If you are out of millet flour but need it for a recipe you are making, there is no reason to worry! There are numerous substitutes that you can use instead of millet flour no matter what type of recipe you are making.
Millet flour is a popular ingredient in gluten free recipes ranging from breakfast dishes like pancakes to classic desserts like cake and cookies.
In this article you will find substitutes that are gluten free as well as those that contain gluten. So no matter what dietary goals you have, you will find the best millet flour alternative for your needs.
What are the best substitutes for millet flour?
The top gluten free substitutes for millet flour are rice flour, cassava flour, rice grass flour, sorghum flour, and amaranth flour. The best millet flour substitutes that contain gluten are whole wheat flour and all-purpose flour.
Make sure to read on to learn how to use each millet flour replacement in your recipe.
Gluten-Free Millet Flour Alternatives
I have multiple family members who only eat gluten free baked goods, and while my kids and husband don’t require gluten free baked goods, I’ve learned the ins and outs of baking with millet flour.
I also get a lot of questions about what gluten free flours are best for baking, and millet flour is definitely one of the best. But if you don’t have any on hand, or can’t find it at your local grocery store, you need to know what other types of flour you can use for your gluten free recipe.
I also get questions from readers who want to make a particular recipe that is gluten free, but wish to use regular flour in place of millet flour. So no matter why you need to know about millet flour replacements, you will find the answers to all your questions right here.
So with all that in mind, let’s get to the top substitutes you can use in place of millet flour.
Rice Flour
Rice flour is my go to gluten-free substitute for millet flour. It is an excellent base for baked goods like cookies and breads as well as being an exceptional thickening agent.
I’ve found rice flour to be particularly well suited for baking muffins, gluten free bread, cake and even homemade biscuits.
Rice flour offers a subtle flavor that won’t get in the way of the other ingredients in your recipe. That’s particularly important in sweet and fruit based dishes.
Rice flour is produced by removing the husk of the rice and then grinding it into a very fine powder. You can find both brown and white rice flour at most grocery stores. Either variety will work as a millet flour substitute, though I prefer white rice flour when baking. As a thickening agent both work equally well.
Note: Rice starch is not the same as rice flour. Rice starch is usually produced by soaking the rice in lye prior to grinding. I do not recommend using rice starch as a flour substitute in baking.
Related: Rice Flour Substitutes
Equivalent
1 cup of rice flour equals 1 cup of millet flour
Cassava Flour
Cassava flour is a great all around substitute for millet flour in gluten free recipes. In fact, cassava flour has exploded in popularity in recent years thanks to it’s subtle flavor and versatility.
Cassava flour works in many types of recipes that call for millet flour. I’ve made surprisingly fluffy pancakes, soft cookies, and moist cakes with cassava flour.
Produced by grinding the cassava root into a very fine powder, cassava flour can be found at most larger super markets as well as specialty grocery stores.
Note: Cassava flour is comes in a very fine powder and should be handled with care as it is easy to make a mess with it.
Related: Cassava Flour Substitutes
Equivalent
3/4 cup of cassava flour equals 1 cup of millet flour
Rice Grass Flour
While not as easy to find as other options on the list, Indian rice grass flour is an exceptional gluten free substitute for millet flour.
If you have it on hand, it makes a great addition to many types of recipes. Rice grass flour works well in baked goods, breads, pancakes, and biscuits.
It offers a subtle, pleasant flavor that compliments all recipes that call for millet flour.
Note: Montina Flour is a popular brand available online at some specialty grocery stores.
Equivalent
1 cup of Indian rice grass flour equals 1 cup of millet flour
Sorghum Flour
Easier to find than Indian rice grass flour, sorghum flour is an excellent substitute for millet flour that can be used in all types of baked dishes.
With a mildly sweet flavor, sorghum flour is particularly well suited for desserts like cookies, cake, and sweet breads.
It does tend to work best when combined with other types of flour, such as rice or cassava flour. The combination creates a great flavor and texture but it can be used on it’s own.
If combining, use equal parts sorghum flour and second flour type for best results.
Equivalent
1 cup of sorghum flour equals 1 cup of millet flour
Amaranth Flour
Amaranth flour is an excellent substitute for millet flour in gluten free pasta recipes, bread, and baked goods.
It offers a milk, nutty flavor that compliments many other flavors. I’ve found it particularly good for yeast bread recipes. It is also popularly used for making gluten free tortillas.
Amaranth flour is produced by grinding the seeds of the amaranth plant into a fine powder.
Note: Amaranth flour is a good thickener for soups and gravies.
Equivalent
1 cup of amaranth flour equals 1 cup of millet flour
Millet Flour Alternatives that Contain Gluten
You can take a gluten free recipe and use gluten flour without making any other recipe alterations in most cases.
Use the two following types of flour when you want a gluten flour instead of millet flour.
Whole Wheat Flour
Whole wheat flour is a great option when replacing millet flour in breads and baked goods. It’s mild flavor and versatility lend it to almost any recipe that calls for millet flour.
When using wheat flour in cookies and cakes, sift it prior to mixing into other ingredients. When using wheat flour for bread, allow your dough to rest after kneading. This will allow the gluten to activate, resulting in a better final texture.
Equivalent
1 cup of whole wheat flour equals 1 cup of millet flour
All-Purpose Flour
All-purpose flour is a kitchen staple, and it makes a great millet flour substitute for those who can use a gluten containing flour.
All-purpose flour is incredibly versatile, and can be used in any recipe that calls for millet flour. It can be used as base for cookies, cakes, and bread as well as a thickening agent.
Related: All Purpose Flour Substitute in Cookies
Equivalent
1 cup of all purpose flour equals 1 cup of millet flour
Millet Flour Replacement FAQ
Can I use regular flour instead of millet?
Yes, regular flour can be used in place of millet flour if you can have gluten in your recipe. Both all-purpose flour and whole wheat flour can be used instead of millet flour.
Can I substitute almond flour for millet flour?
Yes, almond flour is a good substitute for millet flour in baked goods. Almond flour has a subtle flavor that works well in most recipes. It produces slightly flat baked goods, but the flavor is excellent.
What is the best gluten free substitute for millet flour?
Rice flour and cassava flour are the best all around gluten-free substitutes for millet flour. They both work well in baked goods like cookies and cakes as well as in baked breads.