What are the healthier options to substitute plain flour?

1. Whole Wheat Flour: Made from the entire grain of wheat, whole wheat flour provides more fiber, vitamins, and minerals than plain flour. It has a slightly nutty flavor and can be used in various recipes, including bread, pasta, cookies, and cakes.

2. Oat Flour: Oat flour is made from finely ground oats and is naturally gluten-free. It's high in fiber, protein, and other essential nutrients. Oat flour can be used to make pancakes, waffles, muffins, and other baked goods. It can also be mixed with other flours in bread and pasta recipes.

3. Almond Flour: Almond flour is made from finely ground almonds and is naturally gluten-free. It's low in carbs, high in healthy fats, and a good source of protein and fiber. Almond flour is commonly used in baking gluten-free cakes, cookies, and breads.

4. Coconut Flour: Coconut flour is made from finely ground dried coconut meat and is also gluten-free. It's extremely high in fiber and low in carbs. However, coconut flour can be quite absorbent, so recipes using coconut flour often require more liquid.

5. Chickpea Flour (Besan): Chickpea flour is made from finely ground chickpeas and is gluten-free. It's high in protein, fiber, and other nutrients. Chickpea flour is often used in Indian cuisine to make traditional dishes like pakoras, falafel, and pancakes.

6. Buckwheat Flour: Buckwheat flour is made from buckwheat seeds and is gluten-free. It has a slightly nutty flavor and is rich in fiber, protein, and essential vitamins and minerals. Buckwheat flour can be used in baking and can also be used to make soba noodles.

7. Spelt Flour: Spelt flour is made from an ancient grain called spelt, which is related to wheat. It has a slightly sweet flavor and is more easily digestible than wheat flour for some individuals. Spelt flour can be used in a similar way to plain flour in baking and cooking.

8. Quinoa Flour: Quinoa flour is made from finely ground quinoa seeds and is naturally gluten-free. It's high in protein, fiber, and essential nutrients. Quinoa flour can be used in baking, particularly in bread, muffins, and pancakes.

When substituting plain flour with these healthier alternatives, it's important to adjust the recipe accordingly, as the texture, taste, and moisture content of the final product can be affected. Each alternative flour has its unique characteristics, so experimenting and making small adjustments to the recipe may be necessary to achieve the desired results.