Is there a trick to baking with almond flour?

What is almond flour?

Almond flour is made from blanched almonds that are finely ground into a meal. It has become a popular gluten-free alternative to regular flour. Almond flour is nutty, dense and protein-packed. It contains healthy fats, fiber, vitamins and minerals.

Compared to wheat flour, almond flour has some key differences:

  • It is grain-free and gluten-free.
  • It is lower in carbohydrates.
  • It is higher in fat and protein.
  • It has a nutty, dense texture.

Almond flour works well in baked goods like cakes, cookies, muffins and breads. However, some tricks are required when substituting almond flour for regular flour.

How does almond flour differ from regular flour?

Almond flour lacks gluten, a protein found in wheat. Gluten provides elasticity and helps baked goods rise. Almond flour also absorbs more moisture than regular flour.

This means baked goods made with almond flour turn out denser and flatter. They also tend to be more crumbly in texture.

Almond flour is heavier than wheat flour. One cup of almond flour weighs about 4 ounces. One cup of wheat flour weighs about 5 ounces.

So gram for gram, almond flour contains fewer carbs and more fat and protein than wheat flour. This difference in nutrition also impacts the texture and flavor.

What are the tricks to baking with almond flour?

Here are some top tips for using almond flour:

Use extra leavening agents

Products made with almond flour require extra leavening to help them rise. Add around 1/4 teaspoon more baking powder and/or baking soda per cup of almond flour.

You can also use whipped egg whites to add volume and lift.

Increase the eggs

Eggs act as an emulsifier and binder. They add moisture and richness that combat the dryness of almond flour.

Use 1 extra egg per cup of almond flour. For particularly moist bakes like brownies, use up to 4 extra eggs.

Reduce oven temperature

Almond flour browns faster than regular flour. Bake at 25°F lower than the recipe states, especially for cookies.

Use binders

Add a sticky binder to help hold baked goods together and prevent crumbling. Good options include yogurt, cream cheese, honey, nut butters, applesauce or extra egg yolk.

Rest the batter

Letting the batter sit for 10-30 minutes allows the almond flour to fully absorb moisture. This helps the end result hold together better.

Grease pans well

Almond flour sticks to pans more than regular flour. Grease the pans thoroughly before baking.

Check for doneness early

Almond flour baked goods typically bake faster than wheat flour versions. Start checking 5-10 minutes early.

Store in airtight container

Due to the high oil content, items made with almond flour tend to go stale faster. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. Freeze for longer storage.

What ratio of almond flour replaces wheat flour?

As a general rule, substitute almond flour 1:1 for regular flour. However, some adjustments may be needed.

Since almond flour lacks gluten, using 100% almond flour can result in crumbly textures. For best results, use almond flour in combination with other gluten-free flours:

  • 3/4 cup almond flour + 1/4 cup cassava flour
  • 1/2 cup almond flour + 1/2 cup oat flour
  • 2/3 cup almond flour + 1/3 cup coconut flour

You can also add a small amount of xanthan gum, about 1/2 teaspoon per cup of almond flour. Xanthan gum acts as a binder.

When using almond flour in combination with wheat flour, substitute no more than 1/4 to 1/3 of the total amount. For example:

  • 2 cups wheat flour + 1/2 cup almond flour
  • 1 1/4 cups wheat flour + 3/4 cup almond flour

What can you make with almond flour?

Almond flour works great in a variety of baked goods:

Cookies

Almond flour gives cookies a chewy, cakey texture. Try using it oatmeal, chocolate chip, peanut butter or sugar cookies.

Muffins

The nutty flavor and moisture of almond flour suits muffins perfectly. Make almond flour versions of blueberry, banana or pumpkin muffins.

Cakes

Almond flour adds moisture and richness to cakes like vanilla, chocolate or lemon cake. Top it with fruit or frosting.

Bread

Hearty, protein-packed bread can be made using almond flour combined with other gluten-free flours. Shape it into loaves, rolls or bagels.

Pancakes

Fluffy almond flour pancakes make a nourishing gluten-free breakfast. Serve them stacked high with butter and syrup.

Banana Bread

This classic quick bread turns out moist and delicious made with almond flour. The almond flavor pairs perfectly with ripe bananas.

Brownies

Fudgy, gluten-free almond flour brownies are a hit. The almond flour contributes nuttiness while keeping them extra moist.

What are some almond flour recipe tips?

