Whether someone in your family was just diagnosed with food allergies, you're noticing new sensitivities, or you just want to switch up your baking repertoire, there are plenty of alternatives to your regular all-purpose flour. Some you may be familiar with, others you may have never heard of, but this list covers the best all-purpose flour alternatives for you to try next time you're cooking.
Almond Flour
Almond flour is a fantastic alternative for gluten-free baking. Not only does it have a sweeter taste than wheat flour, but it's also packed with benefits like being lower carb. Almond flour is, of course, made from ground almonds and is incredibly rich in Vitamin E. Most people that bake gluten-free desserts love almond flour for its rich and sweet taste. Almond flour is also rich in Manganese, which aids the body in breaking down carbohydrates as well as potentially lower cholesterol.
Cassava Flour
Cassava flour comes from the root vegetable Cassava. This vegetable is incredibly rich in carbohydrates and other essential nutrients. Cassava flour is also a great addition to plant-based cooking as it can be used as a thickener in gravies and soups too. Cassava flour is also high in Vitamin C, which means it can help with your immune system, ease stress, and promote skin health!
Rice Flour
Rice flour has been gaining serious popularity over the last decade. One thing to note about rice flour is it has a very distinct taste, and the baking it's used in retains a very specific texture. If you're used to eating gluten-free desserts, you can almost always tell when they were baked with rice flour. If you're a fan of the taste, then this is a huge benefit; if you're not a fan, of course, it's a takeaway. But, rice flour has some advantages, like containing a lot of fiber, protein, and choline. For this reason, it's a popular flour alternative choice.
Green Banana Flour
You might think of bananas as having a distinct, intense flavor - and you'd be correct! Still, a lot of people love baking with green banana flour. Not only does banana flour have great prebiotics that our bodies need, but it also packs a serious punch when it comes to improving the adverse effects of metabolic diseases. In addition to that, it can help with insulin levels; if you have diabetes, baking with green banana flour is an excellent alternative to traditional flours.
Coconut Flour
Speaking of intense flavors, the coconut has an even stronger flavor profile than the green banana. However, this popular fruit is a popular flour as well! Coconut flour aids your metabolism and helps promote healthy blood sugar levels. Its high fiber content can also help if you suffer from occasional constipation issues. Coconut flour is another fantastic alternative if you have Celiac disease or gluten sensitivities. Even if you don't, can you imagine how delicious a coconut cake would be if you baked with actual coconut flour instead of traditional all-purpose? Sign us up!
Chickpea Flour
Also known as Garbanzo beans, Chickpeas make another great alternative to conventional flour options. Chickpea flour has some excellent health benefits as well, like being ridiculously high in protein compared to other flours. In addition to its high protein content, folate, vitamin B-6, and potassium - potassium are crucial for heart health. Chickpea flour also boasts a lot of polyphenols which are antioxidants. Antioxidants provide a world of good for your overall health.
Oat Flour
Oat flour is made from ground oats. You're likely familiar with the heart health benefits of eating oatmeal; well, you get those same benefits using oat flour as an alternative in your baking. In addition to heart benefits, you also get help with potentially helping lower blood pressure, stabilizing blood sugar issues, and lowering cholesterol. And of course, oats are one of the best foods to satiate hunger and cravings. Oat flour is an easy substitute for traditional and all-purpose flours with such a subtle taste profile.
You don't need a medical reason to switch things up with the flours you use in your baking and cooking. Truthfully, this list outlines health motivations to start experimenting with flour alternatives for no other reason than your overall well-being. Here's to your health!
