8 Best Almond Flour Substitutes

For people who are following a keto or paleo lifestyle, or are sensitive to gluten, almond flour is likely a staple in their pantry. If you plan on spending some time in the kitchen but don’t have any almond flour on hand, you’re in luck. There are several other options available that can be used as a substitute. Let’s take a look at the best almond flour substitutes. 

Often used for baking, or as a coating, or as a binder in meatballs and meatloaf, almond flour is a versatile flour that has grown in popularity over the years.

What is Almond Flour?

Made from blanched skinless almonds that have been ground into a flour-like texture, almond flour contains no gluten, and is lower in carbs but higher in fat than traditional white or whole wheat flour.

And even though it doesn’t contain gluten, it can still be successfully used to create delicious baked sweets and bread with the appropriate ingredients.  

Almond flour is a good source of protein and healthy fats. It is popular with those who can’t tolerate gluten, and followers of low-carb and keto lifestyles.

Almond Flour vs Almond Meal

You may have noticed both almond flour and almond meal on store shelves and wondered how these products compare. Almond meal is made by grinding almonds with the skin and husks intact. This results in a product that has a texture that’s coarser than almond flour. Almond flour is made from blanched, skinless almonds and has a finer texture. Of the two, almond flour is more suitable for baking because its finer texture is believed to help baked goods rise.

Best Almond Flour Substitutes

1. Wheat Flour

If gluten isn’t an issue for you and you’re not concerned about higher carbs, wheat flour can be used in place of almond flour. Note that because of its denser qualities, you’ll need to mix whole wheat flour with all-purpose white flour as a substitute for almond flour. As a guideline, if your recipe calls for 2 cups of almond flour, replace it with a mixture of ½ a cup whole wheat flour and ½ a cup all-purpose flour.  

2. Regular All-Purpose Flour

Traditionally used in most baked goods, white all-purpose flour contains gluten and is high in carbs. If neither of these are a concern for you, use 1 cup of all-purpose flour for every 1 cup of almond flour called for in a recipe. Note that you may need to reduce the binding ingredients such as eggs, because recipes using almond flour tend to have more eggs to help the ingredients bind.

3. Oat Flour

Easy to make at home with a high-speed blender, oat flour is also gluten-free. Every cup of rolled oats will make ¾ cup of oat flour. Use equal amounts of oat flour in recipes calling for almond flour.

4. Cassava Flour

Made from the root of the cassava plant, the texture of cassava flour is similar to wheat flour. Use cassava flour at a 1:1 ratio for almond flour in your recipe.

5. Sunflower Seed Flour

Higher in carbs and lower in fat, sunflower seed flour is a good gluten-free substitute for almond flour. Use 1 cup of sunflower seed flour for every 1 cup of almond flour called for in a recipe. Note that because the chlorophyll present in sunflower seeds can cause baked goods to have a green tinge, you may want to reduce the amount of baking soda called for in a recipe, and double the amount of cream of tartar.

6. Coconut Flour

Higher in fiber, saturated fat, and sugar, coconut flour can replace almond flour in a recipe with some care and modifications. Because it is known to absorb a lot of moisture, a good starting point is to use ¼ cup coconut flour and an additional egg, for every 1 cup of almond flour.

7. Flaxseed Flour

Also known as linseed, flaxseed flour has a nutty flavor, and can be used in place of almond flour for baking. Note that because ground flaxseeds tend to have a coarser grind and absorb a lot of liquid, you may want to start with a smaller amount of flaxseed flour and/or blend it with another flour.

8. Other Nut Flours

In addition to the suggestions above, other nut flours such as cashew, walnut, and macadamia nut flour can be used in place of almond flour. 

Can You Use a Substitute for Almond Flour in Making Macarons?

Because of the very specific ingredients used in macarons, we don’t recommend using an almond flour substitute.

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Best Almond Flour Substitute (How to)

For people who are following a keto or paleo lifestyle, or are sensitive to gluten, almond flour is likely a staple in their pantry. If you plan on spending some time in the kitchen but don’t have any almond flour on hand, you’re in luck. There are several other options available that can be used as a substitute. Let’s take a look at the best almond flour substitutes.

Keyword Almond Flour Substitute

Servings 1 cup

Ingredients

• 1 cup Wheat Flour
• Optional other substitutes like oat flour or coconut flour

Instructions

• Replace the almond flour with other substitutes according to the recipe.