A level tablespoon of coconut flour weighs about 7 to 8 grams. King Arthur Baking lists coconut flour at 128 g per cup, which is 8 g per tablespoon, while the grams in a tablespoon of coconut flour on the Bob's Red Mill label work out to 7 g.
| Amount | Coconut flour (King Arthur, 128 g per cup) |
|---|---|
| 1/4 tsp | 0.7 g |
| 1/2 tsp | 1.3 g |
| 1 tsp | 2.7 g |
| 1 tbsp | 8 g |
| 1/4 cup | 32 g |
| 1/2 cup | 64 g |
| 1 cup | 128 g |
Why the grams in a tablespoon of coconut flour vary
Bob's Red Mill lists a serving of its coconut flour as 2 tablespoons at 14 g. That's 7 g per tablespoon, a gram lighter than King Arthur's figure. A gram sounds tiny, but coconut flour recipes often use only a few tablespoons in total, so small differences show up in the final texture.
Here's what moves the number:
- Packing. Coconut flour is fine and compresses easily when you press a spoon into it.
- Clumps. It tends to clump in the bag, and clumps weigh more than loose flour.
- Brand and grind. Different mills produce slightly different textures.
If your recipe came from a particular brand, use that brand's numbers. Otherwise, 7 to 8 g per tablespoon is a fair range.
Why small amounts of coconut flour matter so much
Coconut flour is thirsty. Bob's Red Mill notes that it absorbs a lot more liquid than wheat flour or other gluten free flours, and that coconut flour recipes often call for more eggs than wheat versions. That's why recipes use so little of it compared to regular flour.
It also means a heaped spoon can throw a recipe off fast. An extra few grams soaks up liquid you were counting on, and you end up with a dry, crumbly bake. Bob's Red Mill recommends using recipes written specifically for coconut flour rather than swapping it in for wheat flour.
How to measure coconut flour
- Whisk or sift the flour to break up clumps.
- Spoon it loosely into your measuring spoon.
- Level it with the back of a knife.
- Don't pack it unless the recipe specifically says to.
After mixing, let coconut flour batters rest for a few minutes. The flour keeps absorbing liquid, so the batter often thickens on its own. Add more flour only after that rest.
Because recipes use so little, it helps to measure the coconut flour first and set it aside. That way you aren't scooping from the bag at the last minute, and you can double check the amount before it disappears into the bowl.
Common mistakes
- Swapping it cup for cup with wheat flour. It won't work. The liquid and eggs need to change too.
- Adding more flour too soon. Give the batter time to thicken first.
- Heaped spoons. With such small amounts, a rounded spoon is a big error.
A practical tip: because coconut flour amounts are small and touchy, a MeasureMate digital measuring spoon is handy here. It scoops and weighs in one step, so you can stop right at 7 or 8 g. Tap the tare button to zero it, and read the display in 0.1 g steps. It switches between grams and ounces if your recipe uses either.
Quick questions
How many grams is 1/4 cup of coconut flour?
About 32 g by King Arthur Baking's chart, or 28 g if you go by the Bob's Red Mill label of 7 g per tablespoon.
Is coconut flour heavier than all purpose flour?
By King Arthur Baking's chart, a little. Coconut flour is 128 g per cup and all purpose flour is 120 g per cup.
Can I replace all purpose flour with coconut flour?
Not directly. It absorbs far more liquid, so use a recipe written for coconut flour.
Weights based on the King Arthur Baking ingredient weight chart and the Bob's Red Mill coconut flour label and product page.