Sprouted Oat Flour: The Best Gluten-Free Alternative
Oat flour has gained popularity recently, and it’s easy to understand why. This gluten-free flour is ideal for baking and is rich in essential minerals and nutrients. While it has become a staple in many kitchens, oat flour also raises a few common questions. For instance, how is oat flour made? Can it substitute for all-purpose flour? Is it truly gluten-free, and is it a healthier flour alternative?
Finding the perfect balance between taste, texture, and nutrition in baking can be challenging. Whether you are gluten-free, health-conscious, or simply looking to add a whole-grain twist to your easy recipes, oat flour is an excellent choice, and here’s why!
Oat flour is made with whole grain oats which are nature’s most nutrient-rich grains renowned for its versatility in recipes. Not only does oat flour enhance the texture and flavor of baked goods, but it also serves as a great gluten-free alternative to traditional flours that have less nutritional benefits. Starting your day with a warm bowl of oats or incorporating oat flour into your recipes is a simple way to nourish your body.
How We Make Sprouted Oat Flour
Knowing where your grains come from and how they are grown is just as important, if not more important, than adding them to your diet. At One Degree Organics, we take immense pride in our commitment to quality by sourcing our clean oats, free of toxins and chemicals, from Alberta, Canada—an area renowned for producing some of the finest oats in the world.
The journey from field to table is a meticulous process that generally spans around 12 weeks after planting. While it may seem straightforward, the reality is that a tremendous amount of dedication and hard work goes into cultivating the cleanest, highest-quality oats. Our farming partners utilize age-old sustainable methods that don’t allow the use of toxins, chemicals, or non-GMOs.
With One Degree Organics, you can trust that every bite was ethically and sustainably sourced and made to provide not only the best-tasting products but also peace of mind.
Once the organic oats are harvested, they go through a thorough inspection which is completed by our Quality Assurance team to ensure we meet the gluten-free standards and to detect any foreign objects that could have filtered through the harvest. You can learn more about the sprouting processes of our oats and How We Make Our Sprouted Oats.
Our raw oats undergo a unique sprouting process, transforming them into nutritional powerhouses. From a single clean grain, we produce four types of oats: sprouted steel-cut oats, quick oats, rolled oats, and oat flour.
Experience the versatility of our sprouted oats by enjoying the rich flavors of our steel-cut oats simmered into a delightful oat risotto. Indulge in warm, chewy oatmeal cookies made with our classic rolled oats or oat flour, or savor the convenience of our quick oats—perfectly paired with fresh fruit and nuts for a hassle-free, energizing breakfast on busy mornings.
Our gluten-free oat flour is made entirely from our organic sprouted oats, it is ground down into the finest flour which is perfect for baking. Packed with nutrients, antioxidants, fiber, and healthy protein-it’s the pantry staple you didn’t know you needed. Our sprouted oat flour complements both sweet and savory dishes with a mild and nutty taste.
The Benefits of Sprouted Oat Flour
What sets oat flour apart from the rest is its nutritional value, and the fact that it is completely gluten-free. Oat flour supports gut health through its rich fiber content. The fiber found in oat flour keeps you full for longer, which is why most prefer a breakfast of oats or baked goods made with oat flour for a balanced start to the day. 1.
Oat flour also contains beta–glucan which has been shown to play a positive role in influencing lipid and cholesterol metabolism. High cholesterol can negatively impact your heart health, beta-glucan is a form of soluble fiber that aids in decreasing the absorption of cholesterol found in foods. 2.
The highest sources of beta-glucan are oat bran, rolled oats, and whole oat flour which have been proven to reduce the risk of heart disease. Oat flour contains a healthy amount of plant-based protein, minerals and vitamins to keep you sustained throughout the day, especially when incorporating this flour into your healthy muffins, cookies, or bread recipes.
What is insoluble and soluble fiber?
Fiber is part of a healthy diet, it is a type of carbohydrate found in mainly fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes. The two types of fiber that exist in oats and found in oat flour are soluble and insoluble.
Soluble fiber slows down digestion since it dissolves in water it forms a gel-like substance in your stomach which slows down digestion, thus keeping you fuller for longer. In addition to this, it also helps in controlling your blood sugar levels and cholesterol.
Insoluble fiber has the opposite effect it does not dissolve in water and will typically remain whole as it passes through your stomach. This is what keeps your bowels healthy and provides support for insulin sensitivity. 3.
Why Oat Flour Is Better Choice?
When it comes to flour it can be hard to differentiate. So, why is oat flour the better choice? Compared to other generic flours, oat flour has a nutty, toasty and even sweeter taste which all-purpose flour, for example, does not have too much of. If you are a baking enthusiast who is always looking for a healthier and tastier alternative to traditional baking ingredients, then oat flour deserves a spot in your pantry.
