The Ultimate Guide To Baking With Almond Flour (2024)

Baking with almond flour is an easy keto alternative to traditional baking methods! It's a low-carb and gluten-free option that can be used in a variety of recipes. Here is the ultimate guide to baking with almond flour, including everything you need to know about this versatile ingredient.

When following a keto diet, baked goods don't really feel like a possibility. But, more often than not, they are filled with refined sugar and carb-heavy, all-purpose flour.

So is bread totally off-limits on keto?

Not with clever, grain-free baking solutions like almond flour!

In this post, I'll share the benefits, nutritional information, and tips for baking with almond flour. I'll also answer some commonly asked questions about almond flour so that you can feel confident while baking or cooking with it.

What is almond flour made of?

Almond flour is made from finely ground almonds. The almonds are first blanched to remove their skins; this keeps the texture fine and powder-like.

And remember, natural almond flour should include one ingredient: almonds! Make sure there are no additional ingredients, such as wheat flour or sugar.

What are the benefits of baking with almond flour?

Almond flour has a few key nutritional benefits:

• It's lower in carbs and higher in fiber than traditional flours, making it ideal for those following a low-carb or keto diet.
• It's also gluten-free, making it an excellent option for individuals with celiac disease or gluten intolerance.
• Almond flour is high in healthy fats and protein, making it a great choice for maintaining a balanced diet.
• It adds a rich, nutty flavor to baked goods that can elevate the taste of your recipes.

Nutrition information for almond flour

When it comes to nutrition, almond flour is a healthy and versatile option.

A ¼ cup (28 grams) serving of almond flour contains approximately:

• 180 calories
• 15g fat
• 7g protein
• 5g carbs
• 3g fiber
• 2g net carbs
• 1g sugar

How healthy is almond flour?

Almond flour is exceptionally nutrient-dense, making it an excellent substitution for wheat flour.

The health benefits of almond flour include the following:

• Reduced risk of heart disease
• Improved blood sugar control
• Good source of plant-based protein
• Rich in vitamin E and magnesium
• Naturally gluten-free

Does almond flour taste like almonds?

Almond flour does not add much of an almond flavor to your baked goods.

If anything, baking with almond flour might add a pleasant, nutty flavor to your recipes. When eaten alone, it's lightly sweet with a bit of bitterness (especially if almond skins are kept on).

If you want an authentic almond flavor, try adding some almond extract!

Can you substitute almond flour for all-purpose flour?

You can substitute almond flour for all-purpose flour with an equal ratio of 1:1.

Finely ground almond flour will have a similar texture to wheat flour.

If you opt for an almond meal or an unbalanced variety, the surface of your baked goods will differ slightly to be chewier or more "gummy."

Is almond flour okay on the keto diet?

Because of almond flour's low net carb count, it is a great choice to bake with if you are following a keto diet.

At just 2g net carbs per ¼ cup serving (the average amount in a single baked good), almond flour is keto-approved.

Baking with almond flour

If you're used to baking with all-purpose flour, transitioning to almond flour can be a little nerve-wracking.

Luckily, this flour substitute is comparable to all-purpose blends, making almond flour baking super easy!

You can use almond flour and almond meal interchangeably with wheat flour varieties. Texture may change slightly with these variations, but you won't lose any taste or quality!

Pro tips for using almond flour

If you want to ensure success while baking with almond flour, follow these pro baking tips:

• If your recipe is designed for wheat flour, lower the temperature by 25°F and reduce the cooking time by ¼.
• Almond flour may need a stronger binder than all-purpose varieties. For example, you may want to add an extra egg (or a flax egg if you are plant-based) to your baking.
• Let baked goods cool on their baking pan before transferring them to a cooling rack to limit crumbling and cracking.
• If you want your baked goods to rise, use almond flour, not almond meal.

How to make almond flour from scratch

You can easily make the best almond flour at home! All you need is blanched almonds and a food processor.

Here are the simple steps to making homemade almond flour:

1. Add whole, blanched almonds to a food processor.
2. Grind almonds until they have turned to a fine, powdery texture.
3. If you start to make almond butter, you've ground your almonds too much!

Almond flour recipes to get started with

Here are the best recipes for keto baking with almond flour to inspire you! Try any of these low-carb baked bread and baked goods.

1. Bread

Almond flour bread is a wonderful, healthy alternative to wheat bread. It's grain-free, naturally gluten-free, and suitable for low-carb diets.

Try my almond flour bread recipe for the perfect sandwich bread with only six ingredients.

2. Tortillas

Almond flour makes an excellent base for tortillas because its low-carb and has a great fat content. It also makes for a really mild flavor that is comparable to wheat flour tortillas.

Try my low-carb almond flour tortillas for keto wraps, quesadillas, and tacos!

3. Pretzels

Want a delicious mall snack without cheating on your ketogenic diet? Try my keto soft pretzels recipe for a naturally gluten-free snack.

4. Brownies

There are few things more delicious than a brownie; almond flour brownies are no exception!

My keto almond flour brownie bites are full of rich chocolate flavor with chocolate chips, unsweetened cocoa powder, and a keto sweetener.

5. Cake

Baking cakes with almond flour is a perfectly understated dessert option.

My almond flour cake is naturally gluten-free and made with a keto powdered sugar alternative for a lightly sweet, vanilla taste.

6. Muffins

Try my almond flour muffins as the perfect dinner side.

You can also use this recipe to make almond-flour banana muffins, blueberry muffins, carrot cake muffins, and more.

7. Pizza crust

Almond flour pizza crust is a keto-approved recipe you'll want to make weekly. This almond flour crust is mixed with parmesan cheese to make delicious, high-fat bread.

Try my almond flour pizza crust recipe for your next pizza night.

8. Cookies

Trying to find the perfect almond flour cookie recipe? Look no further!

Almond flour cookies are so tasty because they're naturally chewy; I actually prefer them to all-purpose flour varieties! Try this almond flour cookie recipe for a versatile dessert.

You can even add keto-friendly chocolate chips for an extra sweet treat! (Try keto cacao nibs for a natural option.)

9. Pancakes

I have the best fluffy almond flour pancake recipe you'll ever try. This is the perfect Sunday morning breakfast to fuel your day.

Indulge in a delicious morning meal without any guilt.

10. Cupcakes

At your next celebration, try baking these low-carb vanilla paleo cupcakes.

This almond flour dessert also includes coconut flour to help create the ideal texture. Top your cupcakes off with scrumptious raspberry icing.

11. Biscuits

These keto almond flour biscuits are made with one of the very best almond flour recipes! This low-carb biscuit is savory, fluffy, and extremely easy to make.

Serve them alongside your meal or use them for snacks throughout the day. You can even use leftover biscuits to make keto-friendly sandwiches.

12. Pie crust

My almond flour pie crust is the perfect recipe to add to your arsenal for the holidays. The crust is perfectly flaky and very versatile - use it in any of your sweet or savory recipes.

Try this pie crust alternative for a high-protein option that is also filled with healthy fats!

FAQs

Here are a few common questions I get about baking with almond flour. If you don't see your question answered, please leave it for me in the comments down below.

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