More than 20 cornstarch substitutes for baking, frying, sauces, etc.

This article may contain affiliate links, which helps to keep this content free. (Full disclosure)

Cornstarch is a common ingredient in recipes and it’s easy to take it for granted-and then wonder how to make it Corn starch substitute When you suddenly find yourself out of stock or unbearable, if you are paying attention Low carbohydrate diet Or for various dietary reasons. Are there good cornstarch substitutes for baking, frying and thickening? Yes! Let’s take a look at popular cornstarch substitutes and how to use them in any recipe.

What is corn starch and what does it do?

Corn starch is a fine white powder derived from the starch in the endosperm of corn kernels. Cornstarch has a neutral taste similar to white flour and is often used as a thickener in recipes such as sauces or stews, but it can also create a crispy texture in baked and fried foods. Unlike other kitchen staples such as all-purpose flour, pure cornstarch is naturally gluten-free.

What is a substitute for cornstarch?

There is no best cornstarch exchange. It all depends on how you plan to use it! Fortunately, there are dozens of traditional and healthy substitutes for corn starch, so it is easy to find suitable substitutes.

Cornstarch substitute for baking

Cornstarch adds a bit of crumbs and a soft and delicate texture to baked goods. For example, it is a common ingredient in cake mix and can produce a light and fluffy effect.

General alternatives to baking:

• All-purpose flour – Wheat flour is a common substitute, but baked goods may not be as tender. Use twice as much flour as cornstarch.
• rice flour – This flour is suitable for baking recipes that require more crumbs, such as shortbread and other biscuits. Use two tablespoons of this flour for every tablespoon of cornstarch.
• Potato starch – It works best in cake recipes. Use 1:1 like cornstarch.

Healthy and low-carb baking alternatives:

• Glucomannan powder – This powder is rich in soluble fiber and is very suitable for making chewy biscuits and breads. Start using 1/4 teaspoon for every 2 teaspoons of cornstarch.
• Almond powder – When the recipe requires cornstarch, this low-carbohydrate, gluten-free flour can be used to increase volume. First substitute 1 tablespoon of almond flour for each tablespoon of cornstarch.
• Psyllium husk powder – When mixed with water, it forms a thick gel and adds chewiness to recipes such as bread. Each tablespoon of cornstarch starts with 1/2 tablespoon of psyllium.
• Xanthan gum – Create a soft and chewy texture in baked goods. You can replace it with cornstarch 1:1.
• Flaxseed meal – Suitable for bread and other baked goods. 1/2 tablespoon of ground flaxseed can replace 1 tablespoon of cornstarch.

Corn starch substitute for frying

Cornstarch absorbs excess water and prevents gluten production, thus forming a crispy crust in fried foods. Try these cornstarch substitutes to keep the crunch!

General substitutes for frying:

• Potato starch – This starch is particularly suitable for frying and high-temperature frying. Use the same amount as cornstarch.
• Arrowroot – Create a similar crispy texture. Use arrowroot flour that is twice as much cornstarch.
• rice flour – When frying, it produces a fine crumb and lace texture. Use 2:1 instead of corn starch.
• All-purpose flour – It can be used as a substitute for cornstarch for frying, but it will not be so crispy. Use it 2:1 for corn starch.

Healthy and low-carb frying alternatives:

• Pigskin – Although rougher, minced pork skin will make food super crispy!Start with 1/4 cup of shredded pork skin per tablespoon of cornstarch, or try these Crispy Chicken Fillet.
• Parmesan cheese – Produce a satisfactory crust and salty taste in the breadcrumbs, for example in Air fryer eggplant. Like pigskin, you need to start with 1/4 cup of cornstarch per tablespoon.
• Almond powder – The carbohydrate content of this flour is very low and will produce a similar brown appearance and crumb texture in recipes, for example Fried pumpkin. Use 1/4 cup per tablespoon of cornstarch.
• Whey protein powder – Among all protein powders (including egg white protein and collagen), whey is the most suitable crispy for frying. Egg white protein is more chewy when cooked, while collagen is not as crunchy. Compared with corn starch, start with 3-4 times the whey, and use tasteless varieties.
• coconut powder – Finely ground to absorb water, coconut flour is very suitable for dredging in the following recipes: Coconut ShrimpFor this, you can use it at a ratio of 1:1 like cornstarch, and add more as needed.
• baking powder – Increase the pH value of the surface of fried food, increase the surface area, and generate bubbles. Start with 1/2 tablespoon baking powder per tablespoon of cornstarch. (Or try these Air Fryer Chicken Wings! )

Alternatives to cornstarch

The fine particles in cornstarch swell when added to liquid slurries and sauces, causing them to thicken. You can still use these cornstarch syrup substitutes to achieve similar results.

