Ultimate Wheat Starch Substitutes: When your dish calls for wheat starch but you don't have it at your home, then look for the various best wheat starch substitutes that thicken the sauce.
The wheat start is the most commonly used ingredient in any household. It is used to prepare bread, noodles, and cakes. If you are checking for what are simple substitutes for wheat starch, then read this complete article.
For any recipe, some of the alternatives are corn starch, potato starch, tapioca starch, arrowroot powder and so on. Explore more replacements for wheat starch and make delicious recipes with them.
What is Wheat Starch?
Wheat starch is a kind of flour that is made from the starch of wheat kernels. It is the main ingredient used in many baked goods such as cookies, cakes, and bread.
It is also used to thicken the texture of the soups and sauces. It can be used as an emulsifier, binding agent and so on. Even though it is made from wheat, it is a gluten-free product.
The wheat starch has a sweet flavor with a smooth texture. While baking, it is useful to get a light and fluffy texture to the products.
Best Substitutes for Wheat Starch
There are several wheat starch substitutes that you can use in baked goods. Cereals are considered the best alternatives for wheat starch, but all of them are good as every replacement is good in its unique way.
Go through the list of amazing replacements for wheat starch.
- Corn Starch
- Rice Starch
- Potato Starch
- Arrowroot Powder
- Tapioca Starch
- Xanthan Gum
- Ground Flaxseeds
- Psyllium Husk
- Water Chestnut Starch
- Glucomannan
Tapioca Starch
Tapioca starch is extracted from the storage roots of the cassava plant. It has a mild flavor with a smooth and creamy texture. It can be used as a wheat starch substitute in many recipes.
It is the perfect replacement to add to thicken the sauces and soups, and also make gluten-free bread. When substituting for wheat starch, it is important to use it twice in proportions to ensure a good recipe.
Tapioca starch can't withstand high temperatures. It can provide a glossy finish to your food. Use 1:2 means 2 tablespoons of tapioca starch for 1 tablespoon of wheat starch.
Potato Starch
The starch of potatoes is extracted and processed into a powder to make the potato starch. Being a gluten-free product, it is an excellent wheat starch substitute. Potato starch has a neutral taste so it can create a variety of textures.
Potato starch adds taste to your food and also makes them crispy and chewy. It is mostly used as a thickening agent. It is high in carbohydrates, protein, and fats.
It is commonly used in sauces, soups, and pie fillings. Use an equal amount of potato starch to replace wheat starch.
Corn Starch
Corn starch is one of the best wheat starch substitutes. It is the less expensive and readily available replacement for use in sweet and savory dishes. It thickens the sauces and soups just like wheat flour.
Cornstarch is prepared from the endosperm of the corn kernel. This white powder has a neutral taste and texture. It can be used to make bread, and batter for fried goods.
This versatile ingredient can be used in multiple ways. You can substitute corn starch for wheat starch in a 1:1 ratio.
Rice Starch
Rice starch is the carbohydrate extracted from white rice. It is a gluten-free powder that has both a smooth and creamy texture when combined with hot water.
Rice starch is commonly used for making soups, sauces, baby food or food coatings. This makes it the ideal substitute for wheat starch.
When using rice starch in cooking, it is best to use 3 spoons of flour to 1 spoon of rice starch.
Arrowroot Powder
Another wheat starch substitute is Arrowroot powder. It is extracted from the roots of arrowroot plant and it is mostly found in tropical regions.
It is used as a thickener or binding agent in most recipes and it gives a neutral taste and smooth texture. Gluten-free arrowroot powder is a gluten-free thickener. To substitute arrowroot powder for wheat starch, use a 1:1 ratio.
Ground Flaxseeds
Ground flaxseeds are high in fiber superfoods that are with several nutrients. These seeds act as a substitute for wheat starch. It is a coarse powder and gritty.
Flaxseeds help in preventing constipation and control cholesterol and blood pressure. The jelly-like consistency when mixed with water and thickens food.
Use one tablespoon of ground flaxseeds with 4 tablespoons of water to substitute 2 tablespoons of wheat starch.
Psyllium Husk
Healthy, vegan, and gluten-free alternative for wheat starch is Psyllium Husk. It is another soluble fiber that is derived from plants that can serve as a thickener.
We can add it to the soups, stews, juices and hot drinks. It is required to add enough liquid to allow the starch to develop and food gets thicken.
Add one tablespoon of Psyllium Husk to your food and check the consistency. If needed, add more to the food until you get the needed consistency.
Xanthan Gum
Xanthan gum is a plant-based starch that uses sugar and bacteria called Xanthomonas campestris. It is used as a perfect thickening agent in many recipes like stews, cakes, gravies and cake batters.
The slimy solution is dried to prepare xanthan gum powder. But it is not a healthy wheat starch substitute and leads to digestive problems. Xanthan gum is too chewy and it may spoil your food if used in excess.
A one-quarter spoonful of Xanthan gum works best for adequate consistency and texture of foods.
Uses of Wheat Starch
Wheat starch can be used in multiple ways apart from cooking. It can be used in cosmetics making or as an adhesive. It is an easily available product in any local store. Some of the common uses of wheat starch are here.
Cooking
Wheat starch is a thickening agent that is added to soups, sauces and gravy curries. It can also be used as a cornstarch substitute for making pie fillings and pancakes.
It can also be used for making a wide range of baked goods. It should be mixed with water without forming lumps and added to the dishes.
Glue
Starch glue is mainly used in binding books or for sticking wall posters. Wheat starch is the main ingredient for making glue. When you don't have wheat starch, you can use rice starch also.
Combine wheat starch with water and boil them on high heat until it forms a paste. The formed paste is filtered to get the glue. If the paste becomes stiff, add warm water to it. Store the glue in the fridge for a week.
Also, Refer
How to Choose the Best Wheat Starch Substitute?
Starch is a mixture of amylose and amylopectin. These determine the properties of multiple recipes that can be prepared using starch.
The quantity of wheat starch substitutes depends on how you want your final dish should be. The best starch substitute must have high amylopectin and low amylose. The properties of amylopectin and amylose are here:
High Amylopectin
Starch that has high amylopectin remains thick at low temperatures but doesn't retain its thickness at high temperatures.
This freezer-safe starch is best to pick for soups, sauces, or gravies that don't need a thick consistency.
Examples of this starch are tapioca and arrowroot starch. The solution using this kind of starch remains clear.
Low Amylose
Starch that has low amylose can be cooked for a longer period without losing its viscosity. This kind of starch can be used to improve the thickness and texture of the dish.
Once frozen, it becomes spongy. The solution using this type of starch can remain transparent when hot but turns opaque when cold.
FAQs on Wheat Starch Substitutes
Conclusion
We have many wheat starch substitutes that can be used for making a variety of recipes. Each substitute has its own texture and taste, so choose the best one that suits your requirements.
So, when you need a gluten-free substitute, refer to these options. Stay in touch with our site to know more food-related articles.
