How to Make Pastry Flour at Home (So Easy!)

Make pastry flour at home with just two ingredients in under 5 minutes! Use for pies, cookies, cakes, and other delicious baked goods!

This Homemade Pastry Flour recipe is…

• Quick
• Simple
• Egg-Free
• Dairy-Free
• Vegan-Friendly
• An amazing ingredient for homemade pastries!

What is Pastry Flour?

Have you ever read a recipe and thought, “What is pastry flour?” You are not alone! For years I have wondered what it is and why it is different from all-purpose or bread flours. Worry no more! Though pastry flour has a similar make up to the other flours, it is specifically formulated to have a lower gluten content which is ideal for baking – you guessed it – pastries.

There are so many different types of flour, each yielding a unique type of bake. Cake flour creates a tender crumb, bread flour a strong slice, and semolina flour the perfect pasta! Even almond flour has its own characteristics when used for gluten-free baking. Above all, it is important to know the profile of your ingredients before using in a recipe to ensure your bake turns out well. Pastry flour is the best selection for croissants, pie crusts, and biscuits; almost anything with a flaky or crumbly texture.

If you have found a great pastry recipe, but you’re out of pastry flour, don’t fret! After reading How to Make Pastry Flour at Home, you’ll be able to whip up this soft, delicate flour with ingredients you already have in your pantry.

Ingredients for How to Make Pastry Flour at Home

All-Purpose Flour: All-purpose flour stays true to its name by having multiple uses; not just in baking, but in creating a new ingredient! Since the structure of wheat flours is fairly similar, the only adjustment needed to change all-purpose flour into pastry flour is to add a starch. This changes the gluten and protein content just enough to make a difference in baking.

Cornstarch – Cornstarch is added to all-purpose flour to lower the protein content and yield soft, tender pastries. In fact, just a little bit is needed for the ratio to work its magic!

Diet compatibility and allergens

Diet	Recipe compatible as written?	Recommended substitutions
Keto	No.	N/A
Paleo	No.	N/A
Whole30	No.	N/A
Gluten-free	No.	N/A
Vegetarian	Yes.	N/A
Vegan	Yes.	N/A
Low sodium	Yes.	N/A
Dairy-free	Yes.	N/A
Mediterranean	No.	N/A
Low FODMAP	No.	N/A
Atkins	No.	N/A

Allergen	Present in recipe?	Recommended substitutions
Milk	No.	N/A
Eggs	No.	N/A
Fish	No.	N/A
Shellfish	No.	N/A
Tree nuts	No.	N/A
Peanuts	No.	N/A
Wheat (Gluten)	Yes.	N/A
Soy	No.	N/A
Sesame	No.	N/A

How to Make Pastry Flour at Home

Step One: Sift all-purpose flour into a bowl.

Step Two: Sift the cornstarch into the same bowl, then mix.

Step Three: Store in an airtight container and use for baking delicious pastries!

Note – Make as much pastry flour as necessary for your recipe using these ratios.

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