What can I substitute for wholemeal flour?
Running low on wholemeal flour? Here are the best verified substitutes, including how to adjust your measurements.
About wholemeal flour
Wholemeal flour is milled from the entire wheat grain, including the bran, germ, and endosperm, giving it a denser texture and nuttier flavour than white flour. It retains more fibre, vitamins, and minerals than refined flours, making it a nutritionally superior choice. In baking, it absorbs more liquid and produces a heavier, more robust crumb due to the presence of coarse bran particles.
Best substitute
white flour with wheat bran
Combining plain white flour with added wheat bran closely replicates the fibre content and texture of wholemeal flour. This is the most reliable substitute as you can control the coarseness and hydration.
Use ¾ cup plain flour plus 2 tbsp wheat bran for every 1 cup wholemeal flour
bakingbread makingpancakesmuffins
Alternative
spelt flour
Wholemeal spelt flour has a similar nutty, earthy flavour and is also a whole grain flour, making it an excellent nutritional and functional substitute. It is slightly lower in gluten strength, so baked goods may be a touch more tender.
Use 1 cup for every 1 cup wholemeal flour — dough may need slightly less water as spelt absorbs liquid quickly
bakingbread makingpancakespastry
Alternative
plain flour
Plain white flour can substitute wholemeal flour directly but will produce a lighter, less dense result with a milder flavour and lower fibre content. Reduce added liquid slightly as white flour absorbs less moisture.
Use 1 cup for every 1 cup wholemeal flour — reduce liquid in recipe by 1–2 tbsp
What is wholemeal flour called in other countries?
| Country | Name |
|---|---|
| Australia | wholemeal flour |
| Canada | whole wheat flour |
| New Zealand | wholemeal flour |
| United Kingdom | wholemeal flour |
| United States | whole wheat flour |
Common names for wholemeal flour
whole wheat flourwhole grain wheat flourstoneground wholemeal flourbrown flour