Arrowroot starch substitutes: Are you wondering what’s the perfect arrowroot starch substitute for your recipes? Last week I was whipping up a baking recipe when I realized it was asking for Arrowroot starch. Oops… I did it again. I didn’t have any – and kids were growling. If you don’t want to experiment and risk more trouble here’s your quick guide to alternative options like Cornstarch, Tapioca Starch, Xanthan Gum, or Guar Gum, etc.
Let’s remove the confusion of Arrowroot powder substitutes together to ensure your recipes turn out just right. Whether you’re baking, thickening sauces, or simply cooking up a storm in the kitchen, this article will help you find the perfect match. Let’s dive in and discover the ideal replacement for Arrowroot starch. Let’s go…
Table of Contents
How to choose the right arrowroot starch substitute for your recipe?
In this table I’ve provided arrowroot starch substitutes, their flavor, what to expect, and what’s the best use – some pros and cons – so you know what to expect. Later, you can discover how to use them in different recipes as some of them need heat to work.
| Substitute | Best for | Flavor | Best Use | Low-Carb Friendly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cornstarch | All Diets | Neutral | Baking, Thickener, General Cooking | No |
| Tapioca Starch | Gluten-Free | Neutral | Baking, Thickener, General Cooking | No |
| Potato Starch | All Diets | Neutral | Baking, Thickener, General Cooking | No |
| Xanthan Gum | Gluten-Free | Neutral | Baking, Thickener | Yes |
| Rice Flour | Gluten-Free | Mild | Baking, General Cooking | No |
| All-Purpose Flour | Not Gluten-Free | Neutral | Baking, General Cooking | No |
| Gluten-Free Baking Flour | Gluten-Free | Varies | Baking, General Cooking | No |
| Sweet Potato Starch | All Diets | Slightly Sweet | Thickener, General Cooking | No |
| Cassava Flour | Gluten-Free | Mild | Baking, General Cooking | No |
| Guar Gum | Gluten-Free | Neutral | Baking, Thickener | Yes |
Can Cornstarch be a good substitute for arrowroot starch?
Yes, cornstarch also known as corn flour is one of most commonly available items and it’s a great arrowroot starch substitute. To substitute simply replace one tbsp of Arrowroot starch with 1tbsp of Cornstarch. Since it’s derived from Corn, it’s gluten-free. However, it’s not low carb keto-friendly substitute.
Pros of Cornstarch
- Thickening Power: You can use it for thickening sauces, gravies, and soups.
- Versatile use: As the taste is neutral you can use it in a variety of recipes, from savory dishes to desserts.
- Fruit pie fillings: you can use it to thicken fruit pie fillings, and get a glossy restaurant-like finish.
Cons of Cornstarch
- Cloudiness: One drawback can be that it can cause cloudiness when used in acidic liquids such as fruit juices or vinegar-based sauces.
How to use Cornstarch with Slurry Method for soups, gravies, and sauces (liquid dishes)
The substitute ratio is 1:1 i.e. replace 1tbsp of arrowroot starch with 1tbsp of cornstarch. To use cornstarch in your liquid-recipes follow this method:
- Create the slurry: Mix 1tbsp cornstarch with 1-4 tbsp cold water.
- Whisk thoroughly for 30 seconds to 1 minute until a smooth, milky, lump-free mixture is formed (avoid over whisking to avoid gel formation)
- Add the slurry to hot liquid to thicken (usual temperature is 180°F to 200°F or 82°C to 93°C – below boiling point of water).
- Continue to simmer until the desired thickness is reached.
Can Tapioca Starch be a good substitute for arrowroot starch?
Yes, Tapioca starch can also be used as an arrowroot starch substitute in Gluten free and grain-free cooking. With its neutral flavor it works for any type of dish. However, it’s not low-carb or keto-friendly since it’s 100% starch.
