Here are some popular types of gluten-free flours along with their best uses:
Almond Flour:
Best Used For: Almond flour is excellent for baking, particularly in recipes for cakes, cookies, and pastries. It adds a subtly sweet and nutty flavor.
Coconut Flour:
Best Used For: Coconut flour is suitable for baking, especially in recipes like muffins and pancakes. It's highly absorbent, so recipes may require more liquid.
Rice Flour (White and Brown):
Best Used For: Rice flour is versatile and can be used in a wide range of recipes, including bread, cookies, and coatings for frying.
Quinoa Flour:Best Used For: Quinoa flour works well in both sweet and savory dishes. It's often used in baking and can be added to gluten-free flour blends.
Buckweat Flour:
Best used For: Buckwheat flour is suitable for making pancakes, noodles, and certain types of bread. It has a distinct, hearty flavor.
Sorghum Flour:
Best Used For: Sorghum flour is a versatile option for baking, including in recipes for bread, muffins, and cookies. It has a mild, slightly sweet taste.
Tapioca Flour/Starch:
Best Used For: Tapioca flour is commonly used as a thickening agent in soups, sauces, and gravies. It also adds chewiness to gluten-free baked goods.
Arrowroot Flour:
Best Used For: Arrowroot flour is an excellent thickening agent for sauces and gravies. It can also be used in gluten-free baking.
Chickpea Flour (Garbanzo Bean Flour):
Best Used For: Chickpea flour is often used in savory dishes, such as flatbreads, socca, or as a binder in recipes like veggie burgers.
Millet Flour:
Best Used For: Millet flour is versatile and can be used in a variety of recipes, including bread, muffins, and cookies. It has a mild flavor.
Remember that gluten-free flours often behave differently from traditional wheat flour, so experimenting with combinations and ratios in recipes can lead to the best results. Additionally, many gluten-free recipes use a blend of flours to achieve the desired texture and flavor.
Here is an excellent mix of flours to create an ultimate versatile gluten free flour for your basic baking needs:
Ingredients:
1/4 cup white rice flour
1 1/2 cup brown rice flour
1/2 cup potato starch
1/4 tapioca flour
1 teaspoon Xanthan gum
Place all ingredients in a medium size bowl and whisk thoroughly. Keep flour in an airtight glass container (is best) until your ready to bake.
*the ingredients can be doubled or tripled for a more abundance of flour