As a gluten-free baker, I’ve had to get creative with my recipes. Vital wheat gluten is an important ingredient in many baked goods, as it helps them rise and gives them a chewy texture. But what do you do when you’re all out of vital wheat gluten or you just don’t have the time to run to the store?
Simple…
You just grab one of these 10 vital wheat gluten substitutes!
All of these substitutes will be a great replacement for vital wheat gluten in your baking recipes.
Best Vital Wheat Gluten Substitutes
- High gluten flour
- Bread flour
- Whey protein
- Xanthan gum
- Guar gum
- Protein powder
- Eggs
- Pregel starch
- Regular flour
- Ready-made seitan
High gluten flour
High gluten flour is a common substitute for vital wheat gluten. It is made from wheat flour that has been enriched with additional gluten. This makes it higher in protein than regular wheat flour, and it gives it a slightly sticky texture.
High gluten flour can be used in most recipes that call for vital wheat gluten. It works particularly well in bread recipes, as the extra gluten helps to produce a light and airy texture.
High gluten flour is also a good choice for making vegan recipes. When using high gluten flour as a substitute for vital wheat gluten, it is important to add twice the amount you’d need in vital wheat gluten.
Bread flour
Bread flour is often used as a substitute for vital wheat gluten. It is a type of flour that is higher in protein than other types of flour, which gives it the ability to form gluten. When used in baking and bread-making, bread flour helps to produce a light and airy texture.
Bread flour can be found in most grocery stores, and it is usually made from wheat that has been ground to a fine powder. Bread flour is also a good substitute for vital wheat gluten in dishes such as pizza dough and pasta.
When using bread flour as a substitute, it is important to add extra water to the dough or batter to compensate for the high protein content. Bread flour can also be used as a coating for meats or vegetables before frying.
Whey protein
Another great substitute for vital wheat gluten is whey protein. Whey protein is a type of protein that is derived from milk. It is often used by bodybuilders and athletes to help build muscle. When used in baking, whey protein helps to to keep the structure of the baked goods.
Whey protein can be found in most health food stores, and it is usually sold in powder form. When using whey protein as a substitute for vital wheat gluten, it is important to add extra a thickening agent such as xantahan gum.
Xanthan gum
Another great substitute for vital wheat gluten is Xanthan gum. It’s created when sugar is combined with a bacteria called Xanthomonas campestris. The mixture is then fermented and dried to create a powder.
Xanthan gum is often used as a thickening agent or emulsifier in baking and cooking. When used in baking, it helps to bind ingredients together and prevents them from separating.
Xanthan gum can be found in most health food stores, and it is usually sold in powder form. When using Xanthan gum as a substitute for vital wheat gluten, it is important to use 1 teaspoon of xanthan to replace every cup of vital wheat flour.
Guar gum
Using Guar Gum as a replacement for vital wheat gluten is also a great idea! Guar gum is derived from the seeds of the guar plant. It is often used as a thickening agent or emulsifier in baking and cooking. When used in baking, it helps to bind ingredients together and prevents them from separating.
Guar gum can be found easily in stores that sell baking ingredients, and it is usually sold in powder form. When using Guar Gum as a substitute for vital wheat gluten, it is important to use 1 teaspoon of guar gum to replace every cup of vital wheat flour.
You’ll also need to use water to activate the gum. Mix 1 teaspoon of guar gum with 1 tablespoon of water and let the mixture sit for 5 minutes before using it in your recipe.
Protein powder
Protein powder is a common substitute for vital wheat gluten. It is made from isolate or concentrate and often has other ingredients added for flavor and texture.
Protein powder is generally high in protein and low in carbohydrates, making it a good option for those on a low-carb diet. Protein powder can be used to make breads, pasta, and other gluten-free foods.
It is also available in a variety of flavors, including chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry.
Eggs
Eggs are a common ingredient in baking, and they can also be used as a substitute for vital wheat gluten. When used as a binding agent, eggs help to hold the dough together and give it structure.
When used as a leavening agent, eggs help to lighten the texture of the finished product. Eggs can be used as a substitute for vital wheat gluten in most recipes.
When substituting eggs for gluten, you will need to use more eggs than called for in the recipe.
For example, if a recipe calls for 1 cup of wheat gluten, you will need to use 2-3 eggs depending on your recipe. Eggs can also be combined with other ingredients, such as yogurt or gluten free flour, to create a gluten-free flour mixture.
Pregel starch
If you’re looking for a substitute for vital wheat gluten, pregel starch is a good option. Pregel starch is a type of cornstarch that has been processed to be more water-soluble.
This makes it ideal for use in baking, as it helps to maintain the structure of baked goods while also providing some moisture. To substitute pregel starch for vital wheat gluten, use 1 teaspoon per cup of flour.
For example, if your recipe calls for 1 cup of vital wheat gluten, substitute 1 cup of flour and 1 teaspoon of pregel starch.
Regular flour
Regular flour is a good option if you’re looking for a substitute for vital wheat gluten. It’s not as high in gluten as wheat gluten, but it will still work to bind the ingredients in your recipe together.
You may need to use more regular flour than wheat gluten to achieve the same results, so keep that in mind when making adjustments.
Ready-made seitan
If you’re looking for a substitute for vital wheat gluten, you may be able to find it in your local supermarket.
Ready-made seitan is a popular substitute for vital wheat gluten. It’s made from wheat gluten and is high in protein. Seitan can be found in most supermarkets and natural food stores.
It’s usually sold in small packages or cans. You can also find seitan online. When substituting seitan for vital wheat gluten, it’s important to follow the recipe closely.
Also, keep in mind that Seitan doesn’t always behave the same way as vital wheat gluten, so it’s important to experiment a bit to get the results you want.
Conclusion
Substituting for vital wheat gluten can be tricky, but with a little trial and error, you should be able to find a substitute that works for you.
Each of the substitutes listed above has its own unique properties, so it’s important to choose one that will work well in your recipe.
With a little experimentation, you should be able to find a substitute that gives you the results you’re looking for.