Are you ever looking for alternatives to certain ingredients in your recipes? Here are some great ingredient substitutes for you!
Here at MOMables, we’re asked almost daily for ingredient substitution suggestions on recipes. We do our best to respond with the best advice and as quickly as possible.
Because of this, Chief MOM Laura thought it would be a great idea to have a comprehensive post on the blog listing the most common substitutions in one spot. Think of it as a “one-stop shop” or FAQ reference page. ;)
Need more recipe ideas!? MOMables has you covered on every front! Check it out!
So here we go:
Egg Substitutes
- When a recipe calls for 3 or more eggs for one batch, substitutions typically do not work.
- Commercial egg replacement (like Ener-G brand Egg Replacer) works for binding or leavening purposes and not always as a 1:1 ratio. I’d be careful substituting recipes that call for 2 or more eggs.
(1 Egg) can be substituted with:
- ½ mashed banana
- ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce (or other pureed fruit such as pears or prunes)
- ¼ cup canned pumpkin puree
- ¼ cup plain yogurt or sour cream
- ¼ cup pureed tofu + 1 tablespoon flour
- ¼ cup oil
- 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed + 3 tablespoons warm water. (Mix and let stand for 5 minutes until gel-like.)
- commercial egg replacer
- 2 tablespoons water + 1 tablespoon oil + 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 tablespoon apple cider or white distilled vinegar + 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 tablespoons water + 1 tablespoon oil + 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 tablespoon apple cider or white distilled vinegar + 1 teaspoon baking soda
More egg replacements and information can be found in my recipe for eggless pancakes!
Dairy Substitutes
When replacing milk with nondairy milk, it is substituted cup for cup. Some great options are:
- Rice milk
- Coconut milk
- Almond milk
- Soy milk
- Hemp milk
For 1 cup of:
- Buttermilk: 1 tablespoon lemon juice or apple cider vinegar + 1 cup nondairy milk. Let stand for 10 minutes.
- Yogurt, cream, or sour cream: nondairy yogurt, such as coconut milk yogurt to retain texture
- Butter: coconut oil, shortening, or nondairy buttery spread (cup for cup)
- Melted butter: applesauce (cup for cup, usually up to ¾ cup)
Flour Substitutes
When cooking gluten-free, it is not always a cup-for-cup replacement. Amounts may vary, and other chemical agents may be needed. Gluten-free flours can require more moisture and often thickeners/binders such as xanthan gum or guar-gum added.
But to get you started, here are the basics when you need to substitute flours.
- 1 cup whole-wheat flour: ½ cup all purpose + ½ cup whole-wheat flour
- 1 cup all-purpose: ½ cup whole-wheat + ½ cup all-purpose (white). If you make this 100% whole-wheat, baked goods will be “dense.”
- 1 cup all-purpose (white) flour: 1 cup soft white wheat also called whole-wheat baking flour
- Almond flour: substitute 1:1 with all-purpose (white) flour. Note: Almond flour typically requires more egg or binding agent, so the recipe might need to be altered. More about almond flour substitutes here.
- Coconut flour: To reduce the coconut flour in a recipe, substitute 2 tablespoons coconut flour + general all-purpose flour for the rest. Recipes that call for coconut flour have often been developed specifically for the ingredient; I recommend seeking an alternative recipe altogether.
- Buckwheat flour: Just like substituting for whole-wheat above. ½ cup buckwheat + ½ cup all-purpose to 1 cup all-purpose.
Peanut Butter Substitutes
When replacing peanut butter in recipes, it is typically a one for one replacement. See how each of the top 5 peanut butter alternatives compare and learn about which substitute to use in which recipe here.
- Sunflower butter
- Soy butter
- Almond butter
- Cashew butter
Vicki
My ? Is how do you make stuff stick together using coconut flour since there is no gluten
MOMables - Laura
Coconut flour is not a substitute for regular flour. You have to use recipes specifically created for coconut flour.
Doug
Good morning Laura I have a great baking book but all pie crust calls for almond flour. Can I substitute with coconut flour or another type other than white or wheat. Thanks
Doug
MOMables - Laura
Hi Doug, coconut flour isn’t a “flour” really and it cannot be substituted for almond flour. You have to find recipes specific to coconut flour.
Jaye
I made the Fluffy Sweet Potato Pancakes and they are delicious! Although, I’m not on a paleo diet and used all purpose flour. They were light and fluffy and delicious. I will make again!
Susan
can i use something else in Chinese Almond cookies to replace the 2tbsp. dry milk?
I tried just ground almonds but havent baked them yet. Will it make any difference?
MOMables - Laura
I am sorry but I can’t advise on this since it’s not my recipe and I”m not familiar with the recipe. I hope they turn out well.
Janet
I have a recipe for a cranberry fruit loaf that calls for 2 cups of buckwheat … I really don’t like buckwheat and would like to know if I can substitute almond flour or whole wheat flour.
MOMables - Laura
You can easily substitute buckwheat with whole-wheat flour but not almond flour. Enjoy!
Ramon Garcia
I am trying to make some macaroons and it calls for almond flour and i want to know if I can use regular flour.
MOMables - Laura
Not that I know of for that particular recipe. it’s best you find a recipe specifically created with all purpose flour.
DENISE
I am making stuffed peppers and the recipe calls for 2 cups rice. I want to substitute the rice to quinoa. How much quinoa should I make?
MOMables - Laura
Although this isn’t a baking question, you should substitute the same amount of cooked quinoa for the rice. so if the recipe calls for 2 cups of cooked rice, make 2 cups of cooked quinoa.
Cheryl
I want to make pumpkin bread. Can I substitute almond flour for regular white flour? I saw that I may need to adjust the binders. Would adding an extra egg do it?
