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How to Use Chickpea Flour (Gram Flour)
- by S R
Pantry Guide
How to Use Chickpea Flour
Also known as gram flour or besan, ground from whole chickpeas into a nutty, protein-rich flour. It behaves nothing like wheat flour, so here's where it actually earns its place, plus a real recipe to start with.
What It's Good For
Flatbreads & Pancakes
Whisked with just water and salt for a French socca, or spiced into an Indian besan chilla for a savoury breakfast pancake.
Fritters & Falafel
A natural binder that holds vegetable fritters, pakora and falafel together without needing egg.
Egg Replacement
Whisked with water into a thick paste, it mimics egg's binding role in vegan baking and batters.
Thickening
Stirred into soups, stews and sauces for extra body without any added gluten.
A Recipe to Try
Chickpea Flour Omelette Sandwich
A protein-packed, egg-free "omelette" made from a simple chickpea flour batter, seasoned with turmeric and nutritional yeast, then folded into a sandwich with spinach, avocado and hot sauce.
Get the recipe →Looking for more ways to use it? Our recipes blog is a good place to keep browsing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is chickpea flour the same as gram flour?
Yes, chickpea flour, gram flour and besan are all the same thing, ground dried chickpeas. The name just changes depending on the cuisine or region.
Can I use chickpea flour to replace eggs in baking?
To some extent. Whisked with water into a thick paste, it can bind ingredients similarly to egg in savoury recipes and some baking, though it won't replicate egg's rise in delicate cakes.
Does chickpea flour need to be cooked before eating?
Yes. Raw chickpea flour has a starchy, slightly bitter taste and isn't meant to be eaten uncooked, cooking it, whether baked, fried or toasted, brings out its nuttier flavour.
Is chickpea flour a good source of protein?
Yes, notably so for a flour. It's naturally high in plant protein and fibre compared to most wheat and gluten-free flours, which is part of why it works so well as a savoury, satisfying base rather than just a wheat substitute.
Start with the omelette sandwich if you want a quick, savoury way in, or try a simple socca on its own to get a feel for how the flour behaves before building up to more.
Shop Chickpea Flour at Maven Wholefoods.
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