9 Amazing Substitutes Of Wheat Bran For Mouth Watering Recipes

A common ingredient of breakfast cereals, wheat bran, is the outer protective coating of the wheat kernel. It is high in minerals, fiber, folate, thiamine, antioxidants, and vitamin E. Wheat bran substitute with its characteristic nutty and sweet flavor, can be used in many mouth-watering recipes like muffins and baked items.

Wheat bran has high water-soluble carbohydrates that add body and texture to signature dishes.

However, the problem arises when you have fructose or gluten intolerance. This rules out the consumption of wheat bran and necessitates the search for its substitutes. 

There could be situations where you cannot find wheat bran or require a substitute because the taste does not go down well with you.

In cases like these, you will have to source alternatives to wheat bran, and this article does just that. So without further ado, let us check out the viable substitutes for wheat bran that pack a similar punch. 

Nutrition Table

1. Oat Bran

Oat bran is a prevalent substitute for wheat bran and boasts a rich and creamy flavor. The outer sheath of oat groat is oat bran, and nutritionally, it is very well balanced. If you are looking for a fiber substitute for wheat bran, oat bran is a good choice. 

Rich in beta-glucan and soluble fibers that help with cardiac diseases and lower cholesterol, oat bran does not have a lot of carbohydrates.

Sweeter than wheat bran can be used without sugar or artificial sweeteners in cereals, smoothies, waffles, and pancakes. 

Because of its subtle flavor, oat bran is a welcome ingredient in sweet dishes and does well with cottage cheese, fruits, or even yogurt. If baking bread with oat bran, use flour to make the bread rise. 

How To Substitute

Oat bran is dry in nature and needs soaking before it can be used in dishes. Use one cup of soaked oat bran instead of one cup of wheat bran.

2. Wheat Germ

It has a grainy and nutty texture, being the interior of the wheat grain and coming closest to the flavor and taste of wheat bran.

Wheat germ is an excellent source of fiber, vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids. It does not have cholesterol or trans fats and is a healthy choice for you. It is a common practice to substitute wheat bran for wheat germ in hot and cold cereals.

Creatively used in fruit pies or as a complement to your cup of yogurt, wheat germ can also be used as an ice cream topping or a smoothie mix. You can also use wheat germ for baking purposes instead of wheat bran. 

There is not much of a difference between the taste of wheat bran and wheat germ, so you can enjoy your favorite dishes with wheat germ without missing wheat bran. 

How To Substitute

Use one cup of wheat germ instead of one cup of wheat bran and follow your recipe.

3. Rice Bran

The rice grain’s outer shell is called rice bran and can be employed as a wheat bran substitute because of its similar texture.

Rice bran is obtained from the milling of rice kernels and has a high nutritional value with protein, fiber, calcium, potassium, iron, and magnesium.

In addition, the presence of antioxidants in rice bran makes it one of the best agents for immune system modulation. 

If you are allergic to gluten, rice bran is an excellent choice, embodying your cereals and salads with an earthy and nutty flavor. The downside is that rice bran is not easily found, and you must rely on Asian stores to get your supply. 

How To Substitute

Use one cup of rice bran to take the place of one cup of wheat bran and follow the other cooking instructions you find in your recipe. 

4. Flax Seeds

Allow flax seeds to shine as a substitute for wheat bran with its nutty and earthy flavor. Flax seeds are versatile, and you can use them in mouth-watering dishes like omelets, vegetarian dishes, salads, and even smoothies. 

If you were to compare flax seeds with wheat bran, the former has more omega-3 fatty acids. Flax seeds are also rich in minerals, vitamins, and fiber, benefiting gut health and lowering cholesterol. 

Flax seeds have a different texture than wheat bran but function well as a substitute. Roasted flax seeds can be consumed with salads, cereals, and even yogurt. However, steer clear of raw flax seeds – they cause digestive problems. 

If you are keen on baking, use crushed flax seeds for baking cookies, puddings, muffins, wraps, and biscuits. They can also be added to stews and casseroles.  

How To Substitute

Use one cup of milled flaxseed instead of one cup of wheat bran in your cooking and baking. If your recipe needs gluten-free ingredients, flaxseed is what you should use instead of wheat bran. 

RELATED: 8 Best Bulgur Substitutes

5. Whole Wheat Flour

Brownish in color and nutty flavor, whole wheat flour can be used in place of wheat bran in your daily cooking. Its fibrous texture ensures that it adds richness to the sweet dishes you cook. 

Very rich in protein, dietary fibers, minerals, and vitamins, whole wheat flour is a game changer because of its intense flavor.

You can use whole wheat flour to make scones and pizza crusts, pancakes, rolls, muffins, and bread. If you do not have a gluten allergy, this is a good substitute for wheat bran with its signature intense flavor. 

How To Substitute

One cup of wheat bran can be replaced with one cup of whole wheat flour when following a particular recipe.

6. Oatmeal/Rolled Oats

You can replace wheat bran with oatmeal in many a recipe. Being a rich source of soluble fiber, it is a godsend for those attempting to lose weight and control hunger pangs. Oatmeal also has heart benefits and is gluten-free. 

You can use oatmeal instead of wheat bran to rustle up cakes, cookies, and bread. However, they will not have the same consistency and texture.

When you use oatmeal in place of wheat bran for baking, the baked goods will turn out to be wet, dense, and heavy. This is not necessarily a bad thing; it is just that it will taste different.

How To Substitute

Use one cup of oatmeal to replace one cup of wheat bran in the recipe that you are following. 

