Gluten-Free Cannoli with Ricotta and Chocolate Chips
Crisp gluten-free cannoli shells filled with a sweet ricotta cream studded with mini chocolate chips, inspired by a classic Italian dessert with a modern twist. This italian-inspired desserts (gluten-free) ready in about 60 minutes layers gluten-free flour blend, granulated sugar, cocoa powder into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 6, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups gluten-free flour blend
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp cocoa powder
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 1 egg yolk
- 2 tbsp white wine or vinegar
- enough to fill a deep pot 2 inches vegetable oil, for frying
- 1 1/2 cups ricotta cheese, drained
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1/3 cup mini chocolate chips
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp orange zest
Instructions
- Step 1: In a bowl, whisk together 1 1/2 cups gluten-free flour blend, 2 tbsp granulated sugar, and 1 tbsp cocoa powder. Cut in 3 tbsp cold unsalted butter with your fingers or a pastry cutter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Step 2: Add 1 egg yolk and 2 tbsp white wine or vinegar, stirring until the dough comes together. Knead lightly on a floured surface until smooth. Wrap in plastic and chill for 30 minutes.
- Step 3: On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to 1/8-inch thickness. Cut out 4-inch circles with a cookie cutter. Wrap each circle around a cannoli tube, sealing edges with a bit of water.
- Step 4: Heat vegetable oil in a deep pot to 350°F. Fry cannoli shells on tubes for 2-3 minutes until crisp and golden, turning carefully. Drain on paper towels and cool before removing tubes.
- Step 5: In a bowl, mix 1 1/2 cups drained ricotta cheese, 1/2 cup powdered sugar, 1/3 cup mini chocolate chips, 1 tsp vanilla extract, and 1 tsp orange zest until creamy.
- Step 6: Pipe or spoon the ricotta filling into cooled shells just before serving to keep them crisp. Dust with extra powdered sugar if desired.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Gluten-Free Cannoli with Ricotta and Chocolate Chips take to make?
Total time is about 60 minutes (45 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.
How do I store leftover Gluten-Free Cannoli with Ricotta and Chocolate Chips?
Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.
Can I substitute ingredients in Gluten-Free Cannoli with Ricotta and Chocolate Chips?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Gluten-Free Cannoli with Ricotta and Chocolate Chips for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Gluten-Free Cannoli with Ricotta and Chocolate Chips gluten-free?
Yes — this recipe is tagged gluten-free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
Related recipes
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
