Non-nut substitute for ground hazelnuts

Non-nut substitute for ground hazelnuts - Brown and White Squirrel on Gray Concrete Floor

I found this recipe for chocolate cake that I’d like to try, but I need to make a nut-free version.

Here’s the ingredients list:

  • 240g unsalted butter
  • 7 eggs, separated
  • 260g caster sugar
  • 80g blanched hazelnuts
  • 240g dark chocolate
  • 1 ancho chilli, stem and seeds discarded, or 10g ancho flakes, soaked in boiling hot water
  • 2 tbsp blanco or reposado tequila
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 25g cocoa powder
  • ¼ tsp ground cinnamon
  • A large pinch of salt

The nuts aren’t much by weight but they seem to be about the only dry ingredient aside from the cocoa powder so I imagine they’ll be fairly important in holding everything together.

I’ve never cooked with ground nuts so I don’t have any experience with how they behave in a recipe. Any suggestions?



Best Answer

This cake is primarily relying on the eggs and sugar for structure. Keep in mind too the chocolate also contains cocoa powder, so you have some hidden dry ingredient there, which will hydrate and thicken when exposed to the liquid in this recipe. The hazelnuts will mostly provide flavor and maybe hold onto some extra moisture to prevent the texture getting too eggy or rich is my thinking. So while any substitution will result in a different end product, you probably don't have too much to worry about.

Realistically, you could substitute with regular cake flour without risking much. Using wheat flour might lighten or dry the overall texture a bit, but not severely. The main issue I perceive is that wheat flour doesn't have a flavor that's particularly recognizable. Similarly, you could use a starch, but any starch would not contribute flavor, and could cause dry, gooey, or gummy texture. Wheat flour is definitely a better option than starch.

For the flavor aspect, I'd be more inclined to toast and grind some oats to add a little nuttiness without adding anything too identifiable.

Cornmeal could also be an easy sub which would provide some nutty (albeit distinctive) flavor. You can also use ground coffee, for all or part, to coordinate with the chocolate and chili flavors. Other flavorful options would include various seeds (poppy, sunflower, and pumpkin come to mind). Seeds might be the best direct substitute due to the similar fat/protein/carb profiles, but there's plenty of variation, and you're unlikely to find a perfect match, and of course the flavors are both different and recognizable.

Most importantly, make sure you double-check with whoever has the allergy to make sure your sub is actually safe!




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Quick Answer about "Non-nut substitute for ground hazelnuts"

Seeds (pumpkin, sunflower, sesame seeds, flax seeds or chia seeds) Any type of seed will give you the same crunch and oil content, without having the substances that cause allergies and inflammation as nuts.

Is ground hazelnuts the same as hazelnut flour?

Hazelnut flour, also known as hazelnut meal, is a nut flour made from finely ground hazelnuts. This alternative flour is a good source of dietary fiber and monounsaturated fats that's also vegan and low in carbohydrates, making it a suitable option for those with dietary restrictions.

What can you use instead of hazelnut meal?

The closest substitution for hazelnut flour is almond flour, which can be substituted in exact measurements in most recipes. If you're baking a fluffy or light cake, you may want to cut your almond flour with some regular wheat flour or some quinoa flour to help with the structure.

Can I substitute almond flour for hazelnut flour?

Hazelnut flour can used as an alternative to almond flour for most recipes. However, it'll work better in crumbly, nutty textured recipes. Almond flour is actually a lot denser than hazelnut flour, which doesn't hold its form quite as well.

What can you use instead of nuts in a recipe?

Replace nuts with:
  • Seeds - a nut-free source of roasted pumpkin seeds (pepitas) or sunflower seeds makes a great replacement for nuts in granola bars, breads, and "butters". ...
  • Beans - specifically roasted soy beans, peas or chickpeas (garbanzo beans). ...
  • Pretzels - Yes, pretzels.




  • Hazelnut Flour (How to make Nut Flour)




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