So, you are looking for potato starch substitutes. You may be wondering if there is anything else that can be used or if potato starch substitute is bad for you.
Potato starch has been a popular alternative to wheat flour and other grains because it does not contain gluten. However, the downside to potato starch is that the potato must first be cooked before using it in any recipe, making for a long cooking time and adding extra calories to your dish.
Potato Starch Substitute
Substitutes for potato starch include tapioca starch, cornstarch, arrowroot starch, agar agar powder, and potato flour. In addition, you may want to try other substitutes: potato flakes, psyllium husks dissolved in water, and pureed potato.
The good news is there are many options available when it comes to substituting potato starch in recipes, so there should be something out there that will work well with your lifestyle.
What Can I Use if I Don't Have Potato Starch?
There are many alternatives to potato starch on the market. Here are some of the most popular ones:
Tapioca Starch
Tapioca starch is the most popular substitute for potato starch because it can be used without cooking which means that it will save you time on your dish while also giving a good texture.
In addition, tapioca flour has been shown to have some health benefits like improved digestive system function.
The downside of tapioca starch is that it does not contain any vitamins or nutrients, so if you’re trying to eat healthily, this may not be the best option.
Tapioca starch is also not as easily available in some areas, can be more expensive than potato starch, and doesn’t work well for potato-based dishes.
Arrowroot Powder
Arrowroot powder provides many nutritional benefits, such as high fiber and low glycemic index, making it an excellent choice when looking for potato starches due to its health benefits.
Arrowroot powder is also great because it doesn’t need to be cooked; it’s gluten-free and clear in color.
The downside of arrowroot is that it can’t be substituted to make sauces and can be too strong if used with recipes like chocolate.
Cornstarch
Cornstarch can be used as a potato starch substitute, and it is gluten-free but must also be cooked before use.
In baked goods or sauces that require thickening, you can cook the cornstarch in water for one minute to help break down any clumps, which will produce a more smooth texture. In addition, cornstarch can be used in potato starch in some recipes, such as salad dressings and sauces, without changing the flavor or texture too much.
For example, if a recipe calls for two tablespoons of potato starch, then replace it with two tablespoons of cornstarch while following all other instructions exactly how they are written.
Using cornstarch as a potato substitute does not produce the same creamy potato texture, and it can’t be used for things like potato soup or potato pie. Cornstarch is also very thick on its own, so if you add to a dish that requires a thin sauce, such as tomato sauce, the corn starch will thicken up too much.
A remedy for this issue is adding more liquid than what’s called for in the recipe, which should help calm down any lumps from forming with time.
Pureed Tomato
Pureed tomatoes can be used as potato starch substitutes in some recipes. For example, they are often used as sauces, soups, or gravies to provide a similar consistency and thickness to potato flour.
The only downside is that pureed tomato doesn’t have the same binding power as potato starch, which means you will need to add something else to your recipe, such as egg yolk, to help with this issue.
Pureed tomatoes are not recommended for baking cakes because it lacks the necessary ingredients of potato starches.
The main problem with using pureed tomatoes is that when cooking them on high heat for long periods of time, the liquid may evaporate, leaving just dry chunks behind, which won’t be very appetizing at all.
Psyllium Husks
Psyllium husks are a fiber that can be found in many grocery stores and supermarkets. It is much more common to find than potato starches which may not always be available at your location.
Psyllium husks provide the same consistency as potato flour, a gluten-free alternative for individuals with celiac disease or other food allergies. In addition, it has been shown to reduce cholesterol levels by lowering bad LDL cholesterol while increasing good HDL cholesterol.
It may also help lower blood pressure. It has no flavor, so it won’t interfere when cooking something like a potato soup.
Agar Agar Powder
Agar Agar powder also makes for an excellent potato starch substitute by providing high quantities of fiber while having no carbs or sugar, so if you’re looking for substitutes with low calories, then this would be the best alternative option!
The main concern in making substitutions is whether or not they will change the consistency, flavor, texture, or color of your dish, which means you should try them out before using them to see how they affect your dish’s consistency.
What are Gluten-Free Options for Potato Starch Substitute?
There are several potato starch substitutes on the market for those who need gluten-free alternatives. Some of these include:
- Cornstarch
- Sweet Rice Flour
- Arrowroot Powder
- Tapioca Starch
- Rice Flour
- Mochi Flour
Depending on the recipe you are using, any of these is a great option for gluten-free baking and cooking. However, each will change the texture and taste of the recipe, so be sure to do some research before adding them to your cooking.
Can I use Flour Instead of Potato Starch?
Yes! If using this substitution, make sure to add extra liquid ingredients like milk while cooking (or baking) because the dough will thicken considerably more than before.
Potato flour does have its limitations, too: When swapping out potato starch for only potato flour, make sure you keep the extra fluids needed in mind.
How do you Make Homemade Potato Starch?
Making homemade potato starch is not too difficult. All you need to do is peel a potato, grate it and then put it in water for about 24 hours or until the mixture becomes gummy.
You will know when potato starch has been made because there will be some white foam on the surface of the potato solution.
Why is Potato Starch Bad For You?
Potato starch can be considered bad for you because potato starch has a high glycemic index, which means that it can provoke an insulin response. This, in turn, can lead to elevated levels of fatty acids and triglycerides and increased cholesterol synthesis.
The prolonged consumption of potato starch can also result in type II diabetes, weight gain, heart disease, and many other health risks related to metabolic syndrome.
This doesn’t mean you have to cut out potato starches completely. Just use moderation or find substitutes for the starch occasionally.
Is Sweet Potato Flour a Starch?
If you’re looking for potato starch substitutes that replace the same amount of potato starch, sweet potato flour may not be a good option.
However, if you want to lower protein and carbohydrate levels while still getting some similar results in your recipe (i.e., baked goods), then it would work well for this purpose.
Just make sure you are aware that there will be adjustments needed to the recipe.
Summary
When looking for potato starch substitutes, finding a replacement that will both work in the recipe and fit your lifestyle is important. The potato starch substitute should also be low-carb, gluten-free, vegan-friendly, and non-GMO if you want the healthiest possible option.
