Home / Baking & Leavening / All-purpose flour
What can I use instead of all-purpose flour?
Best substitute for 1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup bread flour
Bread flour — More gluten; chewier result.
cups
Amounts below are for 1 cup all-purpose flour
5 substitutes for all-purpose flour
| Substitute | Use this much | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bread flour | 1 cup bread flour | More gluten; chewier result. |
| Cake flour | 1 1/8 cup cake flour | Softer crumb; use 1 cup plus 2 tbsp. |
| Whole wheat flour | 1 cup whole wheat flour | Denser; start by replacing half. |
| Gluten-free blend | 1 cup 1:1 gluten-free blend | Use a measure-for-measure blend. |
| Almond flour | 1 cup almond flour | Not 1:1 in structure; best in dense bakes. |
All-purpose flour is the baking default. Other flours stand in with small tweaks to texture and structure.
Tips
- Bread flour adds chew; cake flour adds tenderness.
- For whole wheat, swap half at first to avoid heaviness.
FAQ
- Can I use bread flour instead of all-purpose?
- Yes 1:1 - expect a chewier texture from the extra gluten.
- How do I substitute cake flour for all-purpose?
- Use 1 cup plus 2 tbsp cake flour per cup of all-purpose.