At Eat G.A.N.G.S.T.E.R., we believe food should feel good, taste amazing, and never leave your gut feeling betrayed. That’s why we’re always finding new ways to use our AIP-friendly baking mixes—beyond cookies, breads, and pancakes. One of our favorite (and surprisingly simple) hacks? Using our mixes as clean, gut-friendly thickeners for soups, gravies, and sauces.
If you’ve been on the Autoimmune Protocol (AIP) for a while, you’ve probably run into the thickening dilemma. Many traditional recipes call for cornstarch, flour, or gums like xanthan and guar. Unfortunately, those aren’t AIP-compliant, and they can trigger inflammation or digestive issues for sensitive guts. But that doesn’t mean you’re stuck with thin soups or watery sauces. With Eat G.A.N.G.S.T.E.R. mixes, you can create rich, velvety textures without compromising your health.
Let’s dive into the why, the how, and some delicious ideas to get you inspired.
Why Use Mixes as Thickeners?
-
Gut-Friendly Ingredients: Our mixes are made with simple, AIP-compliant ingredients like tiger nut flour, arrowroot, and cream of tartar. These ingredients naturally absorb liquid and help create smooth textures.
-
No Weird Additives: Say goodbye to gums, starches, and fillers. You’re thickening with whole-food, allergy-friendly blends that your gut actually likes.
-
Flavor Boost: Unlike plain starches, our mixes add subtle flavors that enhance your dish. Whether it’s a touch of sweetness from our cookie mix or a neutral, savory base from the pancake + bread mix, your food gets both body and taste.
-
Versatility: From gravies to cream sauces, stews to casseroles, our mixes work across the board.
How to Use Eat G.A.N.G.S.T.E.R. Mixes as Thickeners
Thickening is as much about technique as it is about the ingredient. Here are some tried-and-true methods:
1. Slurry Method
This is the easiest way to avoid lumps. Take a tablespoon or two of cookie mix or pancake + bread mix, and whisk it with equal parts cold water until smooth. Slowly pour the slurry into your hot soup or sauce while stirring constantly. Within a few minutes, the liquid thickens beautifully.
2. Roux-Style Start
If you’re making gravy, start with fat (like olive oil or coconut oil) in your pan. Add 2–3 tablespoons of our pancake + bread mix and stir until it forms a paste. Gradually whisk in broth, and you’ve got a glossy, flavorful gravy base without any flour.
3. Direct Sprinkle
For stews or heartier soups, sprinkle a tablespoon of mix directly into the simmering pot. Stir thoroughly and let it cook for 5–10 minutes. The mix dissolves and melds right in, thickening the broth.
Pro Tip: Always start small! You can add more mix if you want a thicker consistency, but once it’s too thick, there’s no going back.
Flavor Pairings: Which Mix Works Best?
-
Pancake + Bread Mix: Neutral, savory-friendly, and perfect for gravies, cream sauces, and stews. Think chicken gravy, beef stew, or a dairy-free alfredo.
-
Sugar Cookie Mix: Subtle sweetness makes it a great choice for tomato-based sauces, sweet potato stews, or fruit compotes. It adds body and just a touch of depth.
-
Cut-Out Cookie Mix: Perfect for holiday sauces or glazes where a little extra spice and warmth is welcome. Imagine an AIP cranberry glaze thickened with this mix—so good.
Recipe Inspiration
1. AIP Creamy Mushroom Sauce
Ingredients:
-
2 tbsp olive oil
-
1 cup mushrooms, sliced
-
1 cup coconut milk
-
1 tbsp Eat G.A.N.G.S.T.E.R. Pancake + Bread Mix
-
1/2 tsp sea salt
-
1/4 tsp garlic powder
Method:
-
Sauté mushrooms in olive oil until golden.
-
Stir in coconut milk and bring to a simmer.
-
Whisk Pancake + Bread Mix with 2 tbsp water, then stir slurry into sauce.
-
Cook for 3–5 minutes until thickened. Season and serve over chicken or veggies.
2. AIP Maple Gravy
Ingredients:
-
2 tbsp coconut oil
-
2 tbsp Eat G.A.N.G.S.T.E.R. Pancake + Bread Mix
-
1 1/2 cups bone broth
-
1 tbsp maple syrup
-
1/2 tsp sea salt
Method:
-
Heat coconut oil in a saucepan.
-
Add Pancake + Bread Mix and stir to form a paste.
-
Slowly whisk in bone broth.
-
Stir in maple syrup and salt. Simmer until thick and glossy.
3. Sweet Potato + Apple Soup with Sugar Cookie Mix
Ingredients:
-
1 tbsp olive oil
-
1 sweet potato, cubed
-
1 apple, peeled + cubed
-
2 cups bone broth
-
1/2 cup coconut milk
-
1 tbsp Eat G.A.N.G.S.T.E.R. Sugar Cookie Mix
Method:
-
Sauté sweet potato + apple in olive oil until softened.
-
Add broth + coconut milk, simmer until tender.
-
Blend soup until smooth.
-
Whisk Sugar Cookie Mix with 2 tbsp water, stir into soup, and simmer until creamy.
Beyond the Kitchen: Why This Matters
Using Eat G.A.N.G.S.T.E.R. mixes as thickeners isn’t just a kitchen hack—it’s a lifestyle upgrade. Here’s why:
-
Confidence: You don’t have to second-guess hidden ingredients or worry about gut flare-ups.
-
Creativity: Our mixes aren’t limited to cookies or pancakes. They’re versatile building blocks for so many dishes.
-
Convenience: Instead of buying multiple specialty flours, you can rely on one mix that does double (or triple!) duty.
Most importantly, it brings the fun back to cooking. On AIP, food can sometimes feel restrictive. But when you can make silky sauces, luscious gravies, and cozy soups with ease, you remember what joy in the kitchen feels like.
Final Thoughts
At Eat G.A.N.G.S.T.E.R., we’re all about creating freedom in the kitchen—freedom from gut struggles, from complicated ingredient lists, and from missing out on the foods you love. Using our mixes as thickeners is just one more way we’re helping you bring comfort food back to your table, minus the compromises.
So next time you’re simmering a soup, stirring a sauce, or whisking up a gravy, reach for your favorite Eat G.A.N.G.S.T.E.R. mix. Because with a little creativity (and a lot of heart), you can have food that heals, comforts, and tastes downright delicious.
