Types of Gluten-Free Flours and How to Use Them

From cookies to pizza, it is almost impossible to get by without using flour in recipes. It is an essential ingredient and finding substitutes can sometimes be difficult, especially if you are on a gluten-free diet. Whether you are easing your way into a gluten-free diet, or have been on one for years, here are some of our favorite gluten-free flours.

Quinoa Flour

Quinoa is a superfood that contains all nine essential amino acids. When ground into flour, it is the perfect way to add some whole-grain nutrition to your baked goods.

Unlike other gluten-free flours or flour blends, quinoa does not need added gums (like xanthan gum) to make it work in baking recipes. Quinoa flour has the texture of all-purpose flour, which helps to add lightness to baked goods.

This flour is best used when making the following:

• Pancakes
• Cookies
• Almond Cake

Brown Rice Flour

As the name states, brown rice flour is made from ground brown rice.

What sets this flour apart is the amount of protein and flour found in it. These characteristics are great for lowering blood sugar levels and managing your weight.

This flour is best used when making the following:

• Noodles
• Breaded foods
• Bread
• Cookies

Buckwheat Flour

With “wheat” in the name, you might be thinking this a wheat flour. However, this flour is completely gluten-free. Buckwheat flour adds an authentic and earthy flavor to whatever you make and is the perfect ingredient when making yeast bread. Keep in mind that buckwheat flour is extremely crumbly and is best used when making the following:

• Bread
• Noodles
• Coating for meat

Corn Flour

If you are familiar with cornmeal, then you’ll love corn flour! It’s a finer, thinner version of cornmeal and is higher in fiber, making digestion easier. Corn flour can be used in many ways but is mostly used when making corn tortillas or used as a thickener.

This flour is best used when making the following:

• Corn Tortillas
• Bread
• Coating for meat

Of course, there are many more gluten-free flour alternatives you can bake with so if you have a favorite that we didn’t mention, let us know in the comments!

Did you know you can even grind a lot of your own gluten-free flours too? Check out our line of grain mills to find the perfect one for your kitchen!