Cornstarch (cornflour)

Cornstarch / cornflour (UK)

Flavor and role

A flavorless starch extracted from corn with strong thickening power. It must be heated to thicken.

Typical dishes and uses

Stabilizing pavlova meringue, custards and puddings, Chinese stir-fry sauces, extra crispness for batters.

Substitutes

Potato starch 1:1. If using flour instead, use twice as much (1 tbsp starch = 2 tbsp flour) and cook longer.

Storage

Sealed in a dry place at room temperature, it keeps practically indefinitely (over 2 years).

Main countries

United States · Mexico · China

Used in this book

PavlovaAlfajores de MaicenaClassic American Apple PieBeef and BroccoliSwiss Cheese Fondue (Moitié-Moitié)Chili crabChow Mein (Chinese Chicken Fried Noodles)Churros con ChocolateEgg Drop SoupHot and Sour SoupKung Pao ChickenMango Sticky Rice (Khao Niao Mamuang)Classic New York CheesecakeButtermilk Southern Fried ChickenJapanese Matcha Alfajores with White Chocolate DrizzleBanana Dulce de Leche Alfajor Parfait CupsApple Strudel Turon (Filipino Caramel Spring Rolls)Brown Butter Lattice Apple PieApple Pie Empanadas with Dulce de LecheApple Pie Crumble Bars with Cinnamon GlazeCrispy Potato-Nest Bacalhau Brás Egg CupsCrispy Mekong-Style Bánh Xèo with Mung Beans and Coconut CreamVanilla Bean Basque Cheesecake with Salted CaramelBurnt Basque Cheesecake ToastVelvet Beef with Charred BroccoliBeef and Broccoli Garlic Butter SpaghettiCrispy Beef and Broccoli Rice-Paper DumplingsRed-Braised Beef Rice BowlSouthern Fried Chicken and Waffles with Spiced Maple ButterHot Honey Buffalo Chicken BowlCrispy Vermicelli Cake with Bún Chả MeatballsChorizo Chili Walking NachosCrispy char kway teow noodle cakePorcini Fondue (Fondue aux Bolets) with Rosemary Roast PotatoesGochujang Cheese Fondue with Rice Cakes, Sausages and Sweet Potato (Korean x Swiss)Baked Fondue Bread Bowl with Garlic-Butter DippersCrispy Machboos Popcorn Chicken with Black-Lime YogurtRestaurant-style chili crab with fried mantouHong Kong Crispy Noodle Cake with Shrimp and ChickenChow Mein Noodle Nest Egg CupsCơm Tấm Rice BurgerDakbokkeumtang Pot PieCrispy Dan Dan Rice-Paper DumplingsShiitake, Silken Tofu and Chicken Egg Flower SoupTom Yum Egg Drop Soup (Thai x Chinese)Egg Drop Gravy Rice Bowl with Garlic Chilli CrunchSilky Amok with Toasted Kroeung and Coconut CreamBaked Amok Fish Toasts with Lime MayoTriple-Cooked Fish and Chips with Homemade TartareAonori Tempura Fish and Chips with Ponzu MayoCrispy Rice Paper Shrimp DumplingsSichuan-Style Hot and Sour Soup with ShrimpSanratanmen (Japanese Hot and Sour Ramen)Churro Chocolate HotteokIdli ManchurianCinnamon-Sugar Kaiserschmarrn Bites with Warm Vanilla DipYangnyeom Kelewele: Gochujang-Honey Glazed Plantain (Ghanaian x Korean)Cairo Shop-Style Koshari with ShattaKung Pao Chicken Tacos with Lime SlawRaspberry Jam and Cream LamingtonsLomo Saltado Loaded Fries with Huancaína SauceDouble-Fried Pork and Shrimp Lumpia with Sweet-and-Sour SauceMango Coconut Dessert MakiMapo Cheese Rice GratinMassaman Chicken Pot PieBulgogi Cheese PieGochujang Butter Moules with Sweet Potato Oven FriesCrispy Mushroom Risotto Squares with Whipped Ricotta and Hot HoneyCrispy Nasi Goreng Rice BitesNasi Lemak with Spiced Fried Chicken (Ayam Goreng Berempah)Sambal Fried Chicken Nasi Lemak BurgerDeli-Style New York Cheesecake with Sour Cream Topping and Strawberry GlazeMango Lassi New York Cheesecake with Cardamom and PistachioNo-Bake New York Cheesecake Jars with Blueberry CompoteOkonomi Loaded FriesCrispy Pancit Nests with Garlic ShrimpPastel de Nata Custard ToastBravas rösti brunch with fried eggsLemon Curd Berry PavlovaMango Coconut Lime PavlovaPeri-Peri Popcorn ChickenRibeye Cheesesteak with Homemade Cheese SauceShawarma Loaded FriesLard-Fried Double-Dredged Chicken with Peppered Cream GravyMasala Buttermilk Fried Chicken with Mint RaitaHot Honey Fried Chicken Sandwich with Pickle SlawSri Lankan Coconut Chicken Curry UdonSundubu Cheese Rice GratinCantonese Gu Lou Yuk with PineappleSweet and Sour Pork Tacos with Pineapple SalsaGhee-Seared Syrniki with Warm Berry CompoteShrimp Tempura Tacos with Lime Sriracha MayoRestaurant-Style Tomato and Egg with Shaoxing WineCrispy Honey-Gochujang Rice Cake Bites with Cheddar DipGolden Yolk-Coated Yangzhou Fried Rice with Scallion Oil

Updated 2026-10-10