Can I use plain flour instead of all-purpose flour?

Yes, these two flours are basically the same thing with different names. That means you can use plain flour when a recipe calls for all-purpose flour.

What is all-purpose flour in Australia?

In Australia, all-purpose flour is called plain flour. So, if you have a recipe that calls for all-purpose flour, you can feel confident substituting all-purpose flour.

What is all-purpose flour in the UK?

In the UK, all-purpose flour is called plain flour. It's a general-purpose refined flour that can be used in most baking and cooking recipes. So, if you have a recipe that calls for all-purpose flour, you can feel confident substituting plain flour.

› Vegan Ingredients

All-Purpose Flour vs Plain Flour

by Marly McMillen

Updated 8/4/26

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If you are staring at a recipe calling for plain flour while holding a bag of all-purpose flour, don’t worry—you don’t need a trip back to the store. While regional naming conventions can make baking confusing, these two kitchen staples are functionally identical.

Quick Answer: Yes, all-purpose flour and plain flour are the exact same thing! “Plain flour” is simply the standard term used in the UK and Australia, while “all-purpose flour” is used in the US. Both are medium-protein, unleavened white flours that can be swapped at a 1:1 ratio.

Feature All-Purpose Flour Plain Flour
Primary Region United States / Canada UK / Australia / NZ
Protein Content 9% – 12% 9% – 11%
Leavening Agents None None
Best Uses Cookies, cakes, quick breads, gravies Biscuits, scones, cakes, batters
Direct Substitution 1:1 ratio 1:1 ratio

Feature	All-Purpose Flour	Plain Flour
Primary Region	United States / Canada	UK / Australia / NZ
Protein Content	9% – 12%	9% – 11%
Leavening Agents	None	None
Best Uses	Cookies, cakes, quick breads, gravies	Biscuits, scones, cakes, batters
Direct Substitution	1:1 ratio	1:1 ratio

In this Post

A measuring spoon full of whole wheat pastry flour hovers over a bowl with more of it.

What is All-Purpose Flour?

Flour is a powdery substance created from grinding grains, roots, nuts, or even seeds. When it comes to wheat flour, this general-purpose flour is a go-to favorite.

You can use bleached or unbleached, all-purpose flour in a variety of recipes and cooking methods.

Versatile — It’s made from a combination of hard and soft wheat berries, and because it is so versatile, it is the most commonly used flour. It’s perfect for using to make quick breads.
Best Texture — All-purpose flour is highly refined, giving it a finer texture and making it suitable for light, airy pastries and cakes or breads with a thick and chewy texture.
Protein — This flour also has a lower protein content, making it great for recipes where a tender crumb is desired. It is essential for making pizza dough and other types of yeast dough.

A closeup of a blackberry muffin with a bite taken out. It is sitting on another muffin. There are blackberries and more muffins around it. — A delicious muffin made with all-purpose flour.

What is Plain Flour?

All-purpose flour is referred to as plain flour in Australia and the UK. It’s a standard general-purpose white flour that is a go-to for most baking.

Plain flour, also known as all-purpose flour, is made from milled wheat grains. It does not contain added ingredients like leavening agents, which is why it is commonly referred to as “all-purpose” or “plain”.

You can use plain flour in baking recipes that require general-purpose flour, such as cakes, cookies, bread, and pies. Because of its light and airy texture, plain flour is also an excellent choice for creating batters for deep-frying, as well as creating thick gravies and sauces.

Different Types of Flours

There are so many different types of flour that it can be confusing to know which ones to use. It’s all about the type of wheat berries used and the milling process. Here’s a quick and easy guide to help:

All-Purpose Flour: This is a versatile flour with a moderate protein content, typically 9-12%. It’s suitable for a wide range of recipes, including bread, cakes, cookies, and pastries.
Bread Flour: With a higher protein content, around 12-14%, this strong flour is ideal for yeast-based bread recipes. It provides the necessary strength and structure for a good rise and chewy texture in bread. Bread flour is an excellent choice for pizza dough because the higher protein content helps create a sturdy and elastic dough that can be stretched and shaped easily.
Cake Flour: Cake flour has the lowest protein content, about 6-8%. It’s perfect for delicate cakes and pastries, creating a tender and soft crumb in baked goods.
Pastry Flour: Falling in between all-purpose and cake flour, pastry flour has a protein content of around 9-10%. It’s great for making flaky pastries, pie crusts, and cookies.
Whole Wheat Flour: This flour is milled from the entire wheat kernel, making it higher in fiber and nutrients. It’s best for recipes like whole wheat bread and muffins, but it can be denser than all-purpose or bread flour.
Self-Rising Flour: Self-rising flour is all-purpose flour with added leavening agents, such as baking powder and salt. It’s convenient for recipes like biscuits and pancakes, as it eliminates the need for separate leavening ingredients.

Frequently-Asked Questions

How to Measure & Use Flour in Baking

All-purpose flour is one of the most versatile types of flour available. You can use it in a variety of recipes.

How to Measure Flour Correctly (The Spoon and Level Method)

Don’t Scoop Directly: Dipping your measuring cup into the bag packs the flour down, adding up to 25% extra flour by weight (which leads to dense, dry baked goods).
Fluff the Flour: Give the flour a light stir with a fork or whisk to loosen it.
Spoon & Level: Gently spoon the flour into your measuring cup until overflowing, then sweep a straight-edged butter knife across the top to level it off.
Use a Kitchen Scale (Best Method): For absolute precision, 1 cup of all-purpose flour weighs 120 grams.

A measuring spoon sits in a bowl full of whole wheat pastry flour.

Tips for Baking and Cooking with All-Purpose Flour

Controlling Gluten Development:
- Mix gently for tender items: Handle dough lightly when making tender treats like vegan scones to avoid over-developing gluten.
- Knead well for structure: Kneading builds strong protein networks, which is essential for structured bakes like vegan dinner rolls.
Thickening Sauces & Gravies: Whisk flour into fat (like vegan butter or oil) to make a roux before adding liquids. This prevents lumps in recipes like vegan bechamel sauce.
Substitutions: You can swap up to 100% of all-purpose flour with whole wheat pastry flour to boost fiber without making your baked goods heavy or dense.

A hand holds a flour mixture, pouring it into a bowl with wet ingredients.

Savory All-Purpose Flour Baking Recipes

You can use this common, general-purpose flour in the kitchen:

Chickpea Pot Pie

35 mins total

Vegan Cheddar Bay Biscuits

25 mins total

Vegan Beer Bread

65 mins total

Vegan Dinner Rolls

155 mins total

Flour is being poured into a mixing bowl with a whipped peanut butter mixture.

Sweet All-Purpose Flour Baking Recipes

Now that we know the difference between plain flour and all-purpose flour, it’s time to start baking! Here are some favorite dessert recipes that use all-purpose flour:

Use all-purpose flour or plain flour for everyday baking, desserts, savory sauces, and bread. With these tips in mind, you’ll be able to make the right flour choice for any of your baking needs.