Substituting ingredients for dairy products, nuts, or flour doesn’t mean you have to miss out on favorite foods, flavors, and dishes. No matter what type of ingredient you’re allergic to, there are plenty of tasty gluten-free recipes, dairy-free recipes, and allergen-free recipes that hit the spot. You don’t have to give up old favorites, you just have to adapt them to fit your dietary needs.


Gluten-Free Flour Substitutions

Each alternative baking flour has unique properties, strengths and weaknesses. The fact is that you have tons of options when a recipe calls for flour – you just have to know what’s out there.

If you can’t tolerate a certain flour or you’ve run out, find another flour in the same category and use it as a substitute. While not identical, the flours in each column have comparable baking characteristics and serve a similar function in building the structure in a particular recipe.

Neutral (light) Flours

  • Brown Rice Flour
  • Corn Flour
  • Sorghum Flour
  • Sweet Rice Flour
  • White Rice Flour

High-Protein Flours

  • Amaranth Flour
  • Buckwheat Flour
  • Chickpea Flour
  • Millet Flour
  • Oat Flour
  • Quinoa Flour
  • Sorghum Flour
  • Teff Flour

High-Fiber Flours

  • Amaranth Flour
  • Buckwheat Flour
  • Chickpea Flour
  • Corn Flour
  • Mesquite Flour
  • Oat Flour
  • Quinoa Flour
  • Teff Flour

Stabilizers

  • Flax Seed Meal
  • Ground Chia Seed
  • Potato Flour (not Potato Starch)

Starches

  • Arrowroot Powder
  • Cornstarch
  • Kudzu Root Starch or Kuzu
  • Potato Starch (not Potato Flour)
  • Sweet Potato Flour
  • Tapioca Starch/Flour

Gums

  • Agar Powder
  • Carrageenan
  • Gelatin Powder
  • Guar Gum
  • Locust Bean Gum
  • Psyllium Seed Powder
  • Xanthan Gum

Best Alternatives to Dairy, Eggs, Nuts, Soy & Sugar

Milk

Replace 1 cup cow’s milk with one of the following:

  • 1 cup soy milk (plain)
  • 1 cup rice milk
  • 1 cup almond or other nut milk
  • 1 cup hemp milk
  • 1 cup coconut milk
  • 1 cup goat’s milk, if tolerated

Buttermilk

Replace 1 cup buttermilk with one of the following:

  • 1 cup dairy-free milk of choice + 1 tablespoon lemon juice or 1 tablespoon white vinegar (Let stand until slightly thickened.)

Yogurt

Replace 1 cup yogurt with one of the following:

  • 1 cup coconut milk yogurt, rice milk yogurt, or soy milk yogurt
  • 1 cup dairy-free sour cream
  • 1 cup unsweetened applesauce or fruit puree

Butter

Replace 8 tablespoons (1 stick) butter with one of the following:

  • 8 tablespoons butter alternative or margarine, such as Fleischmann’s or Earth Balance Buttery Spread
  • 8 tablespoons vegetable shortening, such as Spectrum Organic Shortening
  • 8 tablespoons vegetable oil or coconut oil
  • 8 tablespoons olive oil (not typically for baking)

For reduced fat:

  • 6 tablespoons unsweetened applesauce + 2 tablespoons fat of choice

Cheese

Replace 1 cup cheese with one of the following:

  • 1 cup vegan cheese alternative, such as Cheezly, Teese, or Follow Your Heart
  • 1 cup Daiya Vegan Cheese (also soy-free)
  • 1 cup Parma! Vegan Parmesan (contains tree nuts)

Cream Cheese

Replace 8 ounces cream cheese with:

  • 8 ounces cream cheese alternative, such as Tofutti Better Than Cream Cheese or Follow Your Heart

Sour Cream

Replace 1 cup sour cream with:

  • 1 cup sour cream alternative, such as Tofutti Better Than Sour Cream or Follow Your Heart

Heavy Cream

Replace 1 cup heavy cream with one of the following:

  • 1 cup dairy-free creamer, such as Silk, Mocha Mix, or So Delicious
  • 1 cup full-fat coconut milk
  • ⅔ cup dairy-free milk of choice + ⅓ cup melted dairy-free butter substitute of choice

