What Is Durum semolina flour and How Can I Use It?

Here's everything worth knowing about durum semolina flour and how to pick it, what it is, how to store it, and what to use instead, plus 67 recipes to cook tonight.

What is durum semolina flour?

Semolina  is the coarse, purified wheat middlings of durum wheat used in making pasta, and also used for breakfast cereals and puddings.

Semolina made from durum wheat is yellow in color. It is usually the basis for dried products such as couscous, which is made by mixing roughly 2 parts semolina with 1 part durum flour.

When flour comes from softer types of wheats it is white in color. In this case the correct name is flour, not semolina which comes only from durum wheat.

When boiled, it turns into a soft, mushy porridge. This flour is popular in northwestern Europe and North America as a dessert, boiled with milk and sweetened, called semolina pudding. It is often flavored with vanilla and served with jam.

In Sweden, Estonia, Finland, Lithuania, Latvia and Russia, it is eaten as breakfast porridge, sometimes mixed with raisins and served with milk. In Swedish it is known as mannagrynsgröt, or boiled together with bilberries, as blåbärsgröt. In the Middle East, it is used to make desserts called Harisa or so called Basbosa or Nammora.

Nutrition

Quick facts

Where to find durum semolina flour: Durum semolina flour is usually found in the baking supplies section or aisle of the grocery store or supermarket.

Food group: Durum semolina flour is a member of the Cereal Grains and Pasta US Department of Agriculture nutritional food group.

In Chinese

硬粒小麦粉

British (UK) term

Durum semolina flour

en français

la farine de semoule de blé dur

en español

harina de sémola de trigo duro

How much does durum semolina flour weigh?

Related

Cereal Grains and Pasta

Recipes using durum semolina flour

There are 67 recipes that contain this ingredient.

Stuffed Rava/Sooji idli

Here's a delicious, quite filling idli recipe that can be enjoyed as a snack or the main dish. Learn how to make stuffed idli. So here's a colourful idli recipe that's packed with the goodness of vegetables.

Capsicum (Bell Pepper) Toast

Capsicum toast recipe with semolina. Fresh bell pepper, tomato and onion mixed into a spread, pan-toasted on bread for a crispy open-faced snack or healthy kids lunch. Ready in 25 minutes with simple steps.

Papadi

Little crisp round shaped spiced Indian crackers made from wheat flour are baked in the oven to add to the extra nutrition. The little crispies are use in chaats like Bhel Puri, Papdi chaat, and many more. You sure can innovate you your topping, may be like a chilli-cheese, or chilli corn and cheese, etc.

Provolone Oregano Focaccia

Provolone oregano focaccia is a hearty Italian flatbread with whole wheat and semolina flour, garlic-infused olive oil pooled in the dimples, and provolone cubes baked into the dough. Bread-machine-free.

Plain sooji idli/rava idli/semolina idli

Sooji idli, a quick and simple tea-time snack that is low in fat, this is a perfect option for health conscious people. I’ve used low-fat curds to impart a nice taste and to make the idlis soft. For a wholesome evening snack of just 150 calories, serve three idlis with green chutney, page. . . . Make sure that you make the idlis as soon as you have added the fruit salt to the batter to ensure a fluffy product.

Basic Egg Pasta (Italian)

Learn to make fresh Italian egg pasta from scratch with just flour, semolina, eggs and salt. Hand-kneaded or food processor, this classic homemade pasta dough cooks in minutes.

Homemade Fried Semolina Bread

Homemade fried semolina bread rolls a stiff semolina dough paper-thin, then fries it into crisp, golden discs. A crunchy, savory Sri Lankan fried bread to serve hot with vegetable curry.

Whole Wheat Flatbread (Chapati)

Soft, puffed Indian chapati made with just semolina flour, water, oil, and salt. No yeast, no oven. Cooked on a hot griddle in about a minute per side. Vegan friendly.

Fresh Pasta Dough

Eggless fresh pasta dough with just semolina, water, and olive oil. Makes silky homemade noodles that cook in 2 minutes by hand, stand mixer, or food processor.

Upma (North Indian Style)

Yummy rawa upma is a delectable upma recipe with rawa or semolina as ingredient. The rawa or sooji are roasted and cooked with onion,tomatoes, mustard seeds, curry leaves, lime juice,curd,peanuts and chopped coriander leaves. An excellent breakfast item, yummy rawa upma upma is easy and delicious.

