The Complete Guide: What is the Substitute for Besan?

Chickpea flour, or besan, is a staple in Indian and South Asian cuisine, but a survey of home cooks found that 30% have had to search for an immediate substitute. Whether you're making pakoras, thickening a curry, or baking, knowing what is the substitute for besan is key for a seamless kitchen experience.

Quick Summary

Numerous flours can replace besan, with the best alternative depending on its function in the recipe. Options range from common all-purpose flour to gluten-free choices like lentil, rice, or almond flour, requiring careful ratio and texture adjustments.

Key Points

• Frying Substitute: Rice flour or cornstarch is best for achieving a crispy coating like in pakoras,.

• Thickening Substitute: Use a slurry of cornstarch or whole wheat flour to thicken curries and sauces like kadhi,.

• Gluten-Free Options: Lentil, fava bean, or oat flour are excellent gluten-free replacements for most savory dishes,.

• Binding in Baking: All-purpose or whole wheat flour can work in baked goods, but may require liquid adjustments.

• Texture and Taste Changes: Be prepared for slight variations in flavor and texture, as no substitute is a perfect match,.

• DIY Chickpea Flour: If you have whole chickpeas, you can make your own besan at home with a food processor.

Finding the Right Besan Substitute by Recipe Type

Knowing what is the substitute for besan, also known as gram or chickpea flour, can save a dish. Besan is prized for its specific nutty flavor, protein content, and binding properties. However, a wide variety of alternatives are available in most pantries, with the ideal choice depending entirely on how you plan to use it. There is no perfect, one-to-one replacement for all besan applications, so selecting a substitute based on your recipe's needs is crucial.

For Frying and Crispiness

When making crispy fritters like pakoras or breading vegetables, the goal is a light, crunchy exterior. Since besan has a slightly coarse texture, it provides a unique coating that can be replicated with other flours. For deep-frying purposes, the ideal replacements focus on achieving that desirable crispiness.

• Rice Flour: As a neutral-tasting flour, rice flour is excellent for creating a crispy, crunchy coating. Many Indian recipes for fritters already use a combination of rice flour and besan to achieve extra crispiness, making this a natural and effective swap. You can substitute it in a 1:1 ratio, but may need to adjust liquid levels slightly to achieve the desired batter consistency.
• Cornstarch (Corn Flour): For a very light and crispy batter, cornstarch is a suitable alternative. It is often used in a slurry to coat foods before frying and can also be mixed with other flours. Because it has a neutral taste, it won't impact the overall flavor of your dish.
• All-Purpose Flour: A combination of all-purpose flour and rice flour can work well for a crispy finish. Alone, all-purpose flour (or maida) can act as a binding agent, but adding rice flour prevents the coating from becoming soggy and heavy.

For Thickening Curries and Sauces

Besan is frequently used to thicken curries, such as the yogurt-based kadhi, and to add richness. The binding properties of besan prevent the sauce from separating. For thickening purposes, you can use a few different alternatives.

• All-Purpose Flour: All-purpose flour is a great option for thickening sauces and gravies. Like besan, it should be mixed with water into a smooth slurry before being added to a hot dish to prevent lumps.
• Cornstarch: Very effective as a thickening agent, cornstarch can be used to achieve the desired consistency in curries. It is particularly useful for thickening at the end of cooking and is often mixed with cold water first to form a slurry.
• Whole Wheat Flour: Known as atta in India, whole wheat flour is a fairly good substitute for thickening curries. Its nutty flavor can add a new dimension to the dish, though it will taste different than besan. It should be used in smaller quantities and incorporated carefully.

For Breads, Pancakes, and Baked Goods

Besan is used to make savory pancakes, or chillas, and different types of flatbreads. For baking and pancake-making, the substitute must replicate besan’s texture and ability to bind ingredients. Some substitutes will be more successful in certain applications than others.

• Oat Flour: Made by blending rolled oats, oat flour has a neutral taste and good texture for making savory pancakes or adding to baked goods. It is a gluten-free option that works well for binding.
• Quinoa Flour: This gluten-free option can be used in savory pancakes or certain baked goods, though it has a more distinct, slightly bitter flavor. It works well when combined with other, more neutral flours.
• Almond Flour: Almond flour can add a pleasant nutty flavor to baked goods, similar to besan's profile, but the texture will be different and denser. It works best in recipes with other strong flavors.

The Best Gluten-Free Alternatives

For those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, it is essential to choose a gluten-free besan substitute. Fortunately, several legume and grain flours fit the bill.

• Lentil Flour: Flours made from ground lentils, particularly yellow ones, are similar to besan in texture and taste. They work well in fritters and for thickening sauces.
• Fava Bean Flour: Fava bean flour has a mild, earthy flavor and can be substituted for besan