Let’s take a closer look at oat flour and why it’s becoming a popular choice amongst bakers.
What are the differences between oat flour and wheat flour?
Wheat flour contains gluten which means that for those with Celiac Disease, for example, oat flour is a great substitute as it is gluten-free. In addition to this, oat flour is the safer bet when baking for larger groups as it has no allergens compared to wheat flour.
Oat flour is made with oats and wheat flour is made with wheat, so when baking there will surely be some differences which can be found in the taste and texture.
Does oat flour work the same as all-purpose flour?
The short answer is yes! Oat flour, in most instances, can be a perfect substitute for all-purpose flour. However, it’s important to note that all-purpose flour contains more gluten than oat flour. If gluten is not essential for your baking, oat flour is a nutritionally superior choice.
Many baking enthusiasts, including our customers and family, love using oat flour because it adds a sweet, nutty, and toasty flavor, along with enhanced nutritional value to all baked goods.
What oats are used to make oat flour?
Rolled oats are the preferred oats to make flour with. However, it can be made from quick oats too. Oat flour is a versatile ingredient which can add a new dimension to your baking.
How should you store oat flour to keep the freshness?
Oat flour can be stored in an airtight container for up to two months, and in the freezer for up to 6 months to retain its freshness.
Packaged Oat Flour vs. Homemade Oat Flour
In all honesty, oat flour is easy to make, simply grab a bag of our Sprouted Rolled Oats, add it to your blender or food processor and in a few seconds, you will have created fine oat flour. However, there are a few things to consider when making oat flour at home, and it has to do with the kind of oats you use.
Ensuring that your homemade oat flour is completely gluten-free is not as straightforward as it might seem. While all oats are naturally gluten-free, they can become contaminated when grown near gluten-containing grains like wheat and barley. This is why reading the labels of your food packages is so important. Oats can only be trusted to be gluten-free if they are labeled and tested, which our sprouted oats and oat flour are!
Homemade oat flour is great for baking the difference with store-bought oat flour would probably be its finer texture. Packaged organic oat flour is typically smoother and finer than what you can create at home, this doesn’t make it right or wrong, it just depends on your preferences.
At One Degree Organics you can rest assured our oats are sourced organically, without any traces of gluten, glyphosate, toxins or GMO’s and the proof is behind our labels. We work directly with farmers to ensure that our clean oats are grown in a way that’s sustainable without the harmful chemicals or traces of allergens.
Oat Flour Recipes
Oat flour is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of healthy and delicious recipes, from cakes, and cookies to bread, and even pancakes. If you are looking for inspiration on how to incorporate more whole grains into your diet, these recipes are a must-try this season.
Oat Pancakes
Whether you enjoy pancakes for breakfast, as an afternoon snack, or even as dessert, this fluffy Oat Flour Pancakes deliver the same old-fashioned taste with a healthier gluten-free twist. Try out this recipe for yourself with a drizzle of maple syrup and fresh fruit. Fluffy Oat Flour Pancakes Recipe
Sprouted Oat and Wheat Brown Bread Rolls
This classic recipe is packed with flavor, texture, and wholesome goodness. Made with sprouted oat flour and other organic ingredients, it creates a delicious bread that is soft, slightly sweet, and hearty—just like the brown bread we all know and love. Sprouted Oat and Wheat Brown Bread Rolls Recipe
Oat Waffles
Nothing starts a morning better than a delightful and easy breakfast that can double as dessert. These oat waffles are simple to make with just six ingredients, and they are sure to become a staple in your home. Best of all, you can prepare them in advance and freeze them for those busy mornings, because you deserve to enjoy breakfast every day. Oat Waffles Recipe
Easy Granola Bars
Made with Sprouted Quick Oats and Oat Flour, along with other clean ingredients, these granola bars serve a nutritious bite reminiscent of freshly baked gingerbread cookies. Regardless of the season, these are the perfect on-the-go snack or dessert. Easy Gingerbread Granola Bars
Do you love organic oat flour as much as we do? Explore this gluten-free ingredient even more by adding it to your soups, stews, or sauces to thicken up or to create a crispy coating for tofu or vegetables by using oat flour and seasoning to coat it before frying. If you want more ideas, recipes, and delicious content- join our community by signing up for our newsletter with mouth-watering updates on everything you want to know more about. Or fill your feed with food inspiration by following us on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest!
References:
- The impact of oat structure and β-glucan on in vitro lipid digestion. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5666125/ Accessed on: June, 2024
- Oat Products and Blood Cholesterol Lowering, Government of Canada Available from: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/food-nutrition/food-labelling/health-claims/assessments/products-blood-cholesterol-lowering-summary-assessment-health-claim-about-products-blood-cholesterol-lowering.html Accessed on: June, 2024
- Fiber: The Carb That Helps You Manage Diabetes Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/library/features/role-of-fiber.html Accessed on: June, 2024