Ingredient Guide•Chickpea Flour
All Ingredients
Contains ProteinSource of Fiber
Grains & CerealsWheat ProductsMiddle East / Indian Subcontinent
Chickpea FlourCalories, Nutrition Facts, Culinary Uses & Recipes
Scientific Name:Cicer arietinum
Also known as:
Besan (Chickpea Flour)Gram Flour
Chickpea flour is ground dried chickpeas. High in protein and fiber. Naturally gluten-free. Used in batters.
Calories (100g)387 kcal
Dietary ProfileVegan & Vegetarian
Default UnitGram
Calories in Chickpea Flour & Nutritional Facts
Standard food-composition values per 100g edible portion and realistic serving portions
How many calories are in Chickpea Flour?
100 grams of Chickpea Flour (raw/dry reference weight) provides approximately 387 kcal, 10.0g carbohydrates, 2.0g protein, 0.5g fat, and 2.0g dietary fiber. A realistic single-person portion of 50g contains roughly 194 kcal before cooking oils or garnishes.
387.0kcal
Calories
2.0g
Protein
10.0g
Carbs
0.5g
Fat
2.0g
Fiber
2.0g
Sugar
| Portion Size | Calories | Carbs | Protein | Fat | Fiber |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Per 30g (Small / 2–3 Tbsp) | 116 kcal | 3.0g | 0.6g | 0.1g | 0.6g |
| Per 50g (Standard Home Serving) | 194 kcal | 5.0g | 1.0g | 0.3g | 1.0g |
| Per 100g (Standard Reference) | 387 kcal | 10.0g | 2.0g | 0.5g | 2.0g |
Source & Disclaimer: Nutritional figures represent approximate values per 100g edible portion compiled from standard food-composition references (including ICMR-NIN Indian Food Composition Tables & USDA FoodData Central). Values vary by grain thickness, moisture, brand, and added cooking oils or garnishes. Provided for general culinary information only and not as medical or clinical dietary advice.
Storage Instructions
Keep Chickpea Flour fresh and long-lasting
Room Temperature: Chickpea flour lasts up to two months in a cool, dark pantry if kept in a sealed container. In the Fridge: You can extend its shelf life to six months by storing it in an airtight jar in the refrigerator, which also stops it from picking up strange odors from other foods.
Kitchen Preparation & Cooking Uses
Best culinary practices & prep tips
Which Type to Buy: Look for fine besan for smooth batters like dhokla, and coarser chana besan when you want crunch in pakoras. How to Prep: Sift the flour through a fine wire mesh before mixing with water to get rid of lumps and make your batter smooth. Best Way to Cook: Always roast the flour on low heat for a few minutes until it smells nutty before using it in halwa or gravies to remove the raw taste.
General Nutritional & Wellness Notes
Everyday dietary context for Chickpea Flour as part of balanced home cooking
Chickpea flour is a very healthy choice loaded with plant protein and filling dietary fiber. It is naturally gluten-free, making it a great option for people who avoid wheat. It digests slowly, which helps keep your energy steady and supports good heart health.
Culinary Uses, Origins & Cultural Heritage
How Chickpea Flour is used across regional kitchens and history
Common Culinary Uses
Milling dried legumes into flour is one of the oldest ways humans preserved and used pulses before modern refrigeration existed. It became popular because it turns a hard bean into a fast-cooking ingredient that can easily make breads, batters, and sweets.
Historical Roots
Chickpea flour comes from the Middle East and the Indian subcontinent, where chickpeas were first farmed thousands of years ago. As trade routes opened up, the practice of milling dried split chickpeas into a fine powder spread across South Asia and the Mediterranean.
Regional & Cultural Traditions
In Indian homes, chickpea flour is a kitchen staple used daily for making quick snacks like pakoras, thickening curry bases, and binding veggie patties. Across other cultures, it is used to make flatbreads like socca in France or fainá in South America.
Did You Know?
Chickpea flour is often called besan in South Asia and is the main ingredient used to make traditional sweet treats during festivals like Diwali.
Chef & Cooking Tips
If your besan batter is too thick and won't drop smoothly from a spoon, add water one small splash at a time and whisk fast to prevent lumps. If your pakoras turn out dense, beat air into the batter with your hand for a minute before frying to make them light and fluffy.
Recipes Using Chickpea Flour
Explore 2 recipes featuring Chickpea Flour
Frequently Asked Questions about Chickpea Flour
Common questions on calories, cooking methods, and kitchen storage
How many calories are in Chickpea Flour?
Per 100 grams (raw/dry reference weight), Chickpea Flour contains approximately 387 kcal, 10.0g carbohydrates, 2.0g protein, 0.5g fat, and 2.0g dietary fiber. A typical 50g culinary portion provides roughly 194 kcal before cooking oils, butter, or garnishes are added.
What is Chickpea Flour and how is it used in cooking?
Chickpea flour is ground dried chickpeas. High in protein and fiber. Naturally gluten-free. Used in batters.
How do you prepare and cook with Chickpea Flour?
Which Type to Buy: Look for fine besan for smooth batters like dhokla, and coarser chana besan when you want crunch in pakoras. How to Prep: Sift the flour through a fine wire mesh before mixing with water to get rid of lumps and make your batter smooth. Best Way to Cook: Always roast the flour on low heat for a few minutes until it smells nutty before using it in halwa or gravies to remove the raw taste.
How should Chickpea Flour be stored to keep it fresh?
Room Temperature: Chickpea flour lasts up to two months in a cool, dark pantry if kept in a sealed container. In the Fridge: You can extend its shelf life to six months by storing it in an airtight jar in the refrigerator, which also stops it from picking up strange odors from other foods.
What are the nutritional qualities of Chickpea Flour?
Chickpea flour is a very healthy choice loaded with plant protein and filling dietary fiber. It is naturally gluten-free, making it a great option for people who avoid wheat. It digests slowly, which helps keep your energy steady and supports good heart health. (For general culinary reference only, not medical advice.)
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