Potato starch is a common ingredient in many recipes. It serves as a great thickening agent for sauces and soups, and it also helps give baked items a light, fluffy texture. But if you don’t have potato starch on hand and want to achieve the same results, what is the best potato starch substitute?
As a general rule, cornstarch is the best substitute for potato starch. In addition to being easily accessible in most pantries, cornstarch is also lower in carbs and naturally occurring sugars. And like potato starch, cornstarch is still appropriate for those on a gluten-free diet.
But it’s not the only choice!
And some prefer to stay away from corn products due to them often being heavily genetically modified. Many other potato starch alternatives can provide you with the same consistency and binding strength if you want to use something other than corn starch.
A substitution below will work in your recipe, whether you want to thicken sauces or add structure to various meals.
Let’s explore them all!
19 Best Substitutes for Potato Starch
1. Cornstarch
Cornstarch is one of the best potato starch alternatives, and for a good reason. It’s an excellent alternative because it has a mild flavor, is less expensive, and gives a light texture to your meals.
But, it’s crucial to double the amount specified in a recipe when substituting a tablespoon of cornstarch for potato starch because cornstarch needs twice as much liquid to thicken.
2. Tapioca Starch
Tapioca Starch is undoubtedly one of the best substitutes for potato starch, which is why bakers and chefs use it frequently.
This material is perfect for thickening sauces, soups, and other liquids because of its extraordinary capacity to bind with liquids. Also, tapioca flour is white and does not change the flavor or color of your dish as other carbohydrates do.
3. Arrowroot
Arrowroot flour quickly becomes one of the best potato starch substitutes due to its neutral flavor, color, and texture.
This ingredient also has a light and smooth texture that breaks down quickly and is gluten-free. So, you can use teaspoons of arrowroot starch in many recipes that require a gluten-free flour substitution.
If you’re looking for a terrific alternative to potato starch with all the benefits minus the calories and carbohydrates, try arrowroot powder.
4. Rice Flour
Another excellent alternative for a tablespoon of potato starch in your recipe is sweet rice flour.
It is particularly favored because it has an extended shelf life, provides texture, and absorbs fluids. This gives it a ton of flexibility in baking and sauce-making.
White rice flour also has a neutral flavor, which can add subtle nuttiness and depth to recipes. Glutinous rice flour takes some time to thicken, which allows you more control over the results of your recipe.
Whether preparing homemade spaghetti sauce from scratch or simply heating a jar of prepared sauce, giving it a little more thickness and texture will enhance its delicious qualities.
Not to worry, in my most recent article, I explained some practical ways to thicken up your spaghetti sauce and create a delightfully creamy and delicious spaghetti dinner.
5. All-Purpose flour
Another great substitute for potato starch and the best option for many different recipes is all-purpose flour. It shows similar results to potato starch when employed as an excellent thickener in your favorite recipes and is versatile.
This type of flour might take longer to thicken than potato starch, but you can easily fix this by heating the mixture for a few more minutes on low heat.
What I learned this Passover: potato starch does not work like corn starch (though matzo meal is a fine substitute for breadcrumbs).
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🌻🌺🌼🌺🌻🌼🌻Happy Passover!
Happy Easter!#HappyPassover #Easter#Familylove pic.twitter.com/RadyngqZwl— Michelle 🗽 (@minter1a) April 21, 2019
6. Coconut Flour
Another excellent potato starch substitute is coconut flour. This fine powder provides a healthy alternative and the same thickening results.
The flour is a fantastic complement to any diet because it has high nutritional values of fiber, protein, and healthy fats. It also has fewer carbohydrates than conventional wheat flour and can help lower the risk of diabetes and heart disease.
7. Chickpea Flour
Chickpea flour is another great potato starch substitute. This gluten-free alternative contains proteins, vitamins, minerals, and fibers. Not only that, but when it’s cooked, it has a creamy texture and a nutty flavor that adds richness to dishes.
The ideal time to utilize chickpea flour is when your recipes call for an equal amount of flavor. It functions admirably in baked goods and is a perfect substitute for other flours like cake or pastry flour.
8. Wheat Flour
Wheat flour is another excellent substitute for potato starch. This ingredient is widely available in local stores, and you can use them in various dishes. It’s perfect for adding thickness to sauces, gravies, and other wet foods.
When baking, wheat flour also stabilizes or binds in many recipes, such as pancakes and waffles. Wheat flour aids in absorbing surplus moisture from potatoes or other root vegetables, resulting in crispier and crunchier surfaces after cooking.
When it comes to cooking and baking, corn starch and corn syrup are two ingredients with great functionality. But each has advantages, disadvantages, and recommended uses.
My most recent article is a fantastic place to start if you want to prepare a sweet treat but need help deciding which of these ingredients to use. Here, I outline the critical distinctions between corn starch and corn syrup and the best use for each.
9. Oat Flour
Oat flour is one of the best alternatives for potato starch, particularly for those that require gluten-free baking. Oat flour has a neutral taste that blends nicely and is a beautiful thickener that adds natural fibers and healthy carbohydrates to dishes without giving them an overly starchy feel.
Additionally, you can use oat flour instead of potato starch in gravy and sauces to help thicken the mixture without making it too heavy or dense.
10. Potato Flake Powder
Another good substitute for potato starch is potato flake powder, made from dried whole potatoes that are quickly boiled and then crushed into flakes.
You can use potato flakes powder for pie fillings to give the dough a binding texture which helps the crust hold together during baking. It’s great for vegan recipes instead of dairy-based sauces and other animal products.
11. Almond Flour
Almond flour is a perfect substitute for potato starch.
