13 Amazing Tasty & Easy To Use Almond Flour Substitutes For Any Recipe (2024)

Always choose the right almond flour substitute for any kind of recipe by reading this complete collection of easy alternatives! Whether you are eating keto, gluten-free, nut-free, you name it, there is a substitute that will work for you!

All the best alternatives for almond flour in cooking and baking!

Almond flour has become quite popular in recent years due to its ability to offer the similar comfort of many baked goods, without gluten. One drawback to this gluten-free flour is that it is not always readily available – either in your kitchen or at the store.

Not having any almond flour on hand may not be the only reason you need an alternative though. If you have a gluten and a nut allergy, then almond flour is not an option for replacing flour in your favorite desserts.

Almond flour is also expensive compared to other ingredients, which may be another reason you are looking for a substitute.

Whether your search for an almond flour substitute is for health reasons, to save some cash, or simply out of curiosity, this list will give you all the best options for almond flour substitutes!

Substitutes for Almond Flour

In most cases, the best substitute for almond flour is going to come from another nut flour. These choices will give you the easiest options for an equal 1:1 substitution (in most cases).

If you want a nut-free option, many seeds will provide you with a similar taste and texture and be just as easy to swap out. There are also a few choices you may be surprised by but are inexpensive and easy to find.

The great thing about all these substitutions is that they can be used as alternatives in any recipe that calls for almond flour!

1. Almond Meal

The best choice for an almond flour replacement is almond meal. Almond meal is made from ground almonds but is more course than almond flour. It is basically almond flour one step before it becomes flour.

If your goal is to have the closest taste to the original recipe, then almond meal is the number one substitute for almond flour. While its texture is slightly coarser, it won’t affect the overall texture of most recipes too much.

Swap out almond flour for almond meal in an equal 1:1 exchange.

2. Pecan Flour

Pecans have a distinctly rich, smooth taste that transfers well to baking and cooking. While almond flour is more commonly sold in the stores, if you can find pecan flour you may find it works even better than almond flour in certain recipes.

Pecan flour is great for binding ingredients and as a thickening agent. Therefore, it can be successfully used in baking your favorite desserts or adding a nice nutty flavor to creamy sauces – a great way to make a dairy-free sauce!

Pecan flour can be substituted for almond flour 1:1.

3. Cashew Flour

If you want to use a nut flour, but don’t want a heavy nutty flavor then cashew flour may be for you. Cashews have a milder overall taste than many other nuts and they also absorb other flavors better than almonds.

This is a great choice for when you want to do gluten-free baking but still have your final baked goods taste like a more classic wheat flour treat.

Use cashew flour as a 1:1 substitution for almond flour in any recipe.

4. Macadamia Nut Flour

While cashew flour provides a more neutral flavor, macadamia nut flour is more pronounced. Think, macadamia nuts but ground up.

If you love macadamia nuts or have a recipe that you want to add an island flair to, then this flour can be a fun and tasty alternative for almond flour.

Macadamia nuts are also higher in fat, but lower in carbs. This makes them a good paleo or keto-friendly flour.

Swap out macadamia nut flour in an equal 1:1 substitution for almond flour in any recipe.

5. Hazelnut Flour

While made in the same way as almond flour, hazelnuts are less dense than almonds. Therefore, it results in flour that does not bind the same way as almond flour.

The crumblier texture of hazelnut flour is great if you are looking for an almond alternative to make gluten-free pie crusts or scones. It can also work well in certain cookies.

For these types of recipes, hazelnut flour can be used in equal exchange for almond flour.

How to use hazelnut flour for other recipes

Hazelnut flour alone will not provide the structure needed for cakes or other baked goods that are dense. If you have to, you can mix hazelnut flour with another flour.

For every cup of almond flour in a recipe, replace ½ cup with hazelnut flour and ½ cup with cassava flour for a gluten-free recipe or you can also use ½ a cup of regular wheat flour.

Nut-Free Substitutes for Almond Flour

If a nut allergy is what brought you here, the following options are nut-free and can easily work in place of almond flour! They may require a trip to a health foods store, but it is worth it to enjoy your favorite meals and baked goods!

6. Pumpkin Seed Meal

Pumpkin seed meal is the nut-free version of almond meal. Made from grinding pumpkin seeds into a coarse flour-like texture, it has a delightfully nutty taste without the nuts.

While it may not be as commonly sold in the grocery store, you can find this in health food stores or even order it online. It’s a great option for making a dish both nut and gluten-free.

Make a simple substitution of pumpkin seed meal for almond meal in a 1:1 substitution in any recipe.

