I’ll be answering if you can use cornstarch instead of flour to make a roux.
Can you use cornstarch instead of flour to make a roux?
Yes. Although flour is usually the main ingredient you use, cornstarch is typically involved to make a slurry. There’s actually a few different substitutes that you can use.
- Gluten-free powder
- Sweet rice flour
- Oat flour
- Potato starch
- Arrowroot
Gluten-free powder
For you gluten free lovers, you should feel good in knowing that you can use gluten-free powder to make the dish.
It’s recommended that you use an all purpose blend if you decide to go this route.
The best gluten-free type mix is to use sweet rice flour.
Sweet rice flour
Sweet rice flour, or Mochiko is the best brand to use for your roux dish.
Did you know that you can also make delicious fried foods with this brand of powder?
This ingredient is actually important because it’s what gives the commonly made turkey gravy for roux it’s bouncy properties.
Oat flour
Oat flour is another ingredient that can be used to thicken your sauce or gravy.
You can actually use oat flour for about a quarter of what the recipe calls for when using flour to make bread.
It’s even a great substitute for when making stew as well.
The recipe calls for using 1-2 tablespoons after your dish is done.
Oat flour is great because it absorbs more liquid than usual when compared to its counterparts.
The texture is a little different than using all purpose flour, giving it a crumb like presence instead.
Potato starch
Potato starch is another ingredient that can be used to make roux as well.
Arrowroot
Arrowroot powder is yet another substitute that you can use to make roux. If you use your arrowroot for a gravy, it will give it a smooth-creamy texture that’s different from the oat flour.
If you’re having trouble getting arrowroot powder to thicken, it could be because you had it sitting in the oven for too long.
The main rule of thumb you should keep in mind with this ingredient is to avoid adding it with hot liquid.
Real Talk Co. 
Leave a Reply