Potato Starch Substitute: 15 Best Alternatives for Thickening, Frying, and Baking

Potato starch is a versatile ingredient commonly used as a thickener, coating, and gluten-free baking ingredient. Extracted from potatoes, it has a neutral flavor and creates a smooth, silky texture in soups, sauces, gravies, and baked goods.

But what if you run out of potato starch? Fortunately, several ingredients can serve as excellent substitutes depending on your recipe.

In this guide, you’ll discover the best potato starch substitutes, their conversion ratios, and which alternatives work best for thickening, frying, and gluten-free baking.

Here you can also find the pomegranate molasses substitute and powdered sugar substitute.

What Is Potato Starch?

Potato starch is a fine white powder made by extracting starch from potatoes. It contains almost no protein or fat and is valued for its ability to thicken liquids quickly without affecting flavor.

Potato starch is often used for:

• Thickening soups and sauces
• Making gravies
• Gluten-free baking
• Coating fried foods
• Improving texture in baked goods

Potato Starch vs. Potato Flour

Many people confuse potato starch with potato flour, but they are different products.

Potato Starch	Potato Flour
Made from extracted starch	Made from whole dried potatoes
Neutral flavor	Strong potato flavor
Excellent thickener	Adds density and moisture
Light texture	Heavier texture

Because of these differences, they cannot always be substituted equally.

Best Potato Starch Substitutes

1. Cornstarch

Cornstarch is the most widely used substitute for potato starch.

Best for:

• Gravies
• Sauces
• Soups
• Pie fillings

Pros:

• Easy to find
• Neutral taste
• Strong thickening power

Cons:

• Less stable during prolonged cooking

Substitution Ratio:

1 tablespoon potato starch = 1 tablespoon cornstarch

2. Tapioca Starch

Tapioca starch is extracted from cassava root and is a favorite in gluten-free cooking.

Best for:

• Gluten-free baking
• Fruit pies
• Sauces

Pros:

• Creates glossy textures
• Works well when frozen

Cons:

• Can become chewy if overused

Substitution Ratio:

1 tablespoon potato starch = 2 tablespoons tapioca starch

3. Arrowroot Powder

Arrowroot powder is another excellent gluten-free thickener.

Best for:

• Delicate sauces
• Fruit fillings
• Clear gravies

Pros:

• Easy digestion
• Smooth texture
• Glossy finish

Cons:

• Doesn’t perform well in dairy-heavy recipes

Substitution Ratio:

1 tablespoon potato starch = 2 teaspoons arrowroot powder

4. Rice Flour

Rice flour works well in both cooking and baking applications.

Best for:

• Gluten-free baking
• Thickening sauces

Pros:

• Mild flavor
• Easy to find

Cons:

• Less effective thickener

Substitution Ratio:

1 tablespoon potato starch = 2 tablespoons rice flour

5. Wheat Flour

All-purpose flour can replace potato starch in many recipes.

Best for:

• Gravies
• Soups
• Sauces

Pros:

• Common pantry ingredient
• Budget-friendly

Cons:

• Contains gluten
• Produces a cloudier finish

Substitution Ratio:

1 tablespoon potato starch = 2 tablespoons flour

6. Potato Flour

Potato flour is the closest potato-based alternative.

Best for:

• Bread
• Rolls
• Yeast baking

Pros:

• Adds moisture
• Improves shelf life

Cons:

• Stronger flavor
• Heavier texture

Substitution Ratio:

Use about half as much potato flour as potato starch.

7. Cassava Flour

Cassava flour comes from the whole cassava root.

Best for:

• Gluten-free recipes
• Baking

Pros:

• Similar texture to wheat flour
• Grain-free

Cons:

• Heavier than starches

Substitution Ratio:

1:1

8. Xanthan Gum

Xanthan gum is commonly used in gluten-free baking.

Best for:

• Bread
• Cakes
• Sauces

Pros:

• Extremely effective
• Improves texture

Cons:

• Easy to overuse

Substitution Ratio:

¼ teaspoon xanthan gum per tablespoon of potato starch.

9. Guar Gum

Guar gum works similarly to xanthan gum.

Best for:

• Thickening liquids
• Gluten-free baking

Pros:

• Powerful thickener
• Gluten-free

Cons:

• Can become gummy

10. Sweet Rice Flour

Sweet rice flour contains more starch than regular rice flour.

Best for:

• Asian recipes
• Gluten-free baking

Pros:

• Smooth texture
• Good binding ability

Cons:

• Slightly sticky consistency

11. Coconut Flour

Coconut flour can replace potato starch in some baked goods.

Pros:

• High fiber
• Gluten-free

Cons:

• Absorbs significant amounts of liquid

12. Almond Flour

Almond flour is useful in gluten-free baking.

Pros:

• Nutrient-rich
• Adds moisture

Cons:

• Poor thickener for sauces

13. Instant Potato Flakes

Potato flakes can thicken soups and stews effectively.

Best for:

• Chowders
• Cream soups
• Casseroles

14. Kudzu Root Starch

Kudzu starch is popular in Japanese cooking.

Pros:

• Creates a smooth finish
• Excellent thickening ability

15. Ground Oats or Oat Flour

Oat flour can work in certain baking recipes.

Pros:

• Affordable
• Adds fiber

Cons:

• Not ideal for clear sauces

Best Potato Starch Substitute for Frying

When frying foods, potato starch helps create a crispy coating. The best replacements are:

1. Cornstarch
2. Rice flour
3. Tapioca starch

These alternatives produce a crunchy texture and golden-brown finish.

Best Potato Starch Substitute for Baking

For cakes, cookies, and gluten-free bread, use:

• Tapioca starch
• Arrowroot powder
• Cassava flour
• Sweet rice flour

These options help maintain structure and softness.

Best Potato Starch Substitute for Thickening

If you’re thickening soups, gravies, or sauces, choose:

• Cornstarch
• Arrowroot powder
• Wheat flour
• Tapioca starch

These ingredients provide reliable thickening power without dramatically changing flavor.

Quick Conversion Chart

Potato Starch Needed	Substitute
1 tbsp	1 tbsp cornstarch
1 tbsp	2 tbsp tapioca starch
1 tbsp	2 tsp arrowroot powder
1 tbsp	2 tbsp rice flour
1 tbsp	2 tbsp all-purpose flour
1 tbsp	½ tbsp potato flour

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best substitute for potato starch?

Cornstarch is usually considered the best overall substitute because it has similar thickening properties and a neutral flavor.

Is cornstarch the same as potato starch?

No. Both are starches, but they come from different sources and behave slightly differently in cooking.

Can I substitute potato flour for potato starch?

Yes, but use less potato flour because it absorbs more liquid and has a stronger flavor.

What is the best gluten-free substitute for potato starch?

Tapioca starch, arrowroot powder, and cassava flour are among the best gluten-free alternatives.

Which substitute works best for frying?

Cornstarch and rice flour are excellent choices for achieving a crispy coating on fried foods.

Can I use flour instead of potato starch?

Yes. All-purpose flour works well in soups, gravies, and sauces, though you’ll generally need twice as much flour.

Final Thoughts

Potato starch is a valuable ingredient for thickening, frying, and gluten-free baking, but there are many effective substitutes when it’s unavailable. Cornstarch remains the closest replacement for most recipes, while tapioca starch and arrowroot powder are excellent gluten-free alternatives.

The best potato starch substitute ultimately depends on your recipe. Whether you’re making crispy fried chicken, silky gravy, or gluten-free bread, one of these alternatives can help you achieve great results.

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