Almond flour is one of the widely used flours in baking. There are special recipes that call only for this flour and using another one instead may lead to failure. Thus, it’s not easy to find almond flour substitutes for a few recipes but in the majority of cases, there are a number of other flours that can provide the same result without sacrificing the quality of your bakery.
Compared to regular flour, almond flour is pricier and not always available. It also makes baked goods subtler and moist in texture.
Today we’ll discuss the most appropriate substitutes for almond flour in case you have run out of it or it, have allergies to nuts, or want to try an affordable and easy-to-find option like some grain flours.
The best substitutes for almond flour are wheat flour, all-purpose flour, cashew flour, plantain flour, macadamia flour, cricket flour, cassava flour, oat flour, tapioca flour with coconut flour, pecan flour, pumpkin seed meal, sunflower seed flour, and homemade almond flour.
Best Substitutes for Almond Flour
1. Wheat Flour
Wheat flour is one of the most popular types of flour. It is made of wheat kernels and is used for a number of purposes from baking to cooking and from sauces to batters. Compared to almond flour, it is fat-free, contains gluten, and is higher in carbohydrates.
It may not be suitable for keto or paleo diets but if you don’t follow any diet and are not allergic to gluten, then this is the easiest substitute. It’s lighter than almond flour which means you need to increase the amount of flour in your recipe for the best result.
2. All-Purpose Flour
All-purpose flour is another general-use wheat flour that you may have at home. You can use it instead of almond flour in a 1:1 ratio in baked goods, savory dishes, or any other recipe.
Just note that almond flour usually calls for more binding ingredients like eggs and if you replace it with all-purpose flour you may reduce the amount of the binding ingredient.
3. Cashew Four
Cashew flour is the first gluten-free flour on our list and if you use almond flour just for this reason, then cashew flour is the best option to consider. It is made of ground cashews and is perfect for baking, shakes, and breading. It’s naturally sweet and has a pleasant flavor.
You can use it to replace almond flour in cakes, muffins, and cookies as well as in savory dishes in a 1:1 ratio. It will provide a rich and creamy taste to the dish. When working with it make sure you don’t over-blend it as it tends to become buttery.
4. Plantain Flour
Made of unripe green plantains, plantain flour is a natural plant-based, grain-free, nut-free, and gluten-free flour loved by many vegans. It carries a slightly nutty flavor, not like bananas, and comes with a starchier texture.
You can use it to replace almond flour in baked goods that need to be denser. It works well in savory dishes and cooking. You can add it to sauces and soups as a thickening agent. Use it in a 1:1 ratio but add more moisture to your recipe to get what you need.
5. Macadamia Flour
Macadamia is a nut flour and since it comes with fewer carbs and is higher in fats it’s perfect for keto and paleo diets. You can use it in a gluten-free diet too as it doesn’t contain gluten. It has a sweet, nutty flavor and is often used in sweet dishes.
It makes an amazing substitute for almond flour and you can always use it instead of it in almost all recipes. You can use macadamia flour in a 1:1 ratio in baking and cooking.
6. Cricket Flour
Cricket flour is made of milled crickets and it’s another gluten-free flour. It is considered one of the healthiest and most nutritious flours packed with vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and protein. It’s usually used as a protein in healthy diets but you can also bake or cook with it.
You can add it to smoothies, sauces, and soups, use it with meats, or as a binding agent for veggie burgers. Use one-to-two tablespoons of cricket flour for each cup of almond flour.
If you have allergies to shellfish then you may likely have allergies to this flour too because it comes from the Arthropoda phylum.
7. Cassava Flour
Cassava flour is made of the cassava root plant and it’s widely used in the paleo diet. It looks like wheat flour and comes with many similar features to it, which means you can refer to it the same way as in recipes with wheat flour.
Cassava flour can be used to replace almond flour in baking and bread making in a 1:1 ratio. You can use it both in sweet and savory dishes. It’s gluten-free.
