The 9 Best Soy Flour Substitutes For Your Recipes

Soy flour is a fantastic option to get additional protein into your diet without the gluten that wheat flour contains. Although it is not the most popular flour on the market, it adds a lot of flavor and nutrients to recipes.

If you’re out of soy flour and looking for a substitute, we compiled a list of all the best soy flour substitution choices and we’ll go over them all, explaining how to use them and in what meals.

Keep reading until the end for the best tips and techniques.

The best substitutes for soy flour

Soy flour is produced from de-hulled and roasted soybeans and has its origins in China.

Following the initial roasting treatment, the beans are crushed into a fine powder of various colors and tastes. This is primarily determined by the roasting process, and darker flour generally has rich flavors and smells.

Various studies have been conducted on this type of flour, and while many feel it is an excellent alternative for gluten flour, another argument is that it is not the healthiest option.

As it’s often the case, the truth lays somewhere in the middle, since soy flour may be used in moderation without causing any issues. It may not be the most digestible flour available, but it is still nutritious and reasonably priced.

When looking for the finest soy flour alternative, consider its function as well as the meal you’re attempting to prepare. Because soy flour is high in protein and gluten-free, you may need to seek similar options.

Here are a couple of ideas.

1. Chickpea flour

Chickpea flour should be your first pick if you’re seeking a good substitute for soy flour.

Chickpeas and garbanzo beans are related to soy, and the flour is made in the same way. However, there are some color and texture variations. 

Nevertheless, if you need to substitute soy flour 1:1, this is the finest option.

Chickpea flour may even be even better than the original because it is high in proteins, minerals, and vitamins, as well as having excellent advantages for your digestive organs.

The flavor and aroma of chickpea flour are not overpowering, and you may use them in any recipe without fear of altering the end result.

2. Rice flour

Rice flour is also an excellent substitution for soy flour since it is not overpowering, gives the same texture to dishes, and is gluten-free.

It may be purchased in local markets and is generally white or brown in color, depending on the technique used to make the flour. It’s not costly, and it’s delicious in desserts and pastries.

Keep in mind that rice flour can be with or without gluten, and if you are intolerant choose the second one. If gluten intolerance is not an issue you can prepare more dishes with the glutenous rice flour as it is great for thickening and baking.

3. Almond flour

Almond flour is the next best substitute for soy flour in gluten-free baking. This ingredient has grown in popularity over the years because of its high nutritional profile, as well as the fact that it is gluten-free.

Although the almond variety is not the cheapest flour, it will suffice. Keep in mind that this flour is thicker, and you will most likely need to add one more egg to get the desired consistency.

It’s wonderful for baking but bears in mind that this substitute for soy powder must be cut in half when measuring according to the instructions. The almond flour is not only thicker but has more moisture so add other ingredients slowly to get the perfect measurements.

4. Quinoa flour

Quinoa is another plant that is gaining popularity, which is not unexpected given how beneficial it is to your health. This soy powder substitute should be used with caution because it has the potential to change the flavor of the meal.

Quinoa is recognized for its rich and strong flavor, which might be overpowering if you’re used to the mild and nutty flavor of soybeans. If you don’t mind this, you can use a 1:1 ratio in your cooking.

5. Lupin flour

Lupin flour is the ideal soybean powder substitute for baking and achieving that fluffy pastry texture. While it may not have the most well-known name, it is a useful alternative produced from Lupin beans.

Keep in mind that this flour should be used sparingly, with no more than 20% being pure Lupin flour. Even while it will produce the ideal dough, too much of it might be bitter. 

In addition, since Lupin is a legume you should avoid it if you have nut allergies.

6. Chestnut water starch

Soy flour is used as a thickening ingredient in a variety of cuisines other than baking. So, if you need a soy powder substitute for that water chestnut starch is the answer.

Water chestnut powder is derived from water chestnut and is often a bit more gray than soy flour, so keep that in mind as it may somewhat alter the color of the dish.

Furthermore, this sort of flour has a propensity to clump, so make sure you dilute it thoroughly before using it in your recipe. The best way to do this is with cold water, but since this flour is not easily diluted it will take some time.

The dish you are adding the thickener to is not supposed to be too hot, so you might want to remove it from the heat before adding chestnut water starch.

Chestnut starch is also known as powder or flour, but it’s not commonly used for baking and cooking. 

7. Coconut flour

If you are baking with soy flour, coconut flour might be a fantastic replacement. It’s a tasty addition to many cakes and sweets but remembers that recipes require less coconut flour than soy flour.

While coconut flour is tasty, it will provide a sweet fragrance to any recipe, making it unsuitable for the thickening of soups or savory foods. 

However, some dishes made in Taiwanese cuisine need that sweet aroma, so it all depends on the dish you are preparing.

In addition, coconut flour will absorb a lot more liquids so you will have to adjust other ingredients accordingly. 

8. Legumes flour

Soybeans are legumes, therefore if you’re searching for gluten-free soy flour, you might want to look into other legumes. 

This comprises a wide range of plants such as lentils and beans.

The most well-known substitutes are chickpea or besan flour, but you may also get urad flour derived from lentils or even mung bean flour.

Legumes flours are high in protein and may be used as a replacement for soy flour in a 1:1 ratio. Keep in mind that the amount of flour used will affect the texture and flavor of the dish, so experiment to get the best results.

Also, always remember that you might be allergic to legumes if you have nut allergies.

9. Wheat flour

We’ve talked about a number of flours that may be used as a substitute for soybean powder, with the assumption that you’re seeking a gluten-free option. If gluten isn’t an issue, you may always use regular wheat flour instead of soy flour in recipes.

While this may not be an option for everyone, it is still one of the most efficient and cost-effective methods to cook and, more importantly, bake using glutenous flour.

How to choose a soy flour substitute

When you have a specific meal and recipe in mind, you generally have a list of items set out. If you have soy flour on the list but wish to use a different ingredient, think about what the recipe is and what soy flour is used for.

If you need a thickening agent for a soup or stew, water chestnut starch is the finest option. It will not affect the flavor of the food, but it will thicken it. Just bear in mind that the hue may turn out a little grayer.

If you’re going to bake using soy flour, rice flour, lupin flour, and a few more from the list are the finest replacements. However, take in mind that each substitution may require different proportions, and other ingredients will also need to be changed.

Overall, chickpea flour may be used in a 1:1 ratio to replace soy flour in any cuisine that calls for it. This is by far the handiest alternative because it will most likely provide the same texture and flavor to any meal you are cooking.

Cooking with soy flour may be quite fascinating since it will give any meal a nutty taste that will enhance the overall flavor. However, with so many different options available, you may find that you prefer some other flours even more.