by Monica - 31 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links. See my disclosure policy.
Chickpea flour (also known as garbanzo bean flour or Bengal gram flour) is an amazing ingredient that can transform your recipes! Whether you are vegan, gluten-free, allergic to eggs, or simply like new and exciting foods, this is one ingredient that you need to start using in your cooking and baking!
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Jump to:
- You'll love chickpea flour because it is
- What is chickpea flour?
- Chickpea flour vs besan
- Uses for chickpea flour
- Is chickpea flour good for you?
- What you need to know about chickpea flour
- Pro tips for cooking with chickpea flour
- Can I use canned chickpeas instead?
- Where can I buy chickpea flour?
- How do I store chickpea flour?
- Sweet Chickpea Flour Recipes
- Breakfast treats
- Savory Chickpea Flour Recipes
- Chickpea flour bread
- Chickpea flour sauces and gravy
- Chickpea flour as a replacement for eggs
- Appetizers
- Meat substitutes
- Chickpea flour crackers
You'll love chickpea flour because it is
- high in plant-based protein.
- full of fiber, iron, magnesium, and B6.
- inexpensive compared to other gluten-free flours.
- delicious in both sweet and savory dishes!
What is chickpea flour?
Chickpea flour is simply finely ground-dried chickpeas (garbanzo beans). It has been used for centuries in Indian, Middle Eastern, and Mediterranean dishes.
Chickpea flour vs besan
Chickpea flour is a powder made from ground white chickpeas (garbanzo beans). While besan (also known as gram flour) is similar, it is made from ground brown chickpeas. They are similar, but not interchangeable in all recipes.
Uses for chickpea flour
- An egg substitute to make vegan omelets and quiches.
- A high-protein gluten-free bread replacement.
- Mix with other gluten-free flour to increase the protein and help your baked goods bake up more similar to wheat products.
- Use in sweet or savory baked goods.
- Mix with equal parts water, it can be used as an egg replacer in your recipes. (2 tbsp chickpea flour mixed with 2 tbsp water = 1 egg).
Is chickpea flour good for you?
Yes, it's high in protein, iron, and fiber. It's also low in fat, has no cholesterol, and can be used as an egg substitute that is free of gluten and soy.
What you need to know about chickpea flour
The raw chickpea flour tastes terrible! I can't stress enough how bad any batter will taste when chickpea flour is in it! It will magically turn delicious once it is cooked but don't lick your fingers if you get some batter on them or you'll regret it.
You also have to ensure that whatever you make with this flour is cooked all the way! If there is a little undercooked section in the middle, it will taste terrible and ruin your dish.
Pro tips for cooking with chickpea flour
- Chickpea flour cooks and bakes better when you give the batter about 10 minutes to rest before cooking. This allows the flour to soak up the moisture and fully hydrate, producing a better flavor and texture.
- Be sure to add the liquid slowly and stir well with a whisk when using chickpea flour to get out all of the clumps.
Can I use canned chickpeas instead?
No, hydrated cooked chickpeas are different than chickpea flour and can not be interchanged in these recipes. You need to use dried chickpea flour and then rehydrate it into a batter.
Where can I buy chickpea flour?
Although chickpea flour is not a traditional flour in the USA where I live, since gluten-free foods have become common, you can now find it in nearly every decent-sized conventional grocery store, healthy food, or natural grocery store. It's usually with the specialty flours or in the Bob's Red Mill section. You can also easily order on Amazon.
How do I store chickpea flour?
Store your chickpea flour in an airtight container in the pantry for up to 6 months. It will stay good longer if kept in the refrigerator or freezer.
Now let's get to all of the awesome recipes that you can make with chickpea flour!
Sweet Chickpea Flour Recipes
Chickpea flour makes delicious desserts like these.
- Vegan Custard fromThe Hidden Veggies
- Vegan Peanut Butter BarsfromSpabettie.
- Vegan Lemon Curd fromThe Hidden Veggies
- Double Chocolate Chickpea Flour CookiesfromOccasionally Eggs
- Vegan Fruit Tart fromThe Hidden Veggies
- Chickpea Flour and Coconut FudgefromVegan Richa
- Vegan Lemon Tahini CookiesfromSunny Side Hanne
- Chickpea Flour BrowniesfromWatch Learn Eat
- Vegan Gluten-Free Chickpea Flour Chocolate Chip CookiesfromWatch. Learn. Eat.
- Vegan Angel Food CakefromThe Hidden Veggies
- The Best Vegan Pumpkin PiefromThe Hidden Veggies
Breakfast treats
The eggy taste of chickpea flour naturally makes great-tasting breakfast recipes.
