Is almond flour a good flour for the Paleo diet? I am asked this question here on this website many times each day, and the answer is a resounding yes!
First, almond flour is highly nutritious. For those of us watching our glycemic index, it is high in good fats and protein, and low in sugar and carbohydrates. Second, it is easy to use. Most of my almond flour recipes have 7 ingredients or less. Third, and most important of all, it tastes great! It is moist and delicious with a smooth buttery texture. Unlike other alternatives to wheat flour, such as rice flour, almond flour does not have an odd gritty texture.
I started testing gluten-free flours in 1998, when I was diagnosed with celiac disease. After having tested just about every gluten-free flour out there, I can save you a lot of time and hassle when I say that almond flour is far superior to other flours in terms of every major aspect –nutrition, ease-of-use, and taste!
Please note, in all of my recipes, I use blanched almond flour! My recipes will not work with unblanched almond products, or almond meal, in fact, they will be epic failures, so I do not recommend even trying unblanched products.
I avoid purchasing almond flour retail at all costs! It is more than $15 per pound in the grocery store. If you purchase it online it is generally less than half of that including shipping. Yes, still expensive, but packed with protein and flavor, so for me, worth the cost.
One brand you will find in retail stores is Bob’s Red Mill. This product yields poor, runny results when used in my recipes. Compared to other brands it has a very coarse texture. I do not recommend using Bob’s Red Mill almond flour in my recipes.
I store my almond flour in gallon or half-gallon glass mason jars
I hope you enjoy using this amazing flour as much as we do! I love it so much that I wrote a cookbook called The Gluten-Free Almond Flour Cookbook, which was published by Random House in 2009.
For more information on this super food flour, you may want to check out the following helpful articles:
Amy Green/Simply Sugar & Gluten-Free says
Hi Elana,
I finally ordered some almond flour…I have been reading your blog for quite some time and decided that I need to try this for myself. :) I’d love to have a lower-carb option. Once I get my order I’m going to try one of your recipes and check back in.
Best,
Amy
Elisabeth says
I made my first gluten-free bread (bread 2.0) yesterday and our family loves it (inc. picky husband)! I’m so happy b/c no one liked the store-bought bread.
The second time I ate a slice I did feel like I was having a slight reaction (I’m allergic to peanuts). So, I just talked to a customer serviceman at Honeyville. They receive 25 lb bags of almond flour from a facility that just processes almonds (no peanuts). Honeyville breaks open the bags to create 5 lb bags. They do this on equipment that also handles peanuts (though they clean and sterilize betw.). So, if you are allergic to peanuts, consider buying the 25 lb bags to be certain of no cross contamination!
Di says
Thank you so much for posting this! My son is allergic to peanuts and I am GF so this information helps us so much.
Suzy Cook says
Thank you! I have been seaching everywhere for cc to peanut info! My granddaughter is allergic to peanuts. I would not want it in my house if there is a posibility of cc. I doubt I’d ever need 25lbs:-(
cindy drozda says
Elana,
Where are you finding organic blanched almond flour? I looked all over the internet, and couldn’t find it…. Would you consider sharing your source?
Thanks for sharing your recipes!
elana says
Hi Cindy, I’m not sure I understand your question. I recommend Honeyville blanched almond flour. Hope this helps :-)
sara says
honeyville isn’t organic- they spray their almonds with pesticides. there are only a few companies out there that sell organic like benefit your life or nuts.com
Kristen says
Have you baked with either of the organic blanched almond flours you referenced from nuts.com or benefit your life? What was the texture like? Is it as fine a grain as honeyville? Your input would be greatly appreciated since I’m concerned about chemical consumption.
Vinessa says
I’ve been using almond flour from nuts.com and all of my recipes have turned out great. It’s a really fine flour and the 25lb box is a great deal. I just placed an order from benefityourlife.com and I will let you know which is better. Nuts.com would be the best deal if you live in the main land. They charge so much to ship to Hawaii that it comes out to the same amount as benefityourlife.
The almond flour from benefityourlife is steam pasteurized. I contacted nuts.com and they responded as follows,
“Hello Vinessa,
Thank you so much for your business. For our whole non-organic almonds PPO is used. For the non-organic almond flour the steam process is used. Please let me know if there is anything else I may assist you with. Thank you and I look forward to hearing from you soon!”
I went ahead and ordered from benefityourlife this time so I can compare the two.
shelly says
I’m allergic to almonds so what can I use instead of the almond flour in your recipes?? Thx.
elana says
Dear Shelly, please see my faq’s for the answer to this and other frequently asked questions.
Julie says
Hi Elana! I really loved your recipes, but besides gluten allergy I also have almond allergy:( What other flour do you suggest for your recipes?Thanks and congratulations!
elana says
Hi Julie, what about checking out some of my coconut flour recipes?
Gail Mathis says
Where can I order almond flour, like what you recommend. Thank you, in advance for this info.
God Bless you & your MS! GM
elana says
Hi Gail, just go the purchase section of my site (right hand column) and you will find links to sites that sell every unique ingredient used here.
judith ansara says
Hi – does anyone have any cookie recipies that use the almonds ground up after making almond milk? Almonds (raw) are soaked then ground and strained for the liquid. I love the idea of not throwing the moist ground up almonds away! thanks
Sue Thompson says
I use my almond pulp leftover from making almond milk in making granola. Works great in that.
Sue
Tammy says
I just made brownies a few days ago with left over wet almond meal – they turned out great and they are also made with black beans. The recipe is on my blog: 40dayhealthchallenge.blogspot.com
I also used it to coat onion rings and broil them. Don’t throw it out – experiment.
mperry48 says
I use my leftover almond meal for baking after making my almond milk. First, I spread the almond meal onto a cookie sheet in a thin layer and dry it in the oven at 200 degrees for about an hour. After the almond meal has cooled, I put it into the blender to make a finer powder. It makes great cookies and brownies, but I have yet to try it in bread or pie crusts.
elana says
Hi Cristy, thanks so much for your sweet comment. I have to confess, I haven’t ever done a stuffed artichoke recipe; we love to eat them plain, steamed. xoxo
Cristy says
Elana- one of our family favorites is artichokes- we love them all sorts of ways- I was wondering if you use artichokes at all and if so how? I’d love a gluten free “stuffed” artichoke recipe that doesn’t come out “gummy” any ideas? Thanks so much for all your incite and YUMMY recipes! I have made a bunch and haven’t been disappointed with any! I especially enjoyed your Passover recipes what a blessing! Thank you! Cristy
Lisa says
Hello, I just found your website and I’m very happy. Thanks for the tips, tricks, and recipes. Do you know of a distributor for a good brand of almond flour in the UK? Or, do you think a Vita Mix would yield a good textured almond flour?
L.
elana says
Lisa, you are welcome. For the answer to your question, please see my faq’s.