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!
Jump to:
- Chickpea flour 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
Chickpea flour 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 from The Hidden Veggies
- Vegan Peanut Butter Bars from Spabettie.
- Vegan Lemon Curd from The Hidden Veggies
- Double Chocolate Chickpea Flour Cookies from Occasionally Eggs
- Vegan Fruit Tart from The Hidden Veggies
- Chickpea Flour and Coconut Fudge from Vegan Richa
- Vegan Lemon Tahini Cookies from Sunny Side Hanne
- Chickpea Flour Brownies from Watch Learn Eat
- Vegan Gluten-Free Chickpea Flour Chocolate Chip Cookies from Watch. Learn. Eat.
- Vegan Angel Food Cake from The Hidden Veggies
- The Best Vegan Pumpkin Pie from The Hidden Veggies
Breakfast treats
The eggy taste of chickpea flour naturally makes great-tasting breakfast recipes.
- Chickpea Flour Crepes from The Hidden Veggies
- Sweet Vegan Chickpea Flour Pancakes from Running on Real Food
- Salted Carmel French Toast Casserole from Vegan Yack Attack
- Vegan Egg Muffins from The Hidden Veggies
- Gluten-Free Grilled French Toast by Strength and Sunshine
- Savory Vegan Chickpea Pancakes from Vegan Richa
- The Best Vegan French Toast from The Hidden Veggies
Savory Chickpea Flour Recipes
Chickpea flour can also be fried or baked to simulate eggs in omelets and quiches.
- Chickpea Omelet from The Hidden Veggies
- Vegan Egg Muffins from The Hidden Veggies
- Zucchini Fritters with Avacado Crema from Delightful Adventures
- Baked Pakora from Kind Earth
- Chickpea Asparagus Frittata from This Healthy Kitchen
- Mini Chickpea Flour Fritattas from The Simple Veganista
- Air Fryer Omletes From Vegan Dollhouse
- Boil in a Bag Camping Omelets from The 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 Ways from The Hidden Veggies
- Farinata (aka Socca or chickpea Flatbread) from The Hidden Veggies
- Speedy Lentil and Rice Dosa with Chickpea Flour from Occasionally Eggs
- Olive Chickpea Flour Bread from Contentedness Cooking
- Farinata with Charred Broccoli and Lemon Caper from Quite Good Food
- Curried Sweet Potato Chickpea Patties from Cupful of Kale
Chickpea flour sauces and gravy
Chickpea flour is great for thickening sauces and gravy.
- Vegan Pasta Carbonara from Slavic Vegan
- Chickpea Flour Gravy from Watch. 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 Fritters from Thinly Spread
- Perfect Vegan Yorkshire Puddings from A Virtual Vegan
- Vegan Chickpea Squash Fritters from Piping Pot Curry
- Crunchy Veggie Tacos from Veggie Inspired
- Vegan Egg Drop Soup from The Hidden Veggies
Appetizers
Make delicious appetizers from chickpea flour with these recipes.
- Chickpea Fries from Hey Nutrition Lady
- Chickpeas on Toast with Stir-Fried Greens from Vegan On Board
- Savory Eggless French Toast Brushetta from My Pure Plants
- Vegan Fried Okra from Belly Rules the Mind
Meat substitutes
Use chickpea flour to add protein and density to vegan meat substitutes with these recipes.
- Maple Glazed Holiday Ham from Sunnyside Hanne
- Homemade Vegan Deli Meat from Sweet 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 Crackers from Elephantastic
- Seasalt Chickpea Crackers from Moon Spoon Yum
- Homemade Gluten-Free Goldfish from Strength and Sunshine
- White Bean Protein Crackers from This 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 to follow me on Pinterest for new vegan recipes!
Lovely post
Nice post
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.
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.
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?
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.
Can you make homemade pasta with chickpea flour? Anyone have a recipe?
I haven't tried it myself, but you can give this one a go 🙂 https://www.abeautifulplate.com/the-new-pasta-on-the-block/
I don't know a recipe but having recently been diagnosed coeliac I have bought some chickpea pasta.
I would love to find a blintz recipe using chickpea flour. Anyone?
I make vegan crepes using chickpea flour, you may like that recipe. Here is a link to it. https://thehiddenveggies.com/vegan-crepes/
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.
Sounds delicious! If you have a recipe that you love to use for it that's online, I would love to link to it. 🙂
It sounds like the baked pakoras (except fried).
This is a TREMENDOUS post! It's a good thing it's close to dinner because it made me HUNGRY!
Thanks Jules! 🙂
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
I'm so happy that he liked it! I haven't met anyone who doesn't like that chickpea omelette yet! 🙂
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! 🙂
Thanks Sherri! Your recipes are great! Glad to have them in the roundup! 🙂
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.
Thanks! I hope you give a bunch of these recipes a try! You will start to love chickpea flour as much as I do! 🙂
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.
Thanks for letting me include it Emese! It's a beautiful dish! 🙂