One of the biggest questions asked when starting to bake gluten-free is, “Which gluten-free flour should I use?”
The truth of the matter is that there are many gluten-free flours to explore and choose. Yet, this step very well may hold you back from having TOO many choices!
You can start with basic gluten-free brown rice flours, starches for added fluff, or higher nutritional flours like coconut or almond flours.
Yet again, it can become confusing to know which flours to mix together to get the best results.
Try a gluten-free flour mix
If you are just starting out, this is where gluten-free flour mixes can be a great help.
There are many different gluten-free flour mixes to explore. Pick up a mix at your local store, making sure to read the whole ingredient list to see which one will fit your needs.
Depending on what you’re making, cookies, bread, or muffins, each mix may give a different end result.
Pros & Cons of gluten-free flour blends
As with everything, there are pros and cons to using gluten-free pre-mixed flour blends.
Pros of gluten-free flour mixes:
- Multiple flours are blended together, taking away the stress on which individual flours to use together.
- You do not have to buy flours separately, then waste the ones you didn’t like, or don’t want to use.
- Some mixes have xanthan or guar gum added so there’s no need to purchase the gums separately.
- There are many choices to try. Depending on the outcome you want, some flour blends will be better for making bread while another is better for cookies or muffins.
Cons of gluten-free flour mixes:
- Certain flours in the blend may not work for you. Possibly you have an allergy, or don’t like one of the flours used in the mix.
- These may or may not have gums added, meaning you still need to purchase xanthan or guar gum to add to your baking mixture.
- You may be allergic to something in the mix, either one of the flours or another additive. Or, overall, the mixture may have additives you do not want in your flour mixture.
- These gluten-free premixed flours can be very expensive.
If you’re ready to give them a try, here is a list of different gluten-free flour blends to try. Don’t get overwhelmed, just choose one to explore in your baking.
A few mixes that are recommended:
King Arthur (white rice flour, tapioca flour, potato starch, brown rice flour, calcium carbonate, Niacinamide (B vitamin),reduced iron Thiamin Hydrochloride (vitamin B1), Riboflavin (vitamin B2)
Cup 4 Cup (corn starch, white rice flour, brown rice flour, non-fat milk powder, tapioca flour, potato starch, xanthan gum
Bob’s Red Mill Gluten-Free Baking Flour – Sweet White Rice Flour, Whole Grain Brown Rice Flour, Potato Starch, Whole Grain Sorghum Flour, Tapioca Flour, Xanthan Gum
Pamela’s Grain & GF Nut Flour Blend – Almond flour, organic coconut flour, pecan flour, walnut flour. (nut flours appear as brown flecks)
Pamela’s Gluten-Free Baking Mix – Brown Rice Flour, Tapioca Starch, White Rice Flour, Potato Starch, Sorghum Flour, Arrowroot Starch, Guar Gum, Sweet Rice Flour, Rice Bran
Namaste Gluten-Free Flour Mix – Sweet brown rice flour, tapioca starch, brown rice flour, arrowroot starch, sorghum flour and xanthan gum
Pillsbury Gluten-Free Flour – A blend of rice flour, potato starch, Pea Fiber, Tapioca Starch and Xanthan Gum
Arrowhead Mills Gluten-Free Flour – Organic Rice Flour, Organic Brown Rice Flour, Organic Tapioca Flour, Organic Millet Flour, Organic Inulin, Xanthan Gum
Trader Joe’s Gluten-Free Flour – Whole grain brown rice flour, potato starch, rice flour, tapioca flour
Don’t let the list of gluten-free flour
blends hold you back!
Choose one and give your recipe a try. Some of these mixes even share recipes right on the bag or box.
Remember to read the label as each gluten-free flour blend has different ingredients, offering different outcomes to your baked goods.
Happy Baking!
Want to learn how to bake gluten-free?
In my FREE 5-Day GF Baking Challenge, you’ll learn the steps needed to create delicious gluten-free baked goods so you can gain the confidence to start your own GF baking experience.
Start making gluten-free treats your family will love and your friends will devour!
Click below for details to join the challenge!
