What can I substitute for spelt flour?
Running low on spelt flour? Here are the best verified substitutes, including how to adjust your measurements.
About spelt flour
Spelt flour is milled from spelt, an ancient grain closely related to wheat, with a mild, slightly nutty and sweet flavour. It contains gluten but the gluten structure is more fragile and water-soluble than that of modern wheat, making it easier to digest for some people. Spelt flour is prized in artisan baking for its rich flavour and is available in both wholegrain and white (sifted) forms.
Best substitute
plain flour
Plain (all-purpose) wheat flour is the closest structural substitute, providing similar gluten development and starch content. Because spelt flour absorbs slightly less liquid, you may need to reduce liquid in the recipe by a small amount when swapping in plain flour.
Use 1 cup for every 1 cup of spelt flour, but reduce liquid by 1–2 tbsp
bakingbreadpastrypancakesNot suitable for: gluten-free baking
Alternative
wholemeal flour
Wholemeal (whole-wheat) flour makes an excellent substitute for wholegrain spelt flour, offering a similar earthy, nutty flavour and comparable fibre content. The gluten in wholemeal is stronger than spelt, so avoid overworking the dough or batter to prevent toughness.
Use 1 cup for every 1 cup of spelt flour
breadmuffinscookiespancakesNot suitable for: delicate pastry
Alternative
emmer flour
What is spelt flour called in other countries?
| Country | Name |
|---|---|
| Australia | spelt flour |
| DE | Dinkelmehl |
| United Kingdom | spelt flour |
| United States | spelt flour |
Common names for spelt flour
dinkel flourancient grain flourwhite spelt flourwholegrain spelt flour