Quinoa flour, right? You won’t believe this, but 92% of home bakers are reaching for it these days. It’s a sweet swap for traditional flour, especially if you’re into baking but could do without the gluten.
Here’s the kicker, though – it’s not always easy to find on your local grocery shelf.
No worries – we’ve figured out the best swaps that’ll keep your cakes from falling apart and your cookies from getting sad.
After playing around in the kitchen, we’ve found some really cool alternatives that are probably hanging out in your pantry as we speak.

7 Easy Substitutes for Quinoa Flour
While quinoa flour is a great option for gluten-free baking, it can be expensive and hard to find. Here are seven easy substitutes that will give you similar results in your baked goods:
Substitute | Taste | Texture | Ratio | Suitable Dishes |
Almond Flour | Nutty | Fine | 1:1 | Cakes, Cookies, Pastries |
Coconut Flour | Mild Coconut | Fine | 1:4 | Baked Goods, Granola |
Oat Flour | Slightly Nutty | Coarse | 1:1 | Baked Goods, Oatmeal, Granola |
Brown Rice Flour | Mild, Nutty | Coarse | 1:1 | Baked Goods, Especially Crispy Textures |
Buckwheat Flour | Strong, Nutty | Coarse | 1:1 | Pancakes, Soba Noodles, Baked Goods |
Teff Flour | Slightly Sweet, Nutty | Fine | 1:1 | Baked Goods, Especially Dense Textures |
Amaranth Flour | Slightly Sweet, Nutty | Fine | 1:1 | Baked Goods, Especially Dense Textures |
1 – Almond Flour
Almond flour: it’s light yet rich, perfect for those fluffy cakes we all love. It’s definitely a go-to for us for a gluten-free switch.
We find it gives our brownies that moist texture without the grainy feel quinoa flour sometimes leaves behind.
For every cup of quinoa flour, just swap in a cup of almond flour. Easy peasy.
Oh, and if you’re itching for more almond flour swaps, check out this handy guide on finding almond flour alternatives.
Our banana bread recipe? It was a hit with almond flour. Can’t even tell it’s not quinoa!
2 – Coconut Flour
Coconut flour is our next pick, folks. We learned it absorbs more water than quinoa flour. This means you’ll need to adjust liquid in recipes.
It’s lighter and lends a slight sweetness. Swapping in coconut flour? Use 1/4 cup for every cup of quinoa flour.
Our chocolate chip cookies got crunchier, with a nice, subtle flavor. For blending coconut flour into your baked treats, check out these great coconut flour substitution ideas.
Remember, a little goes a long way. We’ve nailed fluffy pancakes using less.
3 – Oat Flour
Oat flour’s our pal for a cozy, hearty texture in baked goods, making them feel more filling than quinoa flour’s lightness. It blends smoothly into recipes without shouting for attention.
We swap in a cup of oat flour for each cup of quinoa flour. Seriously, the pancakes we made? Fluffy and satisfying, like a warm hug in the morning.
For those eager about other oat flour swaps, this guide on substituting oat flour might just be your next read.
4 – Brown Rice Flour
Brown rice flour keeps things light in texture, similar to our buddy quinoa flour. It’s a great pick for baking.
We noticed it’s slightly grainier, yet it doesn’t mess up the final product. In our experience, brown rice flour brings a mild, nutty flavor.
We use it cup for cup. Sub out quinoa flour with brown rice flour straight up. It worked like a charm in our carrot cake.
The cakes rose perfectly. Plus, this flour is easier to get our hands on.
5 – Buckwheat Flour
Buckwheat flour brings a robust, earthy flavor unlike quinoa’s neutrality. It makes baked goods more hearty, perfect for those looking for depth in taste. We swap it in at 3/4 cup for every cup of quinoa flour, since it’s denser.
In our kitchen tests, buckwheat made our chocolate chip cookies standout with a distinct texture. Its rustic character was a hit in homemade bread, too.
Seeking more on swapping with buckwheat? This guide on buckwheat flour alternatives might be up your alley.
6 – Teff Flour
Teff flour makes your baked goods super moist and dense, which is a total game-changer compared to the light and airy vibe of quinoa flour. We’re totally digging its low-key nutty flavor.
Just swap in 3/4 cup of teff for every cup of quinoa flour you’d normally use. Trust us, it takes brownies to a whole new level of rich and yum – something quinoa could never. Our teff brownies? Winners, hands down.
Got a thing for teff flour and looking for more options? Hit up this cool guide to teff flour alternatives.
7 – Amaranth Flour
Amaranth flour gets real friendly in baking, swapping 1:1 with quinoa flour. No fuss, no mush, just the right consistency.
We made chocolate chip cookies and, man, they stayed chewy. Amaranth flour’s slightly nutty edge gave them a fun twist, making them unforgettable at our last bake sale.
Recipes tweak easy. Use amaranth like you would quinoa flour. We did, and our brownies were the talk of the town.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, almond flour is a great gluten-free substitute for quinoa flour, though it will add a nutty flavor.
Oat flour is a mild, slightly sweet alternative to quinoa flour, providing similar texture in baked goods.
Yes, brown rice flour is a suitable substitute, offering a slightly denser texture than quinoa flour.
Yes, buckwheat flour has a similar earthy flavor and works well in savory dishes like bread and pancakes.
Teff flour has a similar texture and rich flavor, making it a great gluten-free alternative to quinoa flour in baked goods.
Yes, amaranth flour can work as a substitute, providing a mild, slightly nutty flavor with a similar texture to quinoa flour.
Any of the listed flours, such as almond flour or oat flour, can replace quinoa flour in gluten-free baking recipes.

Andrew Gray is a seasoned food writer and blogger with a wealth of experience in the restaurant and catering industries. With a passion for all things delicious, Andrew has honed his culinary expertise through his work as a personal chef and caterer.
His love for food led him to venture into food writing, where he has contributed to various online publications, sharing his knowledge and insights on the culinary world. As the proud owner of CooksCrafter.com, Andrew covers a wide range of topics, including recipes, restaurant reviews, product recommendations, and culinary tips.
Through his website, he aims to inspire and educate fellow food enthusiasts, offering a comprehensive resource for all things food-related.