Building a Health-Focused Baking Pantry

There’s nothing better than fresh baked bread or a batch of cookies on a rainy day. Actually, rain or shine, baked goods are always a wonderful treat! Baking from scratch does require a few extra steps, but it doesn’t have to be complicated. The key to whipping out your favorite baked treats is having healthy staples on hand.

Building a health-focused baking pantry means you’ll have the ingredients you need to tackle any new recipe you find on Pinterest, or throw together an old family favorite, without needing a trip to the store.

Depending on the frequency and variety of your baking, you can stock a basic or extensive pantry. Focus on shelf stable staples and protect them by storing them in glass or air tight containers. You can also place an emphasis on perishable staples for your fridge like dairy products, milk alternatives, eggs, fresh fruits and veggies, etc…

Canned Goods- Many canned goods are excellent for healthier baking. Fruit in 100% juice, canned pumpkin or squash puree, applesauce, even beans are part of a healthy baking pantry.

Grains and Flour- Keep a variety of grains as well as grain and nut flour on hand to accommodate different types of recipes. I recommend organic as much as you can get it, as you will not have to deal with the pesticides spraying on so many commercial crops.  Some mainstays include:

• Whole wheat flour
• Almond flour
• Coconut flour
• Oat flour
• Old fashioned oats

Nuts and Seeds- Many baked goods rely on nuts and seeds for texture, crunch, and health benefits. Keeping a variety of nuts and seeds on hand adds specific benefits since every variety is packed with different vitamins and minerals. Try these baking favorites:

• Almonds
• Walnuts
• Cashews
• Pecans
• Chia seeds
• Flax seeds
• Sunflower seeds
• Hemp hearts
• Pumpkin seeds

Also, don’t forget healthy nut butter. Many health-focused recipes rely on nut butter for flavor and binding ingredients together. You can purchase nut butter at most stores or make your own from your supplies on hand.

Dried and Fresh fruits- Seasonal fruits are excellent for baking. Using organic fruits is a great way to add healthy fiber to your baked goods. Stock your fridge with whole, unprocessed fruits and add dried fruits like raisins, cranberries, currants, figs, shredded coconut, and dates to your cupboard.

Baking Essentials- Baking requires specific essentials to activate the ingredients and turn out the perfect product. Keeping essentials on hand ensures you’ll be ready when inspiration strikes. Most pantries include:

• Baking soda
• Baking powder
• Active-Dry yeast
• Arrowroot
• Cornstarch

Sweeteners- Like flour, having a variety of sweeteners on hand ensures you’ll have the right ingredient for the right recipe. Since different sweeteners work best under specific conditions, it’s best to have a few to choose from:

• Coconut sugar
• Date sugar/syrup
• Maple syrup
• Honey
• Raw sugar

Chocolate lovers will want to stock up on a variety of chocolate options to curb their cravings too! Remember, dark chocolate packs the most nutritional punch.

• Unsweetened cocoa powder
• Chocolate chips
• Carob chips
• Milk chocolate
• Cocoa butter

Extracts and Seasonings- Most people think about vanilla extract when they think about baking, but there’s plenty of ways to boost the flavor of healthy baked goods by adding extracts and spices. Focus on quality and health benefits. Did you know?

• Cinnamon, Turmeric, and Ginger offer anti-inflammatory benefits?
• Peppermint extract can boost immunities?

Choose a variety of spices and extracts that complement the type of baked goods you make most.

Oil and Vinegar- Unhealthy oils are a chief contribution to unhealthy baking. Stock up on healthier oils to ensure your baked goods are healthier. Vinegar is often used in making cakes and bread, having a variety on hand is also great for making dressings and dipping sauces.

• Oil: Nut oils like walnut, seed oils like sesame and grapeseed, olive oil, coconut oil
• Vinegars: White, apple cider, balsamic, and fruited vinegars

Sourdough – A discussion of healthy baking is not complete without mentioning sourdough.  Sourdough is an ancient practice that ferments the grains used to make the bread, bagels, cakes, or whatever baked good you wish.  Although it is does take longer to put together the baked good you may want, the return is worth so much.  Flavor, health, and adaptability all make this method so worth investigating.

Taking the time to stock your kitchen with baking staples will make it easier to boost the health benefits of your baked goods and make sure you’re ready when you have a sweet tooth.