Best Tapioca Thickeners of 2026
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Tapioca is a starch extracted from the roots of the cassava plant. It is commonly used as a thickener in various food products such as soups, sauces, and puddings. Tapioca thickeners are a popular choice among gluten-free and vegan consumers as they are free from common allergens and animal products. Tapioca thickeners provide a smooth and creamy texture to food items and are easy to use. They are also known for their ability to withstand high temperatures and acidic conditions, making them a versatile thickening agent for a range of culinary applications.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
Top 10 Tapioca Thickeners
Bob's Red Mill Tapioca Flour 16oz Pack of 4
Bob's Red Mill Tapioca Flour is a versatile ingredient perfect for anyone who enjoys gluten-free baking. This slightly sweet, starchy flour helps you create light and fluffy baked goods while also serving as a great thickener for soups, sauces, and pie fillings. When you use it with other gluten-free flours, it adds a chewy texture and elasticity that improves the overall feel and taste of your recipes. Plus, it helps bind ingredients together much like gluten, which means your dishes hold together better. If you have dietary restrictions, this gluten-free and grain-free flour is produced in a dedicated facility to ensure safety and quality.
Anthony's Organic Tapioca Flour Starch
Introducing Anthony's Organic Tapioca Flour Starch, a gluten-free and non-GMO product that is perfect for your cooking needs. Made from organically grown Manioc root, this USDA certified organic tapioca flour is batch tested and verified gluten-free, ensuring its safety for those with gluten sensitivities. Its tasteless and odorless nature makes it a great thickener or binder in gluten-free recipes, providing convenience and versatility in the kitchen. As a vegan and non-GMO product, you can trust that it aligns with your dietary preferences. Imported from Thailand, this tapioca flour is a high-quality option that will enhance your gluten-free cooking experience.
Kate Naturals Tapioca Starch Flour (12oz)
Kate Naturals Tapioca Starch Flour is a gluten-free and non-GMO organic flour derived from cassava root that can substitute for wheat flour. It is a natural thickener and binding agent, great for making gluten-free breads or flatbreads, as well as for cosmetics and ice cream. This tapioca flour is extracted from the starchy portion of the cassava root and is fresh and sealed correctly for the best quality. It is perfect for paleo diets and comes with a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
Yupik Organic Tapioca Starch, 2.2 lb
Yupik Organic Tapioca Starch is a non-GMO, vegan and gluten-free thickener that is perfect for soups, stews, batters and more. It is neutral in taste and colorless, making it a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of recipes. The product is certified organic and kosher, and is free from sulfites. It should be kept cool and dry.
NOW Foods Organic Tapioca Flour 16 oz
NOW Foods Tapioca Flour is a versatile gluten-free flour alternative perfect for your baking needs. Derived from cassava root, it works well as a substitute for whole wheat flour, helping you create soft and tender breads, cookies, cakes, and biscuits. If you enjoy making fruit pies or other recipes with high liquid content, this flour absorbs moisture effectively, making it an excellent thickening agent for sauces and soups too. Plus, it fits well with keto and gluten-free diets, offering a healthy, organic option that supports your cooking and baking creativity.
It's Just - Tapioca Flour (Starch)
It's Just - Tapioca Flour (Starch) is a premium baking flour sourced from Thailand and packaged in the USA. Made from Cassava Root (Manihot Esculenta), it is a natural thickener that is non-GMO and gluten-free, making it a great substitute for wheat flour.
52USA Tapioca Starch 14oz
The 52USA Tapioca Flour is a versatile ingredient made from pure cassava root starch, ensuring consistent results whether you’re cooking or baking. It’s perfect for those with dietary restrictions, as it’s gluten-free, vegan, and kosher, making it a safe choice for special diets. You can rely on it as a thickener to create smooth and creamy textures in soups, sauces, and stews, enhancing your dishes effortlessly. Plus, it’s great for gluten-free baking and making bubble tea, offering you a convenient way to add variety and texture to your meals and drinks.
Soeos Tapioca Flour Starch 14oz (2 Pack)
Soeos Tapioca Flour is a versatile ingredient derived from the cassava root, making it a great gluten-free option for your kitchen. You can use it as a thickener that won’t change the taste of your soups, sauces, or pie fillings, giving them a smooth and shiny finish. When baking, this flour helps create light and fluffy cakes, cookies, and breads, improving texture and consistency. It also works wonderfully as a binder, perfect for making chewy treats like boba pearls and mochi. With Soeos Tapioca Flour, you get a pure, natural product that enhances your cooking and baking with ease.