Pros of Tapioca starch
- Thickener: it’s similar to arrowroot starch in it’s thickening ability and creates a smooth and glossy texture.
- It works well for dairy-based recipes, such as puddings and custards.
Cons of Tapioca starch
- 100% Carbs: Like any other starch, tapioca starch is 100% carb with zero fiber.
Tips and Tricks for using Tapioca starch as arrowroot starch substitute:
- When it comes to usage, it can be used just like arrowroot starch. The substitution ratio is 1:1. So if the recipe calls for 1tbsp arrowroot starch add 1tbsp tapioca starch.
- You can use the slurry method above to thicken your liquid dishes like soups and gravies.
- Avoid prolonged cooking as tapioca starch can break down and lose its viscosity.
- It works really well when you add it to hot liquids towards the end of the cooking process.
- If your dish isn’t thick enough after adding the tapioca slurry, try adding a small amount of additional starch before adding more.
Can Potato starch be a good substitute for arrowroot starch?
Yes, Potato starch is a good arrowroot starch substitute due to its ability to withstand high heat. Additionally, it’s gluten-free grain-free but it’s not low-carb keto friendly as it’s 100% starch.
Pros of Potato starch:
- Great for high heat recipes: that requires prolong cooking or high temperatures like beef stews, Asian stir-fry recipes, or baked goods.
- Thickening power: is similar to arrowroot starch; and creates smooth & glossy textured dishes.
Cons of Potato starch:
- Gritty or rough mouthfeel in baked goods: Potato starch can impart a slightly grainy or chalky texture because its particle size isn’t as fine as other starches.
Tips and tricks for Potato starch
- The substitution ratio is 1:1 meaning you can substitute 1 tablespoon of arrowroot starch with 1 tablespoon of potato starch in your recipe. Use it in the recipe just as you would arrowroot starch.
- For mixing in liquids you can create slurry method above by adding it to cold liquid and whisking it until a milky liquid is formed.
- Avoid prolonged cooking on high heat for more than a few minutes as this can cause its break down (it also depends upon Ph level and presence of other ingredients)
Can Xanthan gum be a good substitute for arrowroot starch?
Xanthan gum isn’t a perfect substitute but it can partially replace arrowroot starch. First, Xanthan gum can’t be used as a flour substitute for baking. However, since it doesn’t require heat to activate, you can use it as a thickener for cold or no-cook recipes such as salad dressings. Having said that, it’s good for gluten-free, low-carb, and keto cooking.
Tips and tricks for using xanthan gum as arrowroot starch substitute
- How to use: It’s a strong thickener when compared to arrowroot starch – so always start with a small amount.
- Typically you’d begin with 1 teaspoon xanthan gum for every 1 tablespoon of arrowroot starch.
- Avoid over adding xanthan gum, as it can make your sauces or baked goods slimy or gel-like.
Can Rice flour be a good substitute for arrowroot starch?
Rice flour isn’t a perfect substitute, but it can partially replace arrowroot starch in some recipes. A plus point is, its ready availability and it’s gluten-free nature.
Tips and tricks for using Rice flour as a substitute for arrowroot starch
- Weak thickener: you’d need to use 2-3 times more rice flour to achieve the same thickening effect as arrowroot starch.
- Be aware of the grainy texture that can be noticeable in delicate dishes. Comparatively arrowroot starch creates a smoother and glossier finish.
- As rice flour adds a subtle flavor to the dish – it’s best used in thick, hearty dishes like beef stews where it might be less noticable.
- In baking, you can use it along with other flours, as its texture is denser compared to arrowroot starch.
Can sweet potato starch be a good substitute for arrowroot starch?
Yes, sweet potato starch is an excellent arrowroot starch substitute. In fact, in many ways it produces even better results. On top of that, it’s gluten-free and vegan friendly. And it’s readily available online and in many Asian stores.
Tips and tricks for using sweet potato starch as arrowroot starch substitute
- As it can withstand high heat compared to arrowroot starch, it’s a great option for high heat cooking like stir-fries.
