There are a few kitchen staples that will never fail you, and Argo cornstarch is one of them. If you've ever spent time cooking in the kitchen, you know there are many moments when cornstarch becomes a real lifesaver. If you don't have a package of the Argo 100% Pure Corn Starch, 16 Oz, Pack of 2 in your cupboard, you are truly missing out on a product that makes cooking easier.

At Treatspree, we highlight products you’ll actually use—products that aren’t just trendy but also necessary. And this is definitely one of those products that will probably become a staple just as it has been for over a hundred years.

So What Is Argo Corn Starch?

Established in 1892, Argo Corn Starch has just one single ingredient: corn. There are no added preservatives, fillers, or other unnecessary ingredients to make this 100% pure starch. Since it’s made solely from corn, it’s a completely gluten-free ingredient as well—something important for everyone to be mindful of in the kitchen.

A 16 oz pack of 2 boxes means you get a full 32 oz of product to work with, which is plenty to get you through a baking season, holiday cooking, or whatever else you may be preparing. Buying in a twin-pack is a good idea anyway; once you have it, you’ll probably be reaching for it more than you expect.

Little-known fact: corn starch has roughly twice the thickening power as all-purpose flour. What this means is you’ll need much less of it than you might think, resulting in clearer, smoother gravies and sauces.

So, What Can I Make With It?

Here's where it gets fun: most people buy corn starch for one thing and then wind up finding ten different uses for it. Here are a few of the more common uses for Argo 100% Pure Corn Starch:

• Sauces, gravies, stews, and soups
• Cakes, cookies, and pastries
• Fried food coatings (like chicken and vegetables)
• Pie fillings
• Puddings, custards, and other desserts

Furthermore, many people find corn starch to be useful in other, more creative ways, such as a skincare remedy, a component in homemade dry shampoos, a natural baby powder substitute, or even in art projects.

The Crispy Fried Food Secret Nobody Talks About Enough

If you've ever wondered why restaurant fried chicken or Chinese takeout has that impossibly light, shatteringly crispy crust, corn starch is a big part of the answer. Adding Argo cornstarch to your flour coating helps pull out moisture during frying, giving you a crunch that stays crispy even after the food cools down a bit.

The same goes for Korean fried chicken, tempura, and even fried tofu. Swap half your flour for corn starch and see the difference immediately. It's one of those kitchen tricks that once you learn it, you use it constantly.

Baking With Argo — A Few Things Worth Knowing|

In baking, corn starch works quietly but effectively. When mixed with flour, it reduces protein content, which gives you a more tender crumb in cakes. It's why cake flour behaves differently from regular flour — and you can actually replicate cake flour at home by replacing a tablespoon or two of all-purpose flour with Argo corn starch per cup.

Here are a few baking uses worth trying:

• Add 1 to 2 tablespoons per cup of flour to make a softer cake texture at home
• Use it in shortbread cookies for that melt-in-your-mouth quality
• Mix with sugar to make a simple powdered sugar substitute
• Stabilize whipped cream so it holds its shape longer

Thickening Sauces Without the Cloudiness

One of the reasons professional chefs reach for corn starch over flour when thickening is clarity. A flour-thickened sauce becomes opaque and can taste a bit pasty if not cooked long enough. Corn starch gives you a glossy, clear finish — which is especially important in Asian stir-fry sauces, glazes, and fruit compotes where the visual matters.

The trick is to always mix your corn starch with a cold liquid first — this is called a slurry — before adding it to your hot pan. If you add it directly to hot liquid, you’ll get lumps. Mix it first, pour it in while stirring, and it thickens beautifully within a minute.

Why Buy the Pack of 2?

It simply makes practical sense. A single 16 oz box might last you a few months if you cook regularly. But the moment you get into holiday baking, or you're making multiple dishes for a family dinner, that box disappears fast. Having two on hand means you won't be mid-recipe and suddenly scrambling.

It's also more economical. The Argo 100% Pure Corn Starch, 16 Oz, Pack of 2 available on Treatspree gives you better value per ounce compared to buying single boxes each time. And since corn starch has a long shelf life when stored in a cool, dry place, there’s no risk of waste.

Storage Tips to Keep It Fresh

• Store in a cool, dry pantry away from steam and moisture
• Keep the box tightly closed between uses
• If transferring to a jar, make sure it's airtight and bone dry
• Don't store near the stove — heat and humidity will cause clumping|

From Treatspree

We carry the Argo 100% Pure Corn Starch, 16 Oz, Pack of 2, because these are the types of everyday essential products people truly need and come back for. Here at Treatspree, we want to ensure we are stocking brands you can trust for a better kitchen experience—and Argo has certainly fit that role for many generations of cooks. Grab your pack today and you'll never run out at the most crucial moment again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What's the difference between corn starch and corn flour?

Corn starch and corn flour are definitely two different things! Corn starch is an extract taken from the starchy center portion of a corn kernel and consists almost purely of carbohydrates. As the name suggests, this starch acts as a thickening agent. Corn flour, on the other hand, is derived from the entire ground corn kernel, giving it a more prominent and more distinct corn taste. Corn starch and corn flour cannot be easily substituted for one another, especially for thickening or in baked goods.

Q. Can I use corn starch as a substitute for flour in a thickened sauce?

Yes, you can, and you may even be better off in many cases. Use about half the amount you would with flour—so, for example, if a recipe asks for 2 tablespoons of flour for thickening purposes, you should only need 1 tablespoon of cornstarch. Make sure you first mix it with some cold liquid to create a "slurry" before adding it to your dish.

Q. Does Argo cornstarch expire? 

Technically, it won't expire and go bad in a detrimental way; however, cornstarch will definitely lose potency over time, especially if you've had it for a very long while. Typically, a box is stamped with a best-by date of roughly two years out from the date of production. With proper storage in a cool, dry, moisture-free environment, you can be sure that your corn starch will function correctly.

Q. Is cornstarch child/baby safe?

Argo corn starch is found in countless recipes that are specifically made for young children and babies, and it's often an ingredient included in homemade baby food. Cornstarch is even found in many baby-safe skin products. As always, though, please consult your pediatrician before using anything on your children, especially when it comes to something for their skin.

Q. Where can I buy the Argo 100% Pure Corn Starch, 16 Oz, Pack of 2?

You can find it on Treatspree, where we stock it as part of our pantry essentials collection. It's a great buy for the value and convenience of having two full-size boxes ready to go whenever you need them in the kitchen.

Q. Can corn starch be used in soups that will be frozen?

This is worth knowing — corn starch doesn't freeze and reheat as well as other thickeners. It can become watery or separate after freezing. If you plan to freeze a soup or sauce, arrowroot or tapioca starch works better. For soups meant to be eaten fresh, corn starch is perfect.