16 Best Sweet Rice Flour Substitutes For You

You are here for the best sweet rice flour substitutes, which tells me that you simply love it. Ever since I started using sweet rice flour, it has been one of the indispensable ingredients in my pantry. Be it for baking recipes or as thickening agents, sweet rice flour is a worthy, invaluable ingredient.

But what happens on a day when you realize you are out of it for baking? You must have earnestly wished for a few substitutes. Some of the best sweet rice flour substitutes are tapioca flour, potato starch, almond flour, coconut flour and sorghum flour.

Sweet rice flour is the ground version of sticky rice, also known as glutinous rice. It is not the same as the rice flour which we come across. Known for its high-quality starch content, it is an effective thickening and binding agent. That said, let us look into the details of sweet rice flour, what it is, its uses, and the best substitutes which can save your day, anytime.

Quick Peek: Sweet Rice Flour

The following scribbles tell you what sweet rice flour is, its flavor, texture, culinary uses, and health benefits.

What Is Sweet Rice?

Before getting to know sweet rice flour, let me introduce you to sweet rice. Sweet rice is also known as sticky rice or glutinous rice. It is a rice variety mainly grown in Asian countries like India and Bhutan. It has round, opaque grains which get all sticky and glue-like once cooked.

This sticky texture is a characteristic of sweet rice. The term glutinous doesn’t imply that it is rich in gluten. In fact, contrary to the name it bears, sweet rice is devoid of gluten.

Sweet rice is rich in starch content, making it a versatile ingredient as it is already gluten-free. It is different from other rice varieties, which have high amylose content making them fluffy and non-sticky.

What Is Sweet Rice Flour?

So, as you can easily surmise, sweet rice flour is prepared by grinding sweet rice or sticky rice. Don’t let the name fool you. It is not as sweet as you may deem it to be.

Describing Sweet Rice Flour: Flavor and Texture

Sweet rice flavor has a subtle, sweet flavor which is often less when compared to other types of rice. It has a powdery, thick texture making it ideal for gluten-free recipes. Unlike rice flour which can have a gritty texture at a time, sweet rice flour is soft and sticky in texture.

Uses of Sweet Rice Flour

Sweet rice flour is a thickening agent in baking recipes such as bread, cakes, pastries, and pancakes. It is utilized for a crunchy texture in cakes, desserts, sauces, and savory dishes. It ensures enough moisture for batters and sauces. Additionally, it can render a crispy texture to your tacos or scones.

Sweet Rice Flour On The Health Radar | Looking Through The Wellness Telescope

Sweet rice flour is equally not disappointing on the health radar. It has a remarkable ability to control diabetes and prevent the chances of chronic diseases. It is great for boosting metabolism and improving cardiovascular health.

Why Should We Substitute Sweet Rice Flour?

Sweet rice flour is an excellent binding and thickening agent for baking recipes. Once used, you will love it even more, and you will find a permanent place for it in your pantry. There might come a time when you are out of it and need the help of the best substitutes for rice flour to get the recipe done.

Also, there is no harm in trying out a bunch of ingredients that can help you get a close flavor as that of sweet rice flour. Little experimentation goes a long way in ensuring that you are an amazing chef who knows how to tackle unavailability! So, let us start discussing the best substitutes for sweet rice flour right away.

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16 Best Sweet Rice Flour Substitutes

Now is the time to talk about the substitutes. Let’s see the sixteen best substitutes for sweet rice flour.

1. Tapioca Flour

Tapioca flour is a white powder obtained as the starch of the cassava plant. Also known as tapioca starch, tapioca flour is gluten-free and one of the best substitutes for sweet rice flour. Tapioca flour has a sticky and chewy texture akin to sweet rice flour. It is flavorless, unlike sweet rice flour, which is mildly sweet. You can add a pinch of sugar while using tapioca flour instead of sweet rice flour.

