01
All-Purpose Flour
10.02 tbsp : 1 tbsp
Use 2 tbsp flour per 1 tbsp cornstarch; thickens sauces but gives cloudier, less glossy result
10.0
dairy-free cornstarch
substitute.
11 dairy-free substitutes for cornstarch — top pick All-Purpose Flour at 100% function match.
all substitutes on this page are dairy-free
top substitutes
02
Arrowroot Flour
10.01 tbsp : 1 tbsp
Same as arrowroot; 1:1 swap for thickening, freezes better than cornstarch but don't boil long
10.0
03
Rice Flour
10.02 tbsp : 1 tbsp
Use double; less smooth finish
10.0
show 8 more substitutes
04
Arrowroot
6.71 tbsp : 1 tbsp
Use 1:1; arrowroot gives glossy finish like cornstarch, breaks down with prolonged heat
6.7
05
Cake Flour
6.71 tbsp : 2 tbsp
Contains cornstarch already; use for dusting or dredging, not as pure thickener in sauces
6.7
06
Tapioca
6.72 tbsp : 1 tbsp
Use 2 tbsp tapioca per 1 tbsp cornstarch; gives glossy thickening for pie fillings and fruit sauces
6.7
07
Potato Flour
5.01 cup : 1/2 cup
As thickener only; use half
5.0
08
Potatoes
3.31 tbsp : 1 tbsp
Grate raw potato into stew for thickening; starchier result, works in soups not clear sauces
3.3
09
Chia Seeds
3.31 tbsp : 1 tbsp
Ground chia thickens puddings and jams; forms gel when mixed with liquid, slightly seedy texture
3.3
10
Flaxseed
0.01 tbsp : 1 tbsp
Ground flax plus water creates a gel-thickener; best in baked goods, not clear sauces
0.0
11
Baking Powder
0.01:1
Not a thickener — baking powder is a leavener; only works if cornstarch was used for lift in cakes
0.0
pitfalls to avoid
watch out
All-Purpose Flour: Flour makes sauce opaque, not glossy
watch out
All-Purpose Flour: Flour gives cloudier, less glossy sauce
watch out
Arrowroot Flour: Flour makes sauce opaque, not glossy
watch out
Arrowroot Flour: Don't boil long — arrowroot breaks down
watch out
Rice Flour: Flour makes sauce opaque, not glossy
watch out
Rice Flour: Use double the amount of rice flour
watch out
Rice Flour: Less smooth finish than cornstarch
watch out
Arrowroot: Arrowroot breaks down with prolonged boiling
watch out
Cake Flour: Flour makes sauce opaque, not glossy
watch out
Cake Flour: Cake flour won't thicken sauces like cornstarch
watch out
Tapioca: Use 2 tbsp tapioca per 1 tbsp cornstarch
watch out
Potato Flour: Flour makes sauce opaque, not glossy
watch out
Potato Flour: Use half the amount of potato flour
watch out
Potatoes: Grated potato gives starchier result than cornstarch
watch out
Potatoes: Won't work for clear glossy sauces
watch out
Chia Seeds: Slightly seedy texture in thickened sauces
watch out
Flaxseed: Flax gel works in baking, not clear sauces
watch out
Baking Powder: Baking powder is a leavener — not a thickener