Xanthan gum is one ingredient that's making a name for itself in gluten free cooking. Used in all sorts of recipes ranging from dressings to muffins, it's a must-have ingredient if you're avoiding gluten. Widely available and easy to work with, in small amounts, xanthan gum works excellent as a thickening agent for sauces, to create light foams and to keep ingredients from separating when making smoothies, dough and batter.
Its neutral flavor mixes well with nearly any cuisine without changing its original taste, and it helps add a smoother texture to liquid-based treats like ice cream. In addition, when combined with gluten free flours, xanthan gum produces a lot of the structure gluten would add, helping doughs keep their intended shape and rise during the baking process.
Now, we understand that using any new baking ingredient can be intimidating, especially when you're not even sure how to pronounce it (zan-than), but there's no need to worry. Xanthan gum is a simple-to-use ingredient that will ensure that your recipes turn out as great as you'd like. Continue reading to learn how to use xanthan gum in your baked goods. From flatbreads to fluffy cakes, we're confident that once you use this ingredient, you'll begin adding it to all of your gluten free recipes.
Thickening with xanthan gum is easy. To thicken up your recipes, blend the xanthan gum into the liquid that you'd like to thicken, then stir it around, and it will thicken instantly. When used to thicken soups, sauces and creams, the amount of xanthan gum needed will vary depending on the desired consistency. Generally, for thin sauces, a ratio of 0.1% to 0.3% works best. For thicker sauces, a ratio of 0.3% to 1% is commonly used. The more xanthan gum powder added, the thicker your sauce will be. Just be careful not to add too much. Xanthan gum in large amounts will negatively impact the texture of your good and may cause digestive upset.
Luckily, xanthan gum is a widely available product and can be found in nearly every supermarket. Additionally, you can purchase xanthan gum online. Bob's Red Mill Xanthan Gum can be found both online and in certain stores. Use our store locator to check if a product is available near you.
When transitioning to a gluten free diet, it can be hard to let go of any carb-heavy food product. Pasta, crackers, cookies and bread top the list of most missed gluten free foods. While there are several different varieties of gluten free bread available on shelves, many gluten free bakers prefer the flavor of homemade bread. While making gluten free bread might be a bit more challenging, it's not impossible. Adding xanthan gum to your at-home gluten free bread recipes will allow for a more pliable dough that's able to rise as needed.
Start with this Everyday Bread recipe if you're ready to test out your gluten free baking skills and make a loaf of bread sans grains. Made with our Gluten Free All Purpose Baking Flour (a blend of garbanzo bean flour, potato starch, whole grain white sorghum flour, tapioca flour and fava bean flour), all you need to do is add xanthan gum for it to be a success! This bread recipe tastes great when used to make sandwiches, toast, croutons and more. Bake this bread for your upcoming gathering, or enjoy a delicious breakfast or dinner side.
Now that you better understand the many ways that xanthan gum can be used to create gluten free goods, using it in your next recipe will be a breeze. From everyone at Bob's Red Mill, have a healthy and happy day!
Do you love baking with xanthan gum? We'd love to hear about all of the beautiful dishes that you create. Let us know more about how you cook with this ingredient in the comments below. We look forward to hearing from you!