2. Potato Starch

As the term gives away, potato starch is obtained from potatoes. Once dried out, potato starch has a flour-like consistency and is the next alternative for sweet rice flour. The flavorless potato starch is often used for thickening in baking recipes. It also ensures sufficient moisture for baked goods. It can be used to replace sweet rice flavor successfully with the addition of sugar or sweeteners.

3. Almond Flour

Almond flour is made by grinding peeled almonds. There are two types of almond flour; blanched and unblanched. Blanched almond flour is the flour of blanched or peeled ground almonds, while unblanched is that of raw almonds with skins.

Almond flavor doesn’t have that sticky consistency of sweet rice flour and also has a characteristic nutty flavor. But, almond flour may work well as a substitute for sweet rice flour, considering its binding properties and impressive health benefits. For a similar texture to sweet rice flour, you will have to add extra ingredients.

4. Coconut Flour

Coconut flour is the powdered version of coconut. It is a versatile ingredient in gluten-free and grain-free diets. It has a mildly sweet flavor reminiscent of coconut. It has somewhat a grainy or gritty texture, unlike sweet rice flour. You will have to grab a binding agent into your recipe for a thick consistency if you use coconut flour to replace sweet rice flour.

5. Sorghum Flour

Made from whole grain sorghum, sorghum flour is a versatile substitute not only for sweet rice flour but also for other types of flour. It has a slightly sweet and earthy flavor with a smooth texture. For a sticky texture like sweet rice flour, add double amounts of sorghum flour while using it to substitute for sweet rice flour. The double amount is imperative only if you wish for a sticky, chewy texture.

6. Cornstarch

Cornstarch is the white-colored powdery, starchy portion of corn. Cornstarch is one of the best thickening agents used in sauces, gravies, soups, and casseroles and thus is a good sweet rice flour substitute. It is flavorless with a smooth texture.

While replacing sweet rice flour with cornstarch, you will have to be patient while adding. Cornstarch thickens your recipe when heated, and therefore, be cautious with the amount you add while replacing sweet rice flour. You have an added advantage of a silky appearance when using cornstarch which even sweet rice flour can’t afford!

7. Arrowroot Powder

The last on our list, arrowroot powder, is a white, flavorless powder obtained from the plant Maranta arundinacea. With no taste and a fine texture, it is an option worth your time. You may have to add sweeteners or binding ingredients to get the same feel of sweet rice flour if you choose arrowroot powder as a substitute for sweet rice flour. However, feel free to choose arrowroot powder in case of an emergent situation.

8. Millet Flour

Millet, as we all know, is a type of cereal grain with a sweet flavor similar to that of corn. It is an easily available, fairly inexpensive source of protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Millet flour is the ground form of whole millet grain. It has a subtle flavor and renders a creamy texture to baked goods.

Millet flour is a considerable substitute for sweet rice flour due to the creaminess it can ensure in your recipes. However, be mindful that it has a sweet corn flavor, and you might have to adjust the ingredients accordingly.

9. Chickpea Flour

Chickpeas are a type of legume which have an earthy, natural flavor. These are also known as garbanzo beans. They are immensely helpful in boosting heart health and bone health as well. Ground chickpea or chickpea flour is a staple ingredient in various cuisines.

Chickpea flour has an earthy, nutty flavor and a dense, sticky texture, making it a good sweet rice flour substitute. It is an excellent binding agent and can easily be used to replace sweet rice flour in many recipes.

10. Cassava Flour

Cassava flour is made by grinding dried cassava roots. It is gluten-free, grain-free, and nut-free as well. Contrary to popular belief, cassava flour is not the same as tapioca flour. Tapioca flour is made from the starch of the cassava plant, while cassava flour is made using the entire root.

Cassava flour has a mild, earthy flavor and a soft, powdery texture and is a gluten-free substitute for sweet rice flour. You will have to use another flour with cassava flour while replacing sweet rice flour in baking recipes since it does not rise.

11. Oat Flour

If you are an ardent fan of healthy eating, you must have surely experienced the goodness of oats. It is a wholesome, gluten-free cereal that comes with immense health benefits. Oat flour is the powdered, ground version of whole oats. Oat flour has a mild, nutty flavor and a fine texture and is a healthier substitute for sweet rice flour in recipes. The only downside is that it does not have a long shelf life.

