What is Potato Starch and 9 Best Potato Starch Substitutes
on Apr 28, 2022
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Potato starch is often used as a thickening agent. It’s a gluten-free ingredient that’s also used in baked goods. If you’ve run out of potato starch, there are many substitutes that can be used as a replacement.
In today’s post we’re sharing 9 of the best potato starch substitutes.
What Is Potato Starch?
Potato starch is starch that has been extracted from crushed raw potatoes. When the starch is cleaned and dried, it becomes a powdery white substance that is sold as potato starch.
Potato Starch vs Potato Flour
Both potato starch and potato flour are made from potatoes. Potato flour is made from dehydrated pieces of peeled and dried potato. Potato flour has a potato taste and the appearance and texture of wheat. Potato starch does not taste like potatoes and has a powdery white appearance.
Best Substitutes For Potato Starch
Cornstarch (Our Top Pick)
Similar to potato starch, cornstarch is white in color, has no flavor, and is gluten-free. It is often used as a thickener or to make sauces glossy and shiny. Use it to replace potato starch at a ratio of 1:1.
Potato Flour
Potato flour is very different from potato starch but can replace it at a ratio of 1:1. Note that potato flour does have a potato flavor, so is best used in savory dishes instead of in baking.
Tapioca Starch
Tapioca starch is also gluten free and can replace potato starch as a thickener at a ratio of 1:1. For baking, you may need to use more tapioca starch. Start with a ratio of 1.25 teaspoons of tapioca starch for every 1 teaspoon of potato starch. Note that too much tapioca starch can cause baked goods to become sticky, so you may want to blend it with another type of flour or starch.
Mochi Flour
Mochi flour has a milky flavor that’s also slightly sweet. It would be a good option for baked goods and can be used at a ratio of 1:1.
Arrowroot Powder
Arrowroot powder is white in color and can replace potato starch at a ratio of 1:1.
All Purpose Flour
All-purpose flour is readily available but isn’t an ideal substitute for potato starch. However, if no other options are available, use twice the amount of all purpose flour for the amount of potato starch called for in a recipe. As an example, for every 1 teaspoon of potato starch, you’ll need 2 teaspoons of all purpose flour.
Rice Flour
Rice flour works well as a thickener and has no taste but can have a gritty texture. It is also a gluten-free option. To use rice flour as a substitute for potato starch, add 2 tablespoons of rice flour to 1 cup of liquid and stir well before adding it to your dish. Rice flour is best used when added in the early stages of a recipe.
Coconut Flour
Coconut flour can replace potato starch in recipes but it will add a coconut flavor to the dish. Because of this it’s best suited for baked goods and desserts. You’ll need 10-15% less coconut flour than the amount of potato starch called for in a recipe.
Almond Flour
Almond flour has a slightly sweet nutty flavor that’s well suited for baking and can replace potato starch at a ratio of 1:1. It’s also a good gluten-free option.
Can I Use All-Purpose Flour Instead of Potato Starch?
If you decide to use all purpose flour as a substitute for potato starch, you may have to reduce the amount of liquid in your recipe because potato starch absorbs more liquid. If the recipe calls for a range of liquid to use, start with the lowest amount and adjust as needed.
How to Use Potato Starch
Potato starch is typically used as a thickening agent in hot and cold dishes. It’s often found in pie fillings, soups, stews, casseroles, and sauces. It’s also a good gluten-free option for pastries and coatings.
How to Substitute Potato Starch
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- Other optional potato starch substitutes
Instructions
- Use cornstarch or other substitutes to replace potato starch according to the recipe.
Nutrition information provided is an estimate only and will vary based on ingredient brands and cooking methods used.
