Pearl Tapioca

• For tapioca pudding, custards and gelatin or other desserts where tapioca's distinct consistency enhances the recipe's results, use pearl tapioca. Pearl tapioca is made from the same starchy root as quick-cooking tapioca. To make the substitution, soak the pearl tapioca in warm water to soften it. Substitute double the amount of soaked pearl tapioca for dry quick-cooking tapioca, which swells once it's hydrated. Pearl tapioca gets its name from its round texture. For a smoother consistency, run the soaked pearls through a blender or food processor.

Starch Thickeners

• Cornstarch and arrowroot serve as smooth thickeners that come closer than flour to creating the clear look and nearly gelled texture of fruit fillings made with tapioca, although without forming the little balls left by tapioca. Cornstarch and arrowroot work well as a general thickeners for recipes without fruit and have a long history of successful use in cooking and baking. Use half the amount of arrowroot or cornstarch as an alternative to tapioca. Whisk the starch with the recipe's liquid. These nearly tasteless starches are probably the best alternative to quick-cooking tapioca for a fast substitution if you don't have pearl tapioca. Arrowroot works better than cornstarch with acidic fruits such as pineapple. Cornstarch creates a better texture with dairy than arrowroot does.

All-Purpose Flour

• All-purpose flour offers a simple alternative for quick-cooking tapioca for thickening in a recipe. Substitute an equal amount of or slightly more flour for the quick-cooking tapioca. Add the flour gradually and stir it thoroughly into the other ingredients to reduce the risk of lumps. Stirring it into the liquid for the recipe can help make the final result smoother. Flour can cause a cloudy or streaky appearance compared to tapioca or cornstarch and doesn't have the gellike texture of quick-cooking tapioca.

Tips for Substitution

• For a gluten-free option, use rice flour. It measures the same as regular flour, and like wheat flour, it has a low impact on the flavor of the resulting dessert or other dish. Pearl tapioca can be chewy if undercooked. Check the pie filling or other food to make sure the pearls are soft before you stop cooking it. A double boiler works well for creating smooth puddings and pie fillings and reduces the risk of scorching your mixture as it thickens.