General substitutes for thickening:

• All-purpose flour – Wheat flour does not produce the same glossy appearance as corn starch, but it will still thicken. Use 2 tablespoons of flour for every 1 tablespoon of cornstarch, and then cook it slightly to eliminate any raw taste. It can be used in almost any delicious food, including gravy and pie fillings.
• rice flour – Like all-purpose flour, you need to use twice the amount to make it a good cornstarch substitute. This is a good choice for transparent sauces that require thickening.
• Potato starch – Use 1 to 1 1/2 tablespoons of potato starch for each tablespoon of cornstarch in the sauce. Add it to warm recipes that are close to finishing the dish, and avoid heating it too high or too long.
• Cassava starch – Suitable for recipes with long cooking times and short cooking times, such as slow cooker recipes. Use 2 tablespoons of this starch per tablespoon of cornstarch.
• Arrowroot – It thickens like cornstarch in fillings and sauces, but avoid using it in recipes with a high content of dairy products. Use 1 to 1 1/2 tablespoons of arrowroot powder per tablespoon of cornstarch.This is a healthier option, so I occasionally use it sparingly in low-carb recipes, for example Creamy Sun-dried Tomato Chicken.

A healthy, low-carbon alternative to thickening:

• Heavy cream – Add a creamy flavor to the sauce, but it will take longer to simmer to thicken. Start with 3-4 tablespoons of cream per tablespoon of cornstarch.
• butter – Very suitable for small pan sauces. Use 3-4 tablespoons per tablespoon of cornstarch, add butter after the sauce is off the heat.
• yolk – Add natural creaminess to thick sauces, for example yolk. Use 2 egg yolks per 1/4 cup of cornstarch.
• Chia seeds – Add a thick jelly consistency to the recipe, for example Tomato Strawberry Jam. Use 2 tablespoons of these seeds per tablespoon of cornstarch.
• Guar Gum – This intestinal thickener is very common in ice cream and other cutting-edge dairy dishes. Use 1/8 teaspoon per teaspoon of cornstarch.
• Xanthan gum – This is a common ketone substitute for cornstarch in sauces. Use 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon per tablespoon of cornstarch. One major difference is that if you add xanthan gum to a large amount of liquid or sauce, it is easy to clump, so it is best to make a slurry with a small amount of liquid before adding it to your recipe.
• Gelatin powder – A higher concentration of gel (even if No candy jelly), but it can thicken at a lower concentration, such as Keto Gravy.
• Vegetable puree – Boiled zucchini, cauliflower or other Low-carb vegetables, Use an immersion or conventional blender to mix them and add to the recipe to get their natural thickness.A good example is mine Broccoli Cheese SoupIn addition to the pureed broccoli, shredded cheese is also added.
• Cream cheese – Perfectly applicable in broth-based recipes, for example Chicken Pot Cake Soup or Keto Salisbury Steak. Add 3-4 tablespoons of cornstarch per tablespoon, and stir at low temperature until completely melted.

Corn starch substitutes for other common uses

Not all cornstarch substitutes work the same way! Try these common recipe suggestions:

• pudding – Corn starch increases the thickness of the pudding without causing clumps.However, you can get the same effect with unflavored gelatin-try this Chocolate Pudding Recipe.
• Pie filling – Although cornstarch usually gives a gelatinous texture to pie fillings, gelatin or egg yolks can also have a similar effect.See them in action Apple pie or Coconut Cream Pie.
• Bacon – In the marinade, cornstarch will soften, forming a protective coating before cooking and thickening the last dish.To obtain similar results, use acidic ingredients (such as this Cilantro Lime Chicken), or stir the meat with gelatin before marinating and cooking (like this Slow Cooker Mongolian Beef).
• Thicken soup – Corn starch makes the soup thick and scoopable.You can use any cornstarch substitute to thicken the above recipes, for example Roasted Cauliflower Soup, Chicken Pot Cake Soup, or Bacon Cheeseburger Soup.
• Jam and jelly – You can use cornstarch to make jams and jellies that won’t flow, but you can try gelatin (in Blackberry jelly) Or chia seeds (in Strawberry Chia Jam) Instead.

Frequently asked questions

If you only have certain ingredients, what can you use instead of cornstarch? Get all the answers here.

Can you use flour instead of cornstarch?

You can usually use flour instead of cornstarch in your recipes, but it may not always produce exactly the same results. For example, in fried foods, the flour will not become crispy, but it will still turn brown.

Some flours are also better than others for certain purposes: wheat flour is better for thickening, and nut flour is better for replacing fried foods.

Can you use arrowroot instead of cornstarch?

Arrowroot powder is a close substitute for cornstarch, but avoid using it in recipes that contain a lot of dairy products. You may also need to use arrowroot flour that is slightly more than cornstarch.

Can you use potato starch instead of corn starch?

Potato starch is a good substitute for corn starch and can be used for baking, frying and thickening. However, if you use it to thicken, be sure to add it shortly before serving and avoid heating at high temperatures.

Can you use cornstarch instead of baking powder?

Baking powder will cause swelling of baked goods, while cornstarch will not, so it is not recommended to substitute another one.

Can you use cornstarch instead of tapioca starch?

For recipes that require thickening, you can replace tapioca starch with corn starch. Generally, you need twice as much tapioca starch as compared to corn starch.

Is there a ketone substitute for cornstarch?

There are many alternatives to keto cornstarch that can be used for frying, baking and thickening-see the suggestions above! Check the carbohydrate count and replacement rate to keep your recipes keto-friendly.

in conclusion

If you don’t have cornstarch, don’t worry! You can use dozens of cornstarch substitutes to create perfect results in your favorite recipes.

Reader’s favorite recipe

The recipe is stuck below! Readers who created this content also viewed these recipes: