How to Use Xanthan Gum: A Beginner’s Guide

By: Bob's Red Mill | December 16 2021

Xanthan GumXanthan 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.

What Is Xanthan Gum?

So, now that you know the benefits of xanthan gum, you may be wondering where it comes from and what does xanthan gum do? While this ingredient may sound like it was produced in a lab, it's actually pretty natural. Xanthan gum is created when the sugar glucose is fermented with a bacterium found in cabbage known as Xanthomonas campestris. 

During fermentation, a white powder is formed that is then sold as xanthan gum. Xanthan gum is unique in its ability to hydrate and disperse at any temperature. Because it does this so quickly, it is one of the few ingredients that you can instantly see results from. However, while xanthan gum powder will work with liquid of any temperature, it may have trouble hydrating if the liquid is overly sugary. This is something to make a note of when creating sweets high in processed sugars.

How Much Xanthan Gum Should You Use?

The amount of xanthan gum needed for each recipe will vary depending on why you're using it. Here are a few of the most common uses for xanthan gum and their respective amounts.

Using Xanthan Gum as a Thickening Agent

xanthan gum food additive for dough on white plate in wooden spoon with metal whisk

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.

Making Xanthan Gum Foam

Light foams add texture and flavor to dishes, taking the presentation of the recipe to the next level. As xanthan gum works to thicken liquids, it can also help trap air bubbles and stabilize foams. To make a xanthan gum foam from a liquid, you'll want to begin by thickening the liquid with xanthan gum. This can be done with an immersion or standing blender. Then, once the xanthan gum has been dispersed into the liquid, introduce air to the mixture by whipping or blending it. This will create foam that will add a unique element of texture to your dishes. While xanthan gum foam is firmer when cold, it can be used with hot and cold dishes. 

Amount of Xanthan Gum to Use in Baking Recipes

When baking with xanthan gum, there are a few things to consider. First, if you're baking with a pre-made gluten free flour blend, you'll want to check if it has xanthan gum incorporated into it already. For example, our Gluten Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour combines a handful of gluten free flours with xanthan gum to take the guesswork out of gluten free baking. If that's the case, then no additional xanthan gum will be needed.

If you're baking with a single gluten free flour like almond flour or creating a blend from scratch, then the amount of xanthan gum needed will vary. Typically for yeasted bread and pizza doughs, 1 teaspoon xanthan gum per cup of flour will be enough. For cakes and muffin recipes, ½ teaspoon xanthan gum per cup of flour is needed.

Where to Buy Xanthan Gum

Customer Paying For Shopping At Checkout

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.

Xanthan Gum Recipes

Now that you know how to bake with, cook and froth xanthan gum, it's time to start using it in your recipes. For example, use xanthan gum to replace gluten in grain-free goods and thicken sauces. Whether you're new to xanthan gum or have been using it for a while, the delicious recipes below are sure to impress you.

Gluten Free Noodles

Pasta is often one of the most common foods we get asked about when following a gluten free diet. While traditional pasta contains gluten and is off-limits for celiac disease and gluten sensitivity, there are ways to make it gluten free. Gluten free pasta can be made in several different ways. However, we've found that the method that produces the most similar results to traditional pasta is using xanthan gum. Using xanthan gum with gluten free flours will help bind the ingredients together and create a pasta dough that can be stretched, molded and dried into any noodle shape you'd like.

To create a bowl of gluten free pasta that everyone at the table will enjoy, try making these Gluten Free Pasta Noodles. Made with just four simple ingredients, this pasta recipe is one that even novice cooks can make with ease. In this recipe, our Gluten Free All Purpose Baking Flour, Xanthan Gum, eggs and water create a lightly flavored pasta that tastes nearly identical to traditional kinds. In fact, it tastes so similar that those who aren't gluten free won't be able to tell the difference. Top these noodles with everything that you would your typical bowl of pasta, or get creative and make a homemade pasta sauce to pair with it

Everyday Bread

Everyday Bread

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!  

31 Comments

  1. Simon Mendonsa
    Simon Mendonsa
    I want to improve self life,taste and texture of the Indian wheat fla chapaties.
    Reply
  2. beaston.sherry@yahoo.com
    Let's see a picture of the XANTHAM GUM
    so we know to look fpr at Kroger 9-26-22
    Reply
    1. Elisabeth Allie
      Added! Thanks for the suggestion. :)
      Reply
      1. Nawaz Marikkar
        Please let me know how to use xanthan powder on making pastes. (Tamarind paste )

