Arrowroot Starch: Uses & Benefits

Arrowroot starch is essential when it comes to gluten free baking. It's a versatile flour that can be used to thicken sauces, stews and soups. While arrowroot starch comes in powdered form, when combined with liquid, it creates a neutral-flavored mixture that can be added to any soup-like recipe. 

Now, if you have arrowroot powder in your kitchen but aren't quite sure which recipe to add it to, don't worry. At Bob's Red Mill, we understand that using new ingredients can be confusing. To help you better explore arrowroot powder and all of its benefits, we put together this simple guide. Whether you use this guide as recipe inspiration or as a way to learn a little more about arrowroot, we hope that it inspires you to start using starch in the kitchen. 

Here are some of our favorite benefits of arrowroot starch, as well as some tried and true uses! Let's get started!

What Is Arrowroot Starch?

To get started, let's talk about what arrowroot starch is and where it comes from. Commonly labeled as arrowroot powder, arrowroot flour and arrowroot starch, this powder is made through the extraction of starch from the arrowroot plant. Similar to yucca, kudzu and cassava, the arrowroot plant is a tropical tuber. When extracted, it forms a powder-like substance that is white, flavorless and odorless. All of which makes it the perfect thickening agent to add to any recipe. It’s naturally chemical-free, but when purchasing arrowroot flour, it's essential to read all of the labels on the packaging carefully. A high-quality arrowroot powder should have only one main ingredient listed, arrowroot. Checking that your powder's only ingredient is arrowroot will ensure that you are purchasing a quality product free of fillers, additives and unnecessary processing. 

Arrowroot Starch Uses

Wondering how you can use arrowroot starch around the kitchen? Keep scrolling to discover some of our favorite ways to use this versatile starch!

Thicken Soups and Stews

If you've ever made a soup that's turned out too runny, then you understand the struggle. When soups are too liquidy you are oftentimes left wondering if you should drink it rather than eat it. Arrowroot starch can help with that! To successfully thicken your favorite soup, start by creating a "slurry." To do this, mix a small amount of arrowroot and begin with a cold liquid like water or plant-based milk. Once the two ingredients are thoroughly combined, they will create a paste or "slurry" that you can then add to your soup. When using arrowroot powder to thicken soups, we recommended adding it to the recipe at the end of the cooking process to prevent molecules in the starch from breaking down. 

Add Structure to Baked Goods

Craving a little more structure in your favorite dessert recipe? Look no further. Adding arrowroot starch to your baked goods can help create the light and airy texture you crave. Like when thickening soup, the best way to add arrowroot powder to a baked treat is first to create a slurry. Upon combining the arrowroot, you'll begin to notice the batter thickening. Continue mixing until it reaches the desired consistency and voila! Your baked goods will be lighter and fluffier than ever. 

Hold Gluten Free Recipes Together

Trust us, we understand that baking for those who are gluten free can be quite challenging. That's why we've searched high and low for the best tricks in the book to make sure our gluten free recipes turn out perfectly. So what did we find? Starches like arrowroot powder are an essential ingredient when it comes to baking gluten free goods. Not only will adding arrowroot flour to your recipe create a lighter and fluffier result, but it also works to bind all the ingredients together, which can often be difficult in gluten free cooking. Combine arrowroot flour with other grain free flours, (like almond flour) to create a gluten free treat that everyone can enjoy. 

Arrowroot Starch Benefits

Aside from being one of the most versatile starches out there, arrowroot powder is loaded with benefits. Adding arrowroot powder to your favorite recipes will not only make them taste better, but it might help you feel better too. Keep scrolling to discover some of the fantastic benefits of arrowroot powder and how you can incorporate it into your daily life. 

Arrowroot Starch Is Gluten Free

If you or someone in your family suffers from gluten intolerance, then you probably know a thing or two about gluten free cooking. While some gluten free recipes can be incredibly easy to make, others might be somewhat difficult. Unless the dish is naturally gluten free, trying to figure out the right ratio to swap ingredients can be tiring. Not to mention, you won't know if your substitutions have worked until the end of the baking process! One of our favorite things about arrowroot powder is that it is naturally gluten free! Arrowroot is extremely versatile and can even be used as a substitute for wheat flour. It works well when mixed with other gluten free flours like almond flour and coconut flour and is perfect for bread or cake recipes. Arrowroot powder can also be used as a thickening agent in puddings, sauces, soups and gravy! Still not convinced? Arrowroot powder is also grain-free, vegan and paleo-friendly! 

And there you have it! A few of our favorite arrowroot powder uses and benefits. The next time you're baking in the kitchen, try adding arrowroot powder to one or two of your favorite recipes and notice the difference it makes. Have you used arrowroot powder before? We'd love to hear how. Let us know in the comments below. From all of us at Bob's Red Mill, Happy Baking!