $2 a kg.

What is the best flour for homemade playdough? ›

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 gluten-free play with playdough? ›

Play-Doh does contain gluten and should be avoided if there is any risk that your daughter will eat it or if her hands come in contact with her mouth while she is handling it. A safer alternative would be to purchase gluten-free playdough or make your own.

How do I substitute gluten-free flour for all purpose? ›

This can be tricky because gluten free flours react differently in pretty much every recipe. But in general, use in place of all purpose or whole wheat flour in a 1:1 ratio. For extra binding (since there is no gluten) you can add a pinch of xanthan gum depending on the recipe, but I don't find it necessary.

What gluten-free flour is best for dough? ›

What's the best gluten-free flour for baking? Bob's Red Mill gluten-free 1-to-1 baking mix is my favorite gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for baking. It has a mild texture and plenty of "stick" thanks to a blend of sweet rice flour, brown rice flour, and sorghum flour, plus some starches and xanthan gum.

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