Don’t have arrowroot starch or flour, or realized you’re all out while you’re cooking? Here’s the best arrowroot powder substitute to use in recipes.
Making a recipe that calls for arrowroot powder and don’t have it? Don’t worry, there are few options that are perfectly suited as a substitution. Arrowroot powder, otherwise known as arrowroot starch or arrowroot flour, is the dried and ground root of the arrowroot plant, a starchy root vegetable.
Arrowroot powder is a popular substitute for cornstarch. It’s used for thickening sauces, both savory and sweet. In fact, it’s possible the recipe you’re making was adapted to use this substitute for cornstarch. Don’t have arrowroot powder on hand? No problem. Here are a few easy substitutes that work well!
Best arrowroot powder substitute (aka arrowroot starch or arrowroot flour)
1. Cornstarch
The best arrowroot powder substitute? Cornstarch. Cornstarch is starch that’s made from corn grains. Your recipe may call for arrowroot powder because it’s often used as a substitute for cornstarch that works for people with corn allergies. Cornstarch provides that nice glossy shine just like arrowroot powder. Cornstarch is a 1 for 1 arrowroot starch substitute. It’s great in stir fry sauce and desserts like a fruit crisp.
2. Tapioca flour
Another good substitute for arrowroot powder? Tapioca flour. Also called tapioca starch, it’s also a thickener that you can use in the same way as arrowroot. Keep in mind that it doesn’t do well after freezing, as it can become clumpy with an odd texture. It also can add a light sweetness to recipes, but typically you’ll use it in small quantities. Tapioca flour is a 1 for 1 arrowroot flour substitute
3. All purpose flour
A last arrowroot powder substitute? Flour! Flour acts in a similar way to thicken sauces, but keep in mind: the sauce won’t end up with the glossy finish that arrowroot powder gives. Here’s the substitution ratio: use 2 tablespoons all purpose flour for every 1 tablespoon arrowroot powder in a recipe.
Related recipes
Here are some recipes where you could use this arrowroot powder substitute:
