Out of Pastry flour, one case
Pastry flour substitute UK: best alternatives & where to buy
5 options, ranked, with the exact amount
Use Plain flour + cornflour
1 cup plain flour + 2 tbsp cornflour
The best pastry flour substitute in the UK is a mix of plain flour and cornflour (1 cup plain flour + 2 tbsp cornflour), or plain flour with self-raising flour (2:1 ratio). Look for 'soft flour' or 'cake flour' in UK supermarkets.
- Verdict —
- Works
- The tweak —
- Whisk together plain flour and cornflour before measuring
- Best for —
- pie crusts
One casethe full pastry flour card
Every option, one card
Ranked| # | Substitute | Instead of pastry flour |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Plain flour + cornflourpie crusts | 1 cup plain flour + 2 tbsp cornflourWorks |
| 2 | Plain flour + self-raising flourpie crusts | 2 parts plain flour, 1 part self-raising flourWorks |
| 3 | Soft flour (cake flour)tender pastries | Same amount |
| 4 | Plain flour (direct)pie crusts | Same amount |
| 5 | Plain flour + cornflour + baking powderpie crusts | 1 cup plain flour + 2 tbsp cornflour + ½ tsp baking powder |
Plain flour + cornflour
identical taste, similar texture
Reduces protein content to create tender baked goods
- Best for
- pie crusts, tender pastries, biscuits, scones, cookies
- Prep
- Whisk together plain flour and cornflour before measuring
Cornflour reduces protein content for tender results.
Plain flour + self-raising flour
identical taste, similar texture
Combines plain flour with lower protein self-raising flour
- Best for
- pie crusts, tender pastries, biscuits, scones, cookies
- Prep
- Whisk together plain flour and self-raising flour before measuring
Self-raising flour has slightly lower protein content.
Soft flour (cake flour)
identical taste, more tender texture
UK equivalent of cake flour with low protein content
- Best for
- tender pastries, delicate cookies, light biscuits, flaky scones, pie crusts
- Prep
- Use directly as substitute, sift before measuring
Soft flour has lower protein content similar to pastry flour.
Plain flour (direct)
identical taste, slightly tougher texture
Direct substitution with slightly different results
- Best for
- pie crusts, cookies, biscuits, when other options unavailable
- Prep
- Use directly, don't overmix to avoid toughness
Higher protein content but can work for most recipes.
Plain flour + cornflour + baking powder
identical taste · tender with slight lift
Adds slight leavening for tender baked goods
- Best for
- pie crusts, tender pastries, biscuits, scones, cookies
- Prep
- Whisk together plain flour, cornflour, and baking powder before measuring
Baking powder adds slight leavening for tender results.
How it behaves in this recipe
In the UK, pastry flour isn't commonly available in supermarkets, so bakers need to create their own substitutes. UK plain flour has similar protein content to US all-purpose flour, so it needs to be modified to replicate pastry flour's tender characteristics. The key is reducing the protein content while maintaining the structure needed for pastries.
Tips for substituting pastry flour
7 tips- UK plain flour has similar protein content to US all-purpose flour (10-12%)
- Look for 'soft flour' or 'cake flour' in UK supermarkets for lower protein content
- Cornflour (cornstarch) is readily available in UK supermarkets
- Self-raising flour has slightly lower protein content than plain flour
- Don't overmix when using plain flour to avoid developing too much gluten
- Chill dough longer when using plain flour to prevent toughness
- Use a food processor for pie crusts to minimize gluten development
Notes on pastry flour
- Look for soft flour or cake flour in UK supermarkets for the closest substitute
- Mix plain flour with cornflour in a 1:1 ratio for tender results
- Use self-raising flour mixed with plain flour for slightly lower protein content
- Consider ordering pastry flour online from specialty baking suppliers
- For the most accurate results, mix plain flour with soft flour in equal parts
Questions
5 questionsWhat is pastry flour called in the UK?
Pastry flour isn't commonly available in the UK. Look for 'soft flour' or 'cake flour' which have similar low protein content, or make your own by mixing plain flour with cornflour.
Where can I buy pastry flour substitutes in the UK?
Look for soft flour or cake flour in major supermarkets like Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda, and Morrisons. You can also find them in specialty baking stores or online retailers like Amazon UK.
Can I use plain flour instead of pastry flour?
Yes, plain flour can substitute for pastry flour, but your baked goods may be slightly tougher. For best results, mix plain flour with cornflour or soft flour to reduce protein content.
What's the best pastry flour substitute for UK baking?
Mix 1 cup plain flour with 2 tablespoons cornflour, or use soft flour (cake flour) as a direct substitute. This creates the tender texture that pastry flour provides.
Is self-raising flour a good pastry flour substitute?
Self-raising flour can work, but it contains baking powder which may affect your recipe. For best results, mix plain flour with cornflour or use soft flour instead.