There are several reasons why people may choose to lead a grain-free lifestyle or stray away from including grains in all of their meals. Some have a desire to limit the amount of carbs in their diet while others may have an intolerance or sensitivity to gluten and overly-processed grains. So, what is the grain-free diet exactly? Well, a grain-free diet excludes wheat, barley, rice, spelt, and corn as well as ancient grains like millet, quinoa, and more. Because of this, a grain-free diet excludes most commercial pastas, breads, and many desserts because they’re typically made from grain-based flours.

Since many of the products on grocery shelves do not follow the parameters of a grain-free diet, home cooks have begun to experiment with grain-free flours on their own. Luckily, there are plenty of flours on the market to play around with! These flours are made with seeds, nuts, soy, or fruit and they all have their own special qualities. Here are 15 grain-free flours you can buy online right now!

1. Anthony’s Almond Flour

Anthony’s Almond Flour is milled from 100 percent California blanched almonds and is free of preservatives and artificial ingredients.  Gluten and grain free as well, this flour is perfect whether you’re trying to avoid carbs by preference or avoiding wheat due to a dietary condition. The almonds are blanched, steam pasteurized, and then milled into a fine flour. Unlike almond meal which needs to be ground, Amazon reviewers share that Anthony’s flour is not coarse and can be added seamlessly into recipes. For a little under $20 you’ll receive a two-pound bag.

2. WEDO Banana Flour

What if I told you that not only could you use bananas as a fruity ingredient in your cooking, but as a replacement for flour? You can! Currently the only flour of its kind on the market, WEDO Banana Flour takes unripe green bananas, dehydrates them, and then mills them into a virtually flavorless flour. In addition to being a grain, gluten, soy, and nut free replacement to wheat-based flour, this banana flour has a hefty amount of potassium, vitamins, and resistant starch. The $13 price tag may seem a bit high, but it’s worth noting that WEDO claims that you can use 30 percent less banana flour than suggested regular flour. The company also suggests using this flour for baked goods, as a thickener for soups, sauces, and gravies, or as a nutritional boost to smoothies or protein shakes. One user, in particular, commented that this flour makes the “perfect chocolate chip cookies.” That one you’ll have to see for yourself!

3. Bob’s Red Mill Garbanzo Bean Flour

Chickpea flour, also called garbanzo bean flour, acts so much like all-purpose flour it’s pretty much magic. Made from ground chickpeas, the flour is high in protein, fiber, and iron. Chickpea flour, such as Bob’s Red Mill Garbanzo Bean Flour, can be used to make pizza crusts, crackers, breads, and cakes. According to reviewers, this flour is also a “perfect” egg substitute and can be used in batters for cookies, waffles, doughnuts, pancakes … the list goes on. At less than $3 for 16 ounces, this flour is a total bargain!

4. Zocalo Peru Mesquite Flour

Mesquite flour is made from the dried and ground pods of the mesquite tree. The flour is made from the long, beige-colored seed pods has a sweet, slightly nutty flavor and has a decent amount of dietary fiber, protein, calcium, magnesium, iron, and zinc. According to the company, Zocalo Peru Mesquite Flour can be utilized as a breading batter, a flavorful addition to soups, a nutritional boost in smoothies, and of course, as a baking flour. According to reviews, this flour has a somewhat sweet flavor, and reviewers have had success using it in dessert recipes. One bag comes out to a little over $13.

5. Coo-Koo for Coconut Flour

Coo-Koo for Coconut Flour is truly a flour you can feel good about. Gluten-free, low carb, low glycemic, and high fiber, this flour is ideal for consumers of various dietary preferences or health concerns. Unlike other coconut flour brands that sometimes suffer from an orange or brown hue from excess husk particles, Coo-Koo Coconut Flour is a natural unbleached white, hexane free with no artificial or GMO ingredients. And if you’re not a fan of coconut flavor, take note that reviewers share this product does not transfer any coconut flavor into your creations. One one-pound bag comes out to $8.

6. Organic Gemini Tigernut Flour

Despite what the name would have you believe, tigernuts are actually small root vegetables that are an excellent source of resistant starch, an essential prebiotic fiber that becomes fuel for our probiotics. Organic Gemini Tigernut Flour is a nut and gluten free product that provides all of the same benefits and nutty flavor as tiger nuts but in a milled fine flour. Organic Gemini shares that this flour can be used as a replacement for all-purpose flour in both sweet and savory recipes. Some reviewers have reported a slight grittiness with the flour so they’ve been using it for goods with a slight crunch.  At $14 for a pound, it’s up to you whether you want to do some trial and error.

7. Ener-G Pure Potato Starch Flour

Ener-G Pure Potato Starch Flour is a top selling gluten-free flour made of 100 percent pure potato starch. Unlike potato flour, which uses the entire potato, this flour uses just the root starch of the potato. Ener-G suggests using this thickener for gravies and soups, as well as for gluten-free baking. You can even mix it with other gluten-free flour mixes as suggested in the reviews. And don’t be thrown off by the price, $30 will get you six 16-ounce boxes of the stuff.

