However, you typically can get pretty close with various combinations of the following flour substitutes. Knowing the properties of the flour you’re using can help you understand how to fit it into this new realm of baking you’re about to experience.
If you live in a rural area, finding appropriate substitutes at smaller grocery stores can be difficult. The popularity of Internet-based shopping may just solve this problem for you: you can order online from a variety of major retailers.
Almond flour and almond meal
Almond flour is first boiled to remove the skins, then ground into powder, whereas almond meal is made from nuts that were ground with their skins intact, resulting in a courser texture. Each is appropriate to use, depending on the kind of results you want to see.Both are packed with vitamins and minerals, low in carbs, and high in both healthy fats and fiber. They’re also high in magnesium, which is beneficial to everyone but can be particularly helpful with people who have Type 2 diabetes. Scientists estimate that between 25 and 38 percent of those with Type 2 diabetes have a magnesium deficiency, which can increase resting blood sugar levels and insulin resistance. Correcting this mineral deficiency can accentuate keto’s beneficial results for those individuals who deal with this condition. Almond meal and flour are also gluten-free, so if you have a gluten allergy, they’re great to use.
Almond flour is one of the easiest substitutes to use and can often replace wheat flour without any other substitutions or complicated measurements. Almond flour is substantially heavier than wheat flour, resulting in baked goods that are flatter and denser. Although calories are less of a consideration on keto than other diets, note that almonds contain about 60 percent more calories than equivalent amounts of wheat. The good news is that even though wheat flour is comprised of relatively empty calories, almond flour is packed with nutrients that make up for the caloric increase.
Coconut flour
Coconut flour is low in carbs and high in both protein and fiber, making it an excellent fit for low-carb macro levels. It’s gluten-free and packed with the good stuff: two tablespoons of coconut flour has 1.5 grams of fat, 3 grams of protein, and 5 grams of fiber. It’s also rich in manganese, a nutrient that supports bone health and is used in multiple biological processes within your body.
©Africa Studio/Shutterstock.comThe downside of this flour substitute is that it’s incredibly absorbent and tends to have a drying effect on baked goods. If you don’t compensate for this property adequately, you’ll end up with dry, crumbly products that have you craving milk.
Here are a couple ways to mitigate the gritty texture:- Sift the flour thoroughly before mixing it. Unlike almond flour, coconut flour shouldn’t be used as a 1:1 replacement. Instead, use approximately one-quarter of the amount of flour that’s recommended in a wheat-based recipe and make up the rest of the bulk with other flour substitutes. Experiment with various flour combinations, using coconut flour in conjunction with others we mention in this chapter to create the right effect.
- Use plenty of eggs in conjunction with coconut flour. The protein in egg whites helps stabilize the structure, whereas the yolks provide the additional moisture that’s needed. Separating the eggs first also underscores these properties, allowing you to beat the egg whites until they hold stiff peaks, emphasizing their cohesive nature. Every quarter cup of coconut flour usually requires an additional egg to create the effect you need.
Flaxseed has a hard coating that’s designed by nature to be as impervious as possible, so it should be ground into meal to maximize its benefits. Otherwise, you’ll find that many of the seeds pass through your entire digestive system without being digested. You can use a coffee grinder to turn flax seeds into meal right before you’re ready to use it.
Sunflower seed flour
Sunflower seed flour has properties comparable to almond flour, making it a possible substitute if you have nut allergies. It’s rich in fiber and protein and has a pleasant, mildly sweet flavor. The major issue with this alternative is that it’s relatively high in carbs, with approximately 20 grams of net carbs per cup.You can’t find this flour on many store shelves, but you can easily make it at home using a food processor or coffee grinder. Pulse until the seeds have reached a powdery consistency and then stop immediately. Because of the high oil content, blending too much can quickly transform it into sunflower seed butter rather than flour. You’ll also want to use it fresh, because storing it in powder form can cause the oils to go rancid relatively quickly. As a side note, if you use this flour with baking soda, you’ll see tiny green specks in your final products, which is a result of the chemical reaction between these two substances and is perfectly safe to eat.