Gluten-Free Vegan Peach Scones with Vanilla Glaze

Prep: 15 minCook: 20 min6 sconesmedium
Gluten-Free Vegan Peach Scones with Vanilla Glaze

Tender, crumbly scones studded with fresh diced peaches, made entirely plant-based using almond and oat flours with a flax egg binder. Topped with an optional vanilla glaze, these scones deliver buttery richness from vegan butter and crispy edges when baked until golden. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or afternoon tea. The combination of almond flour's nuttiness and peach's subtle sweetness creates a sophisticated yet approachable treat that works year-round but shines in summer when peaches are at their peak. This version prioritizes texture and crispness without dairy or gluten.

Ingredients

Yield: 6 scones
  • 1 ½ tsp flaxseed meal
  • 1 ½ Tbsp water
  • ¼ cup unsweetened dairy-free milk, almond milk used
    oat milk or coconut milk1:1vegandairy-free

    oat milk recommended for creaminess

  • 1 tsp vanilla extract(optional)
  • 1 ¼ cup almond flour
    sunflower seed flour1:1nut-free

    sunflower works well for structure

    Full guide →
  • ¾ cup potato starch, not potato flour
  • ½ cup oat flour, certified gluten-free
    more almond flour0.5:0.5oat-freenut-free when combined with sunflower

    reduces fiber slightly

    Full guide →
  • 2 ½ tsp baking powder
  • 3 Tbsp organic cane sugar
    coconut sugar1:1veganplant-based

    scones will brown more and be less crisp per source

    Full guide →
  • ¼ tsp sea salt
  • 3 Tbsp cold vegan butter, Miyoko's brand used
    coconut oil3 Tbsp solid coconut oilvegandairy-free

    must be scoopable (not liquid/frozen); texture differs

    Full guide →
  • ¾ cup peaches, fresh, diced
    blueberries, raspberries, or diced apple0.75:0.75vegangluten-free

    adjust liquid if using juicy berries; apples may need 1 Tbsp less milk

    Full guide →
  • 1 cup organic powdered sugar, sifted(optional)
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract(optional)
  • 1 Tbsp dairy-free milk(optional)
    oat milk or coconut milk1:1vegandairy-free

    oat milk recommended for creaminess

Instructions

  1. 1

    Preheat oven to 400F (400°F) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

  2. 2

    Combine flaxseed meal and water in a small bowl, stir, and let sit a few minutes to gel. Add dairy-free milk and vanilla if using.

  3. 3

    In a large mixing bowl, combine almond flour, potato starch, oat flour, baking powder, cane sugar, and salt.

  4. 4

    Cut cold vegan butter into cubes and add to dry ingredients. Using a fork or pastry cutter, work butter into dry mixture until only small bits remain.

  5. 5

    Whisk flax mixture again and add to dry ingredients, stirring with a wooden spoon until combined.

  6. 6

    Fold in diced peaches gently until evenly distributed. Adjust consistency with additional dairy-free milk or almond flour as needed, aiming for evenly moist dough that is not overly sticky.

  7. 7

    Transfer dough to a floured surface and gently shape into a disk 3/4 to 1 inch thick. Cut into 6 or 8 wedges.

  8. 8

    Arrange scones on baking sheet with even spacing. Optionally sprinkle with cane sugar.

  9. 9

    Bake until fluffy and golden on edges, 18-22 minutes.

  10. 10

    Cool on baking sheet before serving.

  11. 11

    For glaze: whisk together powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and dairy-free milk until pourable. Adjust consistency as needed. Drizzle over cooled scones and let set 30 minutes to 1 hour.

Tips

Tip 1

Peach ripeness affects dough moisture: riper peaches release more liquid making dough wetter, while firmer peaches result in drier dough. Adjust dairy-free milk or almond flour gradually in 1 Tbsp increments to reach the right consistency.

Tip 2

Keep vegan butter cold and cubed before mixing. This creates pockets that steam during baking, resulting in flaky, tender scones. Room temperature coconut oil works as a substitute but produces slightly different texture.

Tip 3

For crispier edges with pronounced crust, sprinkle cane sugar on shaped scones before baking. Vanilla glaze will soften the crust slightly if applied while scones are still warm.

Good to Know

Storage

Once completely cooled, store in a well-sealed container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the freezer for up to 1 month.

Make Ahead

Scones can be baked the night before and reheated in a toaster oven or regular oven at 350F for a few minutes. Or serve at room temperature.

Serve With

Serve warm or at room temperature alongside vegan butter and tea. Best the day of baking.

Common Mistakes

Watch

Do not use room temperature or liquid vegan butter to avoid a greasy, dense crumb and poor flakiness.

Watch

Do not overmix dough after adding peaches to avoid breaking down fruit and creating tough, dense scones.

Watch

Do not skip the resting step for the flax egg; insufficient gelation weakens binding.

Watch

Do not add liquid ingredients all at once; adjust in 1 Tbsp increments to avoid wet, unusable dough.

Substitutions

Dairy-Free Swaps

vegan butter
coconut oil3 Tbsp solid coconut oilvegandairy-free

must be scoopable (not liquid/frozen); texture differs

Full guide →
dairy-free milk
oat milk or coconut milk1:1vegandairy-free

oat milk recommended for creaminess

Vegan Options

cane sugar
coconut sugar1:1veganplant-based

scones will brown more and be less crisp per source

Full guide →
peaches
blueberries, raspberries, or diced apple0.75:0.75vegangluten-free

adjust liquid if using juicy berries; apples may need 1 Tbsp less milk

Full guide →
flax egg
aquafaba3 Tbsp aquafaba (replace flaxseed meal + water)vegannut-free option

binds similarly; use straight without additional processing

Full guide →

Nut-Free Alternatives

almond flour
sunflower seed flour1:1nut-free

sunflower works well for structure

Full guide →
oat flour
more almond flour0.5:0.5oat-freenut-free when combined with sunflower

reduces fiber slightly

Full guide →
Find more substitutions →

FAQ

Can I make these scones nut-free?

Yes. Replace almond flour with an equal amount of sunflower seed flour or additional oat flour (though oat flour alone may reduce structure). If using oat flour only, you may need to reduce liquid slightly and ensure oats are certified gluten-free.

What if I don't have fresh peaches?

Frozen or canned peaches work but must be thawed and drained thoroughly to remove excess liquid, which can make dough too wet. Start with the stated amount, then adjust remaining dairy-free milk downward if dough becomes overly moist.

How long can I keep baked scones and can I freeze them?

Store cooled scones in a sealed container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Freeze baked scones for up to 1 month. Thaw at room temperature or reheat in a 350F oven for a few minutes to restore tenderness.