- It has a neutral taste like arrowroot starch so it can be added to any dish with similar (or better) results.
- You can follow 1:1 substitution ratio where you use the same amount of sweet potato starch as called for arrowroot starch in the recipe.
- You can use the slurry method when adding Sweet potato starch to hot liquids.
- Start with a small amount – gradually adding more in the liquid while whisking constantly.
Can I use all-purpose flour to replace arrowroot starch?
All-purpose flour is not the best substitute for arrowroot starch; however, many brands have Potato Starch, Tapioca Flour, etc. as their content. So all-purpose flour can yield passable results in certain recipes. For thickening use 2-3 times the arrowroot starch called for in the recipe. However, despite being readily available, it is neither gluten-free nor low-carb or keto-friendly.
Tips and tricks for using all-purpose flour as arrowroot starch substitute
- All-purpose flour is a weak thickener, so you may need to use additional flour to achieve a similar thickening effect.
- It may impart a slightly heavier or denser texture to the dish compared to the smooth and glossy texture of arrowroot starch.
- All-purpose flour can be used as a substitute of last resort.
- For hearty dishes, the heavier texture may be acceptable.
Can I use Gluten-Free Baking Flour to substitute for arrowroot starch?
Yes, you can use gluten-free baking flour as arrowroot starch substitute, especially in gluten-free baking. As some the ingredients of GF baking flour are Potato Starch, Tapioca Flour, Xanthan Gum – you’ll see excellent results in baking. However, as there’re other flours mixed in the GF baking flour the texture will be different. To substitute one tbsp of arrowroot powder, use one tablespoon of GF baking flour.
Can I use Cassava Flour to substitute for arrowroot starch?
Cassava flour is primarily used as a thickener in recipes. Therefore, it can serve as a substitute for arrowroot starch, especially in recipes that require a thickening agent. When substituting, begin with a smaller amount of cassava flour, typically about ¾ of the amount of arrowroot starch, due to its higher liquid absorption rate.
But note that cassava flour is denser than arrowroot starch, so it may not be suitable for delicate sauces or desserts. To incorporate cassava flour into the recipe, you can use the slurry method described above.
Can I substitute arrowroot starch with Guar gum?
Guar Gum is often used in gluten-free baking and cooking. However, it’s a partial substitute for arrowroot starch in certain recipes. Before you use it in any recipe, remember it’s a powerful thickener, so start with much less – go with a substitution ratio of 1/8 teaspoon of guar gum for 1 tablespoon of arrowroot starch. When adding it to liquid recipes, whisk constantly to avoid over-thickening. Remember, Guar gum is a bit difficult to control, so it can work well in recipes that call for small quantities of arrowroot starch.
FAQs
Can I substitute coconut flour for arrowroot starch?
Coconut flour isn’t an ideal substitute for arrowroot starch due to its highly absorbent nature. Remember, Arrowroot starch is primarily a thickening agent, whereas coconut flour is a whole-food flour. It has a denser and drier texture which may alter the dish significantly making it dry like sand. So consider alternatives like cornstarch or tapioca starch instead.
Can I substitute almond flour for arrowroot starch?
Almond flour isn’t the best replacement for arrowroot starch due to its different properties. While arrowroot starch primarily acts as a thickener, almond flour is a nut flour that adds moisture and structure. Though in certain baked goods, where structure or moisture is key (like muffins and bread), almond flour can be used but with alterations in texture.
Can Sorghum Flour be a good substitute for arrowroot starch?
Even though Sorghum flour is used in gluten-free baking but it isn’t an ideal substitute for arrowroot starch due to its weaker thickening power. Additionally, it would alter the texture and flavor of the dish significantly. Instead, consider alternatives like cornstarch, tapioca starch, or sweet potato starch or xanthan gum in recipes calling for arrowroot starch for better results.