CATHAY KITCHEN Sago Tapioca Pearls 12 Oz
The CATHAY KITCHEN Tapioca Pearls are small, versatile pearls that add a unique chewy texture to both sweet and savory dishes, perfect for desserts like bubble tea or creamy puddings. They offer a quick energy boost since they are rich in carbohydrates, making them easy to digest and a great source of fuel. These pearls are premium quality, ensuring consistent texture and taste in every dish you prepare. Plus, the airtight packaging keeps them fresh, so you can enjoy that just-made flavor and texture every time you cook with them.
Roots Circle Tapioca Starch
Roots Circle Starch is an all-natural tapioca starch made from cassava roots. It is non-GMO and gluten-free, perfect for those with gluten sensitivity or on special diets. This starch is easy to digest, making it gentle on the stomach and ideal for quick energy. With a neutral taste, it can be used in various dishes as a thickener or binder. The convenient packaging ensures freshness and easy storage, eliminating clumpy starch for good.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can tapioca be used as a thickener?
Yes, tapioca can be used as a thickener. One of its advantages is that it can absorb liquids even before they reach boiling temperature. This makes it a quick thickening option for pie fillings and other recipes without having to wait for the mixture to boil.
2. What makes tapioca an ideal thickener?
Tapioca is an ideal thickener because it starts to swell and absorb liquids before reaching a boiling point. This makes it more effective than cornstarch in low-heat or no-heat applications. It provides excellent thickening power without requiring high temperatures.
3. Does tapioca thicken like cornstarch?
Yes, tapioca flour or tapioca starch is a great thickening agent, especially for puddings and sweet sauces. Unlike cornstarch, tapioca flour can absorb liquids and thicken them even without boiling. However, it's important not to overdo it when using tapioca as a thickener.
4. Which is better tapioca or cornstarch?
Tapioca starch is often considered better than cornstarch for certain applications. Unlike cornstarch, tapioca starch remains consistent and does not turn gummy when frozen. It can also be used to thicken sauces after cooking. To substitute tapioca starch for cornstarch, use two tablespoons of tapioca starch for every tablespoon of cornstarch.
5. How much tapioca does it take to thicken the liquid?
To use tapioca flour as a thickener, mix 2 teaspoons of tapioca flour with 2 tablespoons of room temperature water to form a light paste. Tapioca flour is excellent at thickening gravies, stews, soups, sauces, and pie fillings due to its ability to absorb and retain a high water content.
6. Does tapioca starch make things crispy?
Yes, tapioca starch can give a crispy texture when used as a coating for fried foods. It creates a crunchy crust that can stay crispy for a longer time compared to other coatings.
7. How do you use tapioca as a pie thickener?
To use tapioca as a pie thickener, whisk the tapioca powder with other dry ingredients specified in the pie recipe (it can be substituted one-for-one for cornstarch). Then, toss the mixture with the fruit and let it sit for at least 10 minutes to allow the tapioca to absorb the fruit juices and thicken the filling.
During our tapioca thickener research, we found 24 tapioca thickener products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 58,385 customer reviews through our big data system to write the tapioca thickeners list. We found that most customers choose tapioca thickeners with an average price of $11.70.
The tapioca thickeners are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of tapioca thickeners, including Bob's Red Mill, Anthony's, Kate Naturals, Yupik, NOW Foods. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 384 consumers with an average rating of 4.7.
Ashley Abels is a former restaurant executive and has worked in the restaurant industry for 15 years. She is also a gourmet who loves tasting different cuisines and trying out all kinds of cooking methods. The food she writes about will make you want to try it!
Tapioca Thickeners Comparison Table
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| Brand | Bob's Red Mill | Anthony's | Kate Naturals | Yupik | NOW Foods | It's Just! | 52USA | Soeos | CATHAY KITCHEN | Roots Circle |
| Units | 64.0 Ounce | 40 Ounce | 12.0 Ounce | 35.2 Ounce | 16.0 Ounce | 64.0 Ounce | 14.0 Ounce | 28.0 Ounce | 12.0 Ounce | 17.0 Ounce |
| Item Weight | 16 Ounces | 2.5 Pounds | 12 Ounces | 2.1 Pounds | 16 Ounces | 4 Pounds | - | 1.74 Pounds | 12 Ounces | 17 Ounces |
| Specialty | GMO Free, Gluten Free, Kosher Certified | Certified Organic | Certified Organic | natural | Corn Free, Dairy Free, Egg Free, Gluten Free, Kosher Certified, Low Sodium, Organic, Sugar Free, Vegan, Vegetarian | GMO Free | - | - | - | Kosher Certified- OU Parve & Ovadya Yosef Kosher for Passover |
| Material Feature | - | Organic | Natural | Organic | - | - | Gluten Free, Vegan | Gluten Free, Natural, Vegan | - | Natural |
| Unit Count | - | 40 Ounce | - | 35.2 Ounce | - | - | 14.0 Ounce | 28.0 Ounce | - | 17.0 Ounce |
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