what can i substitute for cornstarch
Olivia Hensley
Updated on May 20, 2026
Substitutes for cornstarch
Rice flour. Made from finely ground rice, rice flour replaces cornstarch in a 3:1 ratio.Arrowroot powder. Derived from the tropical arrowroot plant, this powder replaces cornstarch in a 2:1 ratio. Potato starch. Tapioca starch. Flaxseed gel. Xanthan gum. Guar gum.
Can I use all-purpose flour instead of cornstarch?
All-purpose flour is an easy substitute for cornstarch; in fact you may see recipes for thickening pie fillings or soups with either. You’ll need 2 tablespoons of flour for every 1 tablespoon of cornstarch in a recipe.
Can I use baking powder instead of cornstarch?
Can I Use Baking Powder or Baking Soda Instead of Cornstarch. It’s not recommended to use baking powder or baking soda as a substitute for cornstarch. Baking soda adds a particular flavour and both of them have specific chemical properties which is why they act as leavening agents.
How do I make cornstarch?
Bring the corn into the blender and add some water to cover the corn in the blender. Blend until you notice a smooth texture. You can decide to blend the corn in batches if the amount of cornstarch you want to make is much. Repeat the process until you are done with all the corn in the bowl.
Can I use corn flour instead of cornstarch?
This is very important. Cornstarch is a ‘starchy’ gluten free flour, whereas corn flour is a ‘protein’ gluten free flour. Therefore, they carry out very different functions in gluten free baking. That means that you can’t substitute cornstarch for corn flour, or vice versa.
Can I use bread flour instead of cornstarch?
Whole wheat flour works well as a cornstarch substitute but may give your food a malty flavor. Bread flour contains less starch than all-purpose flour, so it won’t be as effective as a thickener. On the other hand, cake flour has more starch, so you can use less to achieve your desired results.
How can I thicken my stew without cornstarch?
Whisk a teaspoon of flour in a little cold water to make a slurry, then stir into the stew as it’s cooking. Don’t add dry flour directly to the stew as it may clump. After adding the slurry, bring the stew to boil. This will cook out the flour taste and allow the starch to swell.
Is plain flour the same as cornstarch?
Cornstarch is a pure starch compared to flour. The reason for this is because flour contains gluten. The lack of gluten in cornstarch makes it more efficient in thickening. In fact, cornstarch has twice the thickening power of starch.
Can I use self raising flour instead of cornstarch?
Self-Rising Flour
To use self-rising flour as an alternative to cornflour, you’ll need to double the amount of self-rising flour for thickening soups, sauces, pie fillings, etc. For breading fried foods, use self-rising flour in a 1:1 ratio.
Which is better cornstarch or flour?
Whether you ran out of flour or have someone in the family with an allergy restriction and need a gluten-free thickener for your soup recipe, it’s important to note cornstarch has twice the thickening power of flour. So if you need to substitute cornstarch in a gravy recipe that calls for ¼ cup (4 Tbsp.)
Can I use potato starch instead of cornstarch?
Now if you’re still wondering, can I substitute potato starch for cornstarch? Then the answer is yes. Because both starches can be used similarly, they are interchangeable in most recipes.
Can I replace cornstarch with cornmeal?
Can You Substitute Cornstarch, Corn Flour, and Cornmeal? Cornstarch, corn flour, and cornmeal are all made from the same ingredient, but generally, you should not interchangeably use these products.
How do you make starch at home?
How to Make Homemade Starch With Flour
Mix 1 cup of water and 2 tablespoons of flour in a bowl.Whisk the two together until you have a smooth consistency.Add to a pan and bring to a bowl, stirring frequently.Allow it to cool.Put a strainer over the mouth of the spray bottle.Pour in your flour starch mixture.
What’s the difference between thickening with flour and cornstarch?
Because cornstarch is pure starch, it has twice the thickening power of flour, which is only part starch. Thus, twice as much flour is needed to achieve the same thickening as cornstarch. To thicken sauces, cornstarch is combined with cold water first, which is called a slurry.
Can I use flour instead of cornstarch for frying?
All-Purpose Flour – It works as a cornstarch substitute for frying, but won’t get quite as crispy. Use it 2:1 for cornstarch.