- Chickpea Flour Crepes from The Hidden Veggies
- SweetVegan Chickpea Flour PancakesfromRunning on Real Food
- Salted Carmel French Toast CasserolefromVegan Yack Attack
- Vegan Egg Muffins from The Hidden Veggies
- Gluten-Free Grilled French ToastbyStrength and Sunshine
- SavoryVegan Chickpea PancakesfromVegan Richa
- The Best Vegan French ToastfromThe Hidden Veggies
Savory Chickpea Flour Recipes
Chickpea flour can also be fried or baked to simulate eggs in omelets and quiches.
- Chickpea OmeletfromThe Hidden Veggies
- Vegan Egg Muffins fromThe Hidden Veggies
- Zucchini Fritters with Avacado CremafromDelightful Adventures
- Baked PakorafromKind Earth
- Chickpea Asparagus FrittatafromThis Healthy Kitchen
- Mini Chickpea Flour FritattasfromThe Simple Veganista
- Air Fryer OmletesFromVegan Dollhouse
- Boil in a Bag Camping OmeletsfromThe Hidden Veggies
- Savory Chickpea Flour Pancakes from The Conscientious Eater
Chickpea flour bread
This flour makes the best gluten-free bread! Simply add some salt, spice, and water and bake to perfection.
- Chickpea Bread - Made 5 WaysfromThe Hidden Veggies
- Farinata(aka Socca or chickpea Flatbread) fromThe Hidden Veggies
- Speedy Lentil and Rice Dosa with Chickpea FlourfromOccasionally Eggs
- Olive Chickpea Flour BreadfromContentedness Cooking
- Farinata with Charred Broccoli and Lemon CaperfromQuite Good Food
- Curried Sweet Potato Chickpea PattiesfromCupful of Kale
Chickpea flour sauces and gravy
Chickpea flour is great for thickening sauces and gravy.
- Vegan Pasta CarbonarafromSlavic Vegan
- Chickpea Flour GravyfromWatch. Learn. Eat.
Chickpea flour as a replacement for eggs
Chickpea flour is used as a binder instead of an egg in the following recipes.
- Chickpea Flour Egg for Baking from The Hidden Veggies
- Vegan Carrot FrittersfromThinly Spread
- Perfect Vegan Yorkshire PuddingsfromA Virtual Vegan
- Vegan Chickpea Squash FrittersfromPiping Pot Curry
- Crunchy Veggie TacosfromVeggie Inspired
- Vegan Egg Drop SoupfromThe Hidden Veggies
Appetizers
Make delicious appetizers from chickpea flour with these recipes.
- Chickpea FriesfromHey Nutrition Lady
- Chickpeas on Toast with Stir-Fried GreensfromVegan On Board
- Savory Eggless French Toast BruschettafromMy Pure Plants
- Vegan Fried OkrafromBelly Rules the Mind
Meat substitutes
Use chickpea flour to add protein and density to vegan meat substitutes with these recipes.
- Maple Glazed Holiday HamfromSunnyside Hanne
- Homemade Vegan Deli MeatfromSweet Simple Vegan
- Tofu Turkey from The Hidden Veggies
Chickpea flour crackers
Make your own homemade gluten-free cracker using these chickpea flour recipes.
- Gluten-Free Chickpea CrackersfromElephantastic
- Seasalt Chickpea CrackersfromMoon Spoon Yum
- Homemade Gluten-Free GoldfishfromStrength and Sunshine
- White Bean Protein CrackersfromThis Healthy Kitchen
Whatever you choose to make with chickpea flour, I'm sure it will be delicious! I hope that you break out of your old routine and give it a try! I know that you'll love it!
📌 Be sure tofollow me on Pinterestfor new vegan recipes!
Reader Interactions
Comments
Tamas says
Hi,
I would make plant based cold cuts. From pea or beans flour or chickpea etc...
Please Have you recipe?
Can you help me?thanks Tamas
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Monica says
You can make my vegan turkey, vegan bologna, or vegan ham recipes and slice them very thin for cold cuts. These are made from wheat gluten though. I don't have a recipe for anything gluten free that would hold together strong enough to work as a cold cut. You could use my tofu corned beef and slice the tofu very thin. you can find that recipe here. https://thehiddenveggies.com/vegan-corned-beef/
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Adrian A. says
These recipes gave me some great ideas. I am dealing with inflammation, and my nutritionalist wants me to eat gluten free food while keeping to high protein and lower carbs due to insulin resistance. I am planning on making puff pastry, and was wondering if chickpea flour will work for that?
