Flour varieties: Tips and favorites for children and babies

Posted by Elin Oresten on July 02, 2024

Different types of flour are suitable for different purposes when cooking and baking for your children. In this post, we'll go over our favorites, explaining their unique benefits and uses.

Benefits of using different types of flour

Nutritional variety and taste

Baking with different types of flour provides nutritional variety and creates different flavors and textures in baked goods. This is an easy way to ensure that children get a varied diet.

Gluten and small babies

For young babies, it is good to limit the amount of gluten in some recipes, as gluten should be introduced slowly. Many gluten-free flours are also very nutritious and can contribute to a balanced diet.

Whole grains and sensitive stomachs

Whole wheat flour, used in muffins, pancakes, and bread, is good for the stomach, blood sugar, and overall nutrition. For babies with sensitive stomachs, it can be a good idea to experiment with different whole wheat products and flours to find what works best.

Tips for baking with flour for young children

Avoid large amounts of gluten at first.
Mix some whole grains into your baking.
Mix oatmeal into flour for a nutritious and inexpensive alternative.
Use nut flours like almond flour for extra nutrition.
Add mixed seeds to the flour to increase the nutritional value.

Our favorites

Oatmeal

Rich in fiber and nutrition.
Gives a slightly rough, but pleasant texture.
Can be purchased gluten-free.
Easy to mix your own oatmeal – cheap and easy.

Graham flour

Rich in fiber.
Gives a coarser but fluffy texture.
Contributes to more flavor.

Flour

Rises easily and can produce fluffy pastries.
Relatively low in nutrients.
Good to mix with other types of flour to achieve a good consistency.

Spelt flour

Found in whole grains, rich in fiber and nutrition.
Similar to wheat flour in properties, but contains a little more nutrition.

Almond flour

Rich in fiber, minerals and vitamins.
Gives a slightly sweet taste and juicy texture.
Good for gluten-free baking.

Teff flour

Rich in fiber, minerals and vitamins, including iron.
Has a special taste and gives a darker color.
Good for gluten-free baking.

Coconut flour

Rich in fiber.
Gluten-free.
Has a slightly sweet and coconut flavor.
Gives a lovely texture to gluten-free pastries and breads.

Buckwheat flour

Rich in fiber, minerals and vitamins.
Has a special taste.
Good for gluten-free baking.

Food tips

Savory muffins

Teff pancakes

Sweet potato and almond muffins

Iron-rich tea cakes - with oats and spelt

Areas of use

Oatmeal

Muffins/cake
Bread
Porridge sticks
Pancakes
Waffles
Raw balls
Porridge

Graham flour

Muffins/cake*
Bread
Pancakes/waffles
Pizza

*In sweet baking, it's best to use just a little.

Flour

Muffins/cake*
Bread
Pancakes/waffles
Pizza

*Can become a little doughy/spongy in baking with very little sweetness.

Spelt flour

Muffins/cake*
Bread
Pancakes/waffles
Pizza

*Can become a little doughy/spongy in baking with very little sweetness.

Almond flour

Muffins/cake
Bread
Porridge sticks
Pancakes
Waffles
Raw balls

Teff flour

Muffins/cake
Porridge sticks
Bread
Pancakes

*Feel free to use in combination with other gluten-free flours.

Coconut flour

Muffins/cake
Bread
Porridge sticks
Pancakes/waffles

*Feel free to use in combination with other gluten-free flours.

Buckwheat flour

Muffins/cake
Bread
Pancakes
Waffles

Tips for coffee

Simple almond cookies

Lemon, coconut and chia muffins

Oatmeal biscuits with cinnamon flavor

Super simple and delicious saffron cookies with orange

Conclusion

By using different types of flour, you can create nutritious and delicious meals and pastries that the whole family can enjoy. Don't forget to introduce gluten slowly and experiment with different whole grains to find what suits your baby best. Here at Knatteplock we are always ready to help with tips and advice!

/Elin Oresten

Lic. nutritionist and founder of Knatteplock.

Products for easier cooking

More on the blog

What source of fat is good for children?

Sugar and children, the dietitian answers

Choking and choking - the importance of understanding the difference

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Benefits of eating the same food the whole family

Make picked food at home

Children love to imitate, by eating the same food it facilitates learning and makes mealtime a positive experience of togetherness. As a parent you don't have to feed but can sit next to and enjoy the food.

Picking food gives children the opportunity to explore a variety of textures and consistencies at their own pace. This can lead to a healthier relationship with food and a greater enjoyment of eating. By offering different textures and flavors, the child gets a broader taste palette, and there is a greater chance that the appetite will continue even during the naturally picky period that usually comes around two years. Research shows that children who are introduced to a more varied diet from the start eat more variety and more vegetables later in life.

Promotes exploration and independence at mealtime.
Develops early chewing skills.
Simplifies family meals and strengthens community.

Why finger food ?

Promotes exploration and independence at the meal

Develops early chewing abilities

Simplifies family meal time and strengthens the community

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Encourage the joy of eating by letting your child explore flavors and textures on their own. Start the food adventure today - we are here for you and your child through messes, discoveries and challenges.

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Common questions about picking food

What is finger food ? What is finger food ?

Finger food is a way of offering food where the baby/child eats themselves either with their hands or with a spoon.

Finger foods give children the opportunity to explore a variety of textures and consistencies at their own pace, from an early age. This can lead to a healthier relationship with food and greater enjoyment of eating.

How to start giving finger food ? How to start giving finger food ?

Make sure your baby shows signs of being ready for solid foods. She should be able to sit up in a chair on her own, be able to bring objects to her mouth on her own, and show an interest in food. Maybe your baby is reaching for your food or looking at your plate with fascination, then there is probably interest!

Consider offering foods that are fairly soft but easy to grasp. For example, sweet potato sticks, slices of liver pâté, cooked broccoli or omelette/pancake strips. Sandwiches with butter and/or liver pâté are also perfect for practicing motor skills. Slippery foods that are difficult to grasp can be rolled in seeds or sandwich crumbs. For example, avocado or banana. But in general, it is good to offer the baby what the rest of the family eats as often as possible.

Small babies don't have a pincer grip so it's big pieces that matter at first. The pieces should be longer than the palm of their hand because small babies (6 months) often can't open their palm on request. It may feel scary but it's actually safer with bigger pieces than smaller pieces when it's a small baby! If they take too big bites they spit it out again.

Flour varieties: Tips and favorites for children and babies