What Is the Best Almond Meal Substitute?

What Is the Best Almond Meal Substitute?

Almond meal is one of the most popular baking flours in most paleo, keto and grain-free kitchens. Because of this, many delicious recipes on the internet feature it. However, unless you're following one of these diets yourself, you might not keep it readily stocked in the pantry. So, what happens when you come across one of these delicious almond meal recipes and don't have any to use? You find an excellent almond meal substitute! Continue scrolling as we discuss what you can use to replace almond meal when baking a recipe that calls for it.

What Is Almond Meal?

Contrary to its name, almond meal isn't actually "flour" at all. Instead of being made from wheat, it's made from almonds ground into a flour-like texture. Almond Meal is low in carbs and high in fat, which gives baked goods like muffins a moist and tender texture. However, because almond meal is not usually substituted at a 1-to-1 ratio, it can be tricky to cook with. Additionally, almond meal can be a problem for people who have a nut allergy.

Alternatives to Almond Meal

Luckily, nearly all ingredients can be substituted for something else, and almond meal is no exception. So, if you're set on a recipe that calls for almond meal and do not have any, it's time to consider what you can use in its place. Before you take it upon yourself to mix and match ingredients, continue scrolling and discover a few of our favorite almond meal substitutes. Because most flours can't be swapped for almond meal at a 1-to-1 ratio, you'll want to read this list carefully to discover how to make sure your recipe turns out a success no matter what flour is used.

Homemade Almond Meal

If you stumble upon an almond meal recipe and don't have any readily available, try making your own. Just a food processor and bowl of almonds are needed to create a homemade almond meal that's just as delicious as store-bought varieties. Learn more about making this low carb flour in your kitchen and read the article: How to Make Almond Meal at Home.

Ground Sunflower Seeds

Organic sunflower seeds and flowers on wooden table N Gluten free and low carb, sunflower seeds are an excellent substitute for almond meal. While they share similar nutritional benefits, unlike almond meal, they're nut-free, which makes them a perfect option for individuals with food allergies. Additionally, sunflower seeds are much less expensive than nuts, making them a favored choice if you're baking on a budget. Benefits aside, sunflower meal does tend to be a bit higher in moisture than almond meal, and because of this, an increase in cooking time is encouraged. To make sunflower meal, simply add hulled sunflower seeds to a food processor and blend until it's created a flour-like substance.

Ground Nuts

Almonds aren't the only nut that can be ground up into a meal. Hazelnuts, walnuts and cashews can all be blended to create a flour-like substance perfect for baking grain-free baked goods. While they are similar in texture to almond meal, the flavor of these flours is entirely different. It's essential to consider this change of taste when choosing which nut to replace almond meal with.

Flaxseed Meal

Flaxseeds are packed with nutritional value and make for an excellent substitute for almond meal. Full of protein, fiber and healthy fats, they're also low in carbohydrates, making this meal suitable for individuals following a ketogenic diet. In addition, when baking with Flaxseed Meal, it lends a beautiful and light texture to whatever food it's used to create. However, flaxseed absorbs more moisture than almonds and should not be substituted at a 1-to-1 ratio. Instead, review how much almond meal the chosen recipe calls for and then research the correct amount of flaxseed meal to replace it with.

Pumpkin Seed Meal

Pumpkin seed meal can easily be made by grinding hulled pumpkin seeds in your food processor at home. The texture of the flour will be similar to almond meal. However, the flavor will be a bit sweeter. Pumpkin seeds are a great substitute if you're hoping to create a low allergen treat. When substituting almond meal with pumpkin seed meal, note that it should not be substituted in baked goods, but rather used to thicken soups, coat protein or sprinkle over vegetables.

All Purpose Flour

If you're searching for the most cost-effective almond meal substitute, then all-purpose flour is an excellent choice. While it does contain gluten, gluten is only a problem if you have an intolerance to it. Also, because all-purpose flour weighs slightly more than almond meal, it should be substituted at a 1-to-1 weight ratio instead of measurement. Even so, many recipes will call for slightly less all-purpose flour to ensure accurate and consistent results.

