Is Almond Flour Keto
When following a low-carb or keto diet, many people learn about almond flour as an alternative to traditional wheat flour. It is one of the low-carb and keto flour substitutes you can use in baking and cooking. Read on to find out why so many people chose it for their keto and low-carb recipes and how you can use it in your low-carb life, too.
Is Almond Flour Keto
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One of the reasons that almond flour works for keto is it is low in net carbs. It contains about 3 grams of net carbs. At the same time, because it is made from crushed almonds, you get the benefit of healthy fats and protein, so says the Cleveland Clinic, when espousing the benefits of almonds. Of course, if you have a nut allergy, like my husband does, this flour is off limits.
What is almond flour?
Almond flour is a low-carb flour made from blanched almonds ground into a fine powder. It has a slightly sweet and nutty flavor. You can use it in various recipes, including baked goods, coatings for meats and vegetables and as a thickener for sauces and gravies, much like you would xanthan gum. It is gluten-free, grain-free and keto-friendly
Difference between almond flour and almond meal
Almond flour and almond meal are often interchangeable. That being said, there is also a significant difference between the two. Almond flour is made from blanched almonds that have the skins removed and ground into a fine powder.
Almond meal, sometimes referred to as unblanched almond flour, is made from almonds that still have the skins on. It has a coarser texture. Thus why it is called meal. You might find recipes that suggest almond meal as a substitution for golden flax meal, as this low carb bread recipe does.
Choosing almond meal over flour can affect the texture and color of your baked goods. So read your recipes carefully and make sure you use the right version so the dishes you make come out as expected.
Tips and tricks for perfect low-carb results
Baking with almond flour can be a great way to enjoy your favorite treats, such as almond flour mug cake, while staying low carb. It can also be tricky due to its unique texture and high-fat content.
You can consistently achieve perfect results by understanding the proper ratios, techniques and flavor combinations and creating delicious low-carb baked goods. Overall, you can use a 1:1 ratio when using it as a replacement for traditional all-purpose flour.
Some of the recipes on this blog where I’ve used almond flour include the following:
How to make your almond flour
Making almond flour at home is a simple process. Start with blanched almonds, skins removed. Pulse them in a food processor until they form a fine, powdery texture. One and a half cups of blanched almonds gives you two cups of homemade flour.
The homemade version is cost effective and lets you control the quality of the ingredients. It does take time, however. So if time is something you do not have a lot of in your day, then buying prepacked probably makes more sense for you. These days it is not seen as such a specialty item that the price is that much higher than traditional flours.
How to blanch almonds
Place the almonds with skin into the boiling water for two minutes. Drain, wash and spread on a cloth. By that time, the skin will become loose and you can easily peel it using your hands.
Where to buy almond flour
Not interested in making this flour at home? No problem. These days, you can buy it nearly everywhere. You don’t have to shop at specialty or health food stores only anymore if you need almond flour.
Of course, the easiest way to get almond flour is to order it online for delivery or with your online grocery order that you’ll pick up. You can add Target brand Good and Gather almond flour to your Target Drive Up order. Similarly, you can get the Great Value brand of almond flour with your Walmart Grocery Pickup.
Not surprisingly, Amazon stocks many different almond flour brands. This includes Blue Diamond brand.
Portions of this article originally appeared on Low Carb – No Carb.