MOMables - Laura
I suggest you find a pumpkin bread recipe that is specifically made for almond flour. They typically have more eggs. Google Against All Grain Pumpkin Bread. Hers is terrific.
Arlene
I really want to make some French macaroons but it’s so hard to find almond flour at the store.. What can I subtitle the almond flour with?? Please any suggestions.. Thanks
MOMables - Laura
Unfortunately, you’ll have to find another recipe specifically made without it. Sorry
Rachel
I have a recipe that calls for 3/4c whole wheat flour and 3/4c oat flour(also says you can grind oats in a blender). My question is can I use All purpose white flour instead of whole wheat(since I don’t have whole wheat flour) and if so how much would you use? Can you use the all purpose instead of oat flour and whole wheat and use 1 & 1/2 cups?
MOMables - Laura
Yes, you can use the same amount of all-purpose flour in that recipe, all-purpose to whole wheat is 1:1 ratio. Whatever you are baking will come up softer and not as dense.
Yes, you can use 1 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour instead of the other two, but depending on what you are making, you might have to add 2-4 additional tablespoons since oats absorb a bit more moisture. I don’t know what you are making but it should work. enjoy.
Lauren
I am wanting to make french macaroons and all the recipes call for almond flour. Can I substitute almond flour for all-purpose flour?
Terri
Would I be able to substitute spelt flour for the almond flour?
MOMables
unfortunately, spelt and almond flour don’t always work the same in baking. Check the recipe to make sure.
Donna Imsand
My grandson has nut allergies what is a substitute I can use for Almond Butter
MOMables
Soy butter or sunflower seed butter
Luca
Great information! As well you are so great at answering everyones question!
Thank you!
Emilie Hebert
Thank you!
Madeline
hello , trying to make muffins, the recipe calls for 4 3/4 cup of all purpose flour
can i use Cassava Flour?
and would i use the same amount?
i know this may sound dumb but i know some flour they say you have to use 1:1 substitute, what does that mean?
am doing this for my son how is on a GF,CF, Wheat Free and Grain Free Lifestyle.
this is the 1st time am trying to use Cassava Flour.
Thank you
hope you can Help!
Madeline
MOMables
If it calls for 1:1 that means you use the same amount as called for, one cup to one cup. ;)
Mary
I am trying to convert a zucchini bread recipe. Would like to sub almond flour, coconut oil and white sugar. Recipe makes 2 full sz loaves. Calls for 3 eggs. 3 cups all purpose flour, 2 cups sugar. 1 cup veg oil.
Coconut oil, will use 1 cup. If I use 3 cups almond flour should I use 4 eggs or more? What can I use in place of sugar?
Debbie
Can I use, and how would it work best, to substitute almond four for regular flour in a Lemmon brownie recipe for Passover?
MOMables
You can try! You might have to adjust your liquid, depending on the recipe.
susan
I am realizing my daughter who has egg and dairy protein issues me to change things at home. This list helps me from having to do all the research. Some of your recipes like the French toast, pancakes and waffles help me out a lot. I think I want to make loads and freeze them. Also I want to try the morning glory muffin and some cookies to freeze. I think if I am prepared with enough she will adjust better. Have you tried making any type of pizzas with vegan cheese?
MOMables
I have. not all cheese substitutes are the same but they’ll melt none the less. I find that you’ll also need less of it.
Happiness
Is it possible to substitute 1 cup almond flour with 1 cup plain flour and use almond essence instead. if yes how much essence can i use?
MOMables
Unfortunately you can’t substitute almond flour 1:1 for regular flour, but you can test out a few recipes to get a feel for how it acts.
Digna
Do you use baking powder if yes which one ???
TIA
MOMables
Hi Digna! Any double acting baking powder will do.
sabrina
I am an allergy mom and have had several recipes that call for almond flour. Since I cannot use it, I had to research far and wide for an acceptable substitute. You can also substitute almond flour with ground raw sunflower seeds. They can be easily ground in coffee grinder or in a mini Cuisinart with the chop/grind functions. Using this substitution does not change the recipe otherwise.
Karmen
What can I substitute almond meal with?
MOMables
Almond meal is the same as almond flour, but almond flour is finer while the meal is a bit coarser. You can substitute almond meal with almond flour or all-purpose wheat flour (but the binding agents like eggs may have to be adjusted).
lee
my question is can I replace almond meal with ground almond?
Thank you
MOMables
yes
Nafisa
Can i replace almond flour with maize flour.
MOMables
No. sorry!
Stephanie
What is a 1:1 conversion?
MOMables
1 to 1 means 1 cup for 1 cup. 1 teaspoon for 1 teaspoon. etc.
Catherine
Can I use whole wheat flour in place of almond flour? Would it be a 1:1 conversion?
MOMables
In some cases yes, but not always. Almond flour is not a “flour” per se, just ground almonds. It doesn’t work as wheat flour 1:1 in all cases.
Jarica
If I wanted to replace the almond flour in a recipe with almond butter what would the ratio be?
I’ve had some great treats made with almond butter instead of almond flour & I would love to try this with some of my other baking.
Thanks in advance for your help!
MOMables
Almond butter is not a substitute for almond flour (and vice versa). Each recipe is developed for that particular ingredient.
LudicrousMama
I read to use only 5 ounces/140g of GF flour per cup of regular flour. Probably why cup-for-cup substitutions need more liquid added.
MOMables
it always depends on the gf flour used. I love cup4cup
RK
I agree with this! I use EnerG replacer, and atleast for cupcakes, my friend had told me to add for 1 more egg. So, for 2 eggs, make the mix for 3 eggs. It has worked for this. Not so much for cakes yet…
MOMables
RK, you are correct. Replacing more than one egg with the powdered one can be a little more difficult.