My diet:

Almond flour

No E-numberFlour treatment agentsOrigin: Plant
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Every diet

VeganYes

Almond flour is ground almonds.

Gluten-freeYes
HalalYes
KosherYes
KetoYes

Almond flour is mostly fat and protein, with less starch than wheat.

Low-FODMAPDepends

A large amount of almond flour is high FODMAP. A small sprinkle may be tolerated.

The short answer
Almond flour is ground almonds. Almond flour is vegan, and the nut itself contains no gluten. It is one of the few baking flours that fits a keto pattern. Large servings are high FODMAP because almonds are.
Generally safe

Fine for most people at normal amounts.

E-numberNone
Comes fromPlant
What it doesFlour treatment agents
Glycemic index—
Daily limitNot set
Also calledAlmond flour, Blanched almond flour

Rules by country

🇺🇸 US FDANot evaluated as an additive
🇪🇺 European UnionNot evaluated as an additive
🇨🇦 Health CanadaNot evaluated as an additive
CaliforniaNo extra rules

Almond flour is a food, not an E-number. It is a tree-nut allergen. A gluten-free bakery label does not make it safe for someone with an almond allergy.

Daily limit: Experts haven’t set a number because normal food amounts are far below any level of concern.

What is it?

Blanched nuts are ground to a powder. The natural oil means the bag can go stale. A recipe that expects wheat cannot take almond flour one for one. The flour browns fast and needs more egg to hold together.

Where it comes from: Almond flour is blanched almonds ground fine. Almond meal often keeps the skins and is coarser. Both are the nut itself, so the protein and the oil of the almond are still there.

Why it’s in food

  • Builds a keto cake
  • Crusts a fish fillet
  • Thickens a frangipane
  • Replaces breadcrumbs

Often found in

MacaronsTortesPie crustsPancakesBreaded cutletsCookie dough

Also listed as: Almond flour, Blanched almond flour, Superfine almond flour, Almond meal

Health & gut impact

Tree-nut allergyConcern

Almond flour is almonds. Any amount is unsafe for a person with an almond or, often, a broader tree-nut allergy.

Allergen identity of almond flour

Portion and FODMAPsUnder study

A small handful of almonds can be low FODMAP. Almond flour is those almonds concentrated, so a cup in a cake is a high-FODMAP serving.

Monash FODMAP servings for almonds

What can I use instead?

Coconut flour

Ratio: Another gluten-free flour, much thirstier

Best for: Keto-style baking

Oat flour

Ratio: A grain flour when nuts are the problem and oats are certified

Best for: Pancakes

Related

More flour treatment agents:

Alpha-amylaseAlpha-amylase is the enzyme that clips starch so bread can rise and brown. Baked goods often list it only as enzymes. Fungal amylase is gluten-free. Amylase from barley malt is not.Generally safeAzodicarbonamide (ADA) E927aAzodicarbonamide (ADA, E927a) is a dough conditioner that's banned in the EU but still legal in US bread. Baking turns some of it into semicarbazide, a possible carcinogen, so it's one to avoid.Best to avoidBarleyBarley is a gluten grain with a low glycemic index when it is eaten as the whole or pearled berry. The barley berry fails a gluten-free diet, a keto diet and a low-FODMAP diet. It is vegan. Sprouted barley is the start of malt, which is a different ingredient line.Generally safeBenzoyl peroxide E928Benzoyl peroxide (E928) bleaches flour white overnight. It's legal in the US and Canada but banned in the EU, and it destroys some of the vitamin E in flour. It's not on the label in most cases.Use in moderation

Common questions

Is almond flour gluten-free?

Yes, when it is only almonds. A mix labeled baking blend may add wheat or barley.

What is the difference between almond flour and almond meal?

Flour is usually blanched and fine. Meal often includes the skins and a coarser grind.

Is Almond flour safe?

Generally safe (90/100). Almond flour is a food, not an E-number. It is a tree-nut allergen. A gluten-free bakery label does not make it safe for someone with an almond allergy.

Is Almond flour vegan?

Yes. Almond flour is ground almonds.

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Scientific sources & regulatory citations
  • Allergen identity of almond flour
  • Monash FODMAP servings for almonds