What Is Spelt Flour? How to Use Spelt in Everyday Baking

If you have been hearing more about ancient grains, you may have come across spelt. But what exactly is spelt flour, and how can you use it in your kitchen?

Spelt is an ancient wheat grain that has been grown for generations. At Idaho Ancient Grains, the family farm grows its own spelt, cleans it, bags it and sells the whole grain for home use.

One of the most useful things about spelt is its versatility. Once the whole kernels are milled into flour, they can be used in many of the recipes you already make at home.

What Is Spelt?

Spelt is an ancient wheat grain and a member of the wheat family. Idaho Ancient Grains describes its spelt as a non-GMO ancient grain that is making a comeback in the United States.

The farm grows the Maverick variety of spelt and sells it as whole kernels, also called spelt berries.

Unlike modern refined wheat products, buying whole spelt gives you the option of milling the grain yourself before baking.

What Is Spelt Flour?

Spelt flour is simply spelt grain that has been milled into flour.

Idaho Ancient Grains currently sells its spelt as whole grain rather than prepared spelt flour, so customers who want flour will need a grain mill.

When spelt is ground, the farm describes the flour as naturally light in color and ready for baking.

How Do You Make Spelt Flour?

If you buy whole spelt berries, you can turn them into flour with a home grain mill.

Measure the amount of spelt you need.

Place the whole kernels into your grain mill.

Mill the grain to the fineness needed for your recipe.

Use the fresh flour in your recipe.

Store extra flour in a cool, dark place.

If you are new to milling, start with a recipe you already know and make small adjustments as you learn how your freshly milled spelt behaves.

Can You Substitute Spelt Flour for All-Purpose Flour?

Yes. Spelt can be substituted into many recipes that call for flour.

However, spelt does not always behave exactly like modern all-purpose flour, so you may need a little practice with hydration, mixing and baking time.

The Idaho Ancient Grains site specifically notes that spelt is fairly easy to substitute into most recipes calling for flour, while also explaining that some recipes may need minor adjustments.

What Can You Bake With Spelt Flour?

Spelt is useful for much more than one type of bread.

Whole wheat bread

Sourdough

Banana bread

Cookies

Cakes

Pancakes

Muffins

Pastries

Pizza and other baked goods

Idaho Ancient Grains also has recipes using spelt in bread, banana bread and whole-grain cereal, along with recipes that combine spelt and Khorasan.

Is Spelt Good for Sourdough?

Yes. Spelt can work very well in sourdough.

Idaho Ancient Grains specifically says spelt does well in sourdough recipes. The farm also teaches ancient-grain sourdough techniques using spelt and Khorasan.

If you are making your first spelt sourdough, start with a tested formula and avoid changing several ingredients at once. That makes it easier to understand how the spelt is affecting the dough.

Why Can Spelt Bread Be Dense?

Spelt bread can sometimes turn out heavier or denser than bread made with modern wheat.

Idaho Ancient Grains notes that spelt can be a little more heavy and dense in breads and cookies. The farm also recommends experimenting with grain blends.

For example, adding Khorasan to a spelt flour mix can produce a lighter texture according to the farm’s baking experience.

Can You Mix Spelt and Khorasan?

Yes. Spelt and Khorasan work well together in baking.

The two grains have different characteristics, and blending them gives you another way to adjust the flavor and texture of a loaf.

A simple place to start is a tested recipe using both grains rather than trying to create a completely new formula from scratch.

Is Spelt Gluten-Free?

No. Spelt is a type of wheat and it contains gluten.

This is important for anyone who needs to avoid gluten for medical reasons. Spelt should not be treated as a gluten-free substitute for wheat.

Although the Idaho Ancient Grains site discusses spelt in relation to people who report wheat sensitivity, that should not be interpreted as a medical guarantee or as evidence that spelt is safe for people with celiac disease.

Does Spelt Taste Different From Modern Wheat?

Spelt has its own flavor and baking characteristics, which is one reason people enjoy experimenting with it.

In breads and baked goods, spelt can contribute a distinctive grain flavor while producing a naturally light-colored flour.

The final flavor depends on the grain, how freshly it was milled, the recipe and what other grains or ingredients are used.

What Is the Difference Between Spelt Berries and Spelt Flour?

Spelt berries are the whole kernels.

Spelt flour is the milled form of those kernels.

You can cook whole spelt berries as a grain.

You can mill spelt berries into flour for baking.

Whole berries require a grain mill if you want to make flour at home.

For people who enjoy fresh milling, whole spelt berries give you more flexibility.

How Should You Store Spelt Flour?

Because freshly milled flour is different from an unopened bag of commercial flour, storage matters.

Idaho Ancient Grains recommends keeping freshly ground spelt flour in a cool, dark place to maintain its quality.

If you mill more than you need for one recipe, protect the flour from heat, light and moisture and use it while it is fresh.

Easy Ways to Start Baking With Spelt

If you are completely new to spelt, you do not need to start with an elaborate recipe.

Start with pancakes or muffins.

Try a simple banana bread.

Use spelt in a familiar bread recipe.

Experiment with a spelt sourdough.

Blend spelt with Khorasan for a different texture and flavor.

The goal is to learn how the grain behaves before making large changes to your favorite recipes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is spelt flour the same as regular flour?

No. Spelt is an ancient wheat grain with its own baking characteristics. It can replace flour in many recipes, but recipes may need minor adjustments.

Can I make spelt flour at home?

Yes. If you buy whole spelt berries, you can mill them into flour with a grain mill.

Is spelt good for bread?

Yes. Spelt can be used for bread and sourdough. Because it can sometimes produce a denser loaf, experimenting with hydration and grain blends can be helpful.

Can I use spelt flour for pancakes?

Yes. Spelt can be used in pancake recipes and can be substituted into many recipes that call for flour.

Can I mix spelt with Khorasan?

Yes. Idaho Ancient Grains uses both grains in recipes and recommends experimenting with blends to adjust flavor and texture.

Is spelt gluten-free?

No. Spelt contains gluten because it is a type of wheat.

The Bottom Line

Spelt is an ancient wheat grain that can be surprisingly easy to bring into a modern kitchen.

If you buy whole spelt berries, a grain mill allows you to make fresh flour whenever you need it. From there, you can use the flour in bread, sourdough, pancakes, muffins, cakes, cookies and many other recipes.

Start with a familiar recipe, make small adjustments and pay attention to the texture of your dough or batter. Once you get comfortable with spelt, you can begin experimenting with blends such as spelt and Khorasan.

That is part of the appeal of ancient grains: you are not limited to one recipe. You can learn the grain and make it your own.