Almond Flour: What Is It & Should You Use It?

Almond flour, made from ground up, sweet blanched almonds, is a healthy alternative to traditional white or refined flours.

This powerful ingredient not only falls lower on the glycemic index than all-purpose or white flour, it also delivers a relatively low amount of carbs and sugar compared to regular, refined flour. All about the protein these days? Almond flour has that, too.

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics reports that a quarter cup of almond flour contains six grams of protein, three-and-a-half grams of fiber, 60 milligrams of calcium and 14 grams of fat.

How to Make Your Own Almond Butter

Almonds also contain monounsaturated fats, vitamin E and magnesium, according to the United States Department of Agriculture. But it doesn’t stop there. Almond flour is a great choice for people on a gluten-free diet, as it does not contain the gluten found in its white flour counterpart.

But how does it taste? You’d be surprised to find out how well it works! As a versatile flour substitute, almond flour can be used in a variety of recipes, including pastries, baked goods and even dessert fillings. It adds moisture and a subtle nutty flavor to recipes, making it one of the tastier flour alternatives on the market.

While almond flour has a short shelf life, you can store it in a large glass mason jar in the refrigerator for up to six months. If you happen to have excess on hand, try freezing a portion of it to extend its life.

On Nutrisystem, two tablespoons of almond flour counts as a PowerFuel.