Xanthan and Guar Gum for Gluten-Free Dough: How to Use Them

[vc_row css="%7B%22default%22%3A%7B%22padding-left%22%3A%220%22%2C%22padding-right%22%3A%220%22%7D%7D"][vc_column][vc_column_text]One of the characteristics of gluten-free preparations is the different consistency of the dough compared to wheat flour: since gluten is not present, the gluten network that gives elasticity and softness to the dough is not created, which is why cakes often crumble excessively and bread is too dense. This is why in the guidelines on intolerances and in gluten-free recipes, ingredients such as carob flour, xanthan, guar and others are often mentioned: they are gluten-free thickeners, added to the base flours specifically to increase the elasticity of the dough. One of the most frequently asked questions we receive from those venturing into baking for intolerant individuals is which type of thickener is best to use and especially in what quantity or percentage.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]

Guar Gum and Xanthan: Among the Most Effective Gluten-Free Thickeners

Xanthan Xanthan, or xanthan gum, is a food gum used as a thickening and stabilising additive in various preparations such as sauces or baked goods. It makes the dough elastic and once baked, we will have a soft and compact consistency. When used in the right amount, it is a fundamental ingredient, especially in gluten-free diets or for coeliacs. Guar Gum It is derived from a leguminous plant, and also in this case, thanks to its enormous capacity to absorb liquids, it makes the dough sticky and workable.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row content_placement="middle" gap="10px" css="%7B%22default%22%3A%7B%22padding-left%22%3A%2225px%22%2C%22padding-right%22%3A%2225px%22%7D%7D"][vc_column width="1/2" css="%7B%22default%22%3A%7B%22border-color%22%3A%22%23057a2c%22%7D%7D"][vc_row_inner css="%7B%22default%22%3A%7B%22background-color%22%3A%22%23f5f5f5%22%2C%22min-height%22%3A%22300px%22%2C%22padding-top%22%3A%2220px%22%2C%22padding-bottom%22%3A%2220px%22%2C%22padding-right%22%3A%2220px%22%2C%22border-style%22%3A%22solid%22%2C%22border-left-width%22%3A%221px%22%2C%22border-top-width%22%3A%221px%22%2C%22border-bottom-width%22%3A%221px%22%2C%22border-right-width%22%3A%221px%22%2C%22border-color%22%3A%22_header_middle_text_hover%22%7D%7D"][vc_column_inner width="5/12" css="%7B%22default%22%3A%7B%22background-color%22%3A%22%23f5f5f5%22%2C%22background-image%22%3A%2214056%7Cfull%22%2C%22background-position%22%3A%22center%22%2C%22background-size%22%3A%22cover%22%2C%22background-repeat%22%3A%22no-repeat%22%2C%22margin-left%22%3A%2215px%22%2C%22padding-left%22%3A%2210px%22%2C%22padding-top%22%3A%2210px%22%2C%22padding-bottom%22%3A%2210px%22%2C%22padding-right%22%3A%2210px%22%2C%22border-left-width%22%3A%221%22%2C%22border-top-width%22%3A%221%22%2C%22border-bottom-width%22%3A%221%22%2C%22border-right-width%22%3A%221%22%2C%22border-color%22%3A%22_header_middle_text_hover%22%7D%7D"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width="7/12" css="%7B%22default%22%3A%7B%22padding-left%22%3A%2210px%22%2C%22padding-right%22%3A%220%22%7D%7D"][vc_column_text