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Quinoa is all the rage among health-conscious consumers, and for good reason. It’s filled with tons of nutrients essential for your overall health. These include protein and fiber, as well as several vitamins and minerals. Quinoa is also naturally gluten-free, so it’s perfectly safe for those with gut issues or gluten intolerance.

Though technically a pseudocereal, quinoa is typically used as a substitute for refined grains like white rice. It’s perfect for stir-frys, grain bowls, salads, casseroles – you name it. And like most grains, quinoa can also be ground into a fine flour for making healthier pastries and baked goods, such as muffins and cookies.

Quinoa flour has a light yellowish tinge to it. It also has a distinctly earthy flavor profile with a hint of nuttiness just barely poking through. There are three main types of quinoa flour available: red, black and white. They vary in terms of flavor and texture when cooked.

And when it comes to nutrients, quinoa flour contains several important minerals, including sodium, zinc, iron and magnesium, to name a few. Quinoa flour also contains natural sugars, such as fructose and maltose.

How to make quinoa flour

Quinoa flour is available in many health food stores. But it can get quite expensive. Luckily, you can make your own quinoa flour at home using this simple recipe:

Ingredients for 1 serving:

• 1/2 cup uncooked quinoa

Preparation:

1. Place the quinoa in a skillet. Toast it over medium heat until it browns or pops. The quinoa should have a distinct, nutty smell at this point. Keep an eye on it because it burns easily.
2. Once toasted, put the quinoa in a blender. Blend on high into a fine powder.
3. Place a fine sieve over a bowl and sift the quinoa flour.
4. Transfer the flour to an airtight container and store until ready to use.

To keep the flour fresh and free from moisture, store it in a cool, dark place. Plus, it will stay fresh for a week if stored in the refrigerator. You can also cook it in batches and freeze it in serving-size quantities to save time.

Cooking with quinoa flour

Quinoa flour is extremely healthy and easy to work with – you’ll never look at flour the same way again! Give it a go with these two simple and delicious recipes:

Quinoa flour banana pancakes

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. And what better way to start the day than by sitting down to a plate of gluten-free banana pancakes?

Ingredients for 4 servings:

• 1 large ripe banana, mashed
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 1 cup quinoa flour
• 3/4 cup Greek yogurt
• 1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk
• 1 tablespoon organic honey
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda

Preparation:

1. In a large bowl, combine quinoa flour, baking powder and baking soda. Set aside.
2. In another bowl, combine banana, yogurt, eggs, honey, almond milk and vanilla and almond extract. Stir until smooth and well-combined.
3. Add the wet ingredients to the flour mixture. Mix until a thick batter forms. Add more almond milk if the batter ends up too thick.
4. Lightly grease a skillet with some unsalted butter and place over medium heat. Then, working in batches, pour 1/4 cup of the batter onto the skillet. Spread with a spoon if needed.
5. Cook until bubbles appear on top and the edges are well-cooked. Flip and cook for about 2 more minutes. Repeat until all of the batter is used up.
6. Serve with a drizzle of organic maple syrup or top with fresh berries.

Quinoa flour cookies

Take chocolate chip cookies to the next level with quinoa flour and dark chocolate chips. The quinoa flour adds a unique nutty flavor to the cookies and loads them up with fiber.

Ingredients for 12 servings:

• 1 egg
• 1 cup quinoa flour
• 1/2 cup coconut sugar
• 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips
• 1/3 cup melted coconut oil
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/8 teaspoon salt

Preparation:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 F.
2. In a bowl, combine quinoa flour, baking soda, salt and coconut sugar.
3. Stir in the egg and coconut oil. Mix until ingredients are thoroughly incorporated.
4. Add dark chocolate chips. Take spoonfuls of the batter, shape them into a ball and flatten them.
5. Place the cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 10 minutes or until brown.
6. Take out the baking sheet and let the cookies cool for a few minutes. Serve warm.

Quinoa flour is a healthier flour substitute. Make your own at home with the recipe above and use that the next time you bake your favorite breads and pastries.

Sources:

OrganicFacts.net

AmbitiousKitchen.com

IHeartVegetables.com