7. Flaxseed Meal (aka ground flaxseeds)

Flaxseeds are a popular ingredient in many gluten-free and vegan recipes. They offer a nutty taste that is a wonderful addition to many recipes and works as a binding agent to help form baked goods without eggs.

Flaxseed meal will provide a nut-free alternative that still provided a similar nutty taste and texture to almonds.

Be mindful that you are using ground flaxseeds though. If all you have are full flaxseeds, simply toss them in the blender to make ground flaxseeds.

Use flaxseed meal in a 1:1 exchange for almond flour.

8. Sunflower Seed Flour

Sunflower seed flour is a little less nutty than flaxseeds, but still provides a mildly sweet and nutty flavor that can resemble almond flour when baked.

It also has a similar consistency to almond flour, making it a great nut-free option.

Substitute 1 cup of sunflower seed flour for 1 cup of almond flour.

9. Plantain Flour

While plantains look like bananas, they are less sweet and denser than bananas. Another unique quality of plantains is their ability to make great flour once they are dehydrated and milled.

Plantain flour is a good option for those who want gluten-free, nut-free, seed-free, flour. It is starchier than almond flour, so it works best in baked goods that you want to have a denser texture.

It is also a great choice for thickening sauces or soups. You can swap out almond flour for the same amount of plantain flour.

Due to its starchiness, you may need to add a bit more moisture to your recipe by increasing the called for liquid slightly.

10. Cassava Flour

Cassava flour is made from the root of the cassava plant. In recent years it has become a popular alternative for wheat flour because it provides a similar consistency and reaction with other ingredients in favorite foods like bread and tortillas.

Just like wheat flour can be a substitute for almond flour, cassava flour is an equally simple and tasty option that maintains the gluten-free qualities of the original almond flour recipe.

Use cassava flour as an equal 1:1 exchange for almond flour in savory and sweet recipes. Cassava has similar properties to wheat flour, so follow the same directions provided below for modifying eggs in a recipe.

11. Coconut Flour

Coconut flour does not form the same way in baking as almond flour does. Therefore, if coconut flour is your ingredient of choice or all you have on hand, it is best to look for a recipe that specifically calls for it.

In the same way that many recipes for almond flour can be found, you can find a version for coconut flour. If you do choose to substitute coconut flour for almond flour you will need to make some adjustments.

Replace 1 cup of almond flour with ½ cup coconut flour + ½ cup cassava flour for a gluten-free option.

Replace 1 cup of almond flour with ½ cup coconut flour + ½ cup wheat flour for a nut-free option.

Coconut flour absorbs moisture quicker than almost any other flour. Therefore, you may need to add more moisture to your batter or dough if it seems too dry. Another option is to use an extra egg.

Inexpensive & Easy Substitutes for Almond Flour

If you found a new recipe that sounds yummy and calls for almond flour, but you don’t need a gluten-free option, then consider one of these common kitchen staples as an alternative.

12. Flour

Yup, regular old flour can be used in place of almond flour. While it will not give the same nutty taste as almond flour, you probably already have all-purpose flour in your pantry, and it is also a fraction of the cost to pick up a new bag at the store.

Replace each cup of cup almond flour with an equal cup of all-purpose flour. Keep in mind that all-purpose flour does not need as much to bind to other ingredients as almond flour does.

Therefore, you may not need as many eggs as the almond flour recipe calls for. Start slowly and add one egg at a time until you reach the right consistency.

Want to get the same almond taste? Add a ¼ teaspoon of almond extract for every ¾ cup of flour.

13. Oat Flour

If you have a container of old-fashioned oats in your cupboard, then you have oat flour. All you need to do is blend up the raw oats in a food processor until it resembles the consistency of flour.

This is a great option for those who still want to avoid wheat but use a simple ingredient at home.

You can use oat flour as an equal substitution for almond flour. However, it has a closer consistency to wheat flour so you may need to adjust the eggs or other binding ingredients as mentioned above.

Choosing an Almond Flour Alternative

The great thing about almond flour is that there are so many alternatives to choose from. Almond flour is mostly used for baking, and any of the choices above will provide a great baked treat.

In cases where almond flour is used in a soup or stew, some of the starchier options like cassava or plantain flour are ideal.

Many recipes may call for almond flour in small quantities as a topping for salads or an addition to smoothies. In these recipes consider one of the nut or seed alternatives that provide a similar nutty taste plus many of the same health benefits!

As with any substitution in baking, it won’t be exactly the same as the original and may take a couple of tries to get it right. Enjoy tasting the various final baked goods along the way though!

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