Ingredient Comparison
🌾
All-Purpose Flour
vs
🌽
Cornstarch
All-Purpose Flour vs Cornstarch
Both are common in the kitchen, but they behave differently. Here's how to choose between them for your next recipe.
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The short answer
Use All-Purpose Flour when you need it for any baking, casual cakes, gravies. Use Cornstarch when you need it for gravies, pie fillings, puddings.
🌾
All-Purpose FlourFlours & Grains
The most versatile wheat flour, used in everything from bread to cakes. Contains moderate protein (10-12%) for structure.
6 substitutes available
🌽
CornstarchFlours & Grains
A fine starch used as a thickener in sauces, gravies, soups, and puddings. Also used in baking to lighten texture.
4 substitutes available
Key Differences
| Attribute | All-Purpose Flour | Cornstarch |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Flours & Grains | Flours & Grains |
| Substitutes | 6 | 4 |
| Diet Options |
Diet Compatibility
Cornstarch
Substitutes
🌾 All-Purpose Flour Substitutes
- Whole Wheat Flour7/8 cup per 1 cup AP flour
- Almond Flour1:1 by weight (not volume)
- Oat Flour1 cup + 2 tbsp per 1 cup AP flour
- Rice Flour7/8 cup per 1 cup AP flour
- Cassava Flour3/4 cup per 1 cup AP flour
- Coconut Flour1/4 cup + 1 extra egg per 1 cup AP flour
🌽 Cornstarch Substitutes
- Arrowroot Powder1:1
- Tapioca Starch1:1
- Potato Starch1:1
- All-Purpose Flour2 tbsp flour per 1 tbsp cornstarch
Which Should I Use?
Use All-Purpose Flour when…
✅ Best for
any bakingcasual cakesgraviesmuffinsquick breadssaucessoups
⚠️ Not ideal for
angel food cakedelicate sponge cakesdessert sauces needing clear appearancenutrition-focused recipes
Use Cornstarch when…
✅ Best for
graviespie fillingspuddingssaucesstir-friesthickening
⚠️ Not ideal for
acidic saucesclear gelsdairy-based sauces