Photo courtesy of Ashley McLaughlin, Edible Perspective
No longer a secret reserved for professional gluten-free bakers, quinoa flour is quickly becoming a household pantry staple. It’s a fantastic ingredient for making all manner of gluten-free goodies, from pancakes to muffins to donuts to dinner rolls. Quinoa flour can be used to enhance the texture, flavor and nutritional content of so many things – once you know the basics.
To help get you started, we’ve got some helpful information and general tips for baking bread with quinoa flour:
- First of all, it’s good to know just how versatile quinoa flour is. It creates a soft baked good but is also wonderful for making bread and is a fantastic all-purpose type of flour.
- Quinoa flour is especially great for baking gluten-free bread because of its protein content. Since gluten is a protein, it is important to use higher protein flours (such as quinoa) when baking gluten-free. The protein in quinoa flour helps to give your bread some structure, and will improve the overall texture.
- For best flavor, try toasting your quinoa flour before using it: Spread it out onto baking sheets covered in foil or parchment paper, and bake at 215 degrees for 2 ½ – 3 hours. You’ll know the flour is ready when its scent is nearly gone and the flour has a mild flavor. Once it’s been toasted, your quinoa flour should keep well in the fridge or freezer for about 8 months.
- Even after toasting, quinoa flour does have a very slight sour flavor – which lends itself beautifully to things like bread and English muffins.
And now, some recipes:
Quinoa Quick Bread, Part-Time Health Nut
This is the perfect recipe for when you’re looking to make a quick and easy loaf of bread. Ingredients include both quinoa flour and quinoa flakes – and not only is it gluten-free, but it’s vegan as well.
Quinoa Oat Bread Two Ways, Edible Perspective
After creating a hearty base of gluten-free oat flour, almond flour and quinoa flour, Ashley of Edible Perspective gives us two variations on her tasty quinoa oat bread: a savory one with herbs (pictured above) and a sweet version with hints of cinnamon, vanilla and maple syrup.
High Protein Quinoa Bread, Simply Quinoa
We know that quinoa flour alone is a good source of protein – but this recipe also includes chickpea flour, which gives the bread a rich, dense texture. The resulting loaf acts the same way as traditional bread; simply slice it and enjoy it as toast or a sandwich.
Breadsticks With Quinoa Flour, Cooking Quinoa
Looking to try something new? These gluten-free breadsticks feature a blend of quinoa flour, sorghum flour and brown rice flour as well as chickpea flour for the perfect crumbly, golden brown texture.
For more information about Ancient Harvest’s family of organic, gluten-free products and delicious ancient grains recipes (including these Pumpkin Spice Baked Donuts, made with quinoa flour) be sure to visit us at AncientHarvest.com.
