Cornstarch vs All-Purpose Flour

A side-by-side guide to substituting All-Purpose Flour for Cornstarch (or vice versa).

Quick answer

Use 2 tbsp of All-Purpose Flour for every 1 tbsp of Cornstarch.

Side-by-side

Cornstarch

Base unit: tbsp

Read the full guide: Cornstarch

All-Purpose Flour

Conversion: Use 2× as much (2 tbsp per 1 tbsp)

Tags: commonbudget

Notes: Use 2 tbsp flour per 1 tbsp cornstarch. Creates a more opaque, starchy sauce. Best in gravies and stews — not for fruit fillings.

Read the full guide: All-Purpose Flour

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When to use All-Purpose Flour instead of Cornstarch

Use 2 tbsp flour per 1 tbsp cornstarch. Creates a more opaque, starchy sauce. Best in gravies and stews — not for fruit fillings. The conversion is use 2× as much (2 tbsp per 1 tbsp).

Common questions

Can I substitute All-Purpose Flour for Cornstarch?

Yes — Use 2 tbsp flour per 1 tbsp cornstarch. Creates a more opaque, starchy sauce. Best in gravies and stews — not for fruit fillings. Ratio: Use 2× as much (2 tbsp per 1 tbsp).

What's the conversion ratio for Cornstarch to All-Purpose Flour?

Use 2× as much (2 tbsp per 1 tbsp). For other quantities, use the SubSwap calculator.

Are Cornstarch and All-Purpose Flour interchangeable?

They are similar in most uses, but Use 2 tbsp flour per 1 tbsp cornstarch..

Is All-Purpose Flour a better substitute than other options for Cornstarch?

All-Purpose Flour is one of the options SubSwap lists for Cornstarch. The 'best' choice depends on your recipe — see the full list of Cornstarch substitutes.

Looking for more Cornstarch substitutes beyond All-Purpose Flour?

See all Cornstarch swaps →

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