Best Arrowroot Powder Substitutes: A Detailed Guide

Arrowroot is an extremely versatile ingredient. Although it does not make a dish by itself, it acts as a binding and thickening agent for a lot of delicacies. Certain Chinese, Vietnamese or Thai dishes may be impossible without arrowroot, but wait till we introduce you to not one arrowroot powder substitute but several such proxies. Some of the best substitutes are cornstarch, potato starch, rice flour, and tapioca starch. We shall discuss them in detail shortly.

In case you are new to the kitchen and do not know what is arrowroot powder and what its uses are, don’t worry. We will go through that as well. There’s a lot to cover, so let’s get started without any further ado.

Arrowroot powder or arrowroot flour is a natural starch extracted from bamboo tubers. It is made from the rhizomes of the plant and can be used in several sweet and savory dishes. Any good arrowroot powder substitute will also work similarly.

Arrowroot Powder Nutritional Value

If you are even slightly cautious about what you eat and how it affects your body, this arrowroot powder nutrition info is for you. Let us look at the macro and micronutrients it has:

• The macronutrients are carbohydrates, fiber, and proteins.
• Micronutrients include vitamin B3, vitamin B6, and vitamin B9, vitamin C, iron, calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium.

An arrowroot substitute may have the same taste and does a similar job, and there is a high chance that the nutritional value will be different. Therefore, it is always wise to use an arrowroot powder alternative that is nutritionally worth it.

Arrowroot Powder Culinary Uses

Still, wondering what is arrowroot powder used for? Well, it is used to thicken a lot of stuff. Right from sauces, jellies, and puddings, you name it. The use and the benefits of arrowroot are immense.

Is Arrowroot Powder Keto or Keto-friendly?

Arrowroot is not low in carbs per se but can be a good keto-friendly item if the intake is regulated. In a keto diet, you eat 20 to 50 gms of carbs, and you may add just about a little to improve the consistency of your food. A tablespoon or two won’t harm your diet but make your food delicious.

Is Arrowroot Powder Safe for Babies?

Arrowroot powder is not only safe for babies but also makes great teething biscuits. A lot of doctors recommend arrowroot powder biscuits for babies because they are allergen-free and have stomach-soothing properties.

Arrowroot Powder Overall Benefits

• Arrowroot powder has more protein than sweet potato, potato, and cassava root.
• It is high in folate and low in calories and carbs.
• It can curb hunger cues.
• It also acts as a great probiotic.

Cornstarch

Cornstarch is the most common substitute for arrowroot. It is often confused as the same thing. Cornstarch is widely used as a thickening agent in stews, sauces, gravies, and casseroles. A coating of cornstarch also makes your fries super crispy. You can also use it to bind meatballs. It is also useful in baking cakes and cookies.

It is a commonly available item and thus preferred for both home and professional use. However, cornstarch falls behind arrowroot powder as far as nutritional values are concerned.

Potato Starch

This particular arrowroot powder substitution has several beneficial qualities. It is particularly used to improve the constituency of gravies and sauces. It gives the dish a glossy and smooth finish. It is one of the best gifts for bread bakers as it makes the cookies, bread, muffins, and cakes tender while giving them shape.

Rice Flour

Rice flour has similar carb content as arrowroot powder. Both have low carbohydrates, but rice flour has more starch. Thus, if you are substituting arrowroot for rice flour, it is best to use half the quantity.

Sweet rice flour is a great substitute for arrowroot powder for baking as it can handle defrosting and freezing quite well. It also makes the coating of fried dishes quite crispy. Do not add the flour directly to the pan if you wanna use it as a thickening agent. It is best to mix it with water before introducing it into the pan to avoid lumps.

Tapioca Starch

It is also derived from a root vegetable. It can take heating well and thus you can add it while you are cooking. However, remember that this substitute for arrowroot powder tends to add sweetness to the dish. So be careful about the quantity while cooking savory dishes.

Cream of Tartar

Cream of tartar can be a substitute. If you wish to add volume and body to your desert, this is your pick. Although it is not starch per se, it works great with sweet dishes.

Xanthan Gum

Xanthan gum is a great substitute for arrowroot powder if you are on a keto diet. It works just as you would want your cornstarch or arrowroot to work and can be used to thicken sauces and soups and give body to your puddings and custard.

Psyllium Husk

Another option for people who follow a keto diet is the psyllium husk. It is great for anyone who wishes to reduce weight as it contains only soluble fiber and has zero net carbs with almost no calories.

Choosing the most appropriate arrowroot powder substitute is not difficult if you know which goes well with what dish. Once you master that, you can play with your options. Let us know in the comment section which one is your favorite substitute.