Looking for a great keto flour? then look for almond flour! If you are curious about what is blanched almond flour keep reading so you learn everything about it!
Almond flour is one of the healthiest sources of nutrients. It is an excellent alternative to regular flour due to its better nutrient content.
There are mainly two types of almond flour available out there – the unblanched and the blanched.
Most people choose blanched almond flour due to its benefits. If you are confused between both terms, here is a complete guide to blanched almond flour and everything you need to know! Let’s get started.
Benefits of almond flour
For those people who cannot consume gluten, almond flour is an excellent alternative.
Almonds have vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. They are rich in vitamin E, B2, magnesium, and phosphorus.
In addition, compared to wheat flour, almond flour has a low glycemic index, although it has more calories.
It can be used by those who follow a gluten-free diet and paleo and keto diets.
What is blanched almond flour?
Regular almonds have an outer skin that brings a brittle texture to the meal and hampers the dish’s final flavor when added ground.
Hence, most people prefer blanching the almonds before adding them to their food in such cases.
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The blanched almonds have a super smooth texture which is a perfect addition to every dish. When you blanch the almond before grinding, the inner part gets exposed, which brings out the maximum flavor to the meal.
What is the primary difference between unblanched and blanched almond flour?
Both types of almond flour have very subtle differences. Here is a breakdown of the two.
Blanched almond flour: Grounded almonds with no peels/skin. It has a light color, and the texture is smoother than the unblanched almond flour. It is best suitable for baking cakes, muffins, and other recipes.
Unblanched almond flour: It has all the skin and peels intact on the body of the almonds. The almonds here are primarily dark in color, and it’s used basically for preparing gluten-free bread and cookies.
How to make blanched almond flour?
Preparing blanched almond flour is extremely easy. Here are the steps:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of fresh Almonds
Instruction:
Step 1: Add the fresh almonds into warm water. Let it soak for about 10-20 minutes.
Step 2: Start peeling the skin of the almonds gradually.
Step 3: Add the peeled almonds to a high-speed blender or food processor.
Step 4: Blend well until you get a superfine mixture. Pulse if required.
Step 5: Let it sit for a few minutes and store.
How to store blanched almond flour?
Just like any other flour, you need to store your blanched almond flour at room temperature inside an air-tight container.
Ensure no touch of moisture or droplets of water. Otherwise, the almond flour might clump up. You can store this homemade blanched almond flour for about six months without any hassle.
You can also freeze your blanched almond flour by storing it in a ziplock bag or an air-tight container inside the freezer. Frozen almond flour may last up to six months.
How to include almond flour in recipes
When you want to prepare a recipe replacing wheat flour with almond flour, you have to modify the amounts of the other ingredients.
For example, almond flour absorbs more liquid than other types of flour, so you’ll need to increase the amount of liquid.
Also, as almond flour does not contain gluten, which acts as a binder, it can be challenging to work with it.
In case you need elasticity in the dough, you can use xanthan gum.
What can you do with almond flour
You can prepare many baking goods with it, and it’s perfect for gluten-free, paleo, keto, and vegan diets.
Use almond flour in:
- Cookies
- Cakes
- Pancakes
- Muffins
- Bread
- Pies
Final Thoughts
Blanched flour has the perfect consistency for adding it into your favorite dishes. It has multiple health benefits too.
However, blanched flour in retail stores is very expensive. The homemade blanched almond flour is just as perfect as the store-bought one and at a much cheaper rate.
Preparing blanched almond flour is quick and takes minimum effort. Thus, get your almonds ready, and make your blanched almond flour today!