Gluten Free Flour

As more people develop wheat intolerance the need for wheat free substitutes is beginning to rise. Cutting wheat flour out of your diet doesn’t necessarily mean you have to cut pastries, cakes, breads and pies out of your diet too. There are many grains that don’t contain gluten that you can use as wheat free cake substitutes.

Rice flour

Rice flour is among the most popular wheat flour substitutes. You can buy rice flour in both the white and brown variety. It is easily found in Asian stores or ordered online.

Tapioca flour

Tapioca flour is made from the root of the cassava plant. It is used as a thicker and in gluten free recipes. This is another flour that is readily available in Asian markets.

Buckwheat flour

Buckwheat flour is a brown flour with a distinctive taste. Despite the name it is not wheat at all. In fact, it’s not even a grain. Buckwheat is high in protein, iron, zinc and selenium and is commonly used in Asian countries. I have yet to find this flour in an Asian market though. I usually buy it from my local health food store or order it online.

Sorghum flour

Sorghum flour is another flour that is high in vitamins. Sorghum is native to Africa and can be found in health food stores or bought online.

Millet flour

Millet flour is easily digestible. Millet was one of the first crops to be cultivated by humans. It has a sweet nutty flavor and is high in protein, vitamin B and vitamin E. It can also be found in health food stores and online.

Quinoa flour

Quinoa flour is another flour that is high in protein. It also contains amino acids, magnesium and iron. I’ve only ever seen this flour sold online.

Chickpea flour

Chickpea flour also known as gram flour is widely used in Indian cooking. Chickpeas contain phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, iron, and zinc. You can easily find this flour in an Indian grocery store.

Amaranth flour

Amaranth flour contains calcium, silica, and magnesium. This is another high protein flour. It has a bit of a peppery taste and personally I think it’s better in savory foods like biscuits than in dessert recipes. You can also buy this flour online.

Coconut flour

Coconut flour is a low carbohydrate and high fiber flour. It is easily found online.

Maize flour

Maize flour is commonly used in African countries. It is finer than cornmeal and is high in fiber, vitamin B6, and magnesium. If you have an African market near you уοu’ll be able to fine, it there. You can also order it online.

When making desserts and pastry it is usually preferable to use a mixture of a couple of these flours. Bесаυse these flours don’t contain gluten the dough won’t have the stretchy property that dough made from wheat flour has. Yου′ll usually have to use a binding agent like xanthan gum or gelatin in уοur recipe too.

Click here to learn more!