10 Delicious Recipes You Can Make with Coconut Flour
{guest post by Bridget Sandorford}
Coconut is a nutritional powerhouse. It has anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties that can fight inflammation in your body and help you to reduce the incidence of illness. It has medium-chain fatty acids that can help to boost your metabolism, burn more fat, and lower your cholesterol. It has been shown to improve digestive issues, reduce the risk of disease, and help you to appear younger. On top of all that, it is a rich source of fiber, magnesium, iron, selenium, potassium, phosphorous and other nutrients.
On the other hand, traditional white flour or even wheat flour does not contain nearly as many nutrients. Coconut flour has more calories — about 124 for 2 tablespoons, compared with 102 for traditional white flour — but also has far more fiber (11 grams, compared to 1 for white flour), protein (5 grams, compared to 3), and other nutrients. However, when using coconut flour, because it has so much fiber and absorbs so much liquid, you only use 1/2 or less than you would use regular flour in recipes.
Coconut flour, in addition to having these benefits, is a great substitution for refined, white or wheat flour in many recipes. Plus, it’s gluten-free! Not sure what to use it for? Here are 10 delicious recipes that you can make with coconut flour (visit links for recipes!):
Hearty Banana Granola Pancakes
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but most traditional breakfast foods are loaded with fat or sugar. These pancakes use only all-natural ingredients, including natural sweeteners and fruit instead of lots of oils or refined sugars. Enjoy them with fruit or with a little maple syrup.
Coconut Flour Porridge
Give your usual bowl of morning oats a boost with coconut flour, chia seeds and raw honey. You’ll start your day right with the nutrients to give you tons of energy without spiking your blood sugar and sending you crashing soon after.
Multi-”Grain” Crackers
Crackers are not typically healthy snacks since they are made with refined flours and are fried in unhealthy oils. This recipe uses nutritious coconut flour, as well as almond flour and a number of other nuts and seeds to create a crunchy and healthy cracker that you’ll love to snack on.
Paleo Bread
Bread is a delicious staple, whether you’re using it to make sandwiches or enjoying it as a nice side item. However, it’s high in carbs, and carbs aren’t your friend if you are trying to lose weight. This Paleo-friendly recipe will keep the carbs to a minimum and uses healthy fats and natural sugars, so you can enjoy your bread guilt-free.
Simple Herb-Crusted Salmon
A little coconut flour mixed with parsley and some dijon mustard is the basis for the flavorful coating on this healthy salmon dish. Serve it with the arugula salad, and you’ll have an unforgettable and delicious meal.
Chicken Cacciatore
This delicious dish is coated in a coconut batter and cooked in coconut oil, helping you to get even more nutrients and even more flavor. Tomatoes, mushrooms, garlic and seasonings finish this tasty entree.
Bacon and Chive Sweet Potato Biscuits
These Paleo-friendly biscuits are low in carbs and high in flavor. They use a lot of healthy fats based on the Paleo lifestyle, but they are loaded with nutrition and are a perfect treat even when you’re trying to lose weight.
Carrot Muffins
If you want a sweet treat, these carrot muffins will satisfy you without giving you all the unhealthy fat or sugar that most desserts contain. Natural sugars and spices give these muffins their flavor, and they don’t have any refined flours.
Gluten-Free Molasses Cookies
These cookies have the low-glycemic sweetener molasses and healthy flours, making them a great choice for a sweet treat that won’t derail your whole diet. Enjoy them in moderation, as you would any treat.
Coconut Flour Brownies
Nothing beats a good brownie, but they’re usually off the menu if you’re trying to lose weight. These brownies use coconut flour and the all-natural sweeter honey to create a whole-foods version of this popular treat that won’t undermine your weight-loss goals when eaten in moderation.
{Debi adds: I personally love this quick microwave fudge cake 
http://fit-ographer.com/fudgemuffins/}
About the Author:
Bridget Sandorford is a freelance food and culinary writer, where recently she’s been researching the sous chef job description. In her spare time, she enjoys biking, painting and working on her first cookbook.