        Thanks.
        Reply
        1. Elisabeth Allie
          Hi there! Please reach out to [email protected] to get in touch with our recipes expert.
          Reply
  3. Marcy Blanchette
    I have a few questions. Can xanthan gum be used in regular bread recipes to improve texture and elasticity? Or is it only needed with gluten free flours? When mixing it into a recipe, should it be added to the liquid or sifted into the flour? Can xanthan gum go into hot liquids like soup directly without causing lumps? Or is it like cornstarch where it has to be dissolved in cold liquid first? Lastly, if it's used thicken a soup or sauce, can it be refrigerated or frozen and reheated, keeping its texture or does it change? For example, sauce thickened with roux can be reheated and the thickness and texture stays as it oroginally was when first cooked. Sauce thickened with cornstarch has a gelatinous texture or it loses its thickness completely. Especially if it's cooked for a long time or if the sauce is acidic. Thank you!!
    Reply
    1. Elisabeth Allie
      Please email customer service at [email protected].
      Reply
    2. SKY
      Great questions, Marcy! I'd like to know the answers to these questions also, I hope you'll consider doing a blog post about this in the future, thank you!
      Reply
      1. Barbara Himelman
        Barbara Himelman
        Can I use xanthan gum as a thickener in my mustard pickles. Will my pickles be shelf stable?
        Reply
        1. Elisabeth Allie
          Elisabeth Allie
          Hi Barbara! Please email [email protected] for assistance.
          Reply
    3. Verónica
      Hi, did they answer you? I have the same doubt as you. I read somewhere that xanthan gum improved the elasticity of the dough and it occurred to me that maybe I could use it for a cake that combines whole wheat oat flour with whole grain multigrain flour. Both have gluten, but since they are whole grains they tend to be drier and more brittle. Does anyone know if xanthan gum would work for me and what proportion I should add in relation to the flour? Greetings
      Reply
    4. Sunny
      Found this “ Xanthan is stable across a variety of conditions, enduring varying pH levels and temperatures. It can be used to thicken a wide variety of beverages with better results than starch. It can be heated, frozen and thawed without significant changes to viscosity.”
      Reply
  4. Melanie
    You give the percentage to use for a sauce, but is this by weight or by volume? For example, if a bechamel has 2 cups of cream, how much xanthan gum do I use? Do I need to weigh the cream? Thanks.
    Reply
    1. Elisabeth Allie
      Elisabeth Allie
      Hi there! Please email customer service at [email protected].
      Reply
  5. William McCarey
    Interesting that a new medical study ("Xanthan gum-based fluid thickener decreases postprandial blood glucose...", December 2022) supports the use of xanthan gum for lowering blood glucose levels after eating. Unfortunately it was based on responses in rats, but hopefully applies to us humanids. Got my order in on Amazon already!
    Reply
  6. Deepu Gupta
    For preparation of cake premix, how much amount/weight of xanthan gum required.
    I am very very Thankful.
    Thanking you!
    Deepu Gupta
    Reply
    1. Elisabeth Allie
      Elisabeth Allie
      Hi there! Do you have the specific product/measurements?
      Reply
  7. Margaret Partlan
    Margaret Partlan
    I'm using Bob's xanthan gum while making gluten free sour milk waffles. On several different occasions I have had trouble with the taste. Specifically there are small spots of VERY bitter taste in the finished product. The bitter flavor is NOT distributed throughout the waffle. Just small spots that make eating the finished product a bit unpleasant. I'm guessing... the sour milk maybe causing the problem ? Or perhaps it is because I keep the somewhat large amount you sell in my freezer in order to keep it fresh?
    Please advise. Thank you.
    Reply
    1. Elisabeth Allie
      Elisabeth Allie
      Does your recipe include baking soda? That more sounds like the baking soda isn't being thoroughly mixed into the batter.
      Reply
  8. vinayak crockery
    vinayak crockery
    I read your blog. it's so easy to understand about Xanthan Gum. Thank you so much for sharing blog on "How to Use Xanthan Gum: A Beginner’s Guide" it's amazing. keep up the good work!
    Reply
  9. vinayak crockery
    vinayak crockery
    I read your blog about How to Use Xanthan Gum: A Beginner’s Guide. it is very easy to understand. Thanks for sharing this helpful content.
    Excellent Keep up the good work!
    Reply
  10. Maryann
    Can I use Xanthan gum in place of pectin to thicken blueberry jam?
    Reply
    1. Elisabeth Allie
      You can for freezer jam! There are recipes with xanthan gum on the internet. If you're canning, we recommend only using recipes specifically written for canning.
      Reply
  11. Harold Green
    How much xanthan gum is needed as a thickener for a strawberry pie baked in my oven? Thanks for your response.
    Reply
    1. Elisabeth Allie
      Hi Harold! That would depend on the measurements for the other ingredients. Please email [email protected] for brainstorming help!
      Reply
  12. Yarou Bao Bio
    Thank you very much
    I m doing corn flour pasta with twin screw extruder
    How much xanthan gum do i need for 100 kg cornflour to good spaghetti
    Reply
    1. Elisabeth Allie
      Elisabeth Allie
      Hi Yarou. Please email [email protected].
      Reply
  13. Joanna
    Hello,
    I just wanted to find out, if my pancake syrup I thickened with Xanthan gum, needs to be refrigerated now?
    Reply
    1. Elisabeth Allie
      Hi Joanna! If it is pancake syrup (maple flavored corn syrup) it does not, if it is pure maple syrup, you should store it in the fridge.
      Reply
  14. Jaydeep Mahabaleshwarkar
    Jaydeep Mahabaleshwarkar
    1) Can xantham gum help whip and stabilize 25% cream? The main challenge to whip this cream is that it has to be extremely cold and it only gets whipped with addition of icing sugar. It does not hold for too long and starts losing air.
    2) I tried making cream cheese and mascarpone from scratch and it came out quite well. However the texture was a bit tender and higher temperatures can easily liquify. How can I use xanthan gum to make it firm like store bought ones which is consistent and reliable to use in any recipe.
    3) Can I improve the strength and structure of bread dough if the flour I'm using has a weaker gluten strength and does not trap enough air.
    Reply
    1. Elisabeth Allie
      Hi Jaydeep! Please email [email protected] for assistance.
      Reply

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