GLUTEN-FREE FLOURS/GRAINS.
It can be hard to find good alternatives, but this list has you covered!
Finding a good gluten-free flour alternative that provides the dough with enough structure, elasticity, and doesn’t give off a rancid taste can be incredibly frustrating. After years of trial and error, along with input from my gluten-free friends, I have finally curated a trustworthy list. Each type of alternative flour and grain will include its profile in addition to my favorite brands. The list is organized from flours that are easiest to use in most recipes to those that are a bit more complex, based on my personal opinion.
Gluten-Free 1-to-1 Flour Blends:
This type of flour can be found in a various supermarkets and usually contains a blend of different types of grains. These blends provide amateur GF bakers with a 1-to-1 ratio to regular flour, which means no additional calculations are needed when adding them to recipes.
Brands:
$11.23: Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free 1 To 1 Baking Flour
$8.19: King Arthur Measure for Measure Flour
$3.99: Trader Joe’s Gluten Free All Purpose Flour
Almond Flour:
Almond flour (or meal) is a great alternative often used in French baking. This flour has a nutty texture that is slightly oily but overall mild. It can be a little coarse, so be mindful when adding it to certain recipes as the composition will be more gritty. I prefer to use almond flour in chocolate cakes, brownies, cookies (like chocolate chip), and different breads (banana & zucchini).
Brands:
$14.49: Bob’s Red Mill Super-Fine Almond Flour
$11.95: King Arthur Almond Flour
Hazelnut Flour:
Hazelnut Flour (meal) is similar to almond flour due to its flavorful nut profile. Both of these flours can be used interchangeably. It has an earthier flavor and tastes fabulous when paired with chocolate and caramel flavors.
Brands:
$19.11: Bob’s Red Mill Finely Ground Hazelnut Meal/Flour
Gluten-Free Rolled Oat Flour:
This flour is incredibly easy to make at home or purchase. It has a traditionally mild, nutty, yet sweet flavor and is a very nutrient- dense food as it is filled with fiber. I love using this flour to make cookies, pair it with bananas, or add it to recipes that include ingredients similar to what I would add in oatmeal, like honey, cinnamon, apples, berries, and nuts. To make this at home, simply add your gluten-free rolled oats to a blender or food processor and blend until it has the same consistency as flour, around 30 seconds.
Brands:
$8.99: Bob’s Red Mill Gluten-Free Oat Flour
$5.99: Arrowhead Mills Organic Oat Flour
Sweet Rice Flour:
I absolutely love using this flour as it has a very neutral flavor profile that provides fluffy results in recipes. As the name suggests, this flour yields sweet results where the ingredients bind together perfectly due to its composition. Use this flour in recipes such as doughs, cakes, and mochi!
Brands:
$6.49: Koda Farms Mochiko Sweet Rice Flour
Coconut Flour:
This flour is DELICIOUS!! It provides pastries with a light and sweet taste, with obvious hints of coconut. I recommend pairing this flour with another, such as almond flour or a gluten-free 1- to-1 blend, as it can become quite crumbly and needs extra moisture. Use in muffins and brownies.
Brands:
$12.99: Bob’s Red Mill Organic GF Coconut Flour
I hope these recommendations can alleviate some of the stress that comes with finding the perfect GF alternatives and brands.