Light Cream

Replace 1 cup light cream with one of the following:

  • 1 cup dairy-free creamer, such as Silk, Mocha Mix, or So Delicious
  • 1 cup light coconut milk

See our Gluten-Free Dairy-Free Recipes

Eggs

Replace 1 large egg with one of the following:

  • 3 tablespoons unsweetened applesauce (or other fruit puree) + 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 tablespoon flax meal, chia seed or salba seed + 3 tablespoons hot water. (Let stand, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes or until thick. Use without straining.)
  • Egg replacer, according to package directions (some brands include Ener-G, PaneRiso Foods, and Orgran)
  • 4 tablespoons pureed silken tofu + 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 3 tablespoons mashed bananas

Replacing more than two eggs will change the integrity of a recipe. For recipes that call for a lot of eggs, like a quiche, use pureed silken tofu. Because egg substitutions add moisture, you may have to increase baking times slightly.

Egg Whites

Replace 1 egg white with:

  • 1 tablespoon plain agar powder dissolved into 1 tablespoon water. Beat, chill for 15 minutes and beat again.

Mayonnaise

Replace 1 cup mayonnaise with:

  • 1 cup vegan mayonnaise, such as Mindful Mayo by Earth Balance, Spectrum Light Canola Mayonnaise, or Vegenaise

See our Gluten-Free Egg-Free Recipes

Nuts

Replace tree nuts or peanuts with an equal amount of the following:

  • Toasted coconut
  • Sunflower seeds
  • Pumpkin seeds
  • Toasted sesame seeds (use only 2 to 3 tablespoons)
  • Crushed cornflakes
  • Crushed crispy rice cereal
  • Crushed potato chips

Nut Butter

Replace 1 cup peanut/almond/cashew butter with:

  • 1 cup sunflower seed butter

See our Gluten-Free Nut-Free Recipes

Corn Syrup or Cane Syrup

Replace 1 cup corn/cane syrup with one of the following:

  • 1 cup honey
  • 1 cup agave nectar
  • 1 cup maple syrup

Sugar

Replace 1 cup refined white or brown cane sugar with one of the following:

  • 1 cup coconut palm sugar
  • 1 cup panela/rapadura or Sucanat
  • 1 cup erythritol or xylitol
  • 1 cup Swerve
  • 1/2 – 1 cup monk fruit sweetener (amount varies because some brands are mixed with erythritol or other ingredients)

See our Gluten-Free Refined Sugar-Free Recipes

Soy Sauce

Replace 1 tablespoon soy sauce with:

  • 1 tablespoon coconut aminos

Miso

Replace 1 tablespoon miso with:

  • 1 tablespoon soy-free miso alternative, such as Miso Master, South River, or Organicville (these are usually made with chickpeas or adzuki beans)

See our Gluten-Free Soy-Free Recipes

Xanthan Gum

  • Ground or whole chia seeds (use equal amounts, in weight, as you would xanthan gum)
  • Ground flax seeds (use equal amounts, in weight, and combine with twice the amount of water to form a slurry before using)
  • Psyllium husk (use 1 part psyllium to 19 parts flour)
  • Agar powder (use twice the amount as xanthan gum called for in the recipe)

Gluten-Free Flour Mixes

To make a gluten-free flour mix, thoroughly combine all ingredients. Store in a covered container in the refrigerator until used. You can double or triple these recipes to make as much flour mix as you need.

3.66 from 32 votes
Carol's Gluten Free Flour
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All-Purpose Flour Blend

Use cup-for-cup in recipes as you would all-purpose wheat flour. See notes about gums.
Prep Time5 mins
Total Time5 mins
Servings: 1 cup
Calories: 535kcal

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup rice flour
  • 1/4 cup tapioca starch/flour
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch or potato starch

Instructions

  • Whisk all ingredients together well. Store in an airtight container.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
All-Purpose Flour Blend
Amount Per Serving
Calories 535 Calories from Fat 9
% Daily Value*
Fat 1g2%
Sodium 22mg1%
Potassium 461mg13%
Carbohydrates 123g41%
Fiber 4g16%
Sugar 1g1%
Protein 7g14%
Vitamin C 1.5mg2%
Calcium 26mg3%
Iron 1.2mg7%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

