Gluten-free cooking and baking can be difficult, but it doesn’t have to. If you don’t have any rice flour at home, try some of these rice flour substitutes.
Rice flour is a light, gluten-free flour which is commonly used in cooking and baking. It has a neutral taste which makes it suitable for both sweet and savory dishes. It’s commonly used in desserts for its ability to increase moisture, and in fried dishes as it allows quick browning with a crispy texture. There are loads of other gluten-free flours which can be used as rice flour substitutes as well.
1. Tapioca Flour
Tapioca flour is gluten-free and very thickening. It’s sweet flavor makes it perfect for baking. While it can also be used in soups, sauces and frying batter, tapioca flour is most commonly found in desserts. This flour is great for Asian sweets, cookies and cakes. You can also use it to thicken puddings and pie fillings. It can be substituted using a one to one ratio.
2. Corn Flour
Corn flour is another gluten-free flour that can be easily used as a rice flour alternative. You can substitute with a one to one ratio in cooking and baking. Because of its thickening properties, corn flour is best used for frying batter. It can also be used in baking, and to thicken stews, curries, soups and sauces. Corn flour makes a perfect rice flour substitute in many sweet desserts. As corn is a common crop in the United States, using corn flour as a rice flour substitute is a fairly sustainable choice.
3. Sorghum Flour
Sorghum flour has long been used throughout Africa, Asia and the Middle East. Make gluten-free treats by substituting sorghum flour for rice flour in a one to one ration. The sweet flavor of sorghum flour makes it perfect for baking pancakes, porridges, breads, cookies, muffins, and more.
4. Potato Starch
Another gluten-free rice flour alternative is potato starch. It makes for a great substitute in soups, stews and sauces due to its thickening properties. It’s also a great flour to use when making batter for deep frying. When fried, potato starch creates a light crunch that’s not too fatty. You can substitute potato starch with a one to one ratio. As potatoes are grown all across the country, potato starch is one of the more sustainable rice flour alternatives.
5. Coconut Flour
Coconut flour is a delicious gluten-free and low-carb flour which can work as a substitute for rice flour. Pick it up at the store or make it yourself, by simply drying out and grinding down some coconut meat. Coconut flour has a strong taste of sweet coconut, which is why it’s commonly used in baking – make sure to use it only if you want to add flavor to your dish. Substitute for rice flour using a ratio of ¾ cup coconut flour to one cup of rice flour. For each ¾ cup, add one egg (or vegan egg substitute) as well. Otherwise, the coconut flour may dry out your dish too much.
6. Chickpea Flour
Chickpea flour can be substituted using a one to one ratio. It has similar properties to rice flour, along with a distinct bean flavor. This makes chickpea flour appropriate for breads, pizza crusts and tortillas. You can also use it to thicken soups and stews.
7. Almond Flour
Almond flour is another low-carb and gluten-free alternative to rice flour. It can be substituted using a one to one ratio in things like cakes, muffins, cookies and breads. It’s most commonly used in baking due to its nutty flavor, however almond flour can also be used in savory dishes. It makes for a great rice flour substitute when making a roux.
8. Walnut Flour
Walnut flour is a high-fat and low-carb rice flour alternative, which can be substituted at a one to one ratio. This gluten-free flour provides a unique nutty flavor along with increased moisture and softness. It’s best used in baking bread, cinnamon rolls, cookies, brownies and other bread-like desserts.
Read more:
- Substitutes for Bread Flour: Alternatives and Homemade Options
- What Is Spelt Flour – and Why Should You Try It?
- Konjac Flour: Uses and Regional Alternatives
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