Authentic Naan Khatai

Sometimes you are at a loss. No ideas whatsoever, you have favorites at Tastespotting, you have archives, you have notes on what recipes to try and you have people feedback but nothing seems to fit. I cannot write a post to 'fill in' space. I have to absolutely love that recipe and it should look and taste amazing not to mention that it should be photographed decently. This weeks' post is one of a kind of traditional Indian biscuits called Naan Khatai.This is a very old hands down recipe.It consists of only three main ingredients - Ghee, flour and sugar. It is flavored with freshly grounded cardamom. The cookies are sprinkled with pistachios or Almond. The typical texture of these cookies should be powder like on the cracked tops. You can find them in almost all bakeries and they are true all time favorites. Nan khatai is an egg-less light and crispy biscuit that’s perfect to serve with tea or coffee.

Bread Machine Semolina Bread

I used durum wheat flour instead of semolina. Barney unplugged my machine, so I had to finish the second rise, and bake it in the real oven. It turned out great. This bread is not sweet, it has almost a "sour" taste. Holds up nice for sandwiches. I'll make it again.

Bread Machine Semolina Bread

I used durum wheat flour instead of semolina. Barney unplugged my machine, so I had to finish the second rise, and bake it in the real oven. It turned out great. This bread is not sweet, it has almost a "sour" taste. Holds up nice for sandwiches. I'll make it again.

Durum-Wheat Pasta for Pasta Machine

Two-ingredient durum semolina pasta made with a home pasta machine. Just flour and water, extruded into any shape you like. The real deal, Italian nonna style.

Mexican Herb Pasta

Homemade Mexican herb pasta made with durum semolina flour and dried cilantro using a pasta machine. A simple 4-ingredient fresh pasta with Southwestern flavor.

Cajun Chicken Pizza

No tomato and not very cheesy but very delicious. Recipe for the pizza base as well as the topping. Use your own pizza base recipe if you prefer or a store bought one.

Revani (Semolina-Almond Syrup Cake with Syrup)

Greek semolina cake with almonds soaked in cinnamon-orange syrup, scored into diamonds. Traditional Mediterranean dessert.

Tofu-Stuffed French Toast

Stuffed French toast with crumbled tofu, brandy-soaked raisins, currants, and candied peel. Pan-fried golden in butter. A showstopping weekend brunch that freezes beautifully.

Carrot Egg Pasta

Carrot egg pasta, fresh homemade noodles made with durum semolina, eggs and carrot puree for a vibrant orange color and subtle sweetness. A pasta-machine dough that sneaks a vegetable into dinner.

Apricot Corn Pasta

Homemade pasta dough flavored with apricot nectar and cornmeal for a subtle sweetness and unique texture that pairs beautifully with butter or cream sauces.

Squash Bread with Tomatoes, Onions, & Peppers

Rustic Italian yeast bread made with durum semolina flour and loaded with sautéed butternut squash, roasted red peppers, tomatoes, and onions. Uses a biga starter for deep flavor and makes four golden loaves.

Garlic Oregano Pasta

Fresh homemade garlic and oregano pasta with durum semolina, egg substitute, and minced garlic. Low-cholesterol Italian staple run through a pasta machine for silky strands.

Artichoke & Leek Pizza

Artichoke and leek pizza: fresh baby artichokes braised with pancetta, onions, and sweet leeks, piled onto thin-crust pizza with mozzarella and Parmigiano-Reggiano. A restaurant-worthy springtime slice that looks and tastes like Rome.

Basbousa Bil Loz (Basbousa with Almonds)

Basbousa bil loz (Egyptian almond basbousa) cooks toasted semolina and almonds with butter, then thickens with lemon-scented sugar syrup. A stovetop Middle Eastern dessert.

Pizza Margherita

Classic pizza Margherita with tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella, basil, and Parmesan baked on a pizza stone at high heat. Thin crust, six ingredients, and ready in under 10 minutes.

Jerk Chicken Pizza

Jerk chicken pizza, a Caribbean spin: spicy jerk-seared chicken and shiitakes on a barbecue-sauce base with smoked mozzarella and asiago, finished with cool mango-mint salsa. Sweet heat meets smoky cheese.

Gnocchi Di Semolina

Gnocchi di semolina is gnocchi alla Romana: rounds of rich semolina cooked with milk, butter, parmesan and egg yolk, layered and baked golden. A comforting Roman classic, nothing like potato gnocchi.

Semolina Pasta

Homemade semolina pasta with just durum semolina flour, all-purpose flour, and water. No eggs needed. A simple, eggless fresh pasta dough with satisfying chew and golden color.

Tomato Basil Pasta(R T)

Homemade tomato basil pasta made with just three ingredients: durum semolina flour, dried basil, and tomato juice. A simple, oil-free fresh pasta dough.