 

3.45 from 9 votes
Sorghum Flour White
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High-Fiber Flour Blend

This high-fiber blend works for breads, pancakes, snack bars and cookies that contain chocolate, warm spices, raisins or other fruits. It is not suited to delicately flavored recipes, such as sugar cookies, crepes, cream puffs, birthday cakes or cupcakes.
Prep Time5 mins
Total Time5 mins
Servings: 3 cups
Calories: 491kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 cup brown rice flour or sorghum flour
  • 1/2 cup teff flour (preferably light)
  • 1/2 cup millet flour or Montina flour
  • 2/3 cup tapioca starch/flour
  • 1/3 cup cornstarch or potato starch

Instructions

  • Whisk all ingredients together well. Store in an airtight container.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
High-Fiber Flour Blend
Amount Per Serving
Calories 491 Calories from Fat 27
% Daily Value*
Fat 3g5%
Sodium 17mg1%
Potassium 374mg11%
Carbohydrates 107g36%
Fiber 6g24%
Sugar 1g1%
Protein 9g18%
Vitamin C 0.7mg1%
Calcium 49mg5%
Iron 3.9mg22%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
3.89 from 9 votes
gluten free flours
Print Recipe

High-Protein Flour Blend

This nutritious blend works best in baked goods that require elasticity, such as wraps and pie crusts.
Prep Time5 mins
Total Time5 mins
Servings: 4 cups
Calories: 480kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 1/4 cups bean flour (chickpea or soy; your choice)
  • 1 cup arrowroot starch, cornstarch or potato starch
  • 1 cup tapioca starch/flour
  • 1 cup white or brown rice flour

Instructions

  • Whisk all ingredients together well. Store in an airtight container.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
High-Protein Flour Blend
Amount Per Serving
Calories 480 Calories from Fat 63
% Daily Value*
Fat 7g11%
Saturated Fat 1g5%
Sodium 7mg0%
Potassium 935mg27%
Carbohydrates 91g30%
Fiber 5g20%
Sugar 2g2%
Protein 14g28%
Vitamin A 40IU1%
Calcium 84mg8%
Iron 3.3mg18%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
4.10 from 10 votes
Carols All Purpose GF Flour WebSized.jpg
Print Recipe

Self-Rising Flour Blend

Use this blend for muffins, scones, cakes, cupcakes or any recipe that uses baking powder for leavening.
Prep Time5 mins
Total Time5 mins
Servings: 3 cups
Calories: 502kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 1/4 cups white sorghum flour
  • 1 1/4 cups white rice flour
  • 1/2 cup tapioca starch/flour
  • 2 teaspoons xanthan or guar gum
  • 4 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Instructions

  • Whisk all ingredients together well. Store in an airtight container.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Self-Rising Flour Blend
Amount Per Serving
Calories 502 Calories from Fat 18
% Daily Value*
Fat 2g3%
Sodium 452mg19%
Potassium 744mg21%
Carbohydrates 113g38%
Fiber 6g24%
Sugar 1g1%
Protein 7g14%
Calcium 244mg24%
Iron 2.4mg13%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

General Guidelines for Using Xanthan or Guar Gum

Gum (xanthan or guar) is the key to successful gluten-free baking. It provides the binding needed to give the baked product proper elasticity, keeping it from crumbling.
Add 1/2 teaspoon xanthan or guar gum per cup of flour blend to make cakes, cookies, bars, muffins and other quick breads.

Add 1 teaspoon per cup of flour blend to make yeast bread, pizza dough or other baked items that call for yeast.

Note: If you purchase a commercial flour blend, read the ingredient list carefully. Some blends contain salt and xanthan or guar gum. If so, there is no need to add more.


New to Gluten Free? Start here!

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Check out the Gluten-Free 101 Section

Flour Substitutions chart excerpted from Gluten-Free Makeovers by Beth Hillson. Available from Da Capo Lifelong Books. Copyright 2011.

Nutritional values are approximate due to variances in product brands, manufacturing and actual preparation.

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