Amazing Keto-Friendly Cornstarch Substitute For A Healthy Lifestyle
Are you looking for cornstarch substitute? First, you need to know about what is cornstarch?
It is pure starch powder that’s extracted from corn kernels and it remove all of their outer bran and germ while leaving behind the starch-rich endosperm.
It is used in soups, stews, and other foods. You can see that one ounce contains over 25 grams of total carbohydrates which you can easily use your entire carb allotment for the day.
Luckily, there are a lot of thickening agents and KETO-FRIENDLY CORNSTARCH SUBSTITUTES.
Let’s explore each alternative for your healthy life.
Related: 10 Low Carb & Keto-Friendly Rice Substitute
Nutrition Facts Of Cornstarch
Uses Of Cornstarch In Cooking & Baking
The starch of corn found in the endosperm of corn kernels is ground to make a fine powder. It is a very common ingredient for cooking and baking. It is used for thickening soups, stews, sauces, and custards.
It is also used by manufacturers of processed cheese and yogurt as a thickening agent. Apart from being used as a thickener it is also widely used in frying to make extra crispy fried stuff.
Maize (corn) starch is the main ingredient of marinades of stir-fried meat or seafood, especially in Chinese cuisines. In baking, it is used to create the extra tender crumb and also used to thicken ice creams without using egg yolks.
Best 12 Keto-friendly Cornstarch Substitute
Cornstarch does not provide any significant health benefits. It has no vitamins or minerals.
One ounce of cornstarch gives 25.6 grams of carbohydrates and 25.3 grams of net carbohydrates. It has less than one gram of fiber and protein each.
These are the reasons why health-conscious people look for cornstarch substitutes. Here are some of the most popular substitutes used in Keto Diet.
Glucomannan Powder
The dietary fiber found in the root of the konjac plant is known as glucomannan. This amazing keto cornstarch substitute is abundant in fiber and has a very low caloric value. It is very useful for weight loss as it controls appetite.
It is a natural prebiotic that helps in improving digestion. It has amazing health benefits such as controlling cholesterol, decreasing inflammation, managing hormonal balances, improving gut health, and overall immune system.
The availability of cornstarch substitute keto diets needs to make life a lot easier. What is more, this powder is virtually tasteless hence it can be safely added to any food without noticeably altering its taste.
Almond Flour
Almond flour is another healthy maize starch substitute that contains essential vitamins and minerals. It is very beneficial for heart health. It prevents the risk of cancer cell formation.
It also helps regulate blood sugar levels. Almond flour serves as a great energy source for the whole day. It is a very effective keto cornstarch substitute.
A quarter cup of almond flour contains 160 calories out of which 6 grams constitute carbohydrates. It is widely used as a substitute for baking. You can bake scrumptious brownies, wholesome bread, delicious cookies, and cakes using almond flour.
Chia Seeds
Another cornstarch substitute that keto fans are fond of, chia seeds, which have very few carbohydrates.
Just about one teaspoon of chia seeds can give you a thick consistency that you ideally desire to make puddings, sauces, and jellies.
Packed with essential minerals, chia seeds keep your energy levels replenished for the whole day.
Related: ADD SUNFLOWER SEEDS TO YOUR DIET FOR A HEALTHY LIFE
Flaxseeds
Flaxseed meal and ground flaxseed are commonly used as maize starch substitute in many keto recipes given their glue-like binding property. They also give good amounts of omega-3 fatty acids to the body.
They help lower cholesterol levels, assisting in the weight loss process. Abundant in antioxidants, flaxseed also helps prevent cancer.
Cauliflower
Cauliflower can be a very effective maize starch substitute as it has amazing thickening property.
Boil cauliflower in 2 to 4 cups of water. Once the florets are tender blend them in a food processor to form a thick creamy paste that can be used in soups, stews, chowders, and Alfredo sauce.
Xanthan Gum
Xanthan gum is a common cornstarch substitute for baking. You can make bread, muffins, and other things using Xanthan gum.
It thickens and rises in the same way that yeast does. Just about half a tea spoon will be good enough to serve the purpose.
Coconut Flour
Dried and ground coconut meat makes up coconut flour. It has a high amount of fiber and a very low carbohydrate count, making it a very useful maize starch substitute that keto foods can have.
Whisk it nicely with cold water and gradually add it to the simmering liquid to thicken it. You can use it as a thickening agent for soups, sauces, and stews.
Rice Flour
Rice flour is made from finely ground rice. It is a very common ingredient in many Asian foods. Desserts, soups, and noodles use rice flour as the main ingredient.
It helps cook gluten-free dishes. It can be mixed with dishes to thicken clear liquids. However, the amount of rice flour you use should be almost double the amount of cornstarch.
Potato starch
Potato starch gives foods a creamy and thick consistency. It can be used to make gluten-free curries and sauces. It is used to thicken soups as well.
However, the amount of potato starch used to thicken curries should be nearly one and a half times that of cornstarch.
All-Purpose Flour
You can use all-purpose flour, but it cannot be the perfect substitute for cornstarch. You can thicken the sauce with cornstarch, which will be more translucent. In contrast, using all-purpose flour will be opaque and have a thicker texture.
It won’t provide the same crisp crust as maize starch gives to fried foods, but it can be worked for either situation in a pinch.
Use it 2:1 for cornstarch for frying but if making a pan sauce, cook it through toasty and caramelized in order to rid of the ‘’raw flour’’ taste and texture.
Arrowroot Powder
Arrowroot powder can be extracted from topical plant roots such as cassava, aka arrowroot starch, or arrowroot flour. It can be used in gluten-free and vegan desserts and as a thickening agent like cornstarch.
However, it doesn’t work well when heated and turns thin when cooked. So, use it in recipes that won’t need heat or a long simmer. Hence, desserts are the best option for this.
Using one to one ratio of arrowroot powder and dissolving it in cold water to cornstarch should be the trick before adding it to room temperature sauces.
Tapioca Flour
It is extracted from cassava, a root vegetable found throughout South America. Tapioca flour is the best cornstarch substitute for pudding and sweet sauces. It is a more fibrous and stellar thickening agent, so be careful to overuse it.
Use twice the tapioca flour to substitute the cornstarch in your recipe. Don’t overheat or boil for an excessive amount of time.
FAQs
Q: What is the difference between cornstarch and cornflour?
A: In the UK, cornstarch and corn flour are the same. However, in the American context, cornflour is much finer cornmeal.
Q: Can cornstarch be added as it is to a liquid to thicken?
A: Cornstarch cannot be added as it is to thicken the liquid. Not even sprinkling a little bit of it shall serve the purpose. It will create lumps that can never be broken completely. Make a thin paste with a small amount of liquid and then add it gradually to the liquid that needs to be thickened.
Q: Which cornstarch substitutes can be used for frying?
A: Rice flour and potato starch are good cornstarch substitutes that can be used for frying. They make fried stuff crispy and crunchy.
Q: Which cornstarch substitutes can be used for making sauces?
A: Arrowroot powder and tapioca starch can be used to thicken sauces.
Conclusion
Hence there are many alternatives to cornstarch that are much healthier. Look out for keto cornstarch substitute that keeps low carbohydrates count and give you the desired level of energy and nutritional benefits for the whole day.
