Gluten Free Substitutes

Individuals new to the gluten free diet, who are looking for gluten free substitutes for ingredients to use in their gluten free recipes will definitely benefit from the following information. With so many gluten free recipes available now, through cookbooks, blogs, forums, and manufacturers’ websites, you will discover a multitude of gluten free flours, starches, and other ingredients called for in recipes. Rarely does an individual have all of these ingredients in their pantry. Each gluten free flour has its own unique characteristics. Some are heavier than others, some absorb more liquid, and others create a chewy texture. If you were to use too much of one flour than another, it could result in a gluten free recipe disaster. Learn which flours, starches, gums, and other ingredients you may use as gluten free substitutes in your gluten free recipes. I also include a large list of substitutes from dairy free to dairy as well as egg substitutes to gum substitutes, just to name a few categories.

Image: Dairy Products

Gluten Free Substitutes for All-Purpose Flour

You need different types of ingredients to create a gluten free flour blend. The mixture is made up of flour, starch, and usually gum. Depending upon the flour, you will use more or less starch. Depending on what you are using the flour for, will depend upon how much gum to use.

Starch: A 50 – 60% ratio of multiple combinations of arrowroot powder, potato starch, tapioca flour/starch (they’re the same), and/or cornstarch. (Arrowroot is the heaviest and tapioca is the lightest.) See Gluten Free Starch Substitutes to learn more.

Flour: A 40 – 50% ratio of a lighter gluten free flour, or combination thereof: white rice, sorghum flour, or certified gluten free oat flour to starch. While rice and oat flour is a bit sticky, sorghum flour is bit dry. You’ll probably need a tiny bit more liquid in your recipe when using sorghum flour + starches without any rice or oat flour. Soy flour also works, but I don’t promote it because it is known to increase estrogen levels); ” OR” A 40% ratio of a wholegrain gluten free flour: buckwheat, millet flour, sorghum flour, oat, or brown rice to starch. (Either way, you want the starch and the flour you use to add up to 100%.)

Sorghum and Oat Flour: To substitute sorghum flour for oat flour rand visa versa, read this short article: Gluten Free Oat Flour Substitute – Sorghum Flour Substitute.

Potato Flour: Potato flour is different than potato starch. It is starchier and stickier than the flours listed in paragraph number two. I suggest using it in small amounts for added moisture and structure. It tends to wad up as soon as comes in contact with liquid; so be sure to whisk it well with other dry ingredients. I suggest using a mixture of potato starch and/or cornstarch with potato flour as tapioca is chewy and sticky already. Therefore, avoid tapioca as part of an all-purpose flour mixture when it includes potato flour. As a substitute for potato flour, try using millet flour. It’s not starchy/chewy at all.

Heavier Flour: You can replace the entire flour/starch mixture above with up to a 12.5% of a heavy wholegrain flour, seeds or meal: teff or amaranth flour, ground flax seed (meal) or chai seeds.

Bean flours are usually bitter, but greatly aid in the rising and lightening of gluten free baked goods. Use sparingly or in recipes that call for chocolate. For a non-bitter bean flour use fava flour. I use about 1/4 cup in a 3-1/2 cup flour/starch bread recipe to replace any of the flours in number 2 above. A substitute for any bean flour is soy flour. However, I do not like using soy flours because it affects estrogen levels in both males and females. If you desire to substitute bean flours with rice or sorghum flour, try adding 1/4 teaspoon baking powder to each 3 1/2 cups of flour. The only thing you have to watch out for is the baked good falling due to the higher rise/more holes. When making a bread, if it begins to sink in on the sides, bottom, or worse, the top, upon cooling, immediately add it back to the pan and bake in the oven for an additional 15 minutes or so. You have to watch it for the first 10 to 15 minutes of cooling. Too much leaveners, too much water, or not baked long enough will cause baked goods to fall. Baking powder, baking soda, cream of tartar, vinegar, buttermilk, beans, and bean flours are leaveners.

Nut flours contain oil. When substituting rice, sorghum, etc. (in number 2 above) for nut flours add a bit of additional butter or oil to the recipe. When using nut flours to substitute for other flours, reduce the fat in your recipe just a tad.

Coconut flour absorbs much more liquid than traditional gluten free flour. Keep that in mind when using it in small amounts to substitute other flours.