8. Sukrin Sesame Flour

Are you looking for a flour that has a nutty flavor but doesn’t actually have any nuts in it? Sounds like you need some Sukrin Sesame Flour in your life. Made from protein-rich sesame seeds, this flour is a naturally gluten-free, low fat, and low carb substitute. The $7 bag of flour also has a hefty amount of iron, zinc, and magnesium, and is rich in fiber. Since it has a slightly nutty taste, this flour is suggested for use in cakes, breads, and biscuits. That is unless you want a nutty undertone to your savory dishes. If that’s the case, you have a bit more freedom.

9. Hodgson Mill Organic Soy Flour

Hodgson Mill Organic Soy Flour is a wheat-free flour that according to the company, “will add a rich color, fine texture, and pleasant moistness to your culinary creations.” Since soy has protein, Hodgson suggests add this flour to baked foods if you’d like a protein boost. As some reviewers have shared, this product is definitely a “great way to start being more healthy in your cooking endeavors.”

10. Anthony’s Tapioca Flour

Derived from the Cassava root, Anthony’s Tapioca Flour is finely ground, unmodified, and perfect for your thickening needs as well as for seamless grain-free baking. This $20 bag contains five pounds of flour and since the product is manufactured in its very own processing room you don’t have to worry about any wheat, gluten, or nut contamination.

11. Zocalo Peru Sweet Potato Flour

You’ve likely heard of the potato variety, but did you know that you can also mill sweet potatoes into flour? It’s true. Zocalo Sweet Potato Flour is an incredibly versatile product that is suggested for use in baked goods such as breads, cookies, muffins, pancakes and crepes, cakes, and doughnuts. The price tag is a bit high at almost $12 but this is a product you likely won’t find in your grocery store. Since this is a raw flour, you do not have to cook it before use. As a few reviewers have pointed out, the slightly sweet-tasting flour is great for use in desserts since it allows you to use less sugar overall.

12. Arrowhead Mills Organic Buckwheat Flour

Arrowhead Mills Organic Buckwheat Flour is an “excellent” alternative to wheat flour. Made from ground buckwheat berries, this product is low-fat and sodium-free. Although buckwheat has “wheat” in the name, buckwheat is considered a “pseudo-grain” meaning this product is completely gluten-free. This earthy-tasting flour is recommended for cakes, oatmeals, or soba noodles. Yum!

13. Jamaican Choice Plantain Flour

Made from dried and pulverized plantain slices, Jamaican Choice Plantain Flour is another excellent alternative to wheat flour. A plantain is similar to a banana but is usually consumed cooked rather than raw. Although plantains are a staple in tropical regions, this plantain flour doesn’t solely have to be used for sweet, tropical dishes. In regards to whether this 14-ounce bag is worth almost $10, there are a few different opinions. One reviewer admits that purchasing the flour is easier than putting a plantain in a blender but that the price is too high. Another has given the product five stars. Ultimately the decision is yours!

14. Bob’s Red Mill Amaranth Flour

Bob’s Red Mill Amaranth Flour is a gluten-free flour that apparently can be used to replace 25 percent of the flour in your recipes. It is 100 percent stone ground and great for gluten-free baking when combined with other flours and starch. Although, amaranth is a grain-like seed, when milled into flour it is perfectly suitable for a grain-free lifestyle. However, it should definitely be noted that this flour must be refrigerated after opening. Wouldn’t want those $13 to go to waste!

15. Eat Seed Sunflower Seed Flour 

Eat Seed Sunflower Seed Flour is another great choice if you’re looking for a product that has a nice, nutty taste without the need for any actual nuts! The sunflower seeds are simply slow-roasted until the desired flavor is reached and then it’s ground into a fine flour. And don’t be alarmed if your baked goods take on a slightly green tint, as one reviewer pointed out, that is simply a natural reaction from the combination of sunflower seed flour and baking soda. Each bag of flour is $8.

16. Grain-Free Recipes

Bought some flour and don’t know where to start cooking-wise? For a yummy meal, try out this airy Chickpea Flour Quiche, this Indian-Style Steamed Chickpea Flour Cake, this Pistachio Almond Tofu with a crunchy almond flour coating, or these Coconut and Turmeric Roasted Potatoes.

If you feel a sweet tooth coming on, try out this beautiful Hummingbird Cake, this Orange Almond Cake, or these Almond Chocolate Chunk Cookie Sandwiches, all three of which can be made with almond flour.

For more inspiration check out the Almond Flour or Coconut Flour recipe page.

What is your favorite grain-free flour to cook with? Tell us in the comments!

Lead Image Source: Sunflower Banana Muffins