Flourless

Flourless is a culinary term used to describe foods prepared without wheat flour or other traditional grain-based flours. It is commonly associated with gluten-free cooking and is especially prevalent in desserts, pastries, and some breads where texture is achieved without wheat-based binding.

Flourless recipes typically rely on ingredients such as eggs, dairy, and ground nuts or seeds to provide structure and moisture. Common substitutes include almond meal, hazelnut meal, or other nut meals; fruit purées; and whipped egg whites that introduce air for lift. Some recipes use small amounts of starch or gluten-free thickeners, but no wheat flour is involved.

Iconic examples include flourless chocolate cake, flourless almond or hazelnut cakes, and various meringues or pavlovas. There are also cookies and breads that are marketed as flourless, often using nut meals or egg-based batters to replace gluten-containing flour.

Health and dietary considerations include gluten avoidance for people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity; such dishes can be higher in fat and sugar depending on ingredients. Cross-contamination with wheat ingredients can be a concern in shared kitchens.

In culinary usage, flourless denotes a method or category of recipes that achieve structure and texture without wheat flour, often leveraging eggs, dairy, and nut or seed components.