How to Make Oat Flour

Once you learn how to make oat flour at home, you’ll never buy it from the store again. We’re sharing our best tips for making oat flour with different types of gluten free oats, how to use it in gluten free recipes, and more!

Part 6 of our Gluten Free Grains Month, this blog is part of our Oat series in which we teach you what they are, how to use them, and more to spread knowledge about gluten free grains and help make it easier to follow a gluten free diet without missing out on delicious meals the whole family can enjoy!

The Gluten Free Flour You Need in Your Kitchen!

For us, gluten free oat flour is a staple in our kitchens, because it’s perfect for gluten free baking! It has a fairly mild flavor and also makes a great addition to regular baked goods. No matter how you’re using it, it’s always a great source of vitamins, plant based protein, and fiber. Plus, it’s super affordable to buy at the store or make on your own! 

So yes, we’ll walk you through how to make oat flour at home, our tips and tricks on how to use, how to store, AND a little nutrition bonus. Sound good?

So What is Oat Flour? 

As the name suggests, oat flour is whole grain gluten free flour alternative made out of whole oats. It’s full of vitamins and nutrients including manganese, selenium, phosphorous, magnesium, and surprisingly enough, omega fatty acids! (Source)

As a result, including oat flour in your diet can help: 

• Reduce the risk of heart disease
• Lower cholesterol
• Help manage diabetes
• Decrease blood pressure
• Regulate digestion

Is All Oat Flour Gluten Free? 

All oat flour made from certified gluten free oats is, yes! However, it’s crucial to look for a label stating that the oats used were manufactured in a certified gluten free facility. More often than not, they come into contact with other gluten-containing grains while being processed. 

Celiac Disease. If you suspect you have sensitivities to oat flour, it is best to consult with your doctor! (Source) 

How to Make Gluten Free Oat Flour 

It may look intimidating, but learning how to make oat flour couldn’t be easier (or more budget-friendly)! Take a look below to see how it’s done. 

1. Using a food scale, measure out 2-3 cups of gluten free oats in grams. 
   
2. Add 1-2 cups of whole oats to a high-speed blender. 
   
3. Blend until a flour-like consistency is formed. About 30 to 45 seconds depending on the cut of oat. 
   
4. Transfer the oat flour to a glass jar or airtight container, and repeat until all of the whole oats have been ground. 

Rule of Thumb – In most cases, 1 ¼ cups of rolled oats makes around 1 cup of oat flour!

Does It Matter What Type of Oats I Use? 

No! Steel cut, rolled, and quick oats can all be used to make oat flour. However, the taste and texture will vary slightly based on the type and brand of oats you use. For instance, we found that steel cut oats had a slightly earthier flavor and darker hue than other varieties. (See photos below.)

When measuring oats or oat flour, it’s best to weigh in grams versus using a measuring cup, especially when baking! This is because each oat has a slightly different density and particle size. Therefore, the amount of flour that fits in 1 cup varies based on the particle size of the type of oat used. 

When to Use Oat Flour

Obviously, oat flour works best with recipes that are originally created with it. However, it can be used as a substitute as well, and there are a few tips that will help you know when you can include it. 

1. In Combination with Eggs. In recipes that contain eggs, it’s usually safe to swap out gluten-containing flour for oat flour. In absence of gluten, the eggs will act as a binder, working to hold the ingredients together and maintain the structure of whatever is being baked. 
2. Gluten Free Alternative for All-Purpose Flour. In most recipes, oat flour can be used as a 1:1 substitute for all-purpose flour when it is measured by weight and not cups. 

Gluten Free Oat Flour Recipes

Whether you’re following a guten free diet or not, oat flour makes for an easy, nutritious flour alternative. It’s great for a wide variety of foods including pancakes, breads, muffins, crisps, and more! To get you started, we’ve gathered a few of our favorite oat flour recipes. 

• Homemade Gluten Free Graham Crackers (Vegan Option)
• Orange Coconut Oatmeal Muffins
• Easy Oatmeal Crepes (Vegan Option) 

Storage

Homemade whole grain flours do not last as long as refined flours, because they contain natural (good for you) oils. Furthermore, if they’re exposed to air they oxidize quickly. So, it’s important to store your oat flour in an airtight container! When kept at room temperature, it can be kept and used for up to 3 months. Or, to extend the shelf life, place it in the freezer for up to 6 months! 

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