8. Oat Flour
Our flour is the next gluten-free flour that’s included in many diet-friendly recipes. It’s packed with a number of vitamins and is high in proteins and calories. Many kid-friendly cookie recipes call for oat flour instead of regular flour which means it’s non-allergic and safer for your health.
If you have it in hand, then use it in place of almond flour in baking. If you have a packet of oat, you can even make oat flour with the help of a food processor. It will provide a lighter result with a nuttier flavor. Use it in a 1:1 ratio and adjust the quantity of binding agents according to your recipe.
9. Tapioca Flour + Coconut Flour
Many people wonder if they can use coconut flour in place of almond flour. Well, the combination of tapioca and coconut flour leads to a better result. While both are gluten-free, tapioca is starchier and creates a good blend with coconut flour to use in place of almond flour. They complete each other in terms of texture and flavor creating a fruity-nutty combo.
Tapioca serves as a great binding and thickening agent. Coconut flour, on the other hand, absorbs liquid creating a buttery texture. You can mix ½ cup of coconut flour with ½ cup of wheat flour to substitute 1 cup of almond flour.
10. Pecan Flour
It turns out that pecan flour works better in some recipes that call for almond flour. This means that you can safely use it to replace almond flour in many recipes. Thanks to its rich and pleasant flavor it provides baked goods with an excellent taste.
You can also use it as a binding or thickening agent or add it to creamy and non-dairy sauces. Use it in a 1:1 ratio when substituting for almond flour in baking or cooking.
11. Pumpkin Seed Meal
You can replace almond flour with the same amount of pumpkin seed meal as it provides the same texture. This is a keto-friendly alternative. It’s light and fluffy with a slightly earthy flavor.
You can add it to sweet dishes or use it with savory dishes including sauces, healthy smoothies, and salads. It’s nut-free, gluten-free, and is considered a protein powder made of 100% blended or ground pumpkin seeds.
12. Sunflower Seed Flour
Another seed-based flour is sunflower seed flour made of 100% sunflower seeds the result of which is a fine, powdery texture similar to almond flour. The taste differs but the result will satisfy you, especially in baking. It’s perfect in nut-free and gluten-free baking and many bakers prefer it over almond flour.
13. Homemade Almond Flour
And here is the easiest way to have almond flour at home. If you have almonds, a food processor and 5 spare minutes then you can make it yourself. Add blanched almonds to the blender or food processor and blend until you reach a fine, powdery substance. That’s it.
FAQs
Can almond flour be substituted for all-purpose flour?
Yes, you can use all-purpose flour instead of almond flour in a 1:1 ratio.
Can you substitute almond flour for regular flour?
Yes, you can substitute almond flour for regular flour in a 1:1 ratio.
Can I substitute coconut flour for almond flour?
Coconut flour does not form the same texture in baking as almond flour does and you can’t use it as a direct substitute for almond flour. However, you can mix it with tapioca flour or look for a recipe that calls for it.
Is almond flour gluten-free?
Almond flour is naturally gluten-free.
Is wheat flour good for diabetics?
Whole wheat flour offers a GI of 54 and a glycemic load of 11.5 which is good for diabetics. It helps to control blood sugar.
Is almond flour keto?
Almond flour is keto-friendly because its carbohydrate content is low compared to other grain-free flour.
Is an almond meal the same as almond flour?
Almond meal and almond flour are usually used interchangeably and the main difference is that almond flour is a little bit finer in texture.
Is almond flour good for diabetics?
Since almond flour is considered low glycemic index food, it’s good for diabetics. It helps to manage blood sugar levels.
Does almond flour have carbs?
Almond flour contains 5.6 grams of carbs, 3 grams of dietary fiber, and 14.2 grams of fiber.
Conclusion
Summing up, we would like to say that you can always follow a healthier diet by using a variety of flours instead of those that are harmful to your health.
Although almond flour is a popular type of flour used in many cuisines, it still has its downsides which may make you look for almond flour substitutes. This list includes so many good alternatives that we hope you have found several suitable options for your recipes.