Do You Need Xanthan Gum for Gluten-Free Baking?
when oat flour recipes don't need it
cakes vs cookies vs bread
psyllium vs xanthan (briefly, calmly)
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What is Xanthan Gum?
Xanthan gum is a food additive that is used as a thickener and stabilizer in many products from mayonnaise to ice cream. Xanthan gum is produced when sucrose, lactose, or glucose gets fermented by bacteria, making a gummy substance. This mixture gets dehydrated and ground into the powder you'll see called for in many gluten-free recipes. It is made from corn.
Why Don't I Use Xanthan Gum in My Gluten-Free Baking?
In general, my baking and cooking philosophy is "simple is best". This applies to all of the recipes I create and use -- ingredients that are as fresh and whole food friendly as possible. To that end, I prefer not to use any xanthan gum in any of my baking recipes (it's also why I tend to stay away from store-bought gluten-free all-purpose flour mixes).
Why NOT Xanthan Gum?
The short answer is that I try not to use too many -- or any -- processed food products in my baking and cooking. Xanthan gum, and its cousin guar gum, do not agree with everyone even in small amounts. And in general, going back to that "simple is best" mindset, in my opinion the more additives the less good-for-you something becomes.
Gluten-free baking without xanthan gum is not only totally possible, it's more than easy to be successful every time. If you take the right combination of starchy flours and whole grain flours, or use the right number of eggs, or add a bit of flax or psyllium husk, your gluten-free efforts will turn out beautifully without any extra processed ingredients. All the recipes on Cucina Nicolina are xanthan gum-free.
How to Make
Here's an overview in photos of how
Tips & Substitution Suggestions
Proper Storage
More Recipes
Happy baking! If you make this recipe, I'd love to know. Please leave a comment below, reach out with any questions, and tag me on Instagram @Cucina Nicolina ❤️
