All purpose flour is one of the most common ingredients in Australian kitchens. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a beginner cook, it’s a pantry staple that offers endless versatility. It’s the go-to flour for many recipes, from baked goods like cakes and cookies to savory dishes like batters and gravies. If you’re wondering where to use all purpose flour in Australia, this guide is for you. We’ll explore various ways to incorporate this humble ingredient into your meals and recipes.
What is All Purpose Flour?
Before diving into where to use all purpose flour, it’s important to understand what it is. All purpose flour is a refined wheat flour milled to contain a balance of both soft and hard wheat. It has a moderate protein content, typically around 10-12%, making it suitable for a wide range of cooking methods. This versatility is why it’s often referred to as “all purpose” flour.
In Australia, all purpose flour is commonly labeled as “plain flour.” While plain flour in Australia is similar to all purpose flour used in other countries, it’s important to note the subtle differences between plain flour and self-raising flour (which contains added baking powder). Despite these minor variations in labeling and availability, plain flour, or all purpose flour Australia, serves the same broad purpose and can be used for both baking and cooking, just like all purpose flour elsewhere.
1. Baking Sweet Treats
One of the most common uses for all purpose flour is in baking. Whether you’re an expert baker or just starting out, all purpose flour is an essential ingredient for many sweet recipes.
Cakes and Cupcakes
All purpose flour is the foundation of most cake recipes. You can use it for classic sponge cakes, rich chocolate cakes, or fluffy vanilla cupcakes. The moderate protein content of the flour allows for a soft and tender texture, making it perfect for baked goods that require a light crumb.
Tip: If you’re making a cake that needs extra fluffiness (like a chiffon cake), you can substitute part of the all purpose flour with cake flour, which has a lower protein content.
Cookies and Biscuits
Cookies, biscuits, and other sweet treats often use all purpose flour to create their signature chewy or crisp textures. Think of Aussie favorites like ANZAC biscuits, choc-chip cookies, or shortbread. The flour helps bind the ingredients together while providing structure to the dough.
Popular Recipe: Try making an easy batch of ANZAC biscuits with all purpose flour, rolled oats, golden syrup, and desiccated coconut for a crunchy, delicious snack.
Pastries and Pies
All purpose flour is perfect for making pastry doughs, such as for savoury pies or sweet tarts. It provides a tender, flaky texture that holds up well when filled with fillings like meat, fruit, or custard. For a classic Aussie meat pie, all purpose flour is ideal for creating the base and top crusts.
2. Making Sauces and Gravies
All purpose flour is frequently used to thicken sauces and gravies. Whether you’re preparing a rich gravy for a roast dinner or a creamy sauce for pasta, this flour is the ideal thickening agent.
Gravy
To make gravy, all purpose flour is typically combined with fats (like butter or meat drippings) to form a roux. The roux is then gradually whisked into the meat juices or broth to create a smooth, velvety gravy. This is an essential part of many traditional Australian meals, such as roast lamb, pork, or even chicken.
Creamy Sauces
All purpose flour can also be used to thicken creamy sauces, such as béchamel, which is the base for many white sauces and dishes like lasagna or macaroni and cheese. The flour helps to bind the ingredients and gives the sauce a silky consistency.
Pro Tip: For a gluten-free option, you can substitute all purpose flour with gluten-free flour blends or cornflour, though the texture may vary.
3. Coating Meats and Vegetables
All purpose flour is an excellent ingredient for creating coatings on meats and vegetables, giving them a crispy exterior when fried.
Fried Chicken or Fish
One of the most popular ways to use all purpose flour in cooking is by dredging meat (such as chicken, fish, or pork) in a flour mixture before frying. The flour forms a golden, crispy crust while locking in moisture inside the meat. In Australia, you might use this technique to make crispy fish and chips or a crunchy schnitzel.
Pro Tip: For extra flavor, you can season the flour with herbs, spices, or breadcrumbs before coating the meat.
Tempura Vegetables
In Japanese cuisine, tempura batter is often made with a combination of all purpose flour, cornstarch, and ice-cold water. This batter is used to coat vegetables, seafood, or even mushrooms before frying. The result is a light, crispy texture that’s perfect for tempura.
Aussie Twist: Add local produce like zucchini, sweet potatoes, or mushrooms to your tempura recipe for a uniquely Australian take.
4. Pancakes, Waffles, and Crepes
All purpose flour is an essential ingredient for making pancakes, waffles, and crepes. The flour’s versatility makes it easy to create smooth batters that produce fluffy pancakes or crispy waffles.
Pancakes
In Australia, pancakes are a beloved breakfast or brunch item. Using all purpose flour in the batter gives pancakes a soft, airy texture. You can top them with maple syrup, fresh berries, whipped cream, or even lamington-style coconut for an Aussie twist.
Waffles
For a delicious breakfast, all purpose flour is used in waffle batters, producing a crispy, golden crust with a tender inside. Waffles can be topped with anything from fresh fruit to Nutella or caramelized bananas.
Crepes
Crepes, a thin and delicate French-style pancake, are made using all purpose flour. Whether filled with sweet ingredients like chocolate or strawberries, or savory ingredients like ham and cheese, crepes are a versatile dish that can suit any palate.
5. Bread Making
While all purpose flour is not specifically ideal for bread with a very chewy texture (which would typically require bread flour), it can still be used to make a wide variety of simpler homemade bread.
Quick Breads
Quick breads, such as banana bread, zucchini bread, and scones, are some of the easiest breads to bake with all purpose flour. These breads don’t require yeast, making them perfect for beginners or anyone looking for a quick baking project.
Flatbreads
Flatbreads like naan, pita, or focaccia can also be made with all purpose flour. These bread varieties are typically soft and fluffy, and all purpose flour provides just the right consistency.
6. Pasta and Dumplings
In some Australian kitchens, all purpose flour is used to make simple pasta or dumplings. While more specialized flours like semolina are often preferred for pasta, all purpose flour can still be used to create a basic pasta dough.
Dumplings
Dumplings, whether served in a stew or fried, are another dish that relies on all purpose flour. These soft, pillowy dough balls are often paired with slow-cooked meats or vegetables and served with a rich broth or gravy.
Homemade Pasta
If you’re feeling adventurous, you can make homemade pasta with all purpose flour. While it might not have the same elasticity as pasta made with semolina, all purpose flour can still be used for making tagliatelle, fettuccine, or even ravioli.
Conclusion: Versatility at Its Best
All purpose flour is a kitchen staple in Australia, offering a world of possibilities for cooks and bakers alike. Whether you’re baking sweet treats, thickening sauces, or frying up crispy meats and vegetables, this flour can be used in countless ways. By keeping a bag of all purpose flour in your pantry, you’ll always have a versatile ingredient ready to transform your recipes into delicious meals.
From classic Aussie dishes like meat pies and ANZAC biscuits to international favorites like crepes and tempura, the potential applications for all purpose flour are endless. So next time you’re wondering where to use all purpose flour, just remember—it can be the key to countless delicious creations!
