15 Best Cassava Flour Substitutes

If you want to prepare a recipe that calls for Cassava flour, but you are missing this ingredient, you don’t have to give up. We put together a complex guide that will help you find the best substitutes for this flour and show you how to use them.

Cassava flour is a common flour type that contains no gluten and makes a great substitute for traditional wheat flour in bread, cookies, or cakes.

The best substitutes for Cassava flour are Tapioca flour, Coconut flour, Soy flour, Almond flour, Rice flour, Arrowroot flour, Chickpeas flour, Gluten-free flour, All-purpose flour, Cornstarch, Potato starch, Garbanzo flour, and many more. 

We are about to introduce to you great substitutes that will help you save any recipe even without Cassava flour.

Substitutes for Cassava Flour

You can use the following substitutes of Cassava flour as you need in different recipes. Your food will taste delicious and you might not even notice the difference.

1. Tapioca flour

Tapioca flour is the best choice you can make if you want to replace Cassava flour in any type of recipe. Both tapioca flour and tapioca starch are made of Cassava root, so you will get a similar texture, flavor, and color.

You can use this substitute, in the same manner, you would use Cassava flour and respect the same quantities as well. Use tapioca flour in all types of baked goods from cakes to bread and different cookies.

2. Coconut flour

Coconut flour can add an interesting flavor to your dish. It is gluten-free. Thus, your dish will not have a gummy texture but it will be delicious and easy to prepare.

If you want to replace cassava flour with coconut flour you will need to lower the quantity in half. Some recipes like certain cookies might require even less coconut flour as this is a highly absorbent flour so be ready to add more water.

3. Soy flour

Soy flour is a common flour when it comes to gluten-free recipes. You can use it instead of cassava flour but it will make your dough more crumbly.

Soy flour will take more water until you get the texture you want for the dough. However, besides this aspect, you will not have to modify the flour quantity. So, maintain the same ratio.

It is important to note that if you want to use soy flour in baked dishes you want to add a little cooking oil so you help it stay together easier.

4. Almond flour

Almond flour is a delicious and gluten-free substitute for Cassava flour. It will add a nutty taste to your food.

Use it in the same quantity as Cassava flour and you can expect the same results. This flour is low in carbs and it can be used just as well in desserts or main dishes.

5. Rice flour

Rice flour is a great substitute for any type of flour, not just Cassava flour. Your final dish will not have a strong rice taste because this flour has a mild flavor that is barely noticeable.

You can use this flour in the same quantity as you would use Cassava flour. However, keep in mind that it is stickier so you might need to add more water and a tablespoon of oil.

If you don’t want to deal with the stickiness, you can add half of the quantity. If your recipe calls for two cups of Cassava flour, add only one cup of arrowroot flour.

6. Arrowroot flour

A less popular substitute for Cassava flour is arrowroot flour. This alternative might be more difficult to find in stores, but it is just as good as any other flour on this list.

This flour has no flavor so it will not alter the taste of your food much. You can use it in a 1:1 ratio instead of Cassava flour and prepare any type of cake, bread, or pastry.

However, this flour is less chewy, so your final dish will have a more crumbly texture. If you want to use this product in baked goods and still get some chewiness mix one part of arrowroot flour with one part of all-purpose flour.

7. Chickpeas flour

Chickpeas flour is a perfect substitute for Cassava flour, especially if you enjoy the nutty flavor of this type of flour. Chickpeas are high in fiber so using this flour will also bring you a lot of benefits.

As far as cooking goes, chickpeas flour can be used in the same ratio and same recipes as Cassava flour. Another great aspect is that chickpeas flour will not alter the color of your final dish either.

8. Gluten-free flour

You will find wheat flour without gluten that you can use instead of Cassava flour. This is simply regular flour that is made once the gluten is extracted from the recipe.

It is ideal for cakes, cookies, types of bread, and pancakes if you want to avoid gluten. The texture of the final dish will be more crumbly than if you use regular flour but very similar to the texture you obtain by using cassava flour.

9. All-purpose flour

All-purpose flour is made to replace any type of flour. However, it has gluten. So, if you want to avoid this ingredient it will not be a great option.

If you don’t mind the gluten, you can use all-purpose flour in all your desserts and dishes. It is easy to replace Cassava flour with all-purpose flour because you will not have to change the ratio or the cooking process.

10. Cornstarch

Cornstarch is the type of substitute for Cassava flour that you will most likely find at any grocery store for a convenient cost. It doesn’t contain gluten, so it is a perfect choice if you follow a gluten-free diet.

You can use it in different types of dishes from bread to special cookies or cakes. The taste will not differ much if you use cornstarch but your dish might have a yellowish tint.

11. Potato starch

If you like potatoes, potato starch can be a great substitute for Cassava flour. This substitute will taste similar to Cassava flour but it will offer you a denser dish at the end.

If the texture of the dish doesn’t bother you, replacing Cassava flour with potato starch is a great idea. It is a gluten-free product and you can keep the same quantities and even prepare it in the same manner.

This is a great option for tortillas, bread, or other pastry dishes. However, it might not go so great in cakes or other desserts.

12. Garbanzo flour

Garbanzo flour is similar to chickpeas flour which makes it a great substitute for Cassava flour as well. It is a gluten-free flour that will not change the taste of your food much but it will provide a nutty flavor.

In terms of nutrition, this flour has more fiber compared to Cassava flour. Thus, you might prefer to use it. Keep a 1:1 ratio when you substitute Cassava flour with Garbanzo flour and you can’t fail.

13. Spelt flour

Spelt flour is one of the oldest kinds of flour. It dates back to 5000 B.C. Unlike many other substitutes of Cassava flour in this guide, spelt flour contains gluten.

In spite of this aspect, you will be able to use the spelt flour without expecting many differences in terms of flavor. Keep the same ratio and you will be able to make various cookies, bread, or even cakes with no hassle.

14. Masa harina

Masa harina is a type of flour that is specific to Latin cuisine. You can use it in recipes such as cakes, cookies, and even bread. It is flour-based on processed corn and it is ideal to use it in recipes that don’t require rising.

It is another gluten-free flour and you can count on it every time you lack Cassava flour. Use it in the same ratio and your food will turn out to be very tasty.

15. Oat flour

If you can’t find Cassava flour, you can always choose to use oat flour. In terms of cooking, there are no significant differences so you can use it exactly the same.

However, your food might taste a bit different which is not an issue if you like a bit of oat flavor. This flour is high in protein and it is a great choice not only for a gluten-free diet but also for a vegan or vegetarian diet.

What Flour is Similar to Cassava Flour?

If you want to use the most similar flour to cassava flour that would definitely be tapioca flour. Tapioca starch or flour comes from the same plant as Cassava flour. So, they are great for interchangeable use.

If you use tapioca flour or even tapioca starch instead of Cassava flour in your recipe, you might not even be able to tell the difference. Since they are both gluten-free, they don’t alter the flavor of your food. And they can be prepared in the same manner.

Is Cassava Flour the Same as Almond Flour?

Cassava flour and almond flour are similar. This is why you can use one instead of another. However, these two types of flour are not the same. Cassava flour is made of cassava root while almond flour is made of almonds.

They have a similar texture but the taste of almond flour is nutty while Cassava flour has a more neutral taste. With that being said, these two types of flour are not the same but they are fairly similar so you can use one instead of another with no concerns.

Conclusion

Cassava flour is a great flour to use if you want to avoid gluten. It is suitable for all kinds of dishes and you can even use it in sauces or other toppings. And if you don’t have Cassava flour in your kitchen, use one of the substitutes in this guide and you will not regret it.