Cornstarch substitute

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

Quick answer

For thickening, use 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour for each tablespoon of cornstarch. Arrowroot swaps 1 for 1. Granular tapioca takes 2 tablespoons. Flour makes sauces cloudy and needs cooking to lose its raw taste. Arrowroot and tapioca are gluten-free and stay clear.

How much do you need?

I need (cornstarch)Unit

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

What to use

All-purpose flour
- Vegan
- Dairy-free
- Nut-free
- Egg-free
- 2 tbsp 16 g all-purpose flour
How
Whisk into cold liquid, then simmer a few minutes.
Best for
Gravy, stews, pie fillings.
What changes
Cloudy and slightly opaque. Twice as much by volume.
Skip it when
Clear glazes, and gluten-free diets.
Arrowroot
- Vegan
- Dairy-free
- Gluten-free
- Nut-free
- Egg-free
- 1 tbsp 15 ml arrowroot
Best for
Fruit sauces and glazes.
What changes
Clear and glossy.
Granular tapioca
- Vegan
- Dairy-free
- Gluten-free
- Nut-free
- Egg-free
- 2 tbsp 30 ml granular tapioca
Best for
Fruit pies and puddings.
What changes
Needs time to soften in the fruit juices.
Skip it when
Quick sauces.

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

Use	Pick	Why
Gravy and stew	Flour	Cheap and already in the cupboard.
Clear fruit glazes	Arrowroot	Stays transparent.

Do not substitute here

Gluten-free cooking. Flour. Use arrowroot or tapioca.

Questions

Why does flour take twice as much?

Cornstarch has about twice the thickening power of flour.

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.