For years my friends, family, and readers have been asking me to create a grain-free matzo recipe. This year, instead of throwing my paleo matzo together the day of our Seder, I took time during the last few weeks to work on creating a gluten-free matzo recipe.
As you can imagine, my house has become a veritable paleo matzo factory with batch after batch of matzo spread out all over my kitchen counters.
Matzo is an interesting food. Most Jews, including myself will tell you that we don’t really like the taste of matzo. It’s dry and starchy, and for the most part completely lacking in flavor. On the other hand, matzo is an incredible vehicle for a fabulous part of the Seder, the Hillel Sandwich, which is matzo with charoset and maror (horseradish).
Grain-Free Matzo
Ingredients
- 1 cup blanched almond flour (not almond meal)
- ¼ cup coconut flour
- ½ teaspoon celtic sea salt
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon water
Instructions
- In a food processor combine almond flour, coconut flour, and salt
- Pulse in egg, olive oil, and water
- Divide dough into 2 pieces
- Roll out dough between 2 pieces of parchment paper to 1/16-inch thickness
- Remove top piece of parchment paper
- Transfer matzo to a baking sheet
- Prick holes in matzo using a fork
- Bake at 350°F for 10-13 minutes, watching very closely
- Cool for 2 hours
- Serve
Thankfully, my matzo is fairly tasty. Unfortunately, since it has good taste, texture and flavor, my paleo matzo does not taste exactly like the real thing –i.e., grain-based matzo. Because of this I recommend that you do what our family does each Passover –buy gluten-free matzo for those on a gluten-free diet, and make this grain-free matzo for folks that are strictly grain-free (like myself) or following a Paleo diet.
What is matzo? Referred to as matzoh, matza, or matzah, and known as “the bread of affliction,” matzo is unleavened bread typically made of wheat flour and water. It is traditionally eaten by Jews during the Passover holiday when eating chametz (wheat products that are leavened) is not permitted.
I’m often asked, is matzo gluten-free? Well, the answer is no. Real matzo is made of wheat, something I have not eaten since 1998, when I was diagnosed with celiac disease. Real matzo would make me very sick if I consumed it. I’m also frequently asked what I use in place of matzo meal during Pesach. That is easy to answer –almond flour is my matzo meal and because of this all of my recipes are kosher for Passover.
If you’re looking for a Paleo Passover menu, you’re in luck. If you need healthy Paleo Passover recipe ideas for topping this homemade matzo, try the ones below!
lena says
I just made these as crackers (doubled the recipe). They are delicious! Thank you for sharing your wonderful recipe, Elana. I’m surprised we didn’t finish them, so my question is: How do you store them? Thanks in advance. ?
Elana says
Thanks Lena! Glad this was delicious! I leave them out in a bowl on the counter for a couple of days, if it’s longer than that, I place the crackers in a mason jar in the fridge :-)
lena says
Thanks for your quick response!
Ruth hirsch says
Dear Elana,
Timing timing timing! thank you so much for batching these kept recipes together. After over 8 years SCD, just discovered I am right on the edge of diabetes. yikes: I love food & snacks.
I needed to be reminded of your salt pepper crackers: I have made and loved them. Your matzah I will try soon. even thinking abt it is a delight!
l’shana Tova,
Ruth, in the beautiful
Hudson Valley
Elana says
Ruth, you’re welcome! For others that might benefit from this, here’s a link to my Keto Diet Recipes page!
https://elanaspantry.com/diets/keto/
Shana Tova!
Elana
Roberta says
Hi Elana! You have been such a blessing to me since I went grain free, sugar free and dairy free 3 years ago. I love your recipes. I just made the Salt & Pepper Grain Free Crackers and the Grain Free Matzo. I have tried both and they are great! I do have a question though with the Matzo recipe. How many does it serve? I am a Weight Watchers member and need to have that answer to figure out the SmartPoints value of the serving. Thank you in advance for your answer.
Roberta
Elana says
Hi Roberta, thanks for your sweet comment. For our family this recipe serves 2.
KAREN says
This is perfect as I love to use almond & coconut flours for my unleavened bread recipes….can’t wait to try it! Thank you!
Elana says
Karen, you’re welcome!
Emily says
This is great! I just made it for the second time, and I used garlic infused olive oil. I threw in a handful of fresh basil from my garden, some oregano, onion power, and a touch more salt. I told my kids that I made “pizza crackers, ” and they loved it!
Elana says
Emily, so glad you enjoyed :-)
Barbara says
As most of your baked treats have baking powder, I don’t understand how they are Kosher for Passover? Do you leave it out?
Elana says
Hi Barbara, thanks for your question. I do not ever use baking powder in my recipes as it is something I cannot digest, and usually it is made with corn.
Ronnie says
Looks like gold. I will definitely give it a go. I happens to love the regular Matza. Used to eat it with everything and complained that we can eat them only in Pesach. My kids too. But as going grains free we are adapting and enjoying our meals so much that the lack of matza or Krembo (:-)) is not so bed at all. Thank you very much for your efforts and recipes.
Elana says
Ronnie, you’re welcome!
Adva Webber says
Hi
In case I cannot tolerate Almonds in any shape or form what would the alternative be? Do I replace it with coconut flour or other?
Thanks
Elana says
Hi Adva, I haven’t tried making this with something in place of almond flour so not sure what would work. For more information on the differences between coconut flour and almond flour (they’re very different) go here:
https://elanaspantry.com/paleo-baking-almond-flour-vs-coconut-flour/
Enjoy!
Elana
Charlotte says
I attempt to stick to the SCD as much as possible and I am so sick of fake bread! I have just made (and eaten) your recipe and it is truly a lifesaver (no matter how dramatic that sounds!) I finally have something interesting to take to work for lunch (or breakfast). Perfect for both savoury and sweet toppings and now I can also partake fully in a Sedar! Thank you so much for this, you have made eating SCD more enjoyable.
Elana says
You’re welcome Charlotte! So glad to hear you are enjoying the matzo :-)
Crystal says
Just wanted to share…I made these yesterday just as a cracker substitute. I can’t do any grains or eggs. Almonds cause me inflammation so I used cashew flour and did a “gelatin egg” for the egg substitute. They turned out amazing!!!!!!!!! They were delicious and have satisfied a cracker/matzo craving! Thanks so much for the recipe and I hope my changes may help someone like me as well. :)
Elana says
Crystal, so glad you enjoyed!