7 Important Reasons to Stock White Flour
There has been much discussion about the health benefits of whole-grain flour compared to white flour. However, I stick by my white flour, and I know that it’s an ingredient to keep on hand at all times. White flour can be used to make so many different foods. In an emergency, you may make many more food items from hand, so you should stock white flour. Make sure you check out these 13 Surprising Uses for Flour!
Of course, I stock wheat berries to grind my own whole wheat flour. It’s critical to stock both white and wheat flour if you want to learn to make bread. I can walk you through it; it’s so easy to do. You need fresh ingredients, and please store your yeast, dough enhancer, or wheat gluten in the refrigerator and the excess in your freezer.
I’ve had trouble getting my bread flour, so I had to stock up on all-purpose flour, which is okay. I still can’t find my favorite bread flour at Costco, but I loaded up with enough all-purpose for the year; such is life.
In case you missed this post, How To Make Hardtack Recipe
7 Important Reasons to Stock White Flour
Why should you stock white flour?
It would be best to stock white flour, a key ingredient in baking. Without it, bread, cakes, pastries, cookies, muffins, and other desserts wouldn’t be possible. Having several pounds of white flour stockpiled is wise for use in an emergency. White Flour
1. Make Your Bread
Bread is one of the oldest and most popular foods in the world. It’s also one of the simplest to make. All you need is flour, water, salt, and yeast. While there are many different types of bread, white bread is one of the most common and favorite recipes for home consumption. How To Make My No-Fail Homemade Bread
There are many reasons to make loaves of bread, but one of the most important is that it tastes better than store-bought bread. Store-bought bread is often made with cheaper ingredients and preservatives, which affects flavor and texture. Whether purchased at a store or made by home bakers, white bread is a staple in every household.
2. You Can Make DIY Dinner Rolls
Dinner rolls are a classic side dish that can be served with just about any meal. And while you can buy them at the store, they’re effortless to make at home. You only need white flour, yeast, water, sugar, and salt. You’ll want to stock white flour to make your dinner rolls in a pinch. Easy To Make Dinner Rolls For Two
3. Make Your Very Own Tortillas
Another reason to stock white flour is that you can use it to make tortillas. Tortillas are a staple in many cuisines, including Mexican and Tex-Mex. They can be used for tacos, burritos, quesadillas, and more. And while you can buy them at the store, they’re effortless to make at home with just a few simple ingredients, including white flour. Effortless Bean And Cheese Burritos
In case you missed this post, How To Make Flour Tortillas From Scratch
4. You Can Make Pancakes from Scratch
Pancakes are a breakfast favorite and are effortless to make from scratch. You only need white flour, milk, eggs, baking powder, and butter. And while you can use any flour to make pancakes, white flour will produce a lighter pancake. How To Make Chunky Monkey Pancakes
5. Homemade Biscuits
Biscuits are a delicious and easy-to-make snack. They can be made with simple ingredients, including white flour, baking powder, salt, butter, and milk. And while you can buy biscuits at the store, they’re much better when homemade. So, if you want to stock up on white flour, think about homemade biscuits. Easy Homemade Biscuit Recipe
6. Cinnamon Rolls
Cinnamon rolls are a delicious and popular breakfast treat. While they can be bought at the store, they’re effortless to make at home with just a few simple ingredients, including white flour, yeast, sugar, butter, cinnamon, and salt. I don’t know about you, but the two words “cinnamon rolls” are enough reason to make me want to stock up on white flour. The Best Homemade Cinnamon Rolls or Cinnamon Rolls for Two
7. Make a Sourdough Starter
Sourdough bread is a delicious and popular type of bread. And while you can buy it at the store, it’s effortless to make at home with just a few simple ingredients, including white flour and water. All you need to do is mix the two ingredients and let them sit for a few days to create a sourdough starter. How To Make A Sourdough Starter + Bread
White Flour FAQs
What is white flour?
White flour is a finely ground powder made from the wheat endosperm. It’s also sometimes called all-purpose or plain flour.
Is white flour the same as bleached flour?
No. Bleached flour has been treated with chemical agents to speed up the aging process and make it whiter.
What is the difference between white flour and wheat flour?
Wheat flour is made from the entire wheat grain, including the bran and germ, while white flour removes the bran and wheat germ.
Why is white flour bleached?
Bleaching agents speed up the aging process and make the flour whiter.
What are the benefits of white flour?
White flour is higher in gluten than wheat flour, making it ideal for baked goods that need a light and airy texture, such as cakes and pastries. It’s also less expensive than wheat flour.
What are the drawbacks of white flour?
White flour has been stripped of many nutrients, including fiber, iron, and B vitamins. It can also contain harmful chemicals from the bleaching process.
