10 Best Millet Flour Substitutes

Millet flour

Flour is a staple ingredient in our kitchen. Since there are many meals that include flour, there are many varieties based on people’s dietary routines.

Further, we have millet flour which is a high protein grain that is grown as birdseed. It is a small ancient grain that is a very common ingredient in part of Africa and Asia. Well, this type of grain will blend its flavors with the other ingredients in your cooking.

Typically, millet flour is found in stores that sell healthy products. It is a gluten-free flour and has proteins, fiber, and antioxidants which makes it a healthy option for cooking. You can use it to bake nice delicious pastry and use it in many recipes.

However, if you want to use something else, or there is no millet flour in your cabinet, is there a way that you can replace millet flour with something else?

The best substitutes for millet flour are Sorghum, Quinoa, Bulgur, Barley, Rice, Montina Flour, Amaranth, Buckwheat, All-purpose flour, and wheat flour.

Below we have explained more on each substitute so all you have to do is just read more on each and every replacement and find out which one will be the best for your recipe instead of millet flour. 

Substitute for Millet Flour

1. Sorghum

The first alternative for millet flour in our list is sorghum. This is a wholesome grain that is used in cooking. When it’s cooked, sorghum has a nice nutty flavor with a chewy texture.

This is actually ideal for soups. You can replace it in most of the recipes that call for millet flour, but keep in mind that sorghum has a bit more flavor than millet. This may cause some effect on the other ingredients so make sure to use proper amounts in your cooking.

You can add it as a base from grain salads or other baking or savory dishes. Also, sorghum has a lot of protein, iron, and fiber, which makes it a healthy option. 

2. Quinoa

Quinoa

A very common ingredient that can be found in our kitchen is quinoa. This is a gluten-free option with a crunchy texture once you have it cooked.

It is very healthy and usually, people tend to make salads with it. It is a very useful ingredient also in stews or soups and it is considered to be ideal for stir-fries. Actually, quinoa absorbs the flavors from the other ingredients and adds additional protein to your dish.

What is an upside for quinoa is that it cooks in half of the time that it is required to cook millet. You can use it in most of the recipes that call for millet flour. 

3. Bulgur

bulgur

Our next option which is considered to be a good replacement for millet flour in cooking is bulgur. Bulgur is made from wheat groats that go under the process of parboiling, frying, and grinding before use. It has a nutty taste with a nice aroma and has a chewy texture.

You can use it for baking bread, making puddings, salads, soups, stews, and many other recipes that call for millet flour. Bulgur is not a gluten-free option. It contains iron, manganese and is low in fat. Bulgur only needs 15 minutes to be cooked and you can add it in most recipes to cook a delicious meal.

4. Barley

Barley

Another grain that is considered to be a good replacement for millet flour in cooking is barley. This is a grain crop that is present all around the world and usually used to cook casserole and soup. Also, barley has a nutty flavor and chewy texture.

When used in cooking, it does not require to be pre-soaked overnight, and you can use it immediately in your recipe. Use either equal amounts or adjust according to the recipe.

5. Rice

Brown Rice Flour

An ingredient that is usually found in our kitchen is rice. This can be a good substitute for millet flour since it is very useful and can provide a similar texture. This mild-flavored, firm with chewy texture makes it good for most of the savory recipes that call for millet flour.

You can pick between brown and white rice, which both can be taken into consideration. Even though rice is a bigger grain than millet, it can’t be good for soups. 

6. Montina Flour

A grass native to North America that can serve as a good substitute for millet flour is montina flour. It comes from grass and has a very mild flavor when compared to millet flour.

It’s not easy to find, but if you do have it you can easily use it in most of the recipes that call for millet flour. It is a healthy option suited for many dishes. 

7. Amaranth

Amaranth flour

Another gluten-free option that can be a good replacement for millet flour is amaranth. This is an alternative that is very similar to millet flour and is very commonly used among South American, Chinese, and African cooking.

When you analyze it is very similar to sesame seed and has a nice nutty flavor with crunchiness once it is cooked. This will serve you well in most recipes that call for millet flour. Use equal amounts or adapt them to your dish. 

8. Buckwheat

Buckwheat

A strongly flavored grain that is also a great alternative to millet flour is buckwheat. Since it has a nutty, bitter flavor with earthy tones, buckwheat can be used in most of the recipes that call for millet flour.

Make sure to use proper amounts since the taste is stronger than millet flour. It is excellent as a side dish or used in many African slow-cooked dishes.

You need to know that buckwheat needs 10-12 minutes to simmer until it is tender and ready to be used. Make cakes, bread, and other baking goods in which the results will be amazing.

9. All-purpose flour

All-Purpose Flour

A very similar and commonly used flour in the cuisines all over the world is all-purpose flour. Millet flour has a similar protein structured wheat flour, you can always use a ratio of 1:1 in your cooking for all-purpose flour.

It has a soft texture which provides a nice structure to all the baking goods. You can make pizza dough, muffins, some cookies, or any other recipe. Also, all-purpose flour can be used as a thickener for sauces or gravies. It is a healthy option with vitamins and minerals.

10. Wheat flour

Wheat Flour

The last option on our list which can replace millet flour in the kitchen is wheat flour. This is a soft gluten flour that is excluded from the bran. It can be used in many dishes.

You can use it in baking goods, pie crusts, thickener for sauce, and other dishes that call for millet flour. It has a nutty flavor with a fibrous texture. Use equal amounts in your cooking. 

Related Questions

Can I use all-purpose flour instead of millet flour?

You can use all-purpose flour instead of millet flour in your cooking. Millet is a protein structured flour, so you can use a ratio of 1:1 for all-purpose flour. Use it to bake some muffins, bread, and other baking goods.

Is millet flour the same as sorghum flour?

Actually, millet flour and sorghum flour are not the same. They are similar but they have their differences. The main difference is that sorghum is a genus of plants and millets are a food grain. Both are good for cooking.

How do you make millet flour?

To make millet flour at home, you’ll need to soak and drain the grain. Spread it as a thin layer in a cotton cloth. Let it dry for 1-2 hours. Once it’s all dried up you can add the millets to the mixer and blend it until you get a powdery texture to use in your cooking.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

You May Also Like