What can be substituted for Xanthan gum?

Nemo369 · Sep 13, 2009

I have recently been put on a gluten free diet, and am hoping to try some pizza crust recipes soon. The only ones I can find call for Xanthan gun, but I have no clue where in my area I can get it?

Any ideas?:hmm:

tkc1038 · Sep 16, 2009

I believe that is a preservative not really nessary for a decent crust. I just substitute the reg flour for gluten free and DONT work it too much it will get TOUGH. True pizza dough is flour, small amount of yeast, salt,and water or oil depending on how you want your dough. Give it a try it doesnt have to be hard to be gluten free, just a bit of a challange.

arf2184 · Sep 17, 2009

Xanthan gum is a corn-based substitute for wheat gluten...it binds, thickens and emulsifies. Without it, your crust is likely to fall apart. If you use too much, your dough will be too heavy.

I usually see it near the rice flour. Try natural food or health food type grocery stores. You can find it at stores that sell Bob's Red Mill products.

You can sub guar gum, but I've found that's harder to find, at least here, though Bob's Red Mill sells it. It's legume based. I've also heard of people subbing flaxseed meal and gelatin.

tkc1038 · Sep 17, 2009

well that explains why my crust never comes out right, the last time it was almost good and I just used water. Truth be told I just used my normal pizza dough recipe and just substituted the gluten free flour, it was TOUGH but tasted fine.

Nemo369 · Sep 19, 2009

Thanks guys! I'm dying to try it. I have a local store that sells some of the Bob's Red Mill supplies, so I will have to go back a double check. It's proving to be a bit of a challenge for me, as I had a very diverse diet before. Now without the gluten or tyramine items, I have very little options available pre-made.

So far I made some pancakes (Pretty good actually) and Blond gluten-free brownies (the recipe called them butterscotch brownies). If any one wants the brownies recipe, they are chocolate free and taste kinda like cookies.

Diamond Dreams · Sep 19, 2009

I'm a big fan of Bob's Red Mill pizza crust. I don't care for their baking flour mix though. There are other brands that make much better gluten-free flour mixes.

There are many yummy gluten-free products out there. Pamela's makes the best Lemon shortbread cookies! There are tapioca english muffins that are super good and I found some brown rice tortillas I actually like.

Any health food store will have a great selection of gluten-free foods. Keep shopping around and trying stuff until you find things that actually taste good to you.