Nutrient-rich and loaded with complex flavors, ancient grains add a fun and healthy twist to baking. These seeds and grains—many of which predate modern wheat by thousands of years—make fantastic baking flours.
Interested in diving into the wide world of ancient grains? Here's a guide to everything from amaranth to teff.
Photography by Erica Allen; food styling by Liz Neily
Amaranth flour
Amaranth flour is versatile, full of whole grain nutrition and enhances the flavor of many recipes. Naturally gluten-free, it contains all nine essential amino acids and lysine, a protein lacking in most grains. Amaranth is a good source of iron, magnesium and phosphorus.
- Taste: Ground and pepper.
- Texture effect: Tender in small quantities; dense in larger quantities.
- It works best on: Pancakes and quick bread.
- Gluten free: yes.
Recipe for amaranth flour: Gluten-free amaranth-almond bars, No-Stir Honey-Amaranth Nut Bread, Amaranth Ranch Crackers
Photography by Rick Holbrook; food styling by Kaitlin Wayne
buckwheat flour
Buckwheat flour is hearty, gluten-free and a good source of magnesium, copper and dietary fibre. We enjoy its health benefits, but we also turn to it again and again for its bold and delicious flavor.
- Taste: Bold, toasty and rich.
- Texture effect: Moist and soft in small quantities; chalk in larger quantities.
- It works best on: Pancakes and quick bread.
- Gluten free: yes.
Recipes with buckwheat flour: Buckwheat-cardamom chocolate chip cookies, Buckwheat pancakes baked with berry compote, Buy
John Sherman
kamut flour
Kamut flour, a good source of protein and dietary fiber, contains little gluten. Kamut, the trade name for Khorasan wheat, is an ancient hardy variety, with a grain twice the size of modern wheat.
- Taste: Rich and buttery.
- Texture effect: Light and gentle in small quantities; sticking to the crumbs in larger quantities.
- It works best on: Scones, quick breads, and muffins.
- Gluten free: No.
Kamut flour recipes: Golden Kamut Bread
John Sherman
Millet flour
Millet flour is packed with nutrients for tastier and healthier baked goods. Naturally gluten-free, it adds mild flavor to both sweet and savory recipes. You may recognize whole millet: Some cuisines use the small yellow seed in cooking, and it's typical in many birdseed mixes as well.
- Taste: Sweet and corny.
- Texture effect: Corn bread in small quantities; sandstone in larger quantities.
- It works best on: Muffins and quick bread.
- Gluten free: yes.
Recipe for millet flour: Gluten Free Golden Millet Cornbread, Maple Millet Scones
Photography by Danielle Sykes; food styling by Kaitlin Wayne
Quinoa flour
Quinoa flour adds whole-grain nutrition and essential amino acids to baked goods. Naturally gluten-free, quinoa is one of the only plant foods that is a complete protein, providing all the essential amino acids. Quinoa is also one of the best sources of potassium in the world.
- Taste: Bold and sharp.
- Texture effect: Moist in small amounts; are dried in larger quantities.
- It works best on: Muffins and quick bread.
- Gluten free: yes.
Recipe for quinoa flour: Bread with dates and quinoa nuts, Honey Quinoa Bread with Sourdough, Quinoa Pancakes, Gluten Free Quinoa Apple Tart
Food photography and styling by Liz Neily
Spelled flour
Spelled flour comes from an ancient type of wheat. It is high in protein and has a complex flavor that is sweeter and lighter than whole wheat. Spelled containing gluten is a good source of fiber, iron and manganese.
- Taste: Sweet with whole wheat flavor.
- Texture effect: Soft and moist in small quantities; are dried in larger quantities.
- It works best on: Pancakes, quick bread and muffins.
- Gluten free: No.
Recipes of written flour: Sourdough bread with honey, Dark Chocolate Sunflower Scones, Whole Grain Cinnamon Coffee Cake
Food photography and styling by Liz Neily
Teff flour
Teff flour makes a healthy and versatile gluten-free flour that adds whole-grain nutrition to baked goods. Naturally gluten-free, this ancient East African grain is a good source of iron and fiber.
- Taste: Toasty and earthy.
- Texture effect: Tender in small quantities; crushed in larger quantities.
- It works best on: Quick bread and muffins.
- Gluten free: yes.
Recipe for Teff Flour: Gluten Free Teff Crepes, Tender Teff Pastry Crust, Pistachio Teff Brownies
Cover photo and food styling by Liz Neily.
