I was in the middle of making my famous gluten-free apple pie when I realized I was out of Tapioca flour. Panic quickly set in as I realized that there was no way I could make the pie without it. That’s when I remembered that I had a substitute in my pantry.
So, if you ever find yourself out of tapioca flour or you are curious and want to know more about its many substitutes, this article is for you!
Here are the 10 best substitutes for Tapioca flour:
Substitutes for Tapioca Flour:
- Cornstarch
- Cassava Flour
- Arrowroot
- Rice Flour
- Agar-agar
- Xanthan gum
- Potato Starch
- Coconut Flour
- Eggs
- All-purpose flour
Cornstarch
Cornstarch is probably the most common Tapioca flour substitute. It is made from the starch of corn kernels. It has a slightly sweet flavor and is a good thickening agent.
To substitute cornstarch for tapioca flour, use a 1-to-1 ratio. Cornstarch works well in pies, sauces, puddings, and other recipes where you need a thickener. It is also a good choice for gluten-free baking.
To prevent lumps in your finished products, be sure to add cornstarch slowly and whisk it to blend into the other ingredients.
A downside to cornstarch is that it doesn’t have the same binding properties as Tapioca flour, so you may need to use a bit more.
Cassava Flour
Cassava flour is a great alternative to tapioca flour and can be used in any recipe that calls for tapioca flour. In addition, cassava flour has a 1-to-1 ratio with tapioca flour, so it can be used as a direct substitute.
This flour is also a great alternative for those who are looking for a gluten-free option. It works well in recipes that require a light and fluffy texture.
Cassava flour can also be used in place of tapioca flour when making pie crusts or other pastries.
Keep in mind that the final product may have a slightly different flavor and texture when using cassava flour as a substitute for tapioca flour.
Arrowroot
Arrowroot is a white, powdery starch that is extracted from the root of the arrowroot plant. It has a neutral flavor and is often used as a thickening agent in soups, sauces, and puddings.
To substitute arrowroot for tapioca flour, use a ratio of three parts arrowroot to one part tapioca flour. It is a good choice for those who want a gluten-free option.
When using arrowroot as a substitute for tapioca flour, note that it does not have the same binding properties. So, you may need to use a little bit more arrowroot than tapioca flour to achieve the desired consistency.
Arrowroot is also a good thickener, but it can sometimes make recipes feel gummy. If this happens, add a little bit of cornstarch or all-purpose flour to the mix.
Rice Flour
Rice flour is another substitute for tapioca flour. This fine powdery flour has a neutral flavor. IIn addition, it is gluten-free, so it can be used by those who are allergic to gluten.
The ratio for substituting rice flour for tapioca flour is one part rice flour to three parts tapioca flour. So, if you need one cup of tapioca flour, use one-third cup of rice flour.
Rice flour works well in recipes that require a light and fluffy texture. It also browns more easily than tapioca flour, making it ideal for recipes where a golden brown color is desired.
The neutral taste of rice flour will not alter the flavor of your recipe, making it a good choice for those who are looking for an undetectable substitution.
Agar-agar
Agar-agar is a white powder that is derived from seaweed. It is often used as a thickening agent or gelling agent in food.
To substitute agar-agar for tapioca flour, use a ratio of one part agar-agar to three parts tapioca flour. However, Agar-agar for baking can be a bit tricky as it doesn’t have the same binding properties as tapioca flour.
However, you can use it to thicken soups, sauces, and puddings. It is also a good substitute for those who want a vegan option.
An important thing to note about agar-agar as a substitute is that it needs to be heated to activate the thickening properties.
Xanthan gum
Xanthan gum is a great alternative to tapioca flour. It has been shown to lower cholesterol levels and blood sugar levels.
Xanthan gum is gluten-free and gives baked goods a chewy texture. You can use Xanthan gum in any recipe that calls for tapioca flour.
Additionally, it also helps to bind ingredients together and prevents them from separating when cooking. When substituting with Xanthan gum, you may need to add a little extra to get the desired consistency.
It is also a good thickening agent for soups and sauces.
Potato Starch
Potato starch is another good substitute for tapioca flour and can be used in any recipe that calls for tapioca flour. It is derived from potatoes and has a neutral flavor.
Potato starch has twice the binding power of tapioca flour, so you only need to use half as much potato starch as you would tapioca flour.
Furthermore, potato starch works well as a thickener in soups and sauces and also makes gluten-free bread and cakes.
When using potato starch as a thickener, it is important to whisk the potato starch into cold liquid before adding it to hot liquid. This will prevent the potato starch from clumping.
Coconut Flour
Coconut flour is a good alternative for those who are looking for a gluten-free option. It is made from the pulp of coconuts and has a slightly sweet flavor.
When substituting coconut flour for tapioca flour, use a ratio of 1-to-1 ratio. Coconut flour is a good choice for recipes that require a light and fluffy texture.
It also browns more easily than tapioca flour, making it ideal for recipes where a golden brown color is desired.
The sweetness of coconut flour may alter the flavor of your recipe, so it is important to keep that in mind when substituting.
Eggs
Yes, surprisingly, eggs are a great alternative for tapioca flour, and this is because eggs can serve as both a binder and a thickener.
To substitute eggs for tapioca flour, use two eggs for every one cup of tapioca flour that is called for in the recipe.
Eggs are a wonderful option for recipes that require a light and airy texture. They also prevent them from separating when cooking.
All-purpose flour
All-purpose flour can be used as a substitute for Tapioca flour in almost any recipe. All-purpose flour not only works just as well as Tapioca flour, but it is also a lot cheaper.
Brown flour can be used as a substitute for tapioca flour in almost any recipe. As a substitute, you can use either brown flour or white flour.
It also has a neutral flavor, so it won’t alter the taste of your recipe. The only downside to all-purpose flour is that it is not gluten-free.
FAQ
What is the same as tapioca flour?
Arrowroot, Rice flour, and Cassava flour are the same as tapioca flour.
Conclusion
You can substitute tapioca flour with a variety of other flours or ingredients. However, each substitution will work differently in different recipes, so it is important to do your research before making a switch.