Over the years, I have had a few requests for a recipe for a gluten free flour mix without xanthan gum or any other gums, totally gum-free. After multiple attempts, I finally figured out the perfect solution. The one thing I like about using psyllium husk powder is how smooth it makes the tops of dough. However, psyllium husk powder makes dough too soft. It creates a lack of structure in dough making impossible to mold. So, I have figured a workaround by adding yet another ingredient along with psyllium husk powder that works like a charm.
Product You May Need (the Exact Brands I Used):
Superfine White Rice Flour (I used Vitacost brand which has been out of stock a lot through Covid. Use Authentic Foods instead.) Viddies Ulta Fine Rice Flour, which I have not tried yet, has received tons of great reviews as well.
Can’t I Just Use More Psyllium Husk Powder?
Using enough psyllium husk powder to create enough structure for bread and pastry dough would mean using three times the amount of gum which creates a sticky texture and requires additional liquid.
Can I Use All Brown Rice Flour?
You may substitute the superfine white rice flour with either Bob’s Red Mill brown rice flour, Vitacost superfine brown rice flour, or Authentic Foods superfine brown rice flour.
Has This Flour Mix Been Tested?
So far, I have only tested this when making the Small Batch Gluten Free Puff Pastry Recipe. I’m sure it can also be used in the Gluten & Dairy Free Puff Pastry Recipe as well. Dough has been the hardest for me to find a gum-free substitute. So, when this worked, I was so pleased! I’m sure it will be fine in cakes, pancakes, etc. However, cakes and such may need a tad bit more liquid as psyllium husk absorbs liquid.
How Do I Substitute Xanthan Gum in Recipes Not Calling for This Flour Blend?
In recipes not calling for gluten free all-purpose flour, substitute 1 part xanthan gum with 1 part apple pectin plus 1 part psyllium husk powder. Example: 1 teaspoon xanthan gum should be replaced with 1 teaspoon apple pectin plus 1 teaspoon psyllium husk powder.
How Do I Use This Flour Mix Recipe to Convert Traditional Recipes?
When converting gluten recipes to gluten free, use 90% of this flour mix compared the full amount called for in a traditional recipe calling for all-purpose flour. See Carla’s recipe for Gluten Free All-Purpose Flour Blend to learn how to do the math. It shows 89%,, which is the exact amount you should use, but 90% works well enough.
I Don’t Need to Avoid Gums. What Flour Mix Should I Use?
The best gluten free flour blend is Carla’s recipe for Gluten Free All-Purpose Flour Blend, which contains xanthan gum.
Gluten Free Flour Mix Without Xanthan Gum (Gum-Free)
Ingredients
- 3 cups superfine white rice flour not "sweet" rice flour (or 2 cups white and 1 cup brown rice flour)
- 1-1/8 cups potato starch not potato flour (or cornstarch, if potato intolerant)
- 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons tapioca flour or cornstarch
- 2-1/2 teaspoons apple pectin
- 2-1/2 teaspoons psyllium husk powder
Instructions
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Sift together all of the above ingredients and store in an air-tight container. For long storage, store in the freezer.
I NEVER succeed in making my own flour mix when I don’t have weight in grams. Sigh. Guess how many times I’ve tried? I don’t bake often anymore and am willing to spend the money on Authentic Foods flours and mixes. They also provide guidance on how to adapt conventional recipes — similar to yours. Do you—or anyone out there— have particular advice about their flour blends in relation to your recipes? I follow your posts carefully, but never bake from them and would love to. Thanks. .
Bobnie,
Here is my cups to weight converter: https://glutenfreerecipebox.com/gluten-free-flour-conversion-chart/.
If you don’t require a gum-free flour blend, you’ll find my all-purpose flour blend to be the best: https://glutenfreerecipebox.com/gluten-free-all-purpose-flour-blend/.
I use superfine rice flour in my blend. So, perhaps our blends are a little similar. However, once I discovered Vitacost had superfine rice flour much less expensive, I stopped using Authentic Foods brand. The Vitacost brand is not as finely ground but works extremely well. Meanwhile, I won’t ever try Authentic Foods multi-purpose flour blend because it contains sweet rice flour which is gummy. You really should just make a batch of my all-purpose flour for cakes, etc.
As a reminder, my website will disappear on August 10, 2020 when I retire. So, print out any recipes you’d like to keep.
Carla
Carla
I have heard from many others that Better Batter works well with my recipes, but I haven’t ever used their flour. Their flour contains gum though.