12. Buckwheat Flour

Buckwheat is a pseudo cereal that is devoid of wheat. It is a grain-like seed that is used as a cereal. It has an intense earthy flavor with subtle hints of bitterness. Buckwheat flour is rich in nutritional value and has a unique flavor.

Considering its potential health benefits, buckwheat flour can be a worthwhile option to substitute for sweet rice flour. It has a low glycemic index making it suitable for consumption by people with diabetes and hypertension.

13. Whole Wheat Flour

Whole wheat flour is simply obtained by grinding the whole wheat kernels, also known as wheatberry. There is nothing discarded from the wheat to make whole wheat flour, and thus it is extremely healthy. This flour has a nutty flavor and a firm, grainy texture.

Whole wheat flour is a considerable substitute for sweet rice flour due to its flavor and benefits. It can be used to replace sweet rice flour in bread, desserts, and pasta. It can be substituted on an equal ratio.

14. Quinoa Flour

Quinoa seeds are edible seeds of the quinoa plant which are replete with enriching protein and beneficial antioxidants. These seeds are ground to a fine powder known as quinoa flour. It has a bold, earthy flavor and a rough texture. Quinoa flour can be one of the considerable substitutes for sweet rice flour due to its health benefits. It can be combined with other flour while replacing sweet rice flour in any recipe.

15. Bread Flour

Made from hard spring wheat grains, bread flour is a high-protein flour. Due to the high protein content, it is primarily used to prepare bread. It ensures structure and elasticity to bread. It has a bland flavor and a rough texture. Bread flour can be used as a sweet rice flour substitute due to its flavorless nature. It can be mixed with other ingredients as per taste preferences.

16. Seitan Flour

Also known as wheat meat, gluten meat, vital wheat gluten, or just gluten, seitan is a product made from gluten. The vital protein in the wheat dough is isolated by washing the dough in water. The starch is removed, and the remnant can be beaten to any shape and has a chewy texture.

Seitan is often used as a meat substitute due to its mild flavor and chewy texture. Seitan flour is less concentrated than sweet rice flour and can be used for substitution with the help of other flour.

Short Recap Of Best Sweet Rice Flour Substitutes

That must have been an exhaustive read on the best sweet rice flour substitutes, right? Let me make it easy for you to remember the details with the help of some points.

Best Sweet Rice Flour Substitutes In Baking-

1. Tapioca Flour
2. Almond Flour
3. Potato Starch
4. Arrowroot Powder
5. Coconut Flour
6. Cornstarch

Best Sweet Rice Flour Substitutes In Cookies-

1. Sorghum Flour
2. Cornstarch

Best Sweet Rice Flour Substitutes In Sauces And Stews-

1. Cornstarch
2. Potato Starch

How To Use Sweet Rice Flour Substitutes In A Recipe

Sweet Rice Flour Substitutes

Sweet rice flour is an irreplaceable item in your pantry but what can you do when you are out of it? Some of the best sweet rice flour substitutes are tapioca flour, potato starch, almond flour, coconut flour and sorghum flour.

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Ingredients

  

• Tapioca Flour
• Potato Starch
• Almond Flour
• Coconut Flour
• Sorghum Flour
• Cornstarch
• Arrowroot Powder
• Millet Flour
• Chickpea Flour
• Cassava Flour
• Oat Flour
• Buckwheat Flour
• Whole Wheat Flour
• Quinoa Flour
• Bread Flour
• Seitan Flour

Instructions

 

• Go through the substitutes and see which one seems fit for the recipe.
• Collect your ingredients and use your preferred substitute.
• Use the substitute in the required amount and proceed to make the dish according to the recipe.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Final Musings

That was all about the best possible and easily available substitutes for sweet rice flour. They all have distinctive tastes and flavors, which are nevertheless good replacements in an urgent situation. Try them out and let me know the results. See you soon with another article!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)