12 Best Almond Meal Substitutes
on Mar 23, 2022
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Almond flour has recently gained a lot of popularity due to its ability to offer a similar taste in many baked goods but without gluten. One disadvantage to using this gluten-free flour is that it is not always easy to find. No worries as you’ll find some of the Best Almond Meal Substitutes below.
What Is an Almond Meal?
It’s simply finely ground almonds. The texture is similar to very fine breadcrumbs. It is also sometimes referred to as almond ‘flour’. It can be made from almonds that are blanched once the skin has been removed. This is the best choice if your diet requires low-lectin intake. ‘Natural’ almond meal is produced from almonds that still have the skin on which gives it a speckled appearance and a higher fiber content.
Easy Almond Meal Substitutes
1. Homemade Ground Almond Meal/Flour
If you already have a food processor, it’s very simple to use whole almonds to make your own almond meal / almond flour. Depending on the power of your machine, the texture may turn out to be slightly more grainy than what you would expect of a commercial almond meal. However, this usually won’t be a problem and might even be better this way.
2. Coconut Flour
Coconut flour is low in carbs and also gluten-free but is totally different from almond flour as it cannot absorb water as well. So, you should find a recipe that specifically calls for coconut flour. You might want to attempt coconut pancakes, or some paleo brownies.
3. Hazelnut Flour
Although produced in the same way as almond flour, hazelnuts have less density than almonds. Therefore, the flour produced from hazelnuts does not have the same binding ability as almond flour.
The crumblier texture of hazelnut flour works well if you are looking for an almond flour substitute to make something like gluten-free pie crusts or scones. It also holds well in certain cookies.
Regarding the ratio to use in these types of recipes, hazelnut flour can be used in an equal exchange for almond flour.
4. Ground Sunflower Seeds
Sunflower seeds are nutritionally similar to almond meal as they are both gluten-free and low carb but have the bonus of being nut-free so feel free to use them in school lunchboxes. Not to mention their low price point in comparison to nuts!
It has a somewhat ‘seedy’ and healthy flavor compared to almond meal but this won’t be noticeable in most baked goods. Keep in mind that sunflower meal tends to be more moist than almond meal, so plan accordingly for a longer cooking time.
5. Ground Linseeds
Linseeds are loaded with protein, good fats and fiber and are very low carb as well as gluten-free. They offer an amazing, light texture to baked goods, not to mention a great amount of nutrition. However, you probably shouldn’t substitute with 100% linseeds since they are very absorbent so it can cause things to thicken.
6. Fresh Bread Crumbs
If using almond meal to make something like meatballs, tart crust, or beef & almond pies, fresh bread crumbs will work just fine. Simply remove the crusts and process the bread until it produces fine crumbs.
For cakes and other baked goods, it may cause dryness as bread crumbs are significantly lower in fat. So only substitute if you’re confident in your baking abilities!
7. Rolled Oats
You can easily make your own oat flour by grinding rolled oats in your food processor. It will produce a similar texture to almond meal but it will taste a bit ‘oaty’. Oats are also awesome for being a more soluble fiber and nut-free, so it is totally safe for allergies and school lunches.
Oats have a much lower fat content than almonds so it might be necessary to add extra butter or oil to make up for it. However, it is controversial whether oats are actually gluten-free or not. So if you don’t eat gluten, you probably shouldn’t take a chance unless you have already tested your tolerance.
8. Regular Flour
If you’re looking for the least expensive choice, it’s hard to pass up regular flour. However, it does of course contain gluten.
Flour will not work well in things like meatballs or pie crusts, but it’s popular for cakes and other sweets. You can use flour as a replacement with a ratio of 1:1 by weight. However, you might find that adding 20% less flour will give you the best and most consistent results.
9. Pecan Flour
Pecans are known for their rich, smooth taste that works well in baking and cooking. Although almond flour is easier to find in stores, pecan flour tends to work even better than almond flour in certain recipes.
Pecan flour is a great binder as well as a thickening agent. So, it works nicely when baking your favorite desserts or when you want to add a nutty flavor to creamy sauces. It’s perfect when you want to make a dairy-free sauce!
Pecan flour can be substituted at a 1:1 ratio.
10. Cashew Flour
If you desire a nut flour that isn’t too heavy, cashew flour may be right for you. Cashews are milder in taste compared to other nuts and they absorb other flavors better than almonds.
Cashew flour is a great choice for gluten-free baking but will still have your baked goods tasting similar to a classic wheat flour treat.
Use cashew flour as a substitution for almond flour at a 1:1 ratio in any recipe.
11. Plantain Flour
Plantain flour is very beneficial as it is a gluten-free, nut-free, seed-free, flour. It contains more starch than almond flour, so it is best to use it in baked goods that you wish to have a denser texture. It is also a great option when you want to thicken a sauce or soup. You can substitute almond flour for an equal amount of plantain flour.
Due to its starch levels, it might be necessary to add some more moisture to your recipe by slightly increasing the required liquid.
12. Cassava Flour
Just like how wheat flour can be subbed for almond flour, cassava flour is also equally simple and tasty. It maintains the gluten-free qualities of almond flour.
Use cassava flour as an equal 1:1 exchange for almond flour in your favorite sweet and savory dishes. Cassava is similar to wheat flour, so simply follow the same directions for modifying eggs in a recipe.
How to Choose the Beast Almond Flour Substitute
The awesome thing about almond flour is that there are several possible substitutes to choose from. Almond flour is commonly used for baking and any of the suggestions above will result in a great baked treat.
In recipes for soup or stew that call for almond flour, some of the starchier options such as cassava or plantain flour will work best. Many recipes may require almond flour in just small quantities to be used as a topping for salads or a nutritional addition to smoothies. Try and consider one of the nut or seed alternatives that provide that distinct nutty taste while having the same health benefits!
Just like any substitution in baking, the results will not exactly be the same as the original and could even take a couple of tries to get it the way you like.. On the plus side, you can enjoy taste-testing the various baked goods along the way!
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Homemade Almond Meal Substitute
Ingredients
- 1 cup raw almonds
Instructions
- Add raw almonds to a high-speed blender.
- Blend on high for a minute or two until a fine flour is achieved.
- Transfer to a jar and seal it properly. You can store up to 1 month at room temperature.
Nutrition information provided is an estimate only and will vary based on ingredient brands and cooking methods used.
