How To Use Buckwheat Flour

How To Use Buckwheat Flour is 9th in a 12-part series on gluten free flour, covering 21 ingredients gluten free cooks can use. Learn the properties and best uses for each one and cook whatever you want. You'll find links to all 12 posts at the bottom of this page.

this gluten free recipe

Eating gluten free nudges you to learn about different flours and there are plenty of them! I like to try the recipes different cultures make with these flours as well as incorporating them into my everyday recipes.

At first it feels like a lot of work but as you bake and get used to using new flours it gets easier. If you can stay curious and notice what kind of recipes you like to make, then you can slowly try new ingredients to improve your results.

Is Buckwheat Safe for Celiacs

Yes, buckwheat groats and buckwheat flour are 100% gluten free and safe for anyone on a gluten free diet. It's also a grain-free flour since buckwheat is actually a seed, not a grain.

Apparently this seed was named buckwheat because it's used like wheat and the seeds look like buck (another name for beech seeds).

Buckwheat, quinoa and amaranth are all classed as pseudo-grains. They're often referred to as grains but don't get hung up on that, just keep learning. They're all safe to eat.

Fun fact for gardeners: Buckwheat is related to two plants that grow in my garden; rhubarb and the tart, lemony herb called sorrel.

Is Buckwheat Healthy

Buckwheat groats, contain fibre, vitamins and nutrients so it's worth adding them to your gluten free diet. They can be eaten as a hot breakfast cereal (called kasha when toasted) or cooked and used in soups, stews and salads.

Buckwheat flour is known for its' cholesterol-lowering effects and is considered to be a heart healthy choice. As awareness of its' nutritional benefits grows health conscious cooks and gluten free bakers are using buckwheat flour in all kinds of recipes.

How To Use Buckwheat Flour

Although I've never made soba noodles or blini I knew they were both made with buckwheat flour. Japanese soba noodles are commonly used in soup or served cold with dipping sauce. Blini, tiny Russian pancakes, are topped with crème fraîche and smoked salmon.

That was the extent of my buckwheat knowledge but gluten free cooks get to learn more.

Europeans also use buckwheat flour to make pancakes, crepes and breads. Koreans make soba noodles too and in parts of India special breads are made with buckwheat flour.

So many recipes, so little time.

Cinde Little

Where To Buy Buckwheat Flour

Health food stores sell buckwheat flour and these familiar brands are all available online; Bob's Red Mill, Arrowhead and Hodgson Mill.

Properties of Buckwheat Flour

• Gray colour with black flecks
• Rustic, earthy flavour
• High in fiber and improves digestion by relieving constipation
• Moist and tender if used in small amounts
• If using only buckwheat baking can be crumbly
• Some people are allergic to buckwheat (this article on buckwheat vs wheat nutrition discusses allergy).

Best Uses

• Use 25-50% buckwheat flour in pancakes and quick breads
• 25% will give mild buckwheat flavour, 50% will be more assertive
• As a coating for meat or other protein before frying or baking
• Makes pliable gluten free wraps
• Blini, Russian yeast raised pancakes
• French savoury crepes and a galette
• Soba noodles

Watch How To Use Buckwheat Flour on YouTube

Buckwheat Flour Recipes

Wondering what to make with buckwheat flour? Once you buy some you'll want to try these two traditional recipes. Then since you've got some you might as well experi-bake!

Experibaking is a term I borrowed from my friend Sue Jennett, podcast host of A Canadian Celiac Podcast. Here's how I do it in my kitchen to experiment with new flours:

• My basic recipe for Banana Muffins is written for trying new flours. I start by substituting a bit of any flour for the total amount of flour in the recipe. Work up to ½ cup and notice how it affects the taste and texture.
• Substitute a portion of the total amount of flour in any recipe with buckwheat flour. Start with ¼-½ cup in a pancake or chocolate chip cookie recipe and see what you think.
• My traditional French savoury buckwheat crepes. Made with 3 parts buckwheat flour and 1 part tapioca starch, it makes a soft, pliable wrap.
• Russian Buckwheat Blini make a nice appetizer. Some recipes use 100% buckwheat flour and others combine it with another starch or flour.

Happy cooking!

This is a series of blog posts on gluten free flours. My intention is to provide a basic overview of several gluten free flours for the everyday home cook, both new and experienced. Let me know in the comments below if you have a specific problem with your baking or a tip you’d like to share.

How To Use Gluten Free Flour series:

1. How To Use Rice Flour in Gluten Free Baking
2. How To Use Starch in Gluten Free Baking
3. How To Use Millet Flour and Sorghum Flour
4. How To Use Corn Flour, Cornmeal and Masa Harina
5. How To Use Almond Flour and Quinoa Flour
6. How To Use Binders in Gluten Free Baking
7. How To Use Chickpea Flour
8. How To Use Teff Flour
9. How To Use Buckwheat Flour
10. How To Use Coconut Flour
11. How To Use Oat Flour
12. How To Use A Gluten Free Flour Blend