Many recipes commonly include rice flour as an ingredient. However, other alternatives can be used. Set your eyes no further than our comprehensive list of the six finest rice flour alternatives.
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How to replace rice flour with 6 alternatives
11 May 2023
Cornstarch is an excellent alternative to rice flour, especially if you need a gluten-free option. This versatile ingredient is ideal for thickening sauces and gravies, and works wonders as a coating for meats. It works perfectly for deep-frying too. It can also be used to make a creamy pudding. You can substitute one cup of rice flour with one cup of cornstarch. To ensure that it blends evenly into your dish and doesn't clump, it's best to create a slurry by mixing it with a small amount of cold water.
To create a slurry, put your measured cornstarch in a small bowl, add approximately twice the amount of water, and mix. Gradually pour the slurry into your sauce or soup and stir to thicken. Cornstarch is flavourless, which means it won't affect the taste of your recipes. When substituting it for deep-frying, use it the same way as rice flour by coating your desired food with a thin layer and frying it until it reaches the desired level of crunchiness. Cornstarch can be used in an easy 1:1 ratio for rice flour.
All-purpose flour
All-purpose flour is a popular ingredient used in many recipes but can also be used as a substitute for rice flour for thickening soups and sauces, frying and baking. To replace one cup of rice flour, use one cup of plain flour and use it in the same way as you would use rice flour. If you're using all-purpose flour as a thickening agent, you'll need to make a slurry in the same way you would with cornstarch. All-purpose flour will provide a delightful crunchy texture when used for frying. In baking, it will produce baked goods that are lighter and less dense than those made with rice flour.
Tapioca flour
Tapioca flour, a starchy by-product of the cassava root, is a versatile ingredient that can be used in many ways in the kitchen. Although not recommended for frying, tapioca flour is perfect for baking and thickening. It shares a similar consistency with rice flour, making it an ideal substitute. While it is slightly sweeter than rice flour, it has a mild taste that won't significantly impact the overall flavour of your dishes. For baking and thickening, use tapioca flour in a 2:1 ratio for rice flour – 2 cups of tapioca flour for 1 cup of rice flour.
Potato starch
Compared to rice flour, potato starch contains a higher concentration of starch, which means it thickens more rapidly. To thicken about 1 cup of liquid, create a slurry by mixing one tablespoon of potato starch with two tablespoons of water. You can substitute rice flour with potato starch at a 1:1 ratio as a coating for frying foods.
Oat flour
Oat flour is an excellent substitute for rice flour since it has a similar flavour profile and can be used in baking and as a thickening agent. It is also effortless to make at home if you're in a pinch – just blend some raw oats in a food processor to get finely ground oat flour. Oat flour can be used in a 1:1 ratio to replace rice flour.
Almond flour
Almond flour is a fantastic substitute for rice flour and has the added advantage of being grain-free. The texture of this flour is comparable to rice flour, allowing it to be used similarly in recipes. However, it is important to note that the final product will be denser and contain more calories. Use one cup of almond flour to replace one cup of rice flour. Almond flour has a slightly nutty flavour and a coarser texture than rice flour, making it best suited for baking – it provides a delightful texture and taste to everything from sweet treats to quick bread. Its taste and texture are not suitable for soups and sauces. As almond flour burns quickly, it is also not recommended for frying. Almond flour can also be used as a thickener.
