Rice flour is milled flour that is made by grinding the inner kernels of long-grain brown or white rice. This gluten-free flour lends a chewy, stretchy texture to various dishes and is a staple ingredient in Asian cuisine. Rice flour is commonly used in gluten-free baking. You can partially swap it for [wheat flour](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/guide-to-wheat-flour) in combination with another gluten-free flour, such as tapioca, sorghum, or [almond flour](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/almond-flour-recipe), depending on the recipe. 

Rice flours are an excellent pantry staple that you can use in a few different ways:

1. __As a batter base__: Gluten content determines a batter’s texture. While [all-purpose flour](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/cake-flour-vs-all-purpose-flour) is a go-to option for dishes such as fried fish (its average protein content leads to a thick, semi-dense crust), white rice flour absorbs less fat when fried in oil, leaving the surface dry and crispy, rather than greasy. This texture is ideal for tempura.
2. __For dredging__: When panfrying fish or tofu, first coat filets or slices in rice flour before dredging in egg and panko. Rice flour offers substantial breading with an airy quality. 
3. __As a thickening agent__: White rice flour, brown rice flour, and sweet rice flour all naturally inhibit liquid separation. You can use them as thickening agents, similar to cornstarch, potato starch, xanthan gum, or [sorghum](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-cook-with-sorghum) flour. To thicken a sauce or stew, start by stirring in about two to three tablespoons of rice flour.
4. __To prevent dough from sticking__: Rice flour does not contain gluten, so it can help prevent dough from sticking as you roll it out without affecting the bake (like all-purpose flour).
5. __For sweets__: Rice flour gives baked goods a chewy, sticky texture. *Mochiko* and *shiratamako*, glutinous rice flour made from short-grain *mochigome*, are key ingredients in mochi (sweet rice cakes) and *kashi dango* (sweet dumplings). 
To make a DIY batch, you’ll need a clean coffee grinder and the rice of your choice. Grind ¼ cup raw white rice at a time. Sift to remove debris leftover from the hulls and achieve a finer texture.

Homemade rice flour may not yield the same results as commercial rice flour production, where the rice is put through a rigorous washing process to remove the outer hulls and expose the inner kernel before milling. 

Become a better chef with the [MasterClass Annual Membership](https://www.masterclass.com). Gain access to exclusive video lessons taught by the world’s best, including Niki Nakayama, Gabriela Cámara, Chef Thomas Keller, Yotam Ottolenghi, Dominique Ansel, Gordon Ramsay, Alice Waters, and more.
Powder-fine rice flour is a great way to ensure an airy, crispy texture or build a gluten-free treat.

Powder-fine rice flour is a great way to ensure an airy, crispy texture or build a gluten-free treat.

Rice Flour Recipe: How to Make Homemade Rice Flour 

Rice flour is milled flour that is made by grinding the inner kernels of long-grain brown or white rice. This gluten-free flour lends a chewy, stretchy texture to various dishes and is a staple ingredient in Asian cuisine. Rice flour is commonly used in gluten-free baking. You can partially swap it for <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/guide-to-wheat-flour' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/guide-to-wheat-flour","linkCopy":"wheat flour","category":null}'>wheat flour</a> in combination with another gluten-free flour, such as tapioca, sorghum, or <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/almond-flour-recipe' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/almond-flour-recipe","linkCopy":"almond flour","category":null}'>almond flour</a>, depending on the recipe.

What Is Rice Flour?

Rice flours are an excellent pantry staple that you can use in a few different ways:<ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. As a batter base: Gluten content determines a batter’s texture. While <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/cake-flour-vs-all-purpose-flour' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/cake-flour-vs-all-purpose-flour","linkCopy":"all-purpose flour","category":null}'>all-purpose flour</a> is a go-to option for dishes such as fried fish (its average protein content leads to a thick, semi-dense crust), white rice flour absorbs less fat when fried in oil, leaving the surface dry and crispy, rather than greasy. This texture is ideal for tempura. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. For dredging: When panfrying fish or tofu, first coat filets or slices in rice flour before dredging in egg and panko. Rice flour offers substantial breading with an airy quality. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. As a thickening agent: White rice flour, brown rice flour, and sweet rice flour all naturally inhibit liquid separation. You can use them as thickening agents, similar to cornstarch, potato starch, xanthan gum, or <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-cook-with-sorghum' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-cook-with-sorghum","linkCopy":"sorghum","category":null}'>sorghum</a> flour. To thicken a sauce or stew, start by stirring in about two to three tablespoons of rice flour. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 4. To prevent dough from sticking: Rice flour does not contain gluten, so it can help prevent dough from sticking as you roll it out without affecting the bake (like all-purpose flour). </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 5. For sweets: Rice flour gives baked goods a chewy, sticky texture. Mochiko and shiratamako, glutinous rice flour made from short-grain mochigome, are key ingredients in mochi (sweet rice cakes) and kashi dango (sweet dumplings). </li></ol>

5 Common Uses of Rice Flour 

To make a DIY batch, you’ll need a clean coffee grinder and the rice of your choice. Grind ¼ cup raw white rice at a time. Sift to remove debris leftover from the hulls and achieve a finer texture.Homemade rice flour may not yield the same results as commercial rice flour production, where the rice is put through a rigorous washing process to remove the outer hulls and expose the inner kernel before milling.

How to Make Rice Flour 

Become a better chef with the <a href='https://www.masterclass.com' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com","linkCopy":"MasterClass Annual Membership","category":null}'>MasterClass Annual Membership</a>. Gain access to exclusive video lessons taught by the world’s best, including Niki Nakayama, Gabriela Cámara, Chef Thomas Keller, Yotam Ottolenghi, Dominique Ansel, Gordon Ramsay, Alice Waters, and more.

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Powder-fine rice flour is a great way to ensure an airy, crispy texture or build a gluten-free treat.

Powder-fine rice flour is a great way to ensure an airy, crispy texture or build a gluten-free treat.