If you have nut allergies, you may substitute ground sunflower seeds for almond flour, cup-for-cup. Grind sunflower seeds into a butter to use in place of peanut butter or almond butter.

Superfine rice flour (white or brown) may be substituted with sweet rice or (aka) Asian rice flour with fairly the same result, but not as close to a gluten-like texture like superfine rice flour along with starch(es) and gum produce (see my Gluten Free All-Purpose Flour Blend Recipe). Be cautious in the brand of sweet rice flour you purchase. Some are very gritty. Try Bob’s Red Mill first. You are fine that sweet rice flour is gummy compared to superfine rice flour. If using sweet rice flour you may wish to reduce the gum a tiny bit.

Once you decide on 100% of the flour and starch mixture you wish to use, you will need to add some sort of gum (such as xanthan gum or guar gum) to keep them together. The stiffer you wish the item the more xanthan gum you should use. You’ll find that 1 tablespoon in a 3 to 3 1/2 cup flour/starch bread recipe is perfect. Well something like pancakes that you want to be tender, you should use about a half a teaspoon per cup of flour starch.

Also, see Xanthan Gum Substitutes.

Can I Use a Gluten-Free All-Purpose Flour Instead of the Flour and Starch Listed in the Recipe?

The answer to this question is not simple. Firstly, gluten-free all-purpose flours are not really all-purpose. Different brands contain different ingredients and different ratios of starch and flour. Some contain gum such as xanthan and guar, while others do not. The amount of gum needed in a recipe for pizza dough is much higher than say in a cake recipe. You use less for fragile items. If you wish to replace all of the flour and starch in one of my recipes, consider it an experiment. Always note whether or not the flour mix you use contains gum or not. If it does not, add it. The higher the ratio of starch in your mix, the more gum you will need. Starch lightens baked goods, which causes them to have less structure/stability.

Measuring

Though a majority of the gluten free substitutes for flours noted above will work, keep in mind that different brands may be ground finer than others. Unless a flour is labeled as “fine” or “superfine” it should be okay. The main thing in using regular gluten free flour or starches is to not compact the flour while measuring. There are various ways of measuring flour. You may scoop from a container; use a spoon to add it to an individual measuring cup such as a 1/2 cup measuring cup; or in a large measuring cup, used for various measurements. The latter is not ideal. It is best to spoon it into an individual measuring cup and level off with a knife. You will find that each recipe developer measures differently. Because very few people know that this is the best way to measure gluten free flour, I use the scoop method, so that it doesn’t cause confusion, or worse, disasters in the kitchen. Something you should definitely avoid, though, is tapping the measuring cup on the counter in an effort to even it out on top. This will compact the flour further and will result in heavier baked goods. If you experience a failed gluten free recipe, ask the recipe developer how they measured their ingredients. It may make all the difference in the world.

Measuring by Weight

To convert flours and similar dry ingredients from cups to weight and vice versa, as well as converting from cups to metric values, see the Gluten Free Flour Conversion Chart. It uses the spoon in method as this is the way I measure as of March 2014. Therefore, please note the date of my recipes on this site. Use the scoop method for anything prior to this date.

Gluten Free Bread Baking

When baking gluten free bread, additional protein is required. Eggs make an ideal addition. Egg whites, though, provide more flexible bread. Yolks, though flavorful, tend to create more of a crumbed texture, similar to cake. You can use anywhere from 2 – 4 egg whites in homemade gluten free bread recipes. Beat them until bubbles form, without peaks. Then add remaining wet ingredients. Once mixed, add all your premixed dry ingredients and blend for 4 – 6 minutes, more for heavier, wholegrain flours. This should all be done using a high-speed mixer.

Gluten Free Substitutes for Gums

Some form of gum should be used in most gluten free recipes calling for flour. Gums hold the ingredients together, provide stability, and are considered the gluten free substitutes for gluten in regular flour. You may be able to do without gums all together when the recipe calls for several eggs, such as in pancake batter or other delicate recipes.

The following gums may be used interchangeably, in equal amounts:

  • Xanthan and guar gum (However. recipes low in egg will require 1.5 times the amount of guar gum).
  • If you are gum intolerant, use three times the amount of psyllium husk powder with equal to double the amount of water. Warning: It makes the dough much softer and takes about 10 minutes or more for the psyllium husk powder to absorb the liquid.

Read my article on Psyllium Husk.


