How to Make Chickpea Flour

by John Staughton (BASc, BFA) last updated -

Using chickpea flour is a great way to boost your energy levels and increase protein intake, among other impressive benefits.

What is Chickpea Flour?

Chickpea flour in a glass bowl with some chickpeas next to it

Chickpea flour is made from dry chickpeas, also known as garbanzo beans. Photo Credit: Shutterstock

Chickpea flour is a type of flour made from ground chickpeas and is commonly known as gram flour or besan, depending on where in the world you happen to be. You often find this as a staple ingredient on the Indian subcontinent, as well as other Asian nations. Not only is it beneficial as a gluten-free carbohydrate alternative, but it is also used in various medicinal forms, including as a paste for the skin.

Nutrition Facts

Chickpea flour (besan)
Serving Size :
NutrientValue
Water [g]10.28
Energy 387
Energy [kJ]1619
Protein [g]22.39
Total lipid (fat) [g]6.69
Ash [g]2.82
Carbohydrate, by difference [g]57.82
Fiber, total dietary [g]10.8
Sugars, total including NLEA [g]10.85
Calcium, Ca [mg]45
Iron, Fe [mg]4.86
Magnesium, Mg [mg]166
Phosphorus, P [mg]318
Potassium, K [mg]846
Sodium, Na [mg]64
Zinc, Zn [mg]2.81
Copper, Cu [mg]0.91
Manganese, Mn [mg]1.6
Selenium, Se [µg]8.3
Thiamin [mg]0.49
Riboflavin [mg]0.11
Niacin [mg]1.76
Pantothenic acid [mg]0.61
Vitamin B-6 [mg]0.49
Folate, total [µg]437
Folate, food [µg]437
Folate, DFE [µg]437
Vitamin A, RAE [µg]2
Carotene, beta [µg]25
Vitamin A, IU [IU]41
Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) [mg]0.83
Vitamin K (phylloquinone) [µg]9.1
Fatty acids, total saturated [g]0.69
14:0 [g]0.01
16:0 [g]0.56
18:0 [g]0.09
Fatty acids, total monounsaturated [g]1.5
16:1 [g]0.01
18:1 [g]1.49
Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated [g]2.98
18:2 [g]2.87
18:3 [g]0.11
Phytosterols [mg]39
Sources include : USDA [1]
This flour is typically made from either raw or roasted chickpea, which will provide two different flours, one bitter and the other pleasantly flavored, respectively. Due to the high carbohydrate level, this flour represents an important nutritional element in many regions.

How to Make Chickpea Flour?

Making chickpea flour at home is certainly possible if you want to move away from wheat flour and other less nutritious options. You can replace almost any other type of flour with chickpea flour, and while the taste may be slightly different, it is a very effective binding agent. [2]

    Chickpea flour in a glass bowl with some chickpeas next to it

    Chickpea Flour Recipe

    Making chickpea flour at home is possible if you want to move away from wheat flour and other less nutritious options. You can replace almost any other type of flour with chickpea flour, and while the taste may be slightly different, it is a very effective binding agent.
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    Course: Ingredient
    Cuisine: Indian
    Keyword: Chickpea Flour
    Appliance: Food Processor, Coffee Grinder
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Total Time: 15 minutes
    Author: Paromita Datta

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup chickpeas

    Instructions

    • Wash the chickpeas and dry them.
    • Place the chickpeas in a food processor and ground them. Work in batches if you are making a larger quantity than specified.
    • Process for 2-3 minutes or until all the large pieces are ground down. 
    • Sieve the powdered flour, separating the large pieces.
    • Process the larger pieces in a coffee grinder to get a finer powder. Work in batches.
    • Store in an airtight container until you are ready to use the flour.
      Honey falling on stack of pancakes topped with a small piece of butter

    Notes

    Chickpea flour makes delicious pancake. It has a nutty taste that is perfectly complimented with honey. 
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    About the Author

    John Staughton is a traveling writer, editor, publisher and photographer with English and Integrative Biology degrees from the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana (USA). He co-founded the literary journal, Sheriff Nottingham, and now serves as the Content Director for Stain’d Arts, a non-profit based in Denver, Colorado. On a perpetual journey towards the idea of home, he uses words to educate, inspire, uplift and evolve.

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