BrokeAss Gourmet

BrokeAss Gourmet

Chickpea Flour Flatbread

  • Prep Time 5 minutes
  • Cook Time 6 minutes
  • Estimated Cost $3
  • 24 Comments

Chickpea flour is one of those wonderous miracle flours. High in protein (6 grams per 1/4 cup serving) and fiber (5 grams per 1/4 cup serving), and relatively low in carbohydrates (18 grams per 1/4 cup serving, only 13 of which are effective, after you subtract the fiber), it's an ideal product for anyone avoiding gluten or refined carbohydrates.

I tend to develop junior high school crushes on ingredients. Sweet potatoes, kale, coconut milk, avocados, and chicken thighs have all been my jam (come to think of it, jam, too, has been my jam).

Well, the latest stud on my culinary dance card is none other than chickpea flour, also known as besan or gram flour (the lattermost is not to be confused with graham flour, famously used in graham crackers). I first learned about it when my friend Andrew told me about a pizza crust he made with it. He said it was deliciously crisp and flavorful--not to mention tailored to accommodate several dietary restrictions.

My ongoing curiosity about chickpea flour was recently satisfied on a Sunday trip to Vik's Chaat in Berkeley, where I like the food, but I love the adjacent Indian grocery store, with its affordable bulk spices, unique teas, outrageously cheap and delicious raw nuts, and fabulous selection of paneer. At Vik's, an enormous two-pound bag of chickpea flour could be mine for a song (OK, for $3). 

Chickpea flour is one of those wonderous miracle flours. High in protein (6 grams per 1/4 cup serving) and fiber (5 grams per 1/4 cup serving), and relatively low in carbohydrates (18 grams per 1/4 cup serving, only 13 of which are effective, after you subtract the fiber), it's an ideal product for anyone avoiding gluten or refined carbohydrates. It tastes nutty but light, and when cooked in a little bit of oil, become outrageously crispy on the exterior while maintaining a lovely tenderness on the inside. 

After much research and several flops (some of my attempts to make this literally flopped, and not in a good way) I have nailed what I believe is the most perfect chickpea flour flatbread around. It's somewhere between naan and a dosa or crepe. Serve it with curry, soup, creamy greek yogurt for dipping, or eat it on its own. I promise, you, too, will be hooked. 

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup chickpea flour (besan) $3 for 16 oz.
  • pinch of salt Pantry
  • 2/3 cup water
  • 1 handful fresh cilantro leaves, chopped Optional
  • pinch red chile pepper flakes Optional
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil or coconut oil Pantry

Recipe Serves 2

Directions

  1. Sift the chickpea flour and salt together into a mixing bowl, using a sifter or a fine mesh strainer.
  2. Whisk in 1/3 of the water, to form a thick paste, making sure to eliminate all of the lumps. 
  3. Whisk in the remainder of the water. The batter should look and feel like thin pancake batter.
  4. Stir in the cilantro and chile flakes, if using.
  5. Heat the olive oil in a large nonstick frying pan over high heat.
  6. Pour the batter into the pan, jiggling the pan a little bit if necessary, to help the batter spread.
  7. Cook the batter for 3-4 minutes, until it becomes firm, and the bottom turns golden brown and crisp.
  8. Carefully flip using the largest spatula you own, then cook on the other side for 2-3 minutes, until it also becomes golden brown and crisp.
  9. Remove from the pan, cut into wedges, and serve.

Leave a Comment

Textile help (For formatting your comment)

What They're Saying

Anne, on Oct 8, 03:02 AM, wrote:

How much water? The recipe doesn’t seem to say.

Gabi Moskowitz , on Oct 8, 08:00 AM, wrote:

2/3 cup! Edited that. Thanks, Anne!

Violet, on Dec 22, 07:40 AM, wrote:

Thank you for this recipe! I have this cooking right now, smells delicious.

paul mclellan, on Dec 24, 05:18 PM, wrote:

This is the provencale dish called socca. they cook it in brass pans in a pizza oven there but I’ve had success in a cast-iron skillet

martin, on Apr 14, 10:05 AM, wrote:

the result is one flatbread? (on normal size of skillet :))

Bob, on Jun 16, 12:19 PM, wrote:

As a recently diagnosed gluten intolerant I have missed home made breads as none of the flours I have found to be gluten free take well to my tried and tested favourites

This has opened my eyes to a new tasty alternate and I would recommend highly, I’ve been adding chopped sun dried tomatoes and caramelised onions and different herbs to make the pancake breads fit with different cuisines.

Quincy, on Jul 8, 04:41 PM, wrote:

I have tried the recipe several times and the bread is never thoroughly cooked using a cast iron skillet.

Electric Door Lock With Key, on Oct 9, 12:31 AM, wrote:

Completely Appreciated!

John Belar, on Feb 26, 04:21 PM, wrote:

<b>Binance 2FA Not Working</b> Call 1833-464-7652 Have issues with Binance account due to non-functioning of two-factor authentication element which is created by the exchange to help users in keeping their information and data secure and safe. If you are buzzed around such errors and looking for solutions to deal with these issues, you can always take help from the team who is knowledgeable and helpful to assist you in every possible way. You need to call on <a href=“https://www.asktobinance.com/”>Binance customer care number</a> which is active and any user from any corner of the world can avail solutions from the professional quickly.

Dipesh Solanki, on Jul 21, 11:09 PM, wrote:

Thanks for the wonder full blog post

Managed It Services, on Jul 21, 11:11 PM, wrote:

Thank you

Healthcare Compliance Consulting, on Jul 21, 11:11 PM, wrote:

Much needed

Lawyers Grand Prairie, on Aug 6, 10:55 AM, wrote:

Posts are all wonderful. Thank you for putting a lot of work into it.

카지노사이트, on Feb 3, 08:01 AM, wrote:

Admiring the time and effort you put into your blog and detailed information you offer!.. <a href=“https://www.oncasinosite.info” target=”_blank” title=“카지노사이트”>카지노사이트</a>

Situs Judi Pkv Winrate Tertinggi, on Feb 11, 05:17 PM, wrote:

Thanks for the information you’ve posted. Please post more.

Situs Judi Slot Terpercaya, on Feb 12, 06:07 PM, wrote:

Thanks for the information you’ve posted. Please post more.

Situs Judi Bola Resmi, on Feb 12, 06:09 PM, wrote:

Thanks for the wonder full blog post

Situs Judi Slot Online, on Feb 12, 06:11 PM, wrote:

Posts are all wonderful. Thank you for putting a lot of work into it.

Agen Bola88, on Feb 12, 06:14 PM, wrote:

Posts are all wonderful. Thank you

Situs Judi Slot Deposit Pulsa, on Feb 12, 06:16 PM, wrote:

Thanks for the wonder full blog post

Linda, on Feb 18, 04:11 PM, wrote:

I made the chickpea flat bread and it was delicious. Thanks for the recipe.

Situs Slot Online, on Nov 16, 06:51 AM, wrote:

Thank you for this recipe! I have this cooking right now, smells delicious.

DUI Chesterfield VA, on Sep 9, 05:54 AM, wrote:

Nice informative article. Thank you for helping people get the information they need.

escorts in pune, on Jan 24, 03:54 AM, wrote:

Such an wonderful post.