We've created this comprehensive Xanthan Gum guide to provide you with many of the frequently asked questions:
- What is Xanthan Gum?
- The Benefits of Xanthan Gum
- Is Xanthan Gum Gluten-Free?
- How can I use Xanthan Gum in Keto baking?
- What are the alternatives to xanthan gum?
- Buy Xanthan Gum from Groovy Keto
- Conclusion
What is Xanthan Gum?
Xanthan gum is a popular food additive used in the keto community, which is used as a thickener or stabiliser for many baked foods.
To be technical, Xanthan Gum is a the coating from a particular bacteria called, Xanthomonas campestris. This bacteria grows a protective coating. Think of it like an orange peel or the skin of an onion. It's a protective layer. When fed a particular food, this bacteria's coating becomes very sticky and makes a great binding and thickening agent in baking.
Why use Xanthan Gum on keto?
Xanthan Gum is a good substitute for gluten (A binding that is used in wheat). Xanthan Gum helps trap the air bubbles when used in conjunction with baking powder and yeast. It helps thicken liquids as well as preventing baking goods from crumbling by holding them together.
Xanthan gum works well in place of gluten (a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley that some people cannot tolerate). Xanthan gum helps trap the air bubbles created by leavening agents (baking soda, baking powder, yeast) to allow your breads and baked goods to rise. It helps thicken liquids, which is why it is often found in salad dressings and sauces. This thickening action helps hold gluten free baked goods together and keeps them from becoming too crumbly.
Is Xanthan Gum Gluten Free?
Yes! Our Xanthan Gum is gluten free! It's It's grown on Non-GMO corn.
How can I use Xanthan Gum in keto baking?
Xanthan Gum has many unique properties and is one of the most versatile ingredients for gluten-free and low-carb cooking. Here are some of its most common uses:
As a thickening agent
On the keto, xanthan gum’s thickening properties can be used to make soups, smoothies and condiments such as mayo.
As a pseudo-emulsifier
Xanthan gum can help prevent water, oil, and solid particles from separating. This is found in oil based products such as salad dressings. It can also be used to make keto ice cream!
As a binder
Xanthan gum mimics the effects of gluten by turning the dough gummy and sticky. This enables the ingredients to bind together and traps the gas bubbles created by the baking powder you use. The result is a low-carb dough that rises in a way similar to gluten in bread.
Improve texture in baked goods
Xanthan gum is used to mimic the texture of your conventional bread with keto bread. It's used in many of our products like the keto chocolate brownie mix and keto pancake mix, as it helps hold the moisture in making them really fudgy.
What are the alternatives to Xanthan Gum?
Psyllium Husk
Psyllium husk has the same binding properties as Xanthan Gum, and can be used as a direct replacement. This is also an excellent binding agent that fulfils texture similar to that of bread. Buy psyllium husk from Groovy Keto here.
Ground Flaxseeds
Ground flaxseed also do a great job of binding ingredients together and replacing gluten by adding moisture and softness to your keto baking products. Buy ground flaxseeds from Groovy Keto.
Guar Gum
Guar Gum is very similar to Xanthan Gum, but Guar gum is extracted from the guar bean, which is native to tropical Asia. Like xanthan gum, guar gum consists of soluble fibre and doesn’t contribute any net carbs to the diet. However, it's best used for cold products such as jelly and smoothies.
Buy Xantham Gum from Groovy Keto
Did you know that Groovy Keto sell Xanthan Gum? We sell it in a 150g pouch. It's extra fine powder and perfect for keto baking!
Conclusion
Xanthan gum is a major player in the keto movement. It can be used to thicken, stabilize and bind. It's a great gluten-free replacement for gluten. It's also packed with soluble fibre and has many health benefits.