css="%7B%22default%22%3A%7B%22color%22%3A%22_content_faded%22%2C%22font-family%22%3A%22Arial%2C%20Helvetica%2C%20sans-serif%22%2C%22font-weight%22%3A%22700%22%2C%22font-size%22%3A%2219px%22%2C%22line-height%22%3A%2220px%22%2C%22margin-top%22%3A%226px%22%2C%22margin-bottom%22%3A%226px%22%2C%22padding-top%22%3A%220%22%2C%22padding-bottom%22%3A%220%22%7D%7D"]Xanthan - Gluten-Free Xanthan Gum[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css="%7B%22default%22%3A%7B%22font-family%22%3A%22Arial%2C%20Helvetica%2C%20sans-serif%22%2C%22font-size%22%3A%2213px%22%2C%22line-height%22%3A%2218px%22%2C%22margin-bottom%22%3A%220%22%2C%22padding-top%22%3A%220%22%2C%22padding-bottom%22%3A%220%22%7D%7D"] [/vc_column_text][us_btn label="SEE ON TIBIONA.IT" link="url:https%3A%2F%2Ftibiona.it%2Fxantano-gomma-xantana-100g-senza-glutine.html|title:SEE%20DETAILS|target:_blank" style="4" css="%7B%22default%22%3A%7B%22margin-top%22%3A%2212px%22%2C%22position%22%3A%22relative%22%7D%7D"][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][vc_column width="1/2"][vc_row_inner css="%7B%22default%22%3A%7B%22background-color%22%3A%22%23f5f5f5%22%2C%22min-height%22%3A%22300px%22%2C%22padding-top%22%3A%2220px%22%2C%22padding-bottom%22%3A%2220px%22%2C%22padding-right%22%3A%2220px%22%2C%22border-style%22%3A%22solid%22%2C%22border-left-width%22%3A%221px%22%2C%22border-top-width%22%3A%221px%22%2C%22border-bottom-width%22%3A%221px%22%2C%22border-right-width%22%3A%221px%22%2C%22border-color%22%3A%22_header_middle_text_hover%22%7D%7D"][vc_column_inner width="5/12" css="%7B%22default%22%3A%7B%22background-color%22%3A%22%23f5f5f5%22%2C%22background-image%22%3A%2214058%7Cfull%22%2C%22background-position%22%3A%22center%22%2C%22background-size%22%3A%22cover%22%2C%22background-repeat%22%3A%22no-repeat%22%2C%22margin-left%22%3A%2215px%22%2C%22padding-left%22%3A%2210px%22%2C%22padding-top%22%3A%2210px%22%2C%22padding-bottom%22%3A%2210px%22%2C%22padding-right%22%3A%2210px%22%2C%22border-left-width%22%3A%221%22%2C%22border-top-width%22%3A%221%22%2C%22border-bottom-width%22%3A%221%22%2C%22border-right-width%22%3A%221%22%2C%22border-color%22%3A%22_header_middle_text_hover%22%7D%7D"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width="7/12" css="%7B%22default%22%3A%7B%22padding-left%22%3A%2210px%22%2C%22padding-right%22%3A%220px%22%7D%7D"][vc_column_text css="%7B%22default%22%3A%7B%22color%22%3A%22_content_faded%22%2C%22font-family%22%3A%22Arial%2C%20Helvetica%2C%20sans-serif%22%7D%7D"]Gluten-Free Guar Gum 10 g BIO (min. purchase 10 pieces)[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css="%7B%22default%22%3A%7B%22font-family%22%3A%22Arial%2C%20Helvetica%2C%20sans-serif%22%2C%22font-size%22%3A%2213px%22%2C%22line-height%22%3A%2218px%22%2C%22margin-bottom%22%3A%220%22%2C%22padding-top%22%3A%220%22%2C%22padding-bottom%22%3A%220%22%7D%7D"] [/vc_column_text][us_btn label="SEE ON TIBIONA.IT" link="url:https%3A%2F%2Ftibiona.it%2Fgomma-di-guar-senza-glutine-10-g-bio.html|title:SEE%20DETAILS|target:_blank" style="4" css="%7B%22default%22%3A%7B%22margin-top%22%3A%2212px%22%2C%22position%22%3A%22relative%22%7D%7D"][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css="%7B%22default%22%3A%7B%22padding-left%22%3A%220%22%2C%22padding-right%22%3A%220%22%7D%7D"][vc_column][vc_column_text]

