Coconut Flour Recipes - My Natural Family (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to baking with coconut flour? ›

A quick rule of thumb is to swap about 1/4 to 1/3 cup coconut flour for 1 cup of regular flour. Due to its high absorbency, you'll also want to increase the number of eggs. To help you try this unique ingredient, we've rounded up eight of our best coconut flour recipes.

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.

Coconut flour is made from coconut meat that's dried then ground into flour. It's a very light and “airy” flour, perfect for cakes, muffins, and breads.

There are potential health benefits to using coconut flour instead of wheat 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.

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.

If you look at coconut flour it contains 68.7 grams of carbohydrate per 100 grams. Of that 38.5 grams is dietary fiber, sugar accounts for another 8.7 grams leaving about 17.6 grams of starchy carbs. Comparing this to regular conventional all purpose flour 100 grams contains 76.3 grams of total carbs.

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.

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.

Unlike grain flours, coconut flour contains a substantial amount of fat. This fat is primarily saturated and largely comprised of medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), which may reduce inflammation and support healthy metabolism ( 1 , 2 ).

Coconut flour appears to have a low glycaemic index of 51 which means it should cause less of a spike in blood sugar levels than wheat flour, which has a glycaemic index of 69. This is because coconut flour is high in fat and fibre, which work to slow down the release of sugar in the bloodstream.

Is it OK to eat coconut flour everyday? ›

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.

Coconut flour can cause bloating in some people.

It's super-fiber-rich, which can feed all manner of gut bacteria–the good and the bad. Over-fed good bacteria can create imbalances digestive imbalances too, believe it or not!

Almond flour is low in carbohydrates and rich in healthy fats, while coconut flour is higher in fiber and a good source of medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs). Almond flour and coconut flour are two popular alternatives to traditional wheat flour, especially for those following gluten-free or grain-free diets.

Coconut flour is tricky to work with because it is not a grain-based flour. It's not an easy substitute, so it's best to use established recipes. You can't substitute coconut flour on a 1:1 ratio for all-purpose flour, or most other flours, but try to cut down the amount of flour to ¼ of what you would normally use.

Just throw in more flavor when baking with coconut flour. If you're making sweet recipes, such as shortbread, chocolate chip coconut flour cookies, coconut flour muffins or pie crust, use extra chocolate, cocoa powder or vanilla extract.

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.