If you are making savory dishes, baking goods, or preparing a treat for your dog, and looking for a good replacement for wheat germ in your recipe, you can easily use wheat germ substitutes. Using a substitute in a recipe won’t ruin the recipe, but gives a similar flavor and aroma without even ruining it. Before going ahead to know about its substitutes, you have to know what is wheat germ actually? It will be beneficial for you to choose the best possible substitute you have around.
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What is Wheat Germ?
Wheat Germ is a part of the wheat kernel and is responsible for reproducing plants. It is a major nutrient component of whole grain wheat. It is used in some granolas, cereals, and cornbread, and it’s also available raw. It is a popular topping for fruit pies, yogurt, ice cream, and hot or cold cereal. Wheat Germ can be a healthier alternative to breadcrumbs in meatballs, meatloaf, and breading for meats.
Nutrient Profile of Ancho Chilli Powder:
Calories: 108 kcal
Carbohydrate: 14.1 g
Fiber: 4.28 g
Sugars: 2.21 g
Fat: 3.03 g
Saturated: 0.52 g
Monounsaturated: 0.43 g
Polyunsaturated: 1.88 g
Omega-3: 0.23 g
Omega-6: 1.65 g
Protein: 8.25 g
Health Benefits of Ancho Chili Powder:
- Wheat Germ is high in vitamin E which is an essential nutrient with antioxidant properties.
- It also helps in boosting immunity along with keeping your heart healthy.
- A fermented wheat germ extract is being explored as a treatment for cancer and autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis.
What Can I Substitute for Wheat Germ?
If you are making some baking goods such as bread and cookies and you lack the main ingredient which is wheat germ, you can use its substitute. It doesn’t matter whether you don’t have the main ingredient or you just forgot to purchase it. You’ll always have a replacement that can easily save your recipe without ruining it. Here, we have a list of the best substitute for the wheat germ that you can use in your recipe. You just have to choose accordingly what you have in your kitchen or pantry at the moment to save time.
1. Rice Bran:
Rice Bran is obtained from the rice plant’s outer grain. Its oil is widely used for medicinal purposes. It tends to go rancid when stored in the open-air likewise wheat germ. Rice Bran has some crispiness that can be a welcome break from wheat germ. Rice Bran is also gluten-free and is used for baking non-gluten bread and cookies. It is a good wheat germ alternative that you can use in a recipe.
2. Oat Bran:
Oat Bran is an excellent substitute for Wheat Germ in a recipe like granola, where texture is everything. Oat Bran is rich in fiber, vitamins, minerals as well as low-density lipoproteins. The nutty taste of Oat Bran transforms the granola recipe. Oat bran is not much different from oatmeal but has some extra nutrients. It has a higher protein, fiber, and sugar content.
3. Flax Meal:
If you are looking for a substitute that contains a more nutritional value, then Flax Meal would be a great choice. It is obtained by grinding flax seeds packed with minerals, vitamins, and omega-3 fatty acids. Flax Seeds are popular as a healthy ingredient in many baking recipes. So, it can be a good replacement for wheat germ. It can easily replace wheat germ in bread, muffins, and other flour-based foods. The resulting product made with this ingredient would get a chewier texture along with a nutty taste.
4. Whole Wheat Flour:
Whole Wheat Flour is an easy Wheat Germ alternative if you are looking to maintain the flavor profile of wheat germ without compromising its gluten content. When you use whole wheat flour, you get total nutritional value. As a reminder, you have to sift the whole wheat flour at least 2 times before using it because it is heavier and denser when compared to wheat germ. Once, you have done with sifting, you can easily replace wheat germ in equal ratios.
5. Almond Meal:
If you are looking for a totally gluten-free substitute for wheat germ, an almond meal is a good choice. It doesn’t have a similar nutrient profile as compared to wheat germ, but it contains magnesium, fiber, protein, and vitamin-c. Don’t get confused with the names almond meal and almond flour both are different. Almond Meal is a more coarse grind made from unpeeled almonds. On the other hand, Almond flour has a fine texture and is well grind from peeled almonds.
If you are allergic to nuts, this substitute is not for you. For those who don’t, it’s a great substitute for cookies and muffins. You don’t have to use much almond meal, but you should maintain a ratio of 2:3, where 2 refers to the almond meal and 3 refers to the wheat germ.
6. Bread Crumbs:
If you are making savory dishes that need to be coated with wheat germ and then fried, then using fresh bread crumbs would be a good option. Bread crumbs can stand up in cooking oil without losing their structure. This substitute only works in savory recipes that call for wheat germ. Don’t use bread crumbs in sweet dishes. This is the best replacement for the wheat germ that you can use in a savory recipe.
7. Ground Seeds:
Ground seeds such as sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, or something else are good substitutes. You just have to grind them in a food processor until you get a flour-like texture. Be careful not to grind up oily seeds like sesame otherwise, you might end up with tahini. Ground seeds contain many essential minerals and vitamins that enhance the nutritional value of any recipe.
FAQ:
What can I substitute for Wheat Germ in a Bread Recipe?
Ground flax seeds are the best substitute for wheat germ in a bread recipe. It is a gluten-free as well as a nutrient-rich substitute that adds the same chewy texture expected from gluten.
What Does Wheat Germ do in a Recipe?
Wheat Germ is the embryo of the wheat kernel which constitutes 2.5% of its weight. It provides valuable nutrients such as protein, vitamins, and minerals in baked goods. For a pleasant crunch and nutty taste using toasted wheat germs would be a good option.
Now, you know the best Wheat Germ Substitute. You can choose according to what you have in the kitchen or you can also purchase from Amazon. Please! comment down below your questions, and let us know how much informative is this article for you. 🙂
