Chickpea Flour: Try These 15 Recipes for Fritters, French Toast, and More! (2024)

There are a lot of gluten-free flours out there. There’s almond flour, rice flour, coconut flour, and moreand each flour has its own “specialty.”So, if you’re new to gluten-free flours, you might not be sure where to start. If you’re like us, you probably love things like fritters, crispy, crunchy breaded-and-fried snacks, French toast, quiches … We get hungry just thinking about all these things. Usually, these types of recipes require eggs. But, did you know that you can use chickpea flour? Oh, yeah.

Chickpea flour is made from chickpeas that are ground down into a fine flour. You can make it at home, in a powerful blender or food processor, but it can be noisy and time-consuming. If you’re not up for that, then you can find it in grocery stores or online. Not only can chickpea flour play a part in gluten-free baking, it also makes a great substitute for egg in recipes that require a batter. So, you can have French toast, fritters, and anything battered and fried —just use chickpea flour instead! It can even be “scrambled” for breakfast, like this Chickpea Flour Scramble. Yum!

The ways we use chickpea flour goes beyond acting as an egg substitute. For example, did you know that you can make flatbread and falafels? We’re impressed and we bet you are, too. You must be thinking, “where are these amazing chickpea flour recipes?!” Don’t worry — they’re right here.

For those interested in eating more plant-based, we highly recommend downloading the Food Monster App – with over 15,000 delicious recipes it is the largest meatless, vegan, plant-based and allergy-friendly recipe resource to help you get healthy!

So, check out these 15 recipes that use chickpea flour and get inspired to start cookin’!

1. Fried ‘Chicken’

This vegan Fried “Chicken”is magical. It’s made from textured vegetable protein wrapped in rice paper wrappers, which helps make an awesome, crispy skin. They’redredged in a batter of chickpea flour before being dunked in an herby flour coating. If you miss fried chicken, this recipe is a must-try.

2. Challah French Toast

Source:Challah French Toast

Even people who don’t eat challah regularly know it’s one of the best breads for French toast. It’s soft and soaks up the batter, yet it’s hearty and can hold it all. The batter for this Challah French Toastby Rhea Parsons uses a chickpea flour-based batter to make it all happen. It tastes very eggy and if you have black salt, even more so. A little cinnamon and a pinch of nutmeg add more delicious flavor. This French toast is crispy but tender; the challah is so light and delicious! The batter is perfect and topped with maple syrup and fresh fruit, so it’s the perfect breakfast or brunch dish.

3.Khaman Dhokla: Indian Steamed Chickpea Flour Cake

Source:Khaman Dhokla

Rinku Bhattacharya‘s Khaman Dhokla is a savory, sweet, and spiced Indian cake. Gluten-free eaters will rejoice this delightful light and fluffy cake because it’s a power-packed comfort food without the use of gluten.Khaman or khaman dhokla, is an easier version of the traditional dhokla, which is made of soaked fermented split gram lentils or channa dal. In this instance, garbanzo bean flour or besan is whisked into yogurt and then leavened. The rising agent is fruit salts, also known aseno, which reacts with the lime in the batter to produce a bubbling effect to create the soft spongy texture.

4. Creamy Chocolate Bars

Source:Creamy Chocolate Bars

Once you make Margaux Morton‘sCreamy Chocolate Bars, you will not be able to keep yourself from grabbing one from the freezer every time you pass by! They’re held together with chickpea flour, but you’d never guess that from the taste. The creaminess of the avocado, the pinch of spice, and of course, the chocolate, make a deliciously addicting combo. And the sticky-sweet dried cranberry topping just puts this dessert over the top!

5. Chickpea Flour Quiche

Source:Chickpea Flour Quiches

Chrysta Hiser‘s little Chickpea Flour Quiches are like an omelet in a snackable portable form. They’re a little crispy and they taste eggy without the use of eggs. These are ridiculously filling, yet surprisingly light. Just one should be enough to satisfy you when you’re feeling peckish, but they’re so good, you won’t want to stop there.

6. Baked Potato Falafel

Source:BakedPotato Falafel

Elsa Brobbey‘s savory BakedPotato Falafel are a wonderful twist on the traditional kind. They’re baked, soft on the inside with a lightly crispy texture on the outside, and so very satisfying. They’re great as an appetizer with a tangy tahini dip, stuffed in a veggie loaded sandwich, or tossed in a salad.

7. Crispy Chickpea Fries

Source:Crispy Chickpea Fries

Crunchy on the outside with a fluffy interior, Sheri Silver‘sCrispy Chickpea Fries are absolutely delicious! They’re simple with a slight zest and their shape stays intact through frying for a very snackable dish. Enjoy these as a fun side dish or make a big batch just to munch on.