Regular white flour contains gluten which some people can’t tolerate. You can purchase gluten-free flour for those family members with gluten intolerance, but it will more expensive.
Can you freeze flour?
Yes, you can freeze flour. Store it in an airtight container in the freezer for up to six months.
What is the shelf life of flour?
The shelf life of flour depends on how it’s stored. Flour kept in a cool, dark place will last for six to eight months, while if stored in a warm, humid place, it will only last one to two months.
Final Word
As you can see, there are many reasons to stock white flour. This post lists just a few of my favorites. There are many more you can explore in my recipe archive above. So, if you want to add it to your pantry, consider all the delicious things you can make. May God Bless this world, Linda
Hey Linda! Another great post! You can make gravy to go with your biscuits, too. We have a lot of flour on hand. We use some almost every day. LOL Larry use it to bread his chicken when he fries it. He’s such a good cook! I also have cornmeal stored. I have these thing stored in 5 gallon buckets and sealed jars. We have a 5-gallon bucket with rice, and one with pinto beans as well. I’m planning on getting more for pasta and other items. I did get some Mylar bags for storage as well.
Hi Deborah, oh my gosh, now I want to make some fried chicken!!! LOL! I’m sure I use flour every single day as well. Life is good when we have flour stored!! Linda
Hi Linda:
Great article. But I have a suggestion for storing your flour. Before actually storing it in your bucket take and put it in the freezer for about a week to make sure there are no critters in it. That way you can sift them out when you put it in your bucket.
I know a lot of people will say yuck when you say to do that but our ancestors did that and they didn’t have the advantage of a freezer which makes it so much easier to do. When I put my flour into the bucket I use a really large 2-2 1/2 gallon bag that is made for food and put the flour in that in the bucket. Then I put a couple sage leaves in the bucket and the bag on top of that. It prevents re infestations of the critters.
Hi Jackie, that’s a great recommendation. I buy 200 pounds at a time and those bags do not fit in my freezer. I’ve been lucky I have not had an issue with bugs. I’m careful where I buy my flour as well. Linda
There is also a higher natural oils content to whole wheat flour, which, though addressable, lends to easier spoilage.
Hi Jordan, you are so right. Once the wheat berries are ground the whole wheat flour will go rancid very quickly. I store my ground wheat in the freezer for the bread I will make that month. White flour has a little longer shelf life, much longer than whole wheat. Linda
Flour was one of the first tings to disappear from the shelves during covid.
That should tell ya something. Don’t forget the lessons it gave us
Hi Matt, I remember those shortages. I remember standing in line at Costco and a couple had a flatbed with flour on it. I said, wow, you must make a lot of bread!! They said they had never made bread. They only bought it because they heard there was a shortage. Yeah, Linda
I wonder how much hardtack they made trying
Hi Matt, I know, right? LOL! Linda
Matt, this recipe works, Linda. I just added it to the post, thanks for reminding me. https://www.foodstoragemoms.com/make-hardtack/
All the things that you mentioned, I make using white, and wheat flour. I prefer to use white flour over corn starch, for thickening gravy.
You can also use white flour to make paste.
I like to store it in the bags it came in. Put a bunch of bags in a storage tote. Then you can use them one at a time.
HI Eileen, I had forgotten that flour makes a paste, thank you for the reminder. It’s been a very long time since I made paste with flour, thank you. I love hearing how you store flour, that’s a great idea. Linda
Where is a good place to purchase flour in large quantities? 200lbs? 100lbs? 50 lbs?
Hi Mickie, it depends on where you live. I buy 25 or 50-pound bags of flour from Costco. I know Amish communities have it but I don’t live near one. Only buy what you will use in one year. Linda
Linda, we buy the bread and Pizza flour in red bag from Sam’s club, a friend picks it up in 25# bag.. cost about 12$ per.. No Costco here… and Sam’s is 50+ miles. 3 will fill 2 five gallon buckets. = about 3 months, by freezing them one at a time i can get them thru freezer. My DH makes sourdough,it has helped my intestinal health greatly!
My Mom told of getting in winter supplies when the crops were harvested and the money available. they bought basic staples.. or 7 to feed daily and sometimes there were 2 growing teens in addition…… 4 barrels of flour (300-400 lb or so each), one of sugar +cream of tartar and baking soda…basic staples. and loose tea, coffee, cocoa powder ,cornstarch,baking powder-grew own corn and had part of it milled for cornmeal./rest for animals. Oil came from a couple of pigs…and butter from a cow,usually he neighbors- a barter item.
Hi Denise, I didn’t know Sam’s sold pizza flour, thanks for the tip!!! Sourdough bread is really a good option for those with stomach issues. Thank you for sharing your family story on how they stocked up! I love hearing stories like this. They are inspiring to all of us! Thank you, Linda