Are you on the prowl for a keto-friendly, gluten-free flour substitute? Look no additional. The standard almond can rework into a wonderful base for beaucoup baked items. It additionally makes a ten/10 addition to tons of savory dishes.
However you may be questioning, what’s the distinction between almond flour and almond meal? Listed here are the deets on how you can use every ingredient. We even have the news on how you can make home made almond flour and meal at house.
In idea, almond meal and almond flour are tremendous related. They’re each manufactured from floor almonds and have very related dietary advantages. Whereas you should utilize them interchangeably in most recipes, there are some minor variations to bear in mind.
- Almond meal is constituted of almonds that also have their skins. It has a rough texture and barely bitter style. It’s very versatile, however tends to style greatest in savory dishes.
- Almond flour is constituted of almonds which have been peeled (aka blanched). It’s sweeter and finer than almond meal. It has a mildly candy, nutty taste, which makes it nice for baking.
BTW, almond flour and almond meal are each very straightforward to make from scratch at house. (Extra on that in a minute.)
Despite the fact that almond flour and almond meal have loads in frequent, there are some minor dietary variations. Right here’s a chart to point out you what’s in a 100-gram (g) serving of every.
As you possibly can see, the blanching course of prices you a little bit of fiber and iron. That pores and skin can also be a solid source of antioxidants like tannins, polyphenols, and flavonoids. These antioxidants help your physique cut back free radicals and may enhance your total well being.
Simply remember the fact that the dietary variations are fairly insignificant. So, choosing one over the opposite prob received’t make a serious distinction.
Almond meal and almond flour are each low carb, gluten-free, and paleo-friendly. Their versatility and similarities imply you possibly can confidently swap them in for any recipe that requires flour. Right here’s how one can add every ingredient to your fave meals.
The best way to prepare dinner with almond meal
Almond meal’s thicker texture works properly in hearty baked items like:
It’s also possible to use it in lieu of breadcrumbs when coating meats. Oh, and it tastes nice as a topping on soups, salads, and casseroles.
The best way to prepare dinner with almond flour
Almond flour is nice for lighter baked treats reminiscent of:
Almond meal and flour are related sufficient that you would be able to typically use one rather than the opposite in a pinch. However there are some conditions the place one will work loads higher than the opposite.
The one time you possibly can’t simply swap flour and meal is when texture performs an enormous function. Meal is coarser and heartier, which is why it makes a dope breadcrumb substitute. Alternatively, flour is means higher in lighter, fluffier recipes like angel food cake or macaroons.
Since almond meal incorporates the pores and skin, it has a barely bitter style. That’s why almond flour may be higher in sweeter recipes.
FYI: The phrases “meal” and “flour” are typically used interchangeably on product packaging. Examine the label to see what you’re really getting. If the pores and skin is off and it’s finely floor, it’s flour. Pores and skin-on with a rough grind means it’s meal.
Making almond meal or almond flour from scratch may appear a bit difficult. However IRL, it’s straightforward AF. You simply want uncooked, unsalted almonds and a meals processor.
Right here’s a step-by-step information:
- Add 1 cup of almonds to a food processor. For almond meal use skin-on nuts and for almond flour use blanched nuts.
- Pulse on excessive in 1-second increments.
- After 30 seconds, scrape the perimeters of the bowl.
- Proceed to pulse each second for one more 30 seconds.
- That’s it!
This recipe ought to yield a few cup of flour or meal. You possibly can retailer it in an air-tight container within the fridge for as much as 3 months.
P.S. You should purchase pre-peeled almonds on the retailer. However right here’s a hack if you wish to blanch them at house:
- Deliver a pot of water to a boil.
- Add the almonds to the boiling water for 1 minute.
- Drain the almonds and allow them to air dry on a clear towel.
- Pinch every almond to simply take away the pores and skin.
Almond meal and almond flour each make thrilling additions to plenty of baked treats and attractive meals. You should utilize them interchangeably. However almond meal tends to be higher in heartier dishes, because it’s barely bitter and has a rough consistency. Almond flour is sweeter and has a lighter, fluffier texture.
You possibly can simply make almond meal and almond flour at house. All you want are some nuts and a meals processor. From there you possibly can go nuts and elevate tons of snacks, meals, and desserts with these versatile components.