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Arrowroot substitute

Flour, starch and crumbs · Checked against 1 source · Updated November 4, 2026

Quick answer

Replace 1 tablespoon of arrowroot with 1 tablespoon of cornstarch, or 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour. Cornstarch gives the same clear gloss. Flour makes the sauce cloudy and needs to simmer to cook out its raw taste. Whisk either one into cold liquid first, then simmer until the sauce thickens.

How much do you need?

Fractions work: 1 1/2, ¾, 0.5. The amounts below update as you type.

Show only options that are

What to use

  1. Cornstarch

    • Vegan
    • Dairy-free
    • Gluten-free
    • Nut-free
    • Egg-free
    • 1 tbsp 8 g cornstarch
    Best for
    Sauces, glazes.
    What changes
    Cooks clear and glossy.

  2. All-purpose flour

    • Vegan
    • Dairy-free
    • Nut-free
    • Egg-free
    • 2 tbsp 16 g all-purpose flour
    Best for
    Gravy and stews.
    What changes
    Cloudy.
    Skip it when
    Clear glazes and gluten-free cooking.

Diet labels describe the ingredients as normally made. Check packages for gluten and allergens. Some refined sugar is filtered with bone char, which matters if you eat vegan.

Which swap for which job

UsePickWhy
GlazesCornstarchEqual amount.

Do not substitute here

  • Gluten-free. Flour.

Questions

Is arrowroot the same as cornstarch?

Similar, not identical. Arrowroot stays clear when frozen.

Sources

Ratios come from these sources, in our words. Where they disagree, we say so or pick the amount that matches tested results. Ratios are a starting point. Taste and adjust.