Chickpea flour can be used in a variety of dishes, from savory to sweet, making it a great addition to your pantry. Experiment with chickpea flour in recipes like socca and pakoras or even as a gluten-free alternative for baking. Enjoy the nutty flavor and nutritional benefits this ingredient has to offer!
What Is Chickpea Flour?
Chickpea flour, also known as besan or gram flour, is a fine powder made from grinding dried chickpeas. It’s naturally gluten-free and a great source of protein and fiber. Chickpea flour has been a staple ingredient in Indian cuisine for centuries, but it’s becoming increasingly popular around the world due to its versatility and health benefits. Here are some of its common uses:
Thickener: It can be used to thicken soups, stews, and curries. Binder: Chickpea flour acts as a binder in veggie burgers and fritters, helping them hold their shape. Gluten-free baking: It can be used as a substitute for wheat flour or all-purpose flour in various baking recipes.
Where to Buy Chickpea Flour?
You can find chickpea flour in most grocery stores or online retailers. If you can’t find chickpea flour in stores, you can easily make chickpea flour by grinding dried chickpeas into a fine powder using a blender, food processor, or grain mill. It’s that simple!
Chickpea Flour Recipes
Besan Chilla
Besan Chilla is a family favorite known for its characteristic earthy flavor, which is provided by gram flour or chickpea flour and simple Indian spices and herbs, including chilies and onions. These savory gram-flour pancakes are nutritious and vegan, perfect to enjoy with your favorite pickle or chutney! Get the Besan Chilla recipe.
Breakfast Casserole
This vegan breakfast casserole is a customizable, savory breakfast that is also perfect to make ahead! You can also call it a vegan egg casserole. It includes seven different veggies, including bell peppers, green peas, hash browns, tomatoes, and mushrooms! Get the Breakfast Casserole recipe.
Chickpea Flour Pancakes
These fluffy, gluten-free, and vegan chickpea flour pancakes are easy to make with 3 ingredients. Get the Chickpea Flour Pancakes recipe.
Onion Pakora
Learn how to make this traditional fried Indian snack called Onion bhaji. These crispy onion fritters are made with gram flour, onions, and spices. These vegan & gluten-free onion pakoras are so delicious! Get the Onion Pakora recipe.
Socca
This gluten-free chickpea flatbread hails from Nice, France, and it makes a delicious appetizer, side dish, or light meal. Get the Socca recipe.
Chickpea Flour Egg Sandwich
Make this delicious vegan omelet sandwich. Chickpea flour makes it fluffy & delish, plus it’s packed with protein & fiber (and gluten-free!). Say goodbye to boring breakfasts! Get the Chickpea Flour Egg Sandwich recipe.
Vegan Chickpea Squash Fritters
These vegan and gluten-free Chickpea Squash Fritters are super delicious and crunchy. They are easy to make and take less than 30 minutes to prepare. Get the Vegan Chickpea Squash Fritters recipe.
Khaman
These delicious steamed savory chickpea flour cakes are a popular Gujarati delicacy, perfect to enjoy for breakfast or a snack! Get the Khaman recipe.
Vegan Blueberry Chocolate Chip Muffins
These delicious vegan chickpea flour muffins with blueberries and chocolate chips are naturally gluten-free and have a light and fluffy texture you’ll love. Get the Vegan Blueberry Chocolate Chip Muffins recipe.
Savory Chickpea Pakora Waffles
Chickpea Flour Waffles are a fun, savory breakfast treat or snack. Veggie Pakora fritters are a staple at most Indian restaurants, and you can have them for breakfast by making at home. Get the Savory Chickpea Pakora Waffles recipe.
Savory Eggless French Toast Bruschetta
This savory, 3-ingredient, eggless French toast with bruschetta made from fresh, ripe tomatoes, basil, and garlic is a delectable vegan and gluten-free breakfast. Get the Savory Eggless French Toast Bruschetta recipe.
Chickpea Fries
Also called Chickpea Panisse, these healthy oven-baked fries are vegan, gluten-free, and packed with protein. They’re a street food-style recipe that’s an amazing appetizer or snack. These chickpea fries are easy to make and delicious. Get the Chickpea Fries recipe.
Vegan Frittata
A 3-ingredient vegan frittata base with chickpea flour is loaded with veggies like portobello mushroom, bell pepper, cherry tomato, and fresh spinach leaves. Get the Vegan Frittata recipe.
Besan Halwa
Made with simple ingredients such as gram flour, ghee, and sugar, this rich and aromatic cardamom-infused Besan Halwa is a quick dessert that can be ready within minutes. Get the Besan Halwa recipe.
Kadhi
This Indian Kadhi is a delectable, thin, yogurt-based meal with a sweet and sour flavor that will blow your mind. This traditional kadhi can be served as a soup or with rice. Get the Kadhi recipe.
Besan Ladoo
Besan Ladoo is the most popular Indian sweet to make during the festive season. You need just a few ingredients, such as gram flour, ghee, and sugar, to make these amazing melt-in-the-mouth dessert balls. Make this decadent sweet with this easy, fail-proof recipe! Get the Besan Ladoo recipe.
Vada Pav
Vada Pav is the humble street food of Mumbai. A fried potato fritter, or vada, is stuffed in between mini-burger buns called pav, along with sweet and spicy sauces or chutney. Get the Vada Pav recipe.
Kurkuri Bhindi
Kukuri Bhindi is sliced okra coated in chickpea flour and spices, then fried until crunchy. This crispy fried okra is so good you cannot stop eating it! Get the Kurkuri Bhindi recipe.
Chickpea Flour Brownies
These Chickpea Flour Brownies are super fudgy, super chocolatey, and gluten-free. They have ZERO All-Purpose Flour and are a really healthy alternative for when your sweet tooth demands attention! Get the Chickpea Flour Brownies recipe.
Besan Barfi
Besan Barfi is a delicious, fudgy, and melt-in-mouth traditional Indian delight. Besan ki Burfi is an authentic sweet prepared with just a few basic ingredients – gram flour, ghee, sugar, flavored with cardamom and saffron. Get the Besan Barfi recipe.
Chickpea Flour Cookies
Magical chickpea flour chocolate chip cookies are crispy on the outside, chewy on the inside, and filled with puddles of dark chocolate. These easy chickpea flour cookies are dairy-free, gluten-free, grain-free, and easily vegan—they make the best healthier dessert! Get the Chickpea Flour Cookies recipe.
Chickpea Flour and Coconut Fudge
This 6-ingredient vegan Diwali Sweet is made with Chickpea flour, coconut, almond milk, and oil. It is an Easy, traditional Indian Sweet 7-cup cake for Diwali or other festivals. Get the Chickpea Flour and Coconut Fudge recipe.
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