Coconut flour is an incredible gluten-free alternative flour made from coconut meat. Below you’ll find my best tips on using coconut flour and my favorite coconut flour brands!
Coconut flour has become a popular ingredient over the years due to the popularity of gluten-free and keto diets.
If you’re interested in using this unique baking flour, read below for my baking tips, recipes, and top brands of coconut flour.
What is coconut flour?
Coconut flour is finely ground coconut meat, the byproduct of coconut milk. After coconut milk is made, the leftover coconut pulp is dried and ground into a fine powder that’s great for baking. Coconut flour has a light coconut flavor and is dense and slightly gritty. This gluten-free baking flour is very distinctive and can be tricky to bake with.
Coconut Flour Is…
- Low Carb
- Gluten-Free Flour
- High Fiber Content (one cup coconut flour has 40 grams of fiber!)
- Keto Diet Approved
- Great for Paleo Diet
How To Cook with Coconut Flour
Coconut flour is often used in grain-free and paleo baking. This unique type of flour can be challenging to bake with. Here are some things you need to know before you start baking with it:
- Coconut Flour is very absorbent. You will find that coconut flour recipe calls for a large amount of liquid, usually a lot of eggs. This is because coconut flour is high in fiber, absorbs a lot of fluid, and relies on eggs and other liquids to bind the ingredients together.
- Coconut flour has a gritty texture. This flour’s gritty texture is similar to cornmeal and may turn some off. But if you’re used to grain-free or gluten-free cooking, you won’t have issues consuming coconut flour goodies.
Baking with Coconut Flour: Tips & Tricks
- Always sift your flour before baking. Sifting the coconut flour will remove large grains and make for a better, softer bake.
- Use eggs to bind the batter. Because coconut flour is gluten free, it needs a binder to bind the ingredients together. That’s where eggs come into the picture. Eggs are the perfect binder for coconut baked goods, which is why you’ll find that almost all coconut flour recipes use eggs!
- Use a recipe designed for coconut flour. Due to its unique texture and absorbent qualities, coconut flour cannot be used in a 1:1 ratio with all purpose flour, whole wheat flour, or other low-carb flours. I suggest using kitchen-tested coconut flour recipes for best results.
Coconut Flour Nutritional Data
Nutrition of per cup of coconut flour:
- Calories: 480
- Carbohydrates: 72g
- Fiber: 40g (160% daily values)
- Sugar: 24g
- Net Carbs: 32g
- Fat: 12g
- Protein: 24g
- Coconut flour is high in minerals manganese, potassium, selenium, and copper.
How to store coconut flour
Like most flours, you want to store coconut flour in an airtight container to prevent moisture from spoiling the flour. Because coconut flour contains oil, if you’re not going to use it within a couple of months, you want to store it at a cool temperature (ideally below room temperature – think refrigerator). Coconut flour will last 6-12 months in the fridge and up to two years in the freezer.
Best Coconut Flour Brands
So now that you know how to use coconut flour, below you’ll find the best coconut flour brands you can buy from the grocery stores or online!
#1 Bob’s Red Mill Organic Coconut Flour
This flour is available at most grocery stores and online on amazon.
Certified Organic; Gluten Free; Vegan; Vegetarian; Paleo Friendly; High in Fiber; Kosher, Grain-free flour; Paleo-friendly.
My favorite brand of coconut flour. Available online and most local stores. Coconut Mama’s #1 pick!
#2 Anthony’s Organic Coconut Flour
High-quality organic coconut flour at a great price. I’ve found this bag of coconut flour at my local grocery outlet for a very low price! This flour has worked great in all my gluten-free recipes and is a great alternative to the expensive brands.
This is a great-tasting coconut flour at a great price. Coconut Mama’s #2 pick!
#3 Let’s Do Organic
This is another affordable brand of coconut flour that I’ve found at my local health food store. This coconut flour is processed in a facility that uses tree nuts, so if you’re allergic, please go with a different brand.
An organic coconut flour found at health food stores and online. Coconut Mama’s #3 pick!
#4 Food To Live Coconut Flour
One of the only brands of raw coconut flour available commercially. This coconut flour has a sweet, fresh taste that is great for baked goods or raw desserts.
A raw and organic coconut flour with a sweet coconut flavor. Coconut Mama’s #4 pick!
#5 Nutiva
Nativa is my go-to brand for most of my coconut products! I love their coconut manna, coconut sugar and butter flavored coconut oil! This coconut flour is organic, gluten free, and celiac disease friendly.
Organic and gluten-free flour available at local stores and online. Coconut Mama’s #5 pick!
Other Brands
I tested lots of different brands of coconut flour and the one’s listed below didn’t make my top 5 cut, but are still great options!
FAQs
Yes, coconut flour is naturally gluten free. Always check labels to insure that it isn’t produced in a facility that handles gluten products.
es, coconut flour is keto friendly on only contains 32 grams of carbs per cup of flour (which is more that what you will use in most recipes).
If you’re allergic to coconut, or don’t have coconut flour on hand, the best coconut flour substitutes are almond flour, cassava flour, or sunflower seed flour. Other alternative flours like oat flour, brown rice flour or sorghum flour.
Yes, you will need to make coconut milk first with coconut flakes and water. After making coconut milk, you will remove the pulp and bake it on a cookie sheet or dehydrate it. The dried coconut meat can then be blended to make coconut flour. See full instructions on how to make coconut flour here!
Coconut has gotten a bad rap due to its high saturated fat content. But one of the great things about coconut flour is that it’s high in fiber and is low glycemic index.
No, coconut flour and almond flour cannot be substituted in a 1:1 ratio with each other.
If stored properly, coconut flour will stay fresh for at least a couple months, and up to a year in a cool dry place.
My Favorite Recipes Using Coconut Flour
I have a variety of recipes using coconut flour, but these recipes are my favorite and are a good option for those new to baking with coconut flour!
Coconut Flour Cookies | This is a simple 3-ingredient cookie that is so delicious and easy to make! If you want to add chocolate chips, you can make these coconut flour chocolate chip cookies instead!
Coconut Flour Bread | This is one of my favorite keto recipes! So many miss bread on a low-carb diet, but with this bread recipe you can have your bread and eat it too!
Coconut Flour Peanut Butter Cookies | These coconut flour peanut butter cookies are crispy on the outside with a soft, light center. Takes 12 minutes to bake!
Coconut Flour Banana Bread | This is the best banana bread for anyone avoiding grains or on a gluten-free diet. This banana bread is super moist and delicous!
Coconut flour is good choice for those on grain-free diets and are the best option to those allergenic to tree nuts. This unique flour is high in dietary fiber and is has a lower glycemic index. Make sure to use eggs and extra liquid when baking with it for the best final product.