7. Cornmeal

Made from ground corn, cornmeal can be either fine-grained or coarse. The coarse variety can be used in place of wheat bran to add crunchiness to the recipe, while the fine-grained type of cornmeal adds texture and richness to your favorite dishes.

Cornmeal will lend buttery consistency and a sweet flavor to your recipes. While usually used to make cornbread, cornmeal can also be used in cake and bread recipes. You can add cornmeal to thicken stews and chili dishes as well. 

How To Substitute

One cup of cornmeal is to be used in place of one cup of wheat bran for your following recipe. 

RELATED: 12 Best Farro Substitutes For Your Recipes

8. Rye Flour

Some people find the taste of wheat bran to be bland. For them, the best substitute is rye flour. It is tangy and has a malty, nutty, and milky taste.

If you use rye flour instead of wheat bran in baking, your cookies, muffins, and cakes will be embodied with a delicious, different taste. 

Rye flour imparts a unique smell and taste to the dough and can be used to make delectable pastries topped with nuts and cherries. 

How To Substitute

Replace one cup of wheat bran with one cup of rye flour for your following recipe. 

9. Almond Meal

If you dislike the flavor of wheat bran, you can use grounded sweet almonds for sweet dishes. Almond meal imparts a delicious texture and depth to the dish and will have your friends asking you for the recipe. 

Almond meals can be used in any recipe having wheat bran as one of the ingredients. It adds a nutty, earthy, and sweet flavor to cookies, pancakes, and macarons. It can also be used to make meatloaf, scones, muffins, and bread. 

How To Substitute

One cup of almond meal will replace one cup of wheat bran in your chosen recipe. 

Quick Table: Additional Recipes

1. Wheat Bran Bread Recipe Bran Bread

Wheat bran bread is a sure fire winner with all the right ingredients together in one place. The bread has a sweet and nutty taste that will go down well with your kids. The recipe uses honey, which has been used for thousands of years in the use of bread baking.

Honey gives the batter its moisture, without which this recipe will not work out. The sugar in the honey can foster the growth of yeast, which is desirable.

For this recipe you will need dry yeast that is active. You can get this at a grocery store. The yeast looks like small poppy seeds and can be stored away for a long time. 

Calories Per 100g: 89

Total Preparation Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

2. Oat Bran Banana Bread

When you are looking at inventive ways to use bananas, one great option is to make oat bran banana bread. The finished loaf will have the goodness of bananas along with the wholesomeness of bran. You will need whole wheat flour, ripe bananas, oat bran and yogurt. 

The bread has the advantage that it contains a lot of dietary fibre. It is an easy recipe and perfect for beginners. It is quick to make and you will find it hard to bake a bad batch of these beauties. 

Calories Per 100g: 150

Total Preparation Time: 1 hour 5 minutes 

3. Nutritious Wheat Bran Chapati Recipe

For those looking to lose weight, eating wheat bran chapatis is a good way to do it. This is a very simple, yet highly nutritious recipe that can be an everyday dinner affair with different side dishes. 

If you are not accustomed to making chapatis, you can buy a chapatti maker from the store, they’re cheap. Get a bowl and mix the wheat flour, salt and the bran together. Add some warm water prpportionately to knead an even dough. 

Portion the dough into small, equal balls. Then roll this dough into a bona fide roti. Put the roti on a hot pan, alternating between sides to ensure it is done. Lather with ghee and serve piping hot.  

Calories Per 100g: 63

Total Preparation Time: 25 minutes

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Is Better, Oats Or Wheat Bran?

Oat bran contains more protein, but wheat bran is more suited for weight loss. 

Is Wheat Bran The Same As Wheat Flour?

The most significant difference between wheat bran and whole wheat is that whole wheat has every component of wheat: wheat bran, germ, and endosperm. 

Can I Use Oat Bran In Place Of Wheat Bran In Muffins?

Yes, you can use oat bran instead of wheat bran to make a batch of muffins. 

What Is Considered Wheat Bran?

The wheat bran is the hard outer sheath of the wheat kernel. During the milling process, the bran gets separated from the kernel, becoming a by-product of the process. 

What Does Wheat Bran Do To The Bread?

Wheat bran increases the fiber content of bread and affects the properties of the dough and the bread.

9 Best Substitutes For Wheat Bran That Will Make Your Day

Prep time

5

minutes

Cooking time

20

minutes

Total time

25

minutes

Made from ground corn, cornmeal can be either fine-grained or coarse. The coarse variety can be used in place of wheat bran to add crunchiness to the recipe, while the fine-grained type of cornmeal adds texture and richness to your favorite dishes.

Ingredients

• Oat bran

• Wheat germ

• Rice bran

• Flax seeds

• Whole wheat flour

• Oatmeal/rolled oats

• Cornmeal

• Rye flour

• Almond meal

Directions

• Choose your favorite substitute from the list given above
• Follow the directions given in the recipe after having substituted the ingredient in the correct ratio. 

• Author
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Jess Smith

Hi, my name is Jess Smith, and I love cooking in my spare time. Around three years ago, I decided to give up my day job as a teacher to pursue my passion for food. While I have enjoyed sharing tips and tricks on Social Media, I have decided to expand my horizons through this blog.

Through this blog I hope to help others learn the basics and more intricate details of cooking. I know from personal experience how frustrating it can be to cook a meal, only to realize you are missing one ingredient from your list. This is why I love to write articles chatting readers through some great substitutes that can be used in an emergency.

I hope you will find this blog useful, and that it will help you to develop your culinary skills, to help you cook up a storm!

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