Coconut Flour

coconut flour Like almond meal, coconut flour is low carb and gluten free. While these two flours do share similarities, they are significantly different when it comes to moisture content. Coconut flour absorbs much more water than almond meal, so when substituting it, you'll want to make sure that the recipe has specific coconut flour substitution instructions. To ensure the best results when using coconut flour, we recommend choosing a flour created with it.

Wheat Flour

If gluten isn't a problem for you, then wheat flour makes an excellent almond meal alternative. Wheat flour and all-purpose flour are higher in carbohydrates than almond meal, which means that they are not suitable on a low carb diet. However, because wheat flour is a refined carbohydrate, the sugar in it is absorbed more slowly. Choosing whole grains over refined grains can help you maintain higher energy levels for longer. When substituting wheat flour for almond meal, look at instructions relevant to the recipe you are making. Often the other ingredients in the recipe will need to be adapted when using wheat flour.

Oat Flour

Love enjoying a bowl of oats for breakfast? By grinding rolled oats into flour, you can choose to enjoy them all the time. Though oat flour is available at many health food stores, it's pretty simple to make at home. Just place rolled oats into a food processor or blender, and voila! You'll create delicious oat flour. So, while it may be easy to make, can it be substituted for almond meal? Oat flour makes an excellent substitute for almond meal in many recipes. Its light nature creates fluffy and light baked goods with a subtle nutty flavor. When compared to almond meal, oat flour is higher in carbohydrates but lower in calories and fat. So while it may not be suitable for individuals following a ketogenic diet, it is an excellent choice for those monitoring their calorie intake. Although oats are naturally gluten free, many are contaminated during the manufacturing process. When searching for a gluten free flour option, be sure to choose oats that are certified gluten free.

Delicious Recipes to Make with Almond Meal Substitutes

Eager to begin baking in the kitchen but don't have any almond meal. You can create a delicious meal by using an almond meal substitute to make the recipes below.

Coconut Crusted Mahi Mahi

Coconut Crusted Mahi-Mahi One of our favorite ways to use almond meal is as a replacement for breadcrumbs. A low carb and gluten free option, it works great when used in recipes like these Five Ingredient Almond Chicken Tenders. Luckily, if you don't have almond meal on hand, coconut flour can be used to create that same breadcrumb-like texture. Just a bit of organic coconut flour is needed to make a delicious crust that you can use to coat any protein. At Bob's Red Mill, we love using coconut flour to create this Coconut Crusted Mahi Mahi. A tasty blend of Southeastern Asian Flavors, this mahi mahi is gluten free, high fiber, lactose free and soy free.

Cassava Pasta

Almond meal can be used to create many excellent and traditionally wheat-based dishes. One of the most popular ways to use almond meal is to create gluten free pasta. So, what happens when you run out? Keep the kitchen gluten free and make this delicious Cassava Pasta Recipe. Made from a blend of cassava flour and flaxseed meal, it's a nutritious and gluten free dish that tastes just like the real thing. Xanthan gum is used in this recipe to bind the ingredients together and create the same pasta texture that you know and love. Top it off with a homemade sauce, and enjoy! The next time you're baking a recipe that requires almond meal and discover that you've run out, don't scrap the recipe just yet. Instead, review this list of almond meal substitutes to determine which best suits your recipe's needs. It may take a bit of creativity on your end. However, we believe some of the most incredible dishes are born that way! From everyone at Bob's Red Mill, we wish you a happy and flavorful day!  
Bob's Red Mill
November 06 2021

Comments

Bob's Red Mill Logo

Our Company

Customer Support

FAQ
Join our table

Get baking tips, exclusive offers and other things straight to your inbox.

Connect with Us
© 1978-2025 Bob’s Red Mill Natural Foods
Terms of Use Privacy Policy Supply Chain Disclosure Cookie Notice Do not sell or share my info Manage Preferences