Coconut flour has been on the rise for many years as it’s one of the most flavorful substitutes for regular wheat flour, which is huge in gluten-free and low-carbohydrate baking recipes today.

However, what if you have a recipe that calls for coconut flour, and you don’t have this stored at home?

What are good substitutes for coconut flour? Is it possible to use another flour without destroying the recipe?

The good news is that we have listed the four best substitutes for coconut flour and advise the correct measurements because all flours work differently.

What Is Coconut Flour

Coconut flour is made from the leftover pulp of coconut milk which is dried fully and ground into flour which is very popular in gluten-free and low-carbohydrate baking recipes.

Although coconut flour is a great choice and substitute for wheat flour, it’s one particular flour that must be measured correctly because it’s very absorbent.

For example, you should not substitute coconut flour for wheat flour or other flours in a one-to-one ratio, and instead use 1/4 cup of coconut flour for every cup of wheat flour.

Uses

Coconut flour can be beneficial if you’re allergic to wheat flour or looking for a low-carbohydrate alternative.

For example, if you’re following a keto diet, it’s likely that you will run into a recipe that calls for coconut flour like these coconut flour pancakes because it’s low-carb and high in fiber.

Generally, coconut flour is good for many baking recipes, especially when you’re looking for coconut flavors.

Health Benefits

Coconut flour is high in fiber and contains healthy fats which also helps keeps blood sugars stable.

One of the main benefits which can help people with certain conditions and allergies is that coconut flour is grain-free and a great alternative to wheat flour.

Depending on your diet and goal, coconut flour may help you lose weight too because it’s low-carb and is often called for in keto recipes.

Popularity

Coconut flour has been on the rise, which you can see below.

Firstly, it has coincided with the rise of the keto diet because this is a great low-carb ingredient.

However, it’s a gluten-free flour which is great for many baking recipes.

Best Coconut Flour Substitutes

Almond Flour

As long if you don’t have a nut allergy, the best substitute for coconut flour is almond flour which is packed with nutrients and is a very popular substitute for wheat flour.

Almond flour is made from ground almonds which involve blanching the almonds to remove the skin and grinding them into a fine flour.

Therefore, it’s important to note that almond flour is not the same as almond meal (skin on), despite both their names are often used interchangeably.

Almond flour is packed with nutrients, which is particularly rich in vitamin E and is a great source of magnesium, copper, and iron.

Similar to coconut flour, almond flour is low in carbohydrates and is gluten-free, which is often called in for diets to help keep blood sugars stable.

The downside to almond flour is that it’s a particularly expensive ingredient and that you shouldn’t use too much as it’s high in phytic acid.

How to substitute almond flour for coconut flour? The best ratio is 3:1 almond flour to coconut flour. Almond flour is not as absorbent, which means doubling the amount of liquid in the original coconut flour recipe may be necessary.

Cassava Flour

One of the best overall substitutes for coconut flour, which may not have ever heard of, is cassava flour which is gluten-free, nut-free and has a similar texture to wheat flour.

Cassava flour is native to South America and is made from cassava root which is peeled, dried, and ground into flour.

The main benefit of cassava flour is that it’s low in fat and sugar, which is a healthy ingredient called for in many baking recipes.

Another key advantage is that cassava flour has a texture similar to wheat flour, but because it’s gluten-free, it’s ideal for many gluten-free baked good recipes.

It has a neutral flavor too which is why it can be a good replacement for coconut flour because you have the option to add extra sweetener if you wish.

The downside of using cassava flour is that it’s particularly high in carbohydrates, which will not be a suitable coconut flour alternative for low-carb recipes.

To put this into perspective, 100 grams of cassava flour is almost double the number of carbohydrates of a sweet potato.

How to substitute cassava flour for coconut flour? You will need to substitute 4 times as much cassava flour with a serving of coconut flour Furthermore, you will need to use less liquid that is called for in a coconut flour recipe.

Soy Flour

Another good substitute for coconut flour is soy flour, which is also gluten-free, low in carbohydrates and rich in protein.

Soy flour is made from dehulled soybeans which are finely ground into flour which is particularly beneficial for low-fat and low-cholesterol diets too.

The main disadvantage of using soy flour as a substitute is the flavor and taste, because it’s nothing like coconut, and it will have a bean flavor.

Understandably, this can be an issue for many baking recipes because the flavor from coconut flour can be one of the main highlights of the dish.

How to substitute soy flour for coconut flour? You will need to double the quantity of soy flour and add more liquid to the recipe.

Rice Flour

Rice flour is popular in South Indian cuisine but is also a great alternative to wheat flour in baking recipes.

As a result, rice flour is a good substitute for coconut flour in many baking recipes which is also gluten-free.

Rice flour is made from either uncooked white rice or brown rice that is ground into fine flour.

However, it’s important to note that not all rice flours are made the same way, which means different brands will display different nutritional information.

The main benefits of rice flour are that it can be a rich source of fiber, and it’s also gluten-free.

How to substitute rice flour for coconut flour? You will need to use three times the amount of rice flour than the amount of coconut flour. White rice flour also has a neutral taste which you can use for many baking recipes.