A Guide For Baking With Hazelnut Flour

Hazelnut flour is an excellent alternative to wheat flour. Hazelnut flour is produced by grinding hazelnuts. It works wonders for baked goods, but it is also versatile enough to be used for savory foods. 

You can buy hazelnut flour at the store or make your own at home. But before you bake with this nutty flour, take a look at these useful tips. 

Tips For Baking With Hazelnut Flour 

Hazelnut flour has been around for a while, but many people do not know how to use it. After several failed attempts at baking with hazelnut flour, I discovered these tips. Use these tips to ensure your baked goods come out right the first time. 

1. Making homemade hazelnut flour can be frustrating. Hazelnuts can turn into butter. Add 1-2 tablespoons of granular sweetener to the hazelnuts. The granulated sweetener will prevent the hazelnut flour from becoming hazelnut butter. 
2. Grind small amounts of hazelnuts to the food processor to make hazelnut flour. If you try to grind a large batch of hazelnuts, you will likely end up with hazelnut butter. Small batches will prevent the hazelnuts from becoming hazelnut butter. You can crush the hazelnuts into flour by hand or use a mini food processor, spice grinder, or coffee grinder. 
3. Store hazelnut flour in the fridge or freezer. Nuts contain a lot of oil, which can cause hazelnut flour to spoil faster. I store nut flours, like almond flour, and coconut flour, in the freezer to keep them fresher for longer. 
4. Hazelnut flour is not identical to all-purpose flour. It has a denser texture than all-purpose flour. So, you need to add more leavener to your baked goods. Add 1 tablespoon of baking powder to baked goods. 
5. Do not add a tablespoon of baking soda to your baked goods, as it will give them a bitter metallic aftertaste. The rule for baked goods is 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda for every cup of flour. For baked goods, use 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder for every cup of hazelnut flour. 
6. Hazelnut flour is much heavier than traditional wheat flour. So, it cannot be used as a substitute for regular wheat flour. Hazelnut flour contains no binders, so the baked goods will fall apart. If you use hazelnut flour as a 1:1 substitute for wheat flour, you will end up with a dense, hard rock. Always combine hazelnut flour with other types of gluten-free flours.
7. If you want to use hazelnut flour in recipes, add it to chocolate recipes. If you make chocolate bread, you can substitute some of the flour with hazelnut flour. You can also use hazelnut flour in hazelnut apple zucchini cake. 
8. Hazelnuts burn easily. You must adjust the oven’s temperature to ensure the baked goods do not burn. I set the oven to 325°F when baking with hazelnut flour. While the product takes a little longer to cook, it comes out perfectly brown and not burnt.
9. If you make hazelnut flour at home and intend to use it in savory dishes, omit the sweetener. The sweetener can drastically affect savory dishes like pesto’s flavor.

How Do I Substitute Flour For Hazelnut Flour?

Since hazelnut flour does not have gluten, it cannot be used as a 1:1 substitute. Furthermore, hazelnut flour contains no starch. It will not hold baked goods together. 

It’s best to substitute 25-40% of the flour in a recipe with hazelnut flour. The hazelnut flour will give the baked goods a delicious nutty flavor. Since you used a combination of gluten-free flours, the baked goods will not fall apart. 

Is Hazelnut Flour Healthy

Yes, hazelnut flour is healthy. Hazelnuts have macronutrients like fat, protein, and carbohydrates. Hazelnuts also contain micronutrients, such as vitamins and minerals. 

Hazelnuts also contain bioactive compounds. These compounds give hazelnuts antioxidant compounds.

Hazelnuts may also decrease inflammation and prevent the growth of tumors. Hazelnuts can also decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease and cholesterol. They can also inhibit metabolic syndrome.

Is Hazelnut Flour Keto

Hazelnut flour is low in carbs, so it is a keto-friendly flour. One serving (1/4 cup) of hazelnut flour has 45 calories and 1.3 grams of carbs, making it perfect for keto baking. Furthermore, hazelnut flour will add a delicious nutty flavor to your baked goods. 

How To Use Hazelnut Flour

Hazelnut flour gives baked goods a tender crumb. But, it is not limited to baked goods. You can use hazelnut flour to make: 

1. Cookies: You can replace up to 1/2 of the flour in a cookie recipe with hazelnut flour. Remember, hazelnuts and chocolate pair together well. Hazelnut flour will add a nutty flavor to your cookies. 
2. Pie Crust: You can make pie crust using hazelnut flour and egg whites. Simply mix the two ingredients and press them into a pie plate. You can also add another nut flour, like pecan or walnut flour, to add more flavor. 
3. Brownies: You can also add hazelnut flour to brownies. You can substitute up to 50% of the flour in a brownie recipe. The brownies will have a tender crumb and a subtle nutty flavor. 
4. Breadcrumbs: You can also use hazelnut flour as bread crumbs. You can add hazelnut flour and oat flour to gluten-free meatballs or meatloaf. You can also use hazelnut flour as a crispy coating for meats like chicken and fish. 
5. Muffins/Cupcakes: You can replace 1/3 of the flour in a muffin or cupcake recipe. The hazelnut will help create a light, tender crumb. 
6. Pesto: Hazelnuts can be used in place of pine nuts in pesto. Hazelnut flour will add a rich nutty flavor to basil pesto. 
7. Waffles/Pancakes: You can also use hazelnut flour in your waffles and pancakes. It will add depth by giving the waffles or pancakes a subtle nutty flavor. Remember to combine the hazelnut flour with other gluten-free flours like cassava flour. 

In Summation 

Hazelnut flour is a versatile flour that can be used in many ways. It will add a nutty flavor to foods and make them taste amazing. 

Happy baking!