What can I use instead of flour for a roux?
Matthew Cannon
Updated on January 08, 2026
It is possible to make a roux using cornstarch. However, the process and characteristics of the roux will be a little different from a flour-based roux. Four other flour alternatives include sweet rice flour, arrowroot, oat flour, potato flour, or all-purpose gluten-free flour.
How do you make roux without flour?
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a saucepan over low heat.
- Once the butter has melted, add 1/3 cup (1 scoop) of unflavored Whey protein isolate.
- Use a small whisk to mix it until it's completely incorporated.
- Keep mixing it until it's become thick and bubbly.
Can you make a roux with cornstarch instead of flour?
Cornstarch should not be cooked into a roux. Using flour as a thickener will make the sauce opaque and cloudy while cornstarch leaves a shiny, more translucent finish. This is a desirable feature for fruit pie fillings and certain sauces, especially in Chinese stir-fries.What can I use instead of flour to make a sauce?
Cornstarch works remarkably well as a thickener in sauces, gravy, and pie fillings, and some prefer it to flour. 2 You won't be able to taste the cornstarch the way you sometimes can taste the flour.Can You Make a roux without wheat flour?
Unlike other gluten-free recipes, you don't need to substitute the wheat flour used in roux with several gluten-free flours. Sweet rice flour, ground from glutinous rice, makes a velvety gluten-free roux and nicely replaces wheat flour measure for measure. Classically roux uses clarified butter as its fat.What can I substitute for flour in a Roux?
Can you make a roux with cornstarch and butter?
What you will need for this recipe: 2 tablespoons of fat- The fat can be butter, drippings from the meat you have cooked, bacon fat, vegetable oil, or even margarine. 1 tablespoon of cornstarch. 1 cup of liquid- This liquid can be milk, water, or stock, depending on what you want to use the roux for.Can I use cornstarch instead of flour?
While cornstarch shouldn't be used as a substitute for flour in baked goods, you can easily substitute it in for flours when coating fried chicken, fish or other dishes. Not only will cornstarch work in the same way that flours do, but it will hold up better against sauces and absorb less of the frying oil.How can I thicken if I don't have flour?
7 Ways To Thicken Sauce Without Flour
- Cornstarch. Cornstarch is likely the most common way to thicken sauces without flour. ...
- Arrowroot or Tapioca Flour. Both of these options can be used in the same way you'd use cornstarch in a recipe. ...
- Gelatin. ...
- Vegetable Puree. ...
- Cashew Cream. ...
- Oat Flour. ...
- Egg Yolk.
What can you use if you don't have all-purpose flour?
Bread flour and cake flour—on their own or mixed together—can substitute for all-purpose. Just take note that each flour is best used in specific types of recipes.What are 3 ways to thicken a sauce?
What are different methods for thickening sauces?
- Flour-Based Thickeners. The most readily available sauce-thickener is flour. ...
- Gluten-Free Thickeners. ...
- Egg Yolks. ...
- Pureed Vegetables. ...
- Instant Potato Flakes. ...
- Butter.
How can I thicken gravy without flour or cornstarch?
How to Thicken Gravy Without Cornstarch or Flour
- Arrowroot. This powder comes from rhizomes of the Marantaceae family of tubers. ...
- Tapioca. Tapioca is derived from the cassava root. ...
- Potato Starch. ...
- Pureed Vegetables.
Which is better to thicken gravy cornstarch or flour?
Cornstarch Versus Flour for GravyCornstarch does have more thickening power than wheat flour (because it's pure starch, while flour has some protein in it). So usually you need a little less cornstarch than flour for the equivalent thickening power.