I think plain flour could work. It won’t rise (almond meal doesn’t).

When you want a gf substitute I found buckwheat flour, brown rice flour, coconut flour and lentil flour good options.

I came here looking for answers because my daughter likes making bliss balls but almond meal is so expensive. I’d love to try a cheaper alternative.

If you have been using almond meal, are you staying away from those containing gluten? Depending on what you are making you could try potato or rice flour, buckwheat which is made from the flower of rhubarb (no idea why the word wheat is in its name). Have a look in the “health foods” section in your supermarket. Some have an area with a good range of gluten free products including flours, custard powder etc.

You could try oat flour. I make my own by pulsating rolled oats until it looks like flour. It is quite heavy, though. What ever you are making will fill you up for a long time.

agree with spelt or Coconut flour but keep in mind you have to use a lot of eggs when using coconut flour

I am no chef but i think plain flour would be acceptable because there are no raising agents added to it. Depending on your recipe if it has to have an almond flavour in it perhaps you could use a few drops of almond essence when adding the liquid component of your recipe.
Hope this helps’
kindest regards,
Robyn Smithwick

Spelt or coconut flour??