Follow these tips for success when baking with almond flour:

  • Let eggs and butter come to room temperature before mixing – this helps cakes rise better.
  • Mix wet and dry ingredients thoroughly to avoid pockets of almond flour.
  • Don’t overmix once flour is added – this can make baked goods tough.
  • Use extracts like vanilla, almond or lemon to enhance flavor.
  • Add a streusel topping to muffins and breads for a crunchy contrast.
  • Top cakes or cupcakes with fruit, crushed nuts, coconut or chocolate to decorate.
  • Dust pans with cocoa or coconut flour to help prevent sticking.
  • Chill cookie dough for 30 minutes before baking for a better shape.

What are some key substitutes for almond flour?

Those with nut allergies or who avoid almonds can use these alternative gluten-free flours:

Coconut Flour

Coconut flour has a light texture that works well in baked goods. Use about 1/4 cup less coconut flour for every 1 cup almond flour.

Sunflower Seed Flour

Sunflower seed flour has a mild flavor. Replace almond flour 1:1 with sunflower seed flour.

Pumpkin Seed Flour

Pumpkin seed flour offers a slightly nutty, green flavor. Substitute 1:1 for almond flour.

Cashew Flour

Cashew flour has a buttery taste and fine texture. Use it as a 1:1 substitute for almond flour.

Walnut Flour

Walnut flour has a distinctive aroma and earthy flavor. Use 1 cup walnut flour for every 1 cup almond flour.

Hazelnut Flour

For a sweet nutty taste, use hazelnut flour in place of almond flour at a 1:1 ratio.

Is almond flour healthy?

Almond flour provides some great health benefits:

  • Gluten-free – Almond flour contains no gluten, making it safe for those with celiac disease or gluten intolerance.
  • High protein – Almond flour provides more protein than wheat flour with 6 grams per 1/4 cup serving.
  • High fiber – Each serving of almond flour delivers 3.5 grams of dietary fiber for digestive health.
  • Low carb – With just 6 grams net carbs per serving, almond flour suits low-carb and keto diets.
  • Rich in vitamins and minerals – Almond flour provides calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, manganese and vitamin E.
  • Heart healthy fats – The monounsaturated fat in almonds may help lower LDL cholesterol and blood pressure.

However, almond flour is more calorie-dense than wheat flour, with about 160 calories per 1/4 cup serving. It’s also easy to overdo it on the almond flour in baked goods, so portion control is important.

Is almond flour expensive?

Almond flour tends to be pricier than regular wheat flour. On average, expect to pay:

  • Almond flour: $7 to $12 per pound
  • Wheat flour: $0.50 to $1 per pound

The price of almond flour is impacted by:

  • Raw almond prices, which can fluctuate based on demand and supply.
  • Whether it is blanched or natural almond flour.
  • Quality of the brand.
  • Where it’s purchased – health food stores, specialty shops or online.

To save money, buy almond flour in bulk quantities or larger bags rather than small packages. Natural almond flour is typically less expensive than blanched.

You can also make your own almond flour by grinding raw almonds in a high powered blender or food processor.

Does almond flour go bad?

Almond flour has a relatively short shelf life compared to other flours due to its higher fat content. Properly stored, almond flour will stay fresh for:

  • 6-8 months past the printed expiration date.
  • Up to 1 year when stored in the refrigerator or freezer.

Signs your almond flour has gone bad are:

  • Off smell, such as bitter almond odor.
  • Change in color, from light beige to yellow or dark brown.
  • Taste is bitter, rancid, musty or stale.
  • Presence of moths, weevils or beetles.

To maximize freshness:

  • Keep almond flour in an airtight container.
  • Store in a cool, dry place away from light and heat.
  • Refrigerate or freeze for storage beyond 6 months.
  • Check expiration date and use older packages first.

Almond flour that smells or tastes off should be discarded. Rancid almond flour can make you sick.

Conclusion

Baking with almond flour instead of wheat flour requires some adjustments but can produce delicious results. Keep these key tricks in mind:

  • Use extra eggs, leavening and binders.
  • Reduce oven temperature and grease pans well.
  • Combine almond flour with other gluten-free flours.
  • Add extras like fruit, nuts or chocolate.
  • Store almond flour properly to prevent it going rancid.

With the right techniques, almond flour can be used to make incredibly moist, nutty cakes, breads, muffins, cookies and more. With its impressive nutrition profile, almond flour is a healthy alternative to wheat flour.

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