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Monica says
I'm glad that the recipe ideas helped. I have never tested it in something like a pastry puff, but I think that the consistency would be wrong for that. Also, if the flour is not hydrated enough, it has a funny taste.
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syndi says
You can also find chickpea flour in Indian (far East) stores. I have one near me and I frequent it often. If you find something you aren't familiar with, google it! You will find many wonderful things there.
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K H says
This is such an amazing post. Wow, like 1000x more value than most others in a search. Thank you for all the work you did. I was on another site and she suggested one could sub 1/2 the 3 c of flour with chickpea flour, and it worked, even in 7000ft altitude (high altitude always messes with my baking)! So upon wanting to learn more of what I can do with chick pea flour, I’ve found your post. A huge THANK YOU!!
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Monica says
I'm so happy that the post helped. High-altitude baking is tricky, so I'm glad that it worked for you!
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Red says
Lovely post
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Red says
Nice post
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Bernie Lewis says
Can you bake a regular loaf of bread with chickpea flour? I am using buckwheat flour now, I could try a 50/50 mix or a 100% Chickpeas flour.
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Monica says
Chickpea flour bakes up more more like a quiche. I wouldn't do more than about 25% chickpea flour if you want a regular loaf of bread.
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Lisa says
Hi there,
I'm new to chickpea flour. I tried to make persian cookies called nan-e nakhodchi sp?). I am new to baking too. But trying to experiment. I thought I could have an idea by tasting the raw dough but it tastes a bit bitter. I was thinking it would be sweet like normal cookie dough. I saw what you said that the raw form does not taste like the baked form. So I guess I can't taste test tasting the raw dough?Reply
Monica says
Hi Lisa, The dough doesn't taste like the final product. You have to cook the chickpea flour well to get rid of the bitter taste.
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Marian says
Can you make homemade pasta with chickpea flour? Anyone have a recipe?
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Elisa says
I haven't tried it myself, but you can give this one a go 🙂 https://www.abeautifulplate.com/the-new-pasta-on-the-block/
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Elizabeth R Turkes says
I don't know a recipe but having recently been diagnosed coeliac I have bought some chickpea pasta.
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Joy Metcalf says
I would love to find a blintz recipe using chickpea flour. Anyone?
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Monica says
I make vegan crepes using chickpea flour, you may like that recipe. Here is a link to it. https://thehiddenveggies.com/vegan-crepes/
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Bernard Peek says
No list of chickpea flour recipes is complete without onion bhajis. Gram (chickpea) flour with lots of ground cumin and coriander, salt, chili or not according to taste. Add water to make a batter. Add shredded onions and stir to coat them in batter. Form into egg-sized balls and deep-fry.
Thin batters give a crunchy result. Thicker batter gives you a more substantial bhaji. Don't hold back with the spices. you should use at least as much spice as flour probably more. Don't bother with the tiny jars on the supermarket shelves.
They say that the UK's favourite dish is chicken tikka masala. But I bet most takeaway orders for that also include onion bhaji as a starter.Reply
Monica says
Sounds delicious! If you have a recipe that you love to use for it that's online, I would love to link to it. 🙂
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Donald Davis says
It sounds like the baked pakoras (except fried).
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Jules Shepard says
This is a TREMENDOUS post! It's a good thing it's close to dinner because it made me HUNGRY!
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Monica says
Thanks Jules! 🙂
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Ann says
Thank you I made your chickpea veggie omelette last night for our super I used vegan grated hard cheese and my husband loved it and he us not a vegan Ann
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Monica says
I'm so happy that he liked it! I haven't met anyone who doesn't like that chickpea omelette yet! 🙂
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Sherri says
Thank you so much for including our brownies and chickpea flour gravy! These recipes are all so awesome, we can't wait to try each of them! Chickpea flour rocks! 🙂
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Monica says
Thanks Sherri! Your recipes are great! Glad to have them in the roundup! 🙂
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Ann Beckius says
Thank you, Monica! You have really outdone yourself with this edition. Can’t wait to try some of these recipes. I already prefer chickpea flour over the others so this will just enhance what I can do with it.
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Monica says
Thanks! I hope you give a bunch of these recipes a try! You will start to love chickpea flour as much as I do! 🙂
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I am truly amazed for sure. Using chickpea flour to make vegan deli meat or holiday ham are totally surprising. Thanks for adding our Savory French Toasts with Bruschetta to this collection.
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Monica says
Thanks for letting me include it Emese! It's a beautiful dish! 🙂
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