7 Ways To Use Up That Bag of Whole Wheat Flour In Your Pantry

Don't let that open bag of whole wheat flour go to waste.

By
Robin Shreeves
Robin Shreeves
Robin Shreeves
Robin Shreeves is a food and beverage writer.
Learn about Simply Recipes' Editorial Process
Updated December 13, 2024
Robin Shreeves
A tall stack of sweet zucchini pancakes on a plate with butter and syrup on top

Simply Recipes / Shilpa Iyer

In many people's pantries, there are a few kinds of flour. All-purpose flour seems to take precedence over the others in everyday cooking and baking. Some of the other flours end up neglected until one day, the realization happens that whole wheat flour, corn flour, cake flour, gluten-free flour, or some specialty flour is past its prime.

We're here to help you with at least one of the flours lingering in the cabinet—whole wheat flour. The 7 recipes below are designed specifically to use whole wheat flour, or they work well when you substitute some or all of the all-purpose flour for whole wheat with excellent results. You'll find breads, tarts, muffins, cookies, and more that get both a flavor and nutritional boost from robust whole wheat flour.

Peruse these recipes, pick your favorite, grab your bag of opened whole wheat flour and get baking.

Flour Freshness

Whole wheat flour doesn't last as long as refined flour. Before you bake, sniff the bag. If it smells old, off, or funny, pitch it.

  • Banana Bread

    Easy banana bread cut into thick slices.
    Kelly Hamilton

    Everyone loves this banana bread, and you can easily swap out some or all of the all-purpose flour for whole wheat flour and still have a moist, flavorful quick bread that makes good use of the overripe bananas in your freezer.

    Uses 3/4 to 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour



  • Oatmeal Bread

    Front view of a loaf of a partially sliced loaf of oat bread

    Simply Recipes / Cambrea Gordon

    Old-fashioned oats, whole wheat flour, white bread flour, and honey are the basis of this moist, hearty bread. This is a yeast bread, not a quick bread, so be sure to factor in the time it takes for the dough to rise when you decide to make it.

    Uses 1 cup whole wheat flour

  • Copycat Starbucks Pumpkin Bread

    A loaf of Moist Pumpkin Bread cooling on a rack with a second loaf in the pan behind it.
    Sara Bir

    You can sub half of the all-purpose for whole wheat in this quick bread that's a copycat of Starbuck's version. It's delicious without any add-ins, but feel free to throw in some nuts, vegan chocolate chips, raisins, or dried cranberries.

    Uses 1 1/2 plus 1/8 cups whole wheat flour

  • Homemade Flour Tortillas

    Homemade flour tortillas on a plate in-between a teal linen. A small bowl of pickled jalepanos, a box shredder, shredded sheese and a halved avocado are around the plate.
    Sally Vargas

    Tortillas are easier to make than you think, and you probably have all of the ingredients in your kitchen: all-purpose flour, butter, salt, and water. You can substitute half or all of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour. You'll have fresh tortillas in an hour, perfect for all your taco needs.

    Uses 1 to 2 cups whole wheat flour

    Continue to 5 of 7 below

  • Easy Zucchini Bread

    Slices of easy zucchini bread on a platter
    Elise Bauer

    If you have both zucchini and whole wheat flour to use up, this super easy-to-make bread is for you. You can swap out half of the all-purpose flour for whole wheat in this recipe to add some nuttiness and extra nutrition to this bread that's like a spice cake with all the cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg in it.

    Uses 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour

  • Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

    peanut butter chocolate chip banana bread on cutting board with knife next to it
    Cindy Rahe

    Peanut butter. Chocolate chips. Bananas. What a fantastic combination for a delicious quick bread. Swap out some or all of the all-purpose flour for whole wheat flour and add a little nutty flavor to the mix.

    Uses 3/4 to 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour

  • Oatmeal Almond Butter Breakfast Cookies

    Breakfast Cookies Recipe
    Marta Rivera

    Packed with rolled oats, whole wheat flour, wheat germ, almond butter, and chocolate chips, these nutritious cookies are the grab-and-go breakfast you'll be happy you planned ahead.

    Uses 1 cup whole wheat flour

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