8.Crespelle With Spinach, Ricotta, and Marinara

Source:Crespelle

A crespelle is the Italian version of a savory crepe. They’re light, delicious, and much faster to make than homemade pasta. These Crespelleby the Cruelty Free Family are stuffed with a creamy cashew-based ricotta and spinach, smothered in your favorite marinara sauce and even more cheese! They are delicious, comforting, and surprisingly easy to make.

9. Onion Pakora With Avocado Dipping Sauce

Source:Onion Pakora

A pakora is an Indian snack that’s essentially a vegetable dipped in chickpea flour, so they’re naturally gluten-free, and then deep-fried until crispy. These Onion Pakora by the Cruelty Free Familyare spiced with garlic, cumin, and curry powder and served with a cool, spicy, and creamy avocado dip. These are perfect as an appetizer or snack at any party.

10. Tempeh ‘Fish’ N’ Chips With Tartar Sauce

Source:Tempeh “Fish” N’ Chips

Kelp flakes and Old Bay seasoning bring back the flavors of the sea, and the results are delicious in this Tempeh “Fish” N’ Chipsby Rhea Parsons. The “fish” is crunchy on the outside, tender and flaky on the inside. The chips are crispy and flavorful and the tartar sauce is perfect for dipping.

11. Roasted Poblano Cilantro Empanadas

Source:Roasted Poblano Cilantro Empanadas

Stephanie McKinnie‘sRoasted Poblano Cilantro Empanadas are full of flavorful goodness! The poblano adds the yummiest roasted pepper flavor and the combination of poblano, cilantro, and melty vegan cheese cannot be beaten. The slaw becomes a beautiful bright pink and adds the much needed fresh crunchy quality to the mix. The beauty of empanadas is that they are easy to reheat, which makes them great for when you’re on the go.

12. Spicy Cauliflower Fritters

Source:Spicy Cauliflower Fritters

Tina Dawson‘sSpicy Cauliflower Fritters are bound to become your new weeknight favorite. They’re super quick to make and are deliciously addictive. Seasoned with turmeric and paprika, these fritters definitely have a bite to them! Once you’re done with these, try a different vegetable!

13. Upside Down Pear Cake

Source:Upside Down Pear Cake

Don’t throw away those over-ripe or bruised pears! Valentina Goltara‘s Upside Down Pear Cake is the perfect way to ensure that they don’t go to waste. The gluten-free cake is moist and delicious and the pears are slightly caramelized from baking in the oven. If spices are your thing, then feel free to mix pinches of your favorite flavors into the batter; cardamom and cinnamon are both highly recommended. You could even try using your favorite fruit to make this cake!

14. Chickpea Flatbread

Source:Chickpea Flatbread

It can be tough finding gluten-free bread in stores. In comes Natasha Condie‘s Chickpea Flatbread! This “bread” is slightly dense, but has that great crumbly crunchy texture that you’ll love Since it’s incredibly easy to change the seasoning in this, the sky is the limit. This one is a garlic-parsley version that goes great with pasta.

15. Mushroom Mozzarella Pizza

Source:Mushroom Mozzarella Pizza

The inspiration for Buffy-Ellen Gill‘s Mushroom Mozzarella Pizza came from the farinata, a chickpea-based flatbread that’s eaten in Italy. It’s so simple to make with only five ingredients and is naturally gluten-free. The topping marries pizza bianca, a pizza crust with just mozzarella with mushroom pizza and the result is fantastic. It’s a blend of meaty texture with fresh, subtle herbs and a creamy cheese sauce and it’ll become your go-to recipe for pizza night.

More Related Resources:

Check out the following resources and don’t forget to check out our veganrecipes and food archives for most recent content:

  • 15 Protein-Packed Vegan Recipes That Feature Beans, Chickpeas, Lentils, and More Pulses!
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  • 15 Gluten-Free Chickpea Flour Recipes!
  • 7 Ways to Use Chickpea Flour in Holiday Meals: From Breakfast to Dessert
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  • Make Better Choices: Healthy Alternatives to White Flour
  • 15 Vegan and Gluten-Free Desserts You Won’t Believe Are Made Using Almond Flour
  • 15 Gluten-Free Chickpea Flour Recipes!

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Chickpea Flour: Try These 15 Recipes for Fritters, French Toast, and More! (2024)

FAQs

Is chickpea flour good for frying? ›

And, like the versatile chickpea itself, chickpea flour has many uses. It can tightly bind ingredients, thicken soups and stews, and make batters that are perfect for frying to a satisfyingly golden result.

What is a substitute for chickpea flour in fritters? ›

An excellent substitute for chickpea flour, almond flour is a low-carb high nutrient flour that is made by grinding skinless blanched almonds. As it has a slightly sweet, nutty flavor, it is typically used in baked goods, notably cookies, pancakes, biscuits, sweet breads and macarons.

