Oat Flour Recipe for Beginners

Did you know that you can turn plain oats into oat flour at home in less than 2 minutes?

You can use a food processor or blender with this recipe method at a fraction of the cost of store-bought oat flour.

What is Oat Flour

If your question is, “is oat flour just ground oats?” the answer is yes!

The recipe methods we’re using today and the package you get from the grocery store are the same: oats blended or ground into a fine powder. 

The oat flour you make at home is the same quality as the one you purchase at the store, and it’s freshly milled, which means fresher and delicious oat flour recipes on repeat!

Once you make this pantry staple, you’ll also stop buying it. For pennies on the dollar, you’ll have a perfect naturally gluten-free flour to use in all your favorite recipes. 

I’m a fan of oat flour to make wholesome and delicious treats like the ones in my fifth cookbook:

Blender:
Gone are the days you need a $500 blender to achieve an even, powdery oat flour texture. Depending on the size of your blender, you’ll be able to make anywhere between 2 to 4 cups.
I own this blender and this blender.

Nutribullet:
Your favorite smoothie maker can also be used to make oat flour in smaller amounts. If you need a lot, simply repeat the process a few times.
This is the one I recommend.

Coffee Grinder:
In a pinch and for smaller amounts, you can also use a coffee grinder. This works well for forgiving recipes where even texture isn’t a big deal, like oat bread. I don’t recommend this for cookies or oat flour pancakes.
This is my coffee grinder.

Best Oats for Oat Flour

To make oat flour, you can use steel-cut oats, old-fashioned rolled oats, or even quick oats. When it comes to making flour, oats are oats!

Need a visual guide for this oat flour recipe? I’ve got that too: 

How easy is that?! Once the flour is made, use it in your favorite recipes or transfer it to an airtight container and store it for up to 3 months.

For optimal results, work in smaller batches of 1 to 2 cups so you can control the texture, and the oat flour will turn out super fine and powdery.

How to store oat flour, and how long does it last?

Making oat flour ahead of time is the most convenient way to have it on hand when you need it.

Store your oat flour in a zip bag or airtight container in the pantry or freezer. In the pantry, oat flour keeps for up to 3 months. In the freezer for up to 6 months.

Storing oat flour in the refrigerator is not recommended because it tends to absorb moisture. 

That being said, if you or someone in your family has a severe gluten allergy, it is important to check the label for a certified gluten-free stamp. Oats are often processed in the same facilities as other grains, which can cause cross-contamination.

Oat Flour vs. All-Purpose Flour

Nutritional benefits aside, let’s compare the texture of oat flour with all-purpose. Baked goods made with oat flour have a denser texture and milder flavor than those made with white flour. It’s superb for muffins, pancakes, and even quick bread. 

Oat flour can be substituted in recipes that call for whole-wheat flour (except for yeast-based recipes). While you can substitute oat flour for traditional all-purpose flour in most recipes, note that the texture will come out slightly denser, chewier, and crumblier. This all depends on the recipe you’re using.

Oat flour is not recommended for no-cook flour recipes, such as making a classic roux. You can use my gluten-free roux recipe if that’s what you need.

Is Oat Flour Healthier than White Flour?

Compared to all-purpose flour, oat flour is a better option from a nutrition perspective. It’s higher in protein, fiber, and key minerals and serves as a lower-calorie option for baked goods. While it’s higher in fat, this healthy fat option helps your body absorb many of the fat-soluble vitamins and minerals.

Meanwhile, all-purpose flour is lower in many of the key mineral nutrients because when the wheat is stripped of the germ and bran (the other layer), which eliminates most of the fiber and mineral content.  

Here is a comparison chart showing you the key differences:

Nutrition (100g)	Oat Flour	All-Purpose Flour
Calories	389	364
Fat	6.3g	1g
Cholesterol	0mg	1g
Sodium	4mg	2mg
Potassium	373mg	107mg
Carbohydrates	69g	76g
Fiber	10.5g	2.7g
Protein	13.2g	10g
Calcium	43mg	–
Iron	4mg	5mg
Vitamin B6	–	1%
Magnesium	125mg	5%
Phosphorus	372mg	–
Zinc	3.2mg	–
Selenium	38.2mg	–

100g of Oat flour is approximately ½ cup + 2 tablespoons. 100g of all-purpose flour is approximately ¾ cup.

Recipes Using Oat Flour

Once you’ve made this oat flour recipe, it’s time to put it to use with one of these yummy ideas! 

• Banana Oatmeal Pancakes
• Blueberry Oat Bread
• Gluten-Free Apple Crisp
• Gluten-Free Gingerbread Cake

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