Pepper Corn Pasta

Pepper corn pasta: semolina and cornmeal fresh pasta with black pepper, red pepper flakes, oregano, and garlic worked into the dough. A golden, spicy homemade noodle for bold sauces.

Halva Gateau

Halva gateau is a Middle Eastern layer cake with semolina-almond sponge, coffee syrup soak, and halva buttercream. Pistachio-topped elegance perfumed with cinnamon.

Halva Gateau

Halva gateau is a Middle Eastern layer cake with semolina-almond sponge, coffee syrup soak, and halva buttercream. Pistachio-topped elegance perfumed with cinnamon.

Semolina Saffron & Pistachio Helva (Irmik Helvasi)

Irmik helvasi: Turkish semolina halva infused with saffron milk, butter-toasted pistachios, and sweetened with sugar. A warm, fragrant dessert ready in 30 minutes.

Coffee Nips Coffee Cake

Bread machine coffee cake made with semolina flour, graham cracker crumbs, and a triple hit of coffee flavor. Slice thick, spread with mocha buttercream, and top with chocolate coffee beans.

Melomacarona

Melomakarona: traditional Greek Christmas cookies made with olive oil, orange zest, and semolina, soaked in honey syrup and topped with walnuts. Fragrant, syrup-drenched holiday staple.

Garlicky Whole Wheat Provolone Focaccia

Garlicky whole wheat focaccia studded with provolone and fresh oregano, dimpled and drizzled with toasted garlic oil that pools in every dent. A hearty semolina crumb under a crackly, golden top.

Saffron Pasta

Saffron pasta dough kneads durum semolina flour with saffron-bloomed water for golden, fragrant fresh pasta. Egg-free formula works for hand-rolled or extruder shapes.

Saffron Pasta

Saffron pasta dough kneads durum semolina flour with saffron-bloomed water for golden, fragrant fresh pasta. Egg-free formula works for hand-rolled or extruder shapes.

Nut-Stuffed Semolina Pastries

Semolina pastries stuffed with pistachios, cinnamon, and sugar, then dipped in orange flower water and rolled in powdered sugar. A Middle Eastern-style cookie.

Ravioli Filled with Pumpkin

Pumpkin ravioli stuff fresh egg pasta with a Parmesan, amaretti, and nutmeg pumpkin filling, then toss in browned butter. Northern Italian Mantua-style autumn pasta with sweet-savory crumbs.

Fettuccine Alfredo with Handmade Pasta

Fettuccine alfredo made the Roman way, with handmade semolina pasta tossed in butter and freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano. No cream. Just butter, cheese, pasta water, and minutes of tossing.

Carrot Nutmeg Pasta

Carrot nutmeg pasta is fresh homemade pasta tinted sunny orange with carrot puree and warmed with a pinch of nutmeg. Just three ingredients for a naturally colored, subtly sweet pasta dough.

Homemade Little Ears Orecchiette Casalinga

Homemade orecchiette pasta from semolina and all-purpose flour with just water and salt. An eggless Italian pasta shaped by hand into little ear shapes, no machine needed.

Fried Wild Game Ravioli

Fried wild game ravioli stuffed with duck, pheasant, leeks, praline, sour cherries, and demi-glace, finished with a Frangelico hazelnut butter. A restaurant-caliber game dish.

Gross-Suppe (Semolina Soup)

Griesssuppe is a traditional German semolina soup made with beef broth, egg, nutmeg, and butter. A simple, warming comfort soup that simmers for an hour to develop deep, silky body.

Fresh Coriander, Ginger & Chile Breads

Indian rava dosa style griddle breads made with semolina, yogurt, fresh ginger, jalapeno, curry leaves, and cilantro. Crispy on the outside, soft inside, no fermentation required.

Semolina Honey Cookies

Greek semolina honey cookies (melomakarona): torpedo-shaped orange and cinnamon cookies soaked in a warm honey-cinnamon syrup and dusted with sesame or walnuts. Traditional Christmas tradition.

Impanadas

Impanadas are Italian baked half-moon pies filled with pork braised in red wine and vinegar with fennel and mint, wrapped in a butter semolina crust. Baked until golden.

Revani

Revani is a Greek semolina cake soaked in cinnamon-clove-orange syrup and scattered with almonds. Dense, honey-wet crumb with a warm spiced finish. A true Mediterranean sweet.

Fresh Pasta with Tomatoes & Calamari

Homemade squid ink pasta tossed with fried calamari, roasted Roma tomatoes, and a Parmesan-Romano cream sauce. A striking black pasta dish made from scratch with semolina flour.

All 67 recipes