Almond flour is more adaptable in baking and cooking thanks to its higher fat content than other starch grains. Also, almond flour is great for gluten-free cooking and has health benefits for your heart. It also has fewer calories compared to the same amount of potato starch.
It’s National Potato Lover’s Day! 🥔
Fun Fact: Did you know the potato was the first vegetable grown in space?
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Our Unmodified Organic Potato Starch is gluten free making it a great substitute for flours and thickeners. Link in profil… pic.twitter.com/n8RhQbBsso— Anthony’s Goods (@anthonysgoods) February 8, 2018
12. Mochi Flour
Mochi flour is an excellent alternative to potato starch as it enhances the texture of dishes without adding a lot of flavors. Mochi flour has a more neutral flavor so that it won’t interfere with the original taste. This makes it perfect for creating a gluten-free diet, including bread, pancakes, and pastries.
This type of starch also binds ingredients together better than other starches, making it a good choice for thickening soups and sauces.
13. Water Chestnut Flour
An excellent choice of alternative to potato starch is water chestnut flour. It’s great for those with celiac disease or gluten intolerances as it contains no gluten.
It has a light, nutty flavor that works wonderfully in baking and can replace potato starch in any recipe. In addition to being a great alternative to potato starch, it also has the advantage of being widely available in local stores.
14. Quinoa Flour
Quinoa flour is one of the finest substitutes for potato starch to consider. Quinoa is richer in protein, dietary fiber, and essential minerals than potato starch, and its larger grain size affects a different texture when used in baking or cooking.
Because of its high nutrition content and gummy consistency when cooked, quinoa flour might be the right choice when making dishes like gnocchi or other dumplings that require a thicker consistency.
15. Ground Cassava Root
Ground cassava root is a fantastic substitute for potato starch for gluten-free recipes or a grain-free option for thickening or binding foods. It boasts more vitamins and minerals than potato starch and may easily substitute potato or tablespoon cornstarch in most recipes.
The crisp texture of this fine white powder complements baked items like pies and cakes, while its neutral flavor goes well in savory dishes, soups, and sauces.
Agar agar is a great vegan alternative for thickening and stabilizing dishes. But you can use a few suitable substitutes if you don’t have agar agar on hand.
Whether you’re looking for something with a similar consistency or need a more readily available substitute for agar agar, my most recent article has some of the best options you can choose from.
Just click that link to read it on my site.
16. Yam Starch
A fantastic alternative to potato starch is yam starch. It is derived from the yam tuber and has a gentler flavor and lighter texture than potato starch, making it perfect for delicate baking and cooking.
Yam starch is a good option for recipes that combine starch with additional components like sugar, milk, or eggs. It’s also perfect for thickening soups, gravies, and custards without significantly changing the flavor or texture.
#Glutenfree cooking tip: For every 3 cups of wheat flour, substitute 2 cups #riceflour, 2/3 cup potato starch & 1/3 cup #tapioca starch. https://t.co/5bid4Bk32u pic.twitter.com/ZH2eNj3ic9
— Healthy Directions (@HealthyDir) April 10, 2019
17. Soybean Flour
Soybean flour is an excellent substitute for potato starch and is ideal for various recipes.
This versatile flour has a mild flavor, making it great for adding to many dishes like gravies, sauces, and baked goods recipes. You can also use soybean flour to thicken the texture of soups, stews, and broths.
Soybean flour has a marginally more significant protein level than potato starch, making it perfect for vegan or vegetarian meals.
18. Acorn Flour
One of the most incredible potato starch replacements is acorn flour. It’s an excellent thickening for soups, sauces, and stews and is free of gluten and grains. Acorn flour is produced by grinding up acorns and it tastes nutty and earthy.
You may need to adjust the quantity depending on your recipe for the best results when using acorn flour. Generally, you’ll want to use slightly less amount of flour than what’s called for with potato starch.
19. Sago Starch
Sago starch is a fantastic substitute for potato starch and is especially well suited for deep frying and the preparation of jellies and puddings. It is naturally gluten-free and has a low glycemic index, making it a healthier option than other starches.
When used in frying, sago starch produces a light, crisp texture due to its high-water absorption rate. It also adds extra crispiness and crunch to pastries, making it suitable for fried pies or doughnuts.
Final Thoughts
Potato starch is an excellent ingredient in various cooking and baking recipes, but it is also one of the many options available as a thickening agent.
But depending on what kind of dish you’re making, there are tons of many other alternatives to potato starch that you can consider, and each comes with its unique flavor and texture.
From cornstarch to arrowroot flour and tapioca starch, there are unique choices to elevate your meal preparation process. Experiment with a few different substitutes and find the best one for you.
Check out all my ingredient substitution articles:
15 Best Substitutes for Achiote Paste & Powder
9 Best Agar Agar Substitutes
15 Best White Balsamic Vinegar Substitutes
9 Simple Madras Curry Powder Substitutes
15 Best Browning Sauce Substitutes
13 Best Substitutes for Mustard Seed
15 Fool-Proof Lyle’s Golden Syrup Substitute Options
Can I Substitute Maple Syrup for Honey?
Hoisin Sauce vs. Oyster Sauce (Difference & Best Substitutes)
19 Best Substitutes for Potato Starch (and when to use them)
21 Best Paneer Substitutes (for your Indian recipes)
21 Best Turmeric Substitutes (you probably have on hand)
Kaffir Lime Leaves vs Lime Leaves: Differences & Substitutes
11 Best Porcini Mushroom Substitutes (dried and fresh)
13 Top Substitutes for Nutritional Yeast (Simple Options)
Swan Potato Starch Flour by Andrew Filer is licensed under CC2.0 and was cropped, edited, and had a text overlay added.
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