Low Carb Paleo Almond Flour Pie Crust Recipe | Food Faith Fitness (2024)

FAQs

Why can't you use baking powder with almond flour? ›

Since baking powder contains baking soda, baking powder cannot be used in almond flour baking. Instead, eggs (or applesauce or bananas) can be used as the leavening agent to help baked goods rise and achieve a light and fluffy texture.

Almond flour is a 100% keto-approved baking flour. It is also the most widely used keto flour on shelves. However, what it lacks in carbs, it makes up for in calories. Though almond flour is significantly higher in calories than many other flours, it also contains considerable amounts of protein and fiber.

The simplest keto flour alternative you can use is sunflower seed meal or pumpkin seed meal. All you have to do with these alternatives is replace the almond flour/meal with the same amount of sunflower seed or pumpkin seed meal. If these options are too expensive, consider using coconut flour instead.

1. Almond flour. Almond flour is probably the most widely used keto flour substitute. It's made simply from crushed almonds and is extremely low in carbs, containing only 3 grams of total carbs and 1 gram of net carbs per 2-tablespoon (14-gram) serving ( 3 ).

Almond flour is denser than wheat flour, so it cannot be used as a 1:1 replacement for wheat flour in a recipe. It requires different measurements and adjustments to achieve the right texture in baked goods. A good rule of thumb is to use 1/2 to 3/4 cup of almond flour for every 1 cup of wheat flour in a recipe.

The downside of using almond flour over wheat flour is that baked goods tend to be more flat and dense. This is because the gluten in wheat flour helps dough stretch and traps more air, which helps baked goods rise.

With only 2 net carbs per 28g, almond flour qualifies as being keto-friendly. Not just is this keto-friendly, but it also provides micronutrients that help the body heal and stay fresh on the keto diet. If you constantly feel low energy on the keto diet, add almond flour to your daily meals to boost minerals and fats.

The satiating properties of almond flour, along with its nutrient density, can help promote a feeling of fullness, thereby aiding in weight management.

The most commonly used flour which is the lowest in carbs is coconut flour. Note: Psyllium has the lowest carbs, however, psyllium is generally not used to bake entire cakes or cookies, it's used in smaller quantities to add bulk, fiber, and elasticity.

Can I eat peanut butter on keto? ›

Peanut butter can definitely be part of a keto diet, but it's best to stick to plain options that are free of extra flavors and sweeteners. Almond butter is a good choice, too, and it's slightly lower in carbs. Additionally, you should be mindful of your portion size if you're trying to lose weight.

Nutrition Facts

As you can see, almond flour is far higher in fat than coconut flour, making it superior for those following a Ketogenic Diet, or a Low Carb High Fat (LCHF) diet. Coconut flour is far higher in carbohydrates than almond flour.

Almond flour is one of the most popular flour alternatives, and for good reason: It has a fine texture similar to wheat flour, but packs in twice as much protein and is unlikely to spike blood sugar. A quarter-cup serving also delivers around 20 percent of the RDI for magnesium.

Almond meal tends to be coarser than flour, but you can often use it in the very same way. It also happens to have the same carb count and nutritional value as almond flour.

Almond flour is low in carbohydrates and rich in healthy fats, while coconut flour is higher in fiber and a good source of medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs). Almond flour and coconut flour are two popular alternatives to traditional wheat flour, especially for those following gluten-free or grain-free diets.

Be sure to substitute the same amount a recipe calls for with equal parts of baking soda, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, buttermilk, milk, or vinegar. Baking powder is another option since it is simply a combination of baking soda and acid.

If you're making bread with almond flour alone, I urge you to forget the yeast and use baking powder and/or baking soda instead. Bread without wheat has no gluten. It's the gluten strands that trap gases given off by the multiplying yeast, allowing the dough to rise.

Almond flour yields tender treats — learn how and when to use it in your baking. Like any nut, almonds are high in fat; and fat helps make baked treats moist and tender. This can be a good thing: think pancakes.

So, if you've ever made an almond flour recipe and had issues with the final product holding together, leaching out the oils or butter, or not rising properly and holding its shape, a likely culprit is that you are using the coarser almond meal, instead of almond flour.