Cornstarch vs. Corn Flour: What's the Difference?

Medically Reviewed on 8/12/2022
Cornstarch vs. Corn Flour: What's the Difference
Since corn flour is less refined, it contains more protein, fiber, starch, vitamins, and minerals than cornstarch

Cornstarch and corn flour are both made from corn but they differ in their nutrient profiles and uses. 

Learn about the differences between cornstarch and corn flour.

What is cornstarch vs. corn flour?

Cornstarch

Cornstarch is made from the starchy endosperm of corn kernels. It is processed by removing the protein and fiber from the corn kernel. It is white and has the consistency of fine powder.

Corn flour

Corn flour, also known as maize flour, is made by drying and grinding whole corn kernels. It has a somewhat golden tint and can be thick or thin in texture.

What are the nutritional profiles of cornstarch vs. corn flour?

Since corn flour is less refined, it contains more protein, fiber, starch, vitamins, and minerals than cornstarch, which is mainly made up of carbs.

Table 1. Nutritional differences of 58 grams of corn flour and cornstarch
Nutrient Cornstarch Corn flour
Protein 6 grams 0 grams
Fiber 4 grams 0 grams
Fat 3 grams 0 grams
Calories 220 grams 240 grams
Carbs 44 grams 56 grams

What are differences in flavor, consistency, and uses of cornstarch vs. corn flour?

Flavor

Cornstarch has a neutral flavor, which can be seen as an advantage because it is often used as a thickening agent without interfering with the flavor of other foods.

Corn flour has a sweet, nutty, grassy flavor similar to corn.

Consistency

Cornstarch is considerably finer in texture than corn flour and has the consistency of baking powder. 

Corn flour has a texture similar to that of whole wheat flour. 

Uses

Cornstarch is used as a thickening agent and used to create a smooth gel-like consistency in pie fillings and puddings. It is also used to thicken soups and sauces. To prevent lumps, it should be mixed with a cool liquid before being added to a hot dish.

Corn flour works best as a less gritty substitute for cornmeal. It is often used for baking and deep-frying in doughs and batters.

Can I use corn flour in place of cornstarch and vice versa?

Cornstarch and corn flour cannot be used interchangeably in recipes due to their different textures and nutritional values. 

Cornstarch cannot be used in baking in the same way as corn flour because it is mostly starch and contains no protein or fat. Cornstarch can be used to help lend a crispy finish to fried or breaded foods.

Corn flour can be used in addition to or instead of wheat flour to make bread, pancakes, biscuits, waffles, and pastries. However, since corn flour is free of gluten, the final product may be dense and more crumbly.

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Medically Reviewed on 8/12/2022
References
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What is the difference between corn flour and corn starch? https://euresisjournal.org/what-is-the-difference-between-cornflour-and-cornstarch