Many people are switching from a gluten free diet these days and coconut flour is a great alternative flour option! Not only is coconut flour a tasty alternative, it has a plethora of health benefits as well.
Health Benefits of Coconut Flour
- High in indigestible fibre which allow for healthy colon regulation
- High in healthy fats
- Gluten free
- Low in sugar
- Contains medium chain triglycerides (MCT) which can promote increased immune function and are a readily available energy for the body
- Helps to regulate blood sugar levels as it falls low on the glycemic index
- Decreases levels of “bad” cholesterol and serum triglycerides to keep the walls of your arteries open for maximum blood flow
- Low in Carbohydrates – 1/2 a cup of coconut flour contains 32g of carbs which is often divided over about 12 servings (bringing carbs per serving to just over 2.5g)
Baking With Coconut Flour
Coconut flour can be a bit temperamental and difficult to work with if you’re not used to it. Coconut flour absorbs an incredible amount of liquid so it can’t be substituted in for recipes that call for regular wheat flour. The ratios of all the ingredients are different and so instead you need to look for recipes specifically designed for coconut flour. Most of these recipes will include little flour, plenty of eggs and a good amount of fat.
How you measure coconut flour can make a big difference in how moist your baking will turn out. Don’t scoop your flour out with your measuring spoon. When you do this you are compressing the flour and end up with way too much! This is actually true with all flours. Instead, you should spoon the coconut flour loosely in the your measuring cup until it’s full.
Coconut flour has a higher price point then your traditional wheat flours but given the health benefits and the small amount used in most recipes, it’s a great kept friendly alternative!
