Over the past few years there has been a dramatic increase in the demand for wheat flour alternatives for gluten free baking. This demand coincides with the increase in people who feel they are gluten sensitive. While diagnosed celiac disease affects about 1% of the population, undiagnosed celiac disease and gluten sensitivities have on the rise over the past 50 years.
No matter if you suffer from celiac disease, are gluten sensitive or are just looking to lower your gluten intake, finding a great flour alternative for gluten free baking has never been easy.
Why Is Wheat Flour So Good For Baking?
The main purpose of flour in baking is to provide structure. When wheat flour is hydrated, it produces gluten and it is gluten that provides the structure. It is the gluten structure that when kneaded or worked contains the leavening gasses which raises the dough and creates the desired baked goods texture.
In essence, wheat flour’s main purpose is to create gluten.
So, for gluten free baking, we are needing to find a wheat flour alternative that will still provide structure, sans the gluten. This isn’t an easy task… if we are trying to have the same texture and flavor of our standard wheat flour.
What Are Flour Alternatives For Gluten Free Baking?
There are numerous fruits, grains and nuts that can be ground into flour. But to have the same structure, texture and flavor of baked goods resulting from traditional wheat flour, can be difficult to perfect. Let’s look at some wheat flour alternatives.
Grape Seed Flour
We are starting off with one of the lesser known flour alternatives, grape seed flour. Produced from grinding grape seed, this flour has a light fruity flavor and can add a crispness to baked goods. Grape seed flour is high in antioxidants, fiber, calcium and potassium. It is the high nutritional value that makes this a great wheat flour alternative.
Chickpea Flour
Chickpea flour has been a staple in Indian cooking for centuries, but is relatively new to America. This versatile flour can be used as a thickening agent in sauces, a coating for frying, or to create delicate baked desserts. Chickpea flour has incredible binding properties, is high in protein and fiber and makes this a great wheat flour alternative.
Rice Flour
Rice flour is a staple of Asian cuisine. Prized for its light flavor and texture, it is primarily used as a coating for frying, a thickening agent in sauces and for making noodles. Rice flour has three main variants; white rice flour, brown rice flour and sweet glutinous rice flour. Don’t be fooled by the name, like all rice flours, sweet glutinous rice flour is indeed, gluten free.
Almond Flour
Almond four is made from almonds which have been blanched and then finely ground into a flour. Prized for being a rich source of protein, unsaturated fats and vitamin E, almond flour is versatile and surprisingly easy to work with. With a higher level of unsaturated fats, baked goods made with almond flour will be higher in calories than those made with traditional wheat flour.
Coconut Flour
Made from dried coconut pulp which is ground into a fine powder, coconut flour is high in fiber. This wheat flour alternative isn’t as versatile as some of the other flours on our list as it bakes very differently than traditional wheat flour and absorbs a lot of moisture. This flour is best used in making dense or moist baked goods such as banana bread.
Buckwheat Flour
Buckwheat isn’t a wheat at all. Buckwheat flour is made from the grain-like buckwheat seeds or groats. Traditionally used to make pancakes or blended with other flours for a wheat flour alternative, this hearty flour has a distinctive, lightly floral taste. Buckwheat flour is high in fiber and protein and is great for making muffins or savory baked goods.
Oat Flour
High in fiber and protein, oat flour is a great wheat flour substitute. It is easy to bake with and has a mild taste and tender texture. Oat flour is great for using in pancakes, cookies and snack bars.
Grape Seed Powder, A Great Flour Alternative For Gluten Free Baked Goods
There are numerous gluten free alternatives to wheat flour. We have only highlighted a few popular alternatives here. If you are looking to develop a new gluten free baked good product, contact the natural ingredients team at Organically Africa and let us help you learn more about grape seed powder and how it can be a great, gluten free wheat flour alternative.