8 Tried and True Coconut Flour Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to baking with coconut flour? ›

Use a 1:4 ratio when substituting coconut flour with all-purpose flour. This means that for every 1 cup of regular flour, you only use ¼ cup of coconut flour. Following this ratio will help make your low-carb baked goods come out the way you hope.

A good rule of thumb is 1/4 to 1/3 cup of coconut flour for 1 cup of regular flour. When flour absorbs water, the starches gelatinize, but when coconut flour absorbs liquid it becomes soggy, resulting in a heavier, denser baked good.

It's so highly absorbent that it will suck the life (and liquid) out of baked goods unless it's used incredibly sparingly, in conjunction with other flours, or alongside considerably more oil/butter/eggs/liquid than typical flours.

Potential Health Benefits of Coconut Flour

Coconut flour has a lower glycemic index rating than wheat flour, meaning it takes longer to digest and absorb the carbohydrates in it. It also contains more fiber and protein than wheat flour. Coconut flour can also help you: Control blood sugar.

If storing for a short period, say a couple of weeks, an airtight container in a cool and dry will work just fine. When stored at room temperature or below, coconut flour can last up to two months. Refrigeration is recommended if you plan on storing your coconut flour for longer than two months.

Coconut flour has a slightly sweet and nutty flavor, with a hint of coconut aroma. It has a more absorbent texture and tends to create denser, moister baked goods compared to almond flour. Due to its absorbency, coconut flour often requires more liquid in recipes to prevent dryness.

Most research suggests that coconut flour will last for about two years when stored properly. The best way to store coconut flour is in an airtight container in a cool, dark place. Some brands of coconut flour claim that their product will last for up to three years when stored properly.

Coconut flour develops no gluten and so provides essentially no structure to support the rising of the dough due to fermentation by the yeast. You can get a little rise that is will be more consistent than a yeast rise by adding baking powder, but coconut flour bread will still be rather more like a cake.

Coconut flour is rich in dietary fibre, which can help reduce the risk of developing heart disease and lower cholesterol levels. As it is low in carbohydrate compared to flours such as wheat and corn, it is useful for people with diabetes because it has a mild impact on blood glucose levels.

Coconut flour can cause bloating in some people.

Digestive imbalances ultimately have a negative impact on the immune system (the gut is the basis of your immune system). Plus, because it's mostly fiber, some people find coconut flour can irritate the gut if eaten too frequently, or in larger amounts.

Do you need more baking powder for coconut flour? ›

Replacing wheat flour with coconut flour

Cakes and muffins, which need to be light and fluffy, will be very different than something more dense, like cookies. But when working with coconut flour, you always need to decrease the flour and increase the eggs and baking powder.

The recipe specifies shredded coconut, which is moist and slightly sweet. If desiccated coconut is used instead then the cookies will dry out more as desiccated coconut is quite dry and will absorb moisture.

Coconut flour is derived from natural sources and contains a high amount of antioxidants. To gain most of its benefits, consume one teaspoon of coconut flour daily.

In 2 tablespoons of almond flour, you'll get 80 calories, only 2 grams of carbs, 3 grams of protein, and 1 gram of dietary fiber. While coconut flour is a better source of dietary fiber, iron, and potassium, almond flour does contain iron (2% Daily Value) and calcium (2% Daily Value).

Thus, whole wheat flour is widely considered healthier. It's a good source of protein, fiber, and a variety of vitamins and minerals. As it contains gluten, it isn't appropriate for people with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity.

You cannot merely do a one-to-one replacement of coconut flour for wheat flours in your recipes. As a very general rule of thumb for baked goods, 1/4 – 1/3 cup of coconut flour can be substituted for 1 cup of wheat flour. Gluten-free batters tend to be thicker than those made with wheat flours.

There are a few ways to get rid of the coconut flavor in food. One way is to add a strong-tasting ingredient like chocolate or coffee. Another way is to cook the food with a strong-tasting spice like curry powder.