We are now upon one of the biggest baking seasons of the year. From cookie swaps, bake-offs, and all the holiday get-togethers, everyone seems to be baking up a storm.
Which gluten-free flours will you use this holiday season?
Forget the white and wheat flours you grew up using!
Gluten-free flours offer new options
to your baking experience
Many offer protein or fiber, along with important vitamins and minerals. There is an abundance of flours to boost your yummy treats.
In gluten-free baking starches give fluff and lift to your goodies, just don’t go overboard. They should not be center stage in your recipes.
White flours will still skyrocket your sugar levels, so always keep them in check.
Typically, mixing a couple of flours works better than using one gluten-free flour alone in a recipe. This yields a much better result and is really worth all the extra measuring.
There are so many gluten-free
flours to try
Some have strong flavors, soft flavors, or even a lingering aftertaste that you may or may not like. The mix you put together will change the texture and flavor of your recipe.
Experiment and see which flours work best for you.
Check out These Gluten-Free Flours
Following are some great gluten-free flours that are relatively easy to find in your local grocery store, Whole Foods Markets, or online.
Organic Brown Rice Flour:
This is a great flour to use as the base flour in many recipes. Depending on what I am making, I will add in other nutritious flours or starches to develop some good body in the end result. This has a mild, soft, nutty flavor, so it doesn’t overpower the recipe. It also adds protein, iron and fiber. (Can your chocolate chip cookie do that?)
*When using the rice flours, I try to stick to using organic to lessen the addition of pesticides and chemicals used in growing rice.
White Rice Flour:
Honestly, this is not a flour I use much. It has a very grainy texture, offers little nutritional benefits, and will spike up sugar levels. With so many other options to try, it is not missed.
Sweet Rice Flour:
This is a soft, pure, fine flour. It’s a good addition to cakes and muffins, good to add body and fluff. As white rice flour, this shouldn’t be the center stage flour. It does contain a very low dose of potassium and protein.
Chickpea or Garbanzo Bean Flour:
This flour gives the recipe a great lift with added nutrition. Yet, it can leave behind an unpleasant aftertaste. Therefore, use less of this flour than others in the recipe, or add additional flavors like orange or lemon zest. This flour is high in protein and offers both calcium and a small amount of iron.
Teff Flour:
This flour is made from the smallest grain in the world, a highly nutritious whole grain. It adds fiber, protein, calcium, and iron to your recipe, and has a nice mild flavor. Although it can be costly, it is a great addition to gluten-free baking. Use this flour to add a good nutritional touch to your baked goods.
Amaranth Flour:
This flour has a flavor all its own. Although it tastes a bit nutty, it can overpower the recipe. Being high in iron, along with containing protein, fiber, and calcium, it certainly can enhance your baked goods.
Soy Flour:
Many people are allergic or intolerant to soy, so be careful using this flour. Try to look for Non-GMO or organic soy to keep your health in check. This flour has a very strong flavor, but it does offer additional protein and moisture to your baked goods.
Millet Flour:
This flour has a mild flavor and adds a soft texture to your goodies. It is easy to bake with, mixes well with other flours, and adds a good touch of nutrition. It helps keep the end result moist, which works well in muffins and cakes.
Quinoa Flour:
Quinoa is a nutritional powerhouse, offering a great way to add fiber and a complete protein to your recipe. It has a unique flavor, although different brands/types of quinoa seem to offer stronger or softer flavors. This is typically an expensive flour. Although, according to eatingwell.com, you can try to make your own flour by grinding quinoa in your coffee grinder.
Buckwheat Flour:
This confuses people. There is no wheat in buckwheat, so this flour is safe for gluten-free diets. It also adds a good nutritional punch along with a strong flavor. Mix it up with other flours so it doesn’t take over the recipe- unless, of course, you love the flavor.
Tapioca Starch & Potato Starch:
Both of these starches are useful in your gluten-free baking. They add wonderful fluff and form to your gluten-free baked goods, giving that bounce needed where many gluten-free recipes just flatten and flop. Don’t make these the front-standing flours of your recipe, especially potato starch, as it will raise your sugar levels.
Coconut Flour:
This flour is more widely used today, especially within the Paleo Diet. It offers good nutritional value with added fiber, iron, and calcium. It has a wonderful flavor. This flour really soaks up the moisture in the recipe so always add more eggs or moisture when using, especially if you don’t want to end up with a dried hockey puck! When used correctly, it yields a nice result. Definitely, one to try.
Bean Flours:
There are many bean flours to try in your gluten-free baking. Besides chickpea flour, try black bean, white bean, and fava bean flours to name a few. All of these are great flours to add protein, fiber, and iron to your baking.
Nut Flours:
There are multiple nut flours you can use in gluten-free baking as well, as long as you aren’t allergic. Try almond flour, cashew, walnut, and pecan just to name a few. These nut flours add protein, fiber, and healthy fats to your diet.
Milled Flax Seed:
Although not a flour, this ground seed is a great way to boost the nutritional benefits of your baking. A couple of tablespoons to ¼ cup works well depending on the recipe. If you use too much, the nutty flavor will take over the recipe. A terrific addition with multiple health benefits by containing fiber and omega-3 fatty acids.
As you can see, there is a multitude of delicious and nutritious gluten-free flours to add sparkle to your baked goods. The list is long, yet there are still more. Choose a few and give them a try. I recommend blending two to three flours to get the best result.
Choose a couple of flours and try a new recipe!
What’s your favorite gluten-free flour?
Happy Baking!
2 Responses