Homemade Pumpkin Spice Recipe

Many multiple ingredient spices contain gluten. To be safe, make your own by combining 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg, 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger, and 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves.

Gluten Free Egg Substitutes

My favorite gluten free egg white substitute is the liquid from a can of white kidney/cannellini beans. Use 2 tablespoons of the liquid for each large egg white. Then, use 1 tablespoon of fat (butter, cream, etc.) to replace the egg yolk. Better yet, replace 1 egg yolk with 1-1/2 teaspoons liquid lecithin and 1-1/2 teaspoons water. If you avoid soy, use sunflower lecithin instead of soy lecithin.

Find more egg substitions on the Gluten Free Egg Substitute page.

Flax Seed Meal Substitute

Chia seeds make the best substitute for flaxseed meal. While the nutritional benefits of flaxseed are present only if they are ground, chia seeds do not require grinding.

Vinegar Substitute

For vinegar called for in any recipe, whether baked or not, feel free to use equal parts of lemon juice instead. However, it will impart a lemon flavor. In a baking recipe calling for either, you may substitute with equal parts of cream of tartar.

Dutch Processed Cocoa Powder Substitute

Dutch processed cocoa contains less fat than regular/natural /unsweetened cocoa powder. So, use one tablespoon less butter when using regular cocoa powder as a substitute. Since natural cocoa powder is acidic and Dutch is alkaline, try to stick with the type of cocoa called for in that recipe. Using the wrong cocoa can greatly affect the result of the cake. You can use natural cocoa powder for Dutch-process. However, using Dutch-process for natural means you will most likely need to be an expert at switching out baking soda for baking powder or replacing buttermilk or other acidic ingredients with plain milk.

Non-Fat Milk Substitutes

Mix 1 cup of skim milk with:

1 1/2 teaspoons heavy cream = 1% milk
1 Tablespoon heavy cream = 2% milk
2 Tablespoons heavy cream = whole milk
5 Tablespoons + 1 teaspoon heavy cream = half & half
9 Tablespoons heavy cream = light cream
1 Tablespoon light cream = 1% milk
1 Tablespoon + 2 teaspoons light cream = 2% milk
3 Tablespoons light cream = whole milk
1/2 cup + 2 Tablespoons light cream = half-&-half
2 Tablespoons half & half = 1% milk
3 Tablespoons half & half = 2% milk
4 Tablespoons half & half = whole milk

Sour Cream and Yogurt Substitute

For every cup of sour cream substitute 2/3 cups of yogurt (regular or Greek), and vice versa.

For a dairy-free brand, look for Tofutti. However, for baking, realize that it contains gum. So, consider watering it down a little and using less.

See the recipe for Gluten-Free Dairy-Free Soy-Free Sour Cream.

Sour Cream and Buttermilk

7/8 cup low-fat buttermilk plus 4 tablespoons butter equals 1 cup sour cream. You can also use whole buttermilk plus 3 tablespoon butter.

Dairy-Free Buttermilk Substitutes:

Use equal parts of Cultured Coconut Milk to substitute for buttermilk or Homemade Dairy-Free Faux Buttermilk using an ingredient you can purchase on Amazon.

You can also use 3 tablespoons 5% vinegar (apple cider, cane or white distilled that reads “5%”) with enough milk to make 1 cup.

Dairy-Free Dry Milk Substitute

Try using neutral-flavored protein powder that is equal to the protein in the powder milk. Example: if a recipe calls for 1/4 cup (8 grams protein) nonfat dry instant milk, you would use 1 tablespoon of gluten free sprouted brown rice protein powder such as NOW Foods brand.

Cocoa Powder Substitutes

Natural Cocoa Powder Substitute: 3 Tablespoons pure unsweetened cocoa powder + 1/8 teaspoon cream of tartar.

Baking Soda/Baking Powder

When substituting baking powder for baking soda, use 3 – 4 times the amount of baking soda called for in the recipe, e.g., the recipe calls for 1/2 teaspoon baking soda – instead, use 1 1/2 to 2 teaspoons baking powder. Conversely, when substituting baking powder for baking soda, use 3 – 4 times less baking powder called for in the recipe, e.g., when a recipe calls for 2 teaspoons baking powder, use 1/2 teaspoon baking soda.

Gluten-Free Dairy-Free Milk Substitutes

For those who not only gluten intolerant but also dairy intolerant it leads to additional substitutions.

Milk: Besides as a liquid, the use of milk in gluten free recipes is often used for its protein value. Dairy-free milk such as soy and almond, or other nut milk, makes for a very good substitution for cow’s milk. In addition, though rice milk is not as high in protein, it does have other useful characteristics which lend similar effects as high protein milk. Rice flour and its milk lighten and raise gluten free baked goods.

Buttermilk: Most people on a gluten free diet are not aware that there is a dairy-free gluten free substitute for buttermilk. Just as you would make homemade buttermilk by mixing vinegar and cow’s milk, you can do the same thing with dairy-free milk. Mix either 1 tablespoon white or apple cider vinegar, or 1 tablespoon lemon juice, or 1 3/4 tablespoons of cream of tartar (harder to mix); with 1 cup of dairy-free milk and allow to rest for 15 minutes or so. The milk usually curdles. Stir it before incorporating into other ingredients. Another option is to use 3/4 cup plain, dairy-free yogurt and 1/4 cup dairy-free milk.

Yogurt: Brands such as Trader Joe’s, Stoneyfield, and So Delicious all offer dairy-free yogurt.

Peanut Allergies

Ground sesame seeds = sesame seed paste (Tahini paste) instead of peanut butter.

DAIRY-FREE SUBSTITUTES:

Dairy Free Butter Substitute 

Dairy-Free Sweetened Condensed Milk Substitute (See link for recipe)

Dairy-Free Buttermilk Substitute:

Use equal parts of Cultured Coconut Milk to substitute for buttermilk or Homemade Dairy-Free Faux Buttermilk using an ingredient you can purchase on Amazon. You can also add 1 tablespoon of vinegar (preferably apple cider, or a 5% acidity white vinegar, to a measuring cup and enough dairy free milk to make 1 cup. Stir and allow to rest until thick, about 15 minutes and up to overnight in the refrigerator.  You can also substitute vinegar with lemon juice, but only use lemon juice if the flavor complements your recipe.

Dairy-Free Evaporated Milk Substitute

Add 1 part dairy-free milk powder (unflavored) with 2 parts water and heat in a saucepan until thickened. Not all dairy-free milk is gluten-free. DairiFree brand is free of gluten.

Dairy-Free Sweetened Condensed Milk Substitute

Make the evaporated milk recipe above and add 1 part granulated sugar. If your recipe can withstand a coconut flavor, coconut milk makes an excellent substitute for sweetened condensed milk, as well.

Gluten Free Dairy-Free Whipped Cream Substitutes

Dairy-free brands of whipped cream include RichWhip Non-Dairy Whip Topping, Soyatoo! Whip Topping, and Soyatoo! Topping Cream.

Heavy Cream: For sauces or other recipes where whipping the cream is not necessary, e.g., sweet potato pie filling, you may use full-fat coconut milk as a dairy-free substitute.

Cream: For a dairy-free substitute for cream, but not heavy cream, mix non-dairy creamer with enough water to form a thick cream.

Dairy-Free Cream Cheese Substitutes:

Look for the following brands:

Tofutti. If you can’t find that brand, try Go Dairy Free. Nasoya is also gluten free, but I haven’t heard how it tastes.

Dairy-Free Ricotta Substitute:

Puree together 1/4 cup cashews (or sesame seeds for nut-free), 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast, 2 tablespoons oil, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 14 ounces drained and crumbled extra-firm tofu (such as Nasoya brand), and seasonings that compliment your dish (fresh basil, parsley, garlic, onion, etc.)

Gluten-Free Dairy-Free Vegan Butter and Margarine Substitutes

Hydrogenated Palm Oil: To produce the best texture in baked goods like puff pastry, cakes, etc, substitute 1 cup butter with 1 cup hydrogenated palm oil + 2 Tablespoons Water. You can also add some butter extract for flavor. This recipe is not intended to use for toast or to top other goods as a dairy free spread.

Coconut Oil: Coconut oil is hard but melts just like butter and can be used as to substitute for butter. I have found adding a little coconut cream (the fat from a can of full-fat coconut milk) to coconut oil makes for a better butter substitute than 100% coconut oil. To avoid coconut flavor, use refined coconut oil.