How to make your own chickpea flour? ›

Instructions
  1. Add the dried chickpeas to a grain mill and set to fine setting. ...
  2. If using a high-powered blender, add the chickpeas and turn on. ...
  3. Using a fine mesh sieve, sift the flour into a bowl to separate any large bits. ...
  4. Use the freshly flour or store in an airtight container in a cool dry place.
Mar 1, 2024

How do you substitute chickpea flour for eggs? ›

To replace one egg, simply mix 3 tablespoons of chickpea flour with 3 tablespoons of water until you have a thick and creamy mixture. If replacing an extra large egg, use 4 tablespoons of each. When I want an extra thick egg substitute, I mix the chickpea flour with almond milk instead of water.

Does chickpea flour get crispy? ›

I much prefer the nutty, crisp chickpea flour coating to other flour-based batters, and those who cannot tolerate wheat will be very happy with it.

What is the healthiest flour for deep frying? ›

Brown rice flour is high in fiber and gluten-free. It has a very subtle, bland flavor, so it can work well in many recipes without having an impact on how the food tastes. It isn't the best option for baking, but it can be a healthy flour substitute for frying.

What can I use to bind fritters instead of egg? ›

16 egg substitutes
  1. Mashed banana. Mashed banana can act as a binding agent when baking or making pancake batter. ...
  2. Applesauce. Applesauce can also act as a binding agent. ...
  3. Fruit puree. Fruit puree will help bind a recipe in a similar way to applesauce. ...
  4. Avocado. ...
  5. Gelatin. ...
  6. Xanthan gum. ...
  7. Vegetable oil and baking powder. ...
  8. Margarine.
Mar 30, 2021

What flour is closest to chickpea flour? ›

Almond Flour

It imparts a slightly nutty flavor and makes an excellent substitute. To substitute, you can use almond flour for chickpea flour in a 1:1 ratio. Almond flour tends to be more moist, so you might need to adjust the liquid content in your recipe slightly.

What is chickpea fritters made of? ›

In a medium bowl, combine the chickpeas, all purpose flour, parmesan cheese, fresh herbs, cumin, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Add two tablespoons of water and use a fork or masher to combine the ingredients until they are well blended. Divide the mixture into 6 equal parts and form into thin patties.

Is chickpea flour just ground up chickpeas? ›

Chickpea flour is known as garam flour or garbanzo bean flour and it is made by grinding dried chickpeas. A staple in Indian and Pakistani cuisine, chickpea flour is commonly found in Asian and Middle Eastern groceries, but you can also make it yourself at home with a spice grinder or coffee grinder.

Is garbanzo flour and chickpea flour the same thing? ›

Gram flour, also called besan, garbanzo flour, or chickpea flour, is made from ground chickpeas, which are naturally gluten-free. Chickpeas also have many names, including garbanzo beans, garbanzo, gram, Bengal gram, Egyptian pea, cici beans, chi chi beans and cece beans.

What is the difference between chickpea and chickpea flour? ›

In any case, one version of chickpea is flour is made by grinding the chana dal into a fine powder. This is the version known as besan or gram flour. The other version is made by grinding up dried kabuli chickpeas, the common tan-colored ones, to make a flour. This is also called chickpea flour.

How much chickpea flour equals one egg? ›

You can find chickpea flour in well-stocked grocery stores and online. To replace one egg, simply mix 3 tablespoons of chickpea flour with 3 tablespoons of water until you have a thick and creamy mixture. If replacing an extra large egg, use 4 tablespoons of each.

Can you replace all purpose flour with chickpea flour? ›

You can usually substitute half the amount of plain flour in a recipe for chickpea flour. But, be warned, it can suck up a lot of moisture, so it may not be right for every recipe – especially if you're making a cake or bread.

How much chickpea flour equals all purpose flour? ›

So, if you are going to use chickpea flour in a recipe that calls for all purpose flour, use half. For example, if the recipe calls for 1 cup of all purpose flour you would then just use 1/2 cup chickpea flour.

Is chickpea flour good for breading? ›

Chickpea flour works perfectly for frying and breading you favorite proteins. If you want an even crispier version, try using the Chickpea Bread Crumbs (Always Delicious page 196) as we do in Chicken Parmesan (Always Delicious page 126).

Which flour is best for frying? ›

Rice flour and cornstarch work particularly well because they fry up crispier than wheat flour. They also absorb less moisture and fat during the frying process, making the products less greasy. This is why rice flour is often used when making tempura because it produces a very thin and crispy, dry crust.

Can I substitute chickpea flour for all-purpose flour? ›

You can usually substitute half the amount of plain flour in a recipe for chickpea flour. But, be warned, it can suck up a lot of moisture, so it may not be right for every recipe – especially if you're making a cake or bread.

Is chickpea flour good for batter? ›

Though its texture is dense, however, chickpea flour makes a very light batter, making it great for everything from waffles to tempura. It also makes a great thickener for soups and sauces.

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