What is the optimal amount of thickener to add to gluten-free flours?

We used xanthan and guar gum, which are among the most well-known and effective thickeners, often indicated in gluten-free recipes. We varied the amount used and observed the final result. Let’s see what happened.

The Test

Ingredients Used

• Corn Starch
• Baking Powder
• Lupin Flour
• Rice Flour
• Dextrose
• Water
• Guar Gum / Xanthan

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Results

From the tests conducted, it appears that the optimal percentage of thickener to add is 2%. A homogeneous mixture is obtained, and the taste and mouthfeel improve significantly. Below are images of the results of doughs number 3 and 6 in which 2% of thickener was used.[/vc_column_text][us_separator size="small"][us_image image="14003"][us_image image="14016"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row content_placement="middle" gap="10px" css="%7B%22default%22%3A%7B%22padding-left%22%3A%2225px%22%2C%22padding-right%22%3A%2225px%22%7D%7D"][vc_column width="1/2" css="%7B%22default%22%3A%7B%22border-color%22%3A%22%23057a2c%22%7D%7D"][vc_row_inner css="%7B%22default%22%3A%7B%22background-color%22%3A%22%23f5f5f5%22%2C%22min-height%22%3A%22300px%22%2C%22padding-top%22%3A%2220px%22%2C%22padding-bottom%22%3A%2220px%22%2C%22padding-right%22%3A%2220px%22%2C%22border-style%22%3A%22solid%22%2C%22border-left-width%22%3A%221px%22%2C%22border-top-width%22%3A%221px%22%2C%22border-bottom-width%22%3A%221px%22%2C%22border-right-width%22%3A%221px%22%2C%22border-color%22%3A%22_header_middle_text_hover%22%7D%7D"][vc_column_inner width="5/12" css="%7B%22default%22%3A%7B%22background-color%22%3A%22%23f5f5f5%22%2C%22background-image%22%3A%2214065%7Cfull%22%2C%22background-position%22%3A%22center%22%2C%22background-size%22%3A%22cover%22%2C%22background-repeat%22%3A%22no-repeat%22%2C%22margin-left%22%3A%2215px%22%2C%22padding-left%22%3A%2210px%22%2C%22padding-top%22%3A%2210px%22%2C%22padding-bottom%22%3A%2210px%22%2C%22padding-right%22%3A%2210px%22%2C%22border-left-width%22%3A%221%22%2C%22border-top-width%22%3A%221%22%2C%22border-bottom-width%22%3A%221%22%2C%22border-right-width%22%3A%221%22%2C%22border-color%22%3A%22_header_middle_text_hover%22%7D%7D"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width="7/12" css="%7B%22default%22%3A%7B%22padding-left%22%3A%2210px%22%2C%22padding-right%22%3A%220%22%7D%7D"][vc_column_text css="%7B%22default%22%3A%7B%22color%22%3A%22_content_faded%22%7D%7D"]Lupin Flour 1Kg[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css="%7B%22default%22%3A%7B%22font-family%22%3A%22Arial%2C%20Helvetica%2C%20sans-serif%22%2C%22font-size%22%3A%2213px%22%2C%22line-height%22%3A%2218px%22%2C%22margin-bottom%22%3A%220%22%2C%22padding-top%22%3A%220%22%2C%22padding-bottom%22%3A%220%22%7D%7D"] [/vc_column_text][us_btn label="SEE ON TIBIONA.IT" link="url:https%3A%2F%2Ftibiona.it%2Ffarina-di-lupini-1kg.html|title:SEE%20DETAILS|target:_blank" style="4" css="%7B%22default%22%3A%7B%22margin-top%22%3A%2212px%22%2C%22position%22%3A%22relative%22%7D%7D"][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][vc_column width="1/2"][vc_row_inner css="%7B%22default%22%3A%7B%22background-color%22%3A%22%23f5f5f5%22%2C%22min-height%22%3A%22300px%22%2C%22padding-top%22%3A%2220px%22%2C%22padding-bottom%22%3A%2220px%22%2C%22padding-right%22%3A%2220px%22%2C%22border-style%22%3A%22solid%22%2C%22border-left-width%22%3A%221px%22%2C%22border-top-width%22%3A%221px%22%2C%22border-bottom-width%22%3A%221px%22%2C%22border-right-width%22%3A%221px%22%2C%22border-color%22%3A%22_header_middle_text_hover%22%7D%7D"][vc_column_inner width="5/12" css="%7B%22default%22%3A%7B%22background-color%22%3A%22%23f5f5f5%22%2C%22background-image%22%3A%2214067%7Cfull%22%2C%22background-position%22%3A%22center%22%2C%22background-size%22%3A%22cover%22%2C%22background-repeat%22%3A%22no-repeat%22%2C%22margin-left%22%3A%2215px%22%2C%22padding-left%22%3A%2210px%22%2C%22padding-top%22%3A%2210px%22%2C%22padding-bottom%22%3A%2210px%22%2C%22padding-right%22%3A%2210px%22%2C%22border-left-width%22%3A%221%22%2C%22border-top-width%22%3A%221%22%2C%22border-bottom-width%22%3A%221%22%2C%22border-right-width%22%3A%221%22%2C%22border-color%22%3A%22_header_middle_text_hover%22%7D%7D"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width="7/12" css="%7B%22default%22%3A%7B%22padding-left%22%3A%2210px%22%2C%22padding-right%22%3A%220px%22%7D%7D"][vc_column_text css="%7B%22default%22%3A%7B%22color%22%3A%22_content_faded%22%7D%7D"]Rice Flour 1Kg BIO Gluten-Free[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css="%7B%22default%22%3A%7B%22font-family%22%3A%22Arial%2C%20Helvetica%2C%20sans-serif%22%2C%22font-size%22%3A%2213px%22%2C%22line-height%22%3A%2218px%22%2C%22margin-bottom%22%3A%220%22%2C%22padding-top%22%3A%220%22%2C%22padding-bottom%22%3A%220%22%7D%7D"] [/vc_column_text][us_btn label="SEE ON TIBIONA.IT" link="url:https%3A%2F%2Ftibiona.it%2Ffarina-di-riso-1kg-bio-senza-glutine.html|title:SEE%20DETAILS|target:_blank" style="4" css="%7B%22default%22%3A%7B%22margin-top%22%3A%2212px%22%2C%22position%22%3A%22relative%22%7D%7D"][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row]