Earth Balance: The most talked about dairy-free brand of buttery spread in the gluten free community is Earth Balance. They make vegan spreads and shortening sticks, but because they contain salt, consider lessening the salt in your gluten free recipe when it calls for unsalted butter. The buttery spreads may cause things such as cookies to spread too much. Be sure to refrigerate cookie and biscuit dough, and try using half shortening sticks and half spread (as the spread contains a lot of water) in your gluten free recipes. Increasing the temperature of your oven by 25°F will help prevent your cookies from spreading, and decreasing it by 25°F will help them spread more.

Melt Organics: If you’re interested in consuming healthy fats, Melt uses organic virgin coconut oil as a substitute for butter.

Spectrum Organics: Spectrum offers a variety of butter substitutes from oil to shortening and butter flavored shortening.

Gluten-Free Dairy-Free Cheese Substitutes

While Daiya was the brand of dairy-free cheese I have been promoting, I have recently discovered an even better dairy-free cheese, Follow Your Heart. It is a must for vegan and dairy-free dieters (if you can tolerate soy). In addition, Go-Veggie is another dairy-free cheese substitute.

To make your own dairy-free cheese in recipes, add some nutritional yeast along with fat (dairy-free buttery spread or oil). The nutritional yeast provides that cheesy flavor and the fat provides the creamy texture. Not thick enough? Add some potato or corn starch. (Also see the below ricotta cheese substitute recipe. It’s pretty cheesy and can be used in lasagna and pizza.)

Dairy-Free Parmesan Cheese Recipe

Ground almonds, nutritional yeast, garlic powder, and salt.

Gluten-Free Corn-Free Corn Syrup Substitute

Gluten-free brown rice syrup makes an excellent substitute for corn syrup, as evidenced in my Gluten Free Chocolate Cake with Caramel Sauce. However, it does produce a little softer caramel. Just cook it for a tad bit longer. When I make caramels using brown rice syrup, I cook it until it reaches about 240 – 250ÂşF.

Now that you have a few tips on how to use gluten free substitutes in your gluten free recipes, don’t be afraid to experiment on your own. I believe you’ll find it very rewarding.

Corn-Free Powdered Sugar/Confectioners’ Sugar

In the United States, Trader Joe’s stores sell Organic Powdered Sugar made with tapioca flour instead of cornstarch. Otherwise, grind 1 cup of granulated sugar for each cup of powdered sugar required in your food processor with 2 tablespoons of starch (potato starch preferred, or tapioca flour/starch) until a powder forms.

SUGAR SUBSTITUTES:

Agave: To replace sugar with agave, use 2/3 cup agave for each cup of sugar and decrease other liquids in the recipe by 1/4 – 1/3 cup.

Corn Syrup/Brown Syrup: Corn syrup and brown syrup may be substituted for one another in equal amounts.

Stevia: Each manufacturer has different conversions. See some of the links below.

Pure Maple Syrup: Use between 1/3 to 1/2 cup pure maple syrup and reduce liquids in the recipe by 1/4 cup to replace 1 cup of granulated sugar.

A general rule for stevia conversions.

Also see the following links:

NuNaturals Stevia

Stevia in the Raw

Brown Sugar Substitutes (clixk here for several types)

Dark Brown Sugar Recipe:

1 cup granulated sugar + 3 tablespoons molasses

Gluten Free Egg Substitutes (Click the link for a long list of egg substitutions.)

Egg Wash Substitute:

1 Tablespoon almond milk
1 Tablespoon amber agave syrup

Vitamin C:

Substitute Vitamin C (never use buffered) with four times the amount of cream of tartar. Example: If a recipe calls for 1/8 teaspoon crushed Vitamin C, use 1/2 teaspoon of cream of tartar.

Soy Sauce

If you are allergic to soy, try coconut aminos or my Soy-Free Soy Sauce Substitute Recipe. Another substitute for soy sauce is fish sauce.

Nut Allergies

Substitute for Peanut Butter: sunflower butter

Substitute for Almond Flour: ground sunflower seeds

Learn More…

For additional gluten free substitutes such as egg substitutes, substitutes for high protein gluten free flour, and more, visit the Gluten Free Substitutions under the  gluten free recipe index.

 

6 Replies to “Gluten Free Substitutes”

  1. What can I use instead of powder sugar? Husband is very allergic to sugar so I use Splenda. So what about powder sugar?

    1. Jean,

      Can your husband tolerate Swerve? It is another sugar-free substitute. They make a confectioners sugar version.

      I haven’t tried it myself.

      Carla

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