Are you following a low carb diet? If so, then you're likely searching for a low carb flour that you can use to create all of your favorite baked good recipes. At Bob's Red Mill, we offer several low carb flour options, all of which contain unique benefits. To help you create a low carb treat that tastes just as great as the original, we've compiled a list of our favorite low carb flours and how to use each. Continue reading to determine which flour will best suit your needs.
Low Carb Diets
What establishes a low carb diet? A low carb diet restricts carbohydrates, and while there are several different types of low carb diets, the most popular currently is the ketogenic diet. Unlike other low carb diets, the ketogenic diet replaces restricted carbohydrates with healthy fats. When following this diet plan, foods high in sugar and carbohydrates, like pasta and bread, are often limited. To continue enjoying these foods, you must begin to replace the traditional flour used in high-carb recipes with a low-carb substitute. In this article, we'll talk about the many efficient low carb flours and how you can use them to create your favorite baked treats, bread and pasta.
Almond Flour as a Low Carb Flour
As we mentioned previously, there are several low-carb flours that you can choose from. However, almond flour is by far the most popular. So, before diving into the other types of flour, let us first explain why almond flour has gained the most recognition.
Simply made from crushed almonds, almond flour is extremely low in carbohydrates. In fact, it contains only three grams of total carbs (one gram of net carbs) in a two-tablespoon serving. While almond flour can be used to substitute wheat flour at a 1-to-1 ratio, the result of your baked treat might be a bit spongy. To achieve the light and fluffy texture you are used to when making baked goods, it is best to combine almond flour with other flours. Aside from creating desserts like cake and muffins, almond flour can also be used as breading for fried, air-fried or baked foods.
Low Carb Almond Flour Recipes
Ready to tackle an almond flour recipe? Try one of the ones we've listed below.
Perfect Paleo Pie Crust
The holiday season wouldn't be the same without a delicious pie. That being so, if you're following a low-carb diet, you'll want to have a low-carb pie crust recipe on hand. This Perfect Paleo Pie Crust is just that. Low carb and gluten free, it's the ideal mix of light and flaky and the perfect accompaniment to any pie. The Bob's Red Mill Almond Flour used to create it is made from whole, blanched sweet almonds that are naturally low carb and overflowing with nutrients like vitamin E. And because this pie crust tastes great with anything, you can fill it with any filling you like.
Five Ingredient Almond Chicken Tenders
Knowing how to make delicious chicken tenders is a must, especially if you have children in the house. A family favorite, many chicken tender recipes use whole wheat flour or bread crumbs to create a crusted exterior. And while this makes tasty chicken tenders, it's not a low-carb meal. To turn this widely-loved recipe into a low-carb one, tender, juicy chicken is coated in seasoned almond flour and baked until hot and crispy. Low-carb, gluten free, and delicious, it's sure to be a hit in your household. Pair these Five Ingredient Almond Chicken Tenders with honey mustard or BBQ sauce for dipping, and you'll have an irresistible meal.
Keto Tortillas
Whether you're preparing a low carb taco Tuesday with a friend or searching for the perfect grain free tortilla recipe, these Keto Tortillas are sure to suffice. Delicious and so easy to make, they require very few ingredients and can be paired with any toppings that you have in the refrigerator. Pair them with fish, chicken, pork or beef, or grilled up some veggies and mushrooms for a vegetarian taco option. Soft and foldable, they ensure that nothing is spilling out of these tacos. Or, if you don't want to make tacos with these keto tortillas, cook them with your favorite cheese to create a mouthwatering quesadilla. A new low-carb staple, we bet you'll begin making these tortillas weekly.
Additional Low Carb Flours
Though almond flour is the most popular low carb flour, it's not the only one around. In fact, depending on what you're baking, there may be a different type of low carb flour that better suits your needs. Continue scrolling for a complete list of our favorite low carb flours and how to use them.
Paleo Baking Flour
Paleo Baking Flour is ideal for individuals following a paleo diet. Made from a unique blend of almond flour, arrowroot starch, coconut flour and tapioca flour, it's everything a caveman would eat and nothing more. Combined in the perfect proportions, this pre-made blend makes grain free baking and cooking easy. Use this flour to create paleo-friendly crackers, cookies, flatbread, muffins, cakes, brownies and so much more. Like almond flour/meal, paleo baking flour can also be used as a grain free substitute when breading meats and vegetables. Use the recipe below as a starting point and discover how much you love paleo baking.
Paleo Muffins
If you are a first-time paleo-baker, then this recipe is the perfect place to start. So easy to make, these Paleo Muffins use our Bob's Red Mill Paleo Baking Flour as a base. To make them, simply prep the paleo muffin batter and gently mix 1 cup of fresh or frozen blueberries and 1Tbsp of grated lemon zest into the mix. Fully baked in just 25 minutes, you'll have fresh muffins ready to grab from the oven in under an hour!
Coconut Flour
Organic Coconut Flour is another option that tops our list of low carb flours. Ideal for sweet and savory recipes, it can also be used to coat fish, chicken and other proteins. Because coconut flour cannot be substituted for all-purpose flour at a 1-to-1 ratio, it's often blended with other nut flours and combined with extra eggs. Doing so helps recreate that same texture that your favorite baked goods possess, sans gluten. Aside from being tasty, coconut flour is also a great source of healthy fats and other essential nutrients. Because coconut flour absorbs much more liquid than traditional flour, make sure that the recipes you're following are tailored for coconut flour. This will ensure that all of your baked goods turn out delicious.
Baked Keto Coconut Shrimp
Wondering where to begin? Start by making this mouthwatering Baked Keto Coconut Shrimp. Low carb and oh-so-delicious, it's the perfect recipe to make if you're hoping to impress guests. You'll love how simple it is, and they'll be blown away by its restaurant-worthy presentation. Made with coconut flour and coconut flakes, it's a tropical treat that serves as the paleo and gluten free perfect party snack. Pair it with your favorite BBQ and take the flavors of this dish to the next level.
Flaxseed Meal
Flaxseed Meal is one of the most unique low carb flours around. Cultivated in Babylon as early as 3000 BC, King Charlemagne loved flax seed and its benefits so much that he passed laws requiring people to consume it. Now, centuries later, it is a widely loved low carb flour that can make everything from bread to pancakes.
At Bob's Red Mill, our milled flaxseed is freshly ground to ensure that the natural flax oil and nutrients are preserved. Loaded with good-for-you omega-3 essential fatty acids, lignans and fiber, it's a wholesome ingredient with remarkable antioxidant properties. Flaxseed meal is also high in dietary fiber, which means that the treat you make with it will help you maintain a healthy digestive system.
Flaxseed Meal Pancakes
Ready to enjoy flaxseed for breakfast? Make these Flaxseed Meal Pancakes. Great tasting and good for you, they're made with minimal ingredients, making them easy to create whenever your pancake craving hits. However, like coconut flour, flaxseed meal cannot substitute traditional flours at a 1-to-1 ratio. This recipe mixes flaxseed meal with whole wheat pastry flour to recreate traditional pancakes' light and fluffy texture. While the pastry flour is high in carbs, these pancakes contain significantly lower carbohydrates than conventional recipes.
Ready to begin baking with the low carb flours on our list? Choose from one of the treats listed above, or visit our bank of recipes to find one that stands out to you. We cannot wait to hear about the many excellent meals that you cook up. From everyone at Bob's Red Mill, we wish you the best on your low carb baking journey.
Know of a low carb flour that we didn't mention? We'd love to hear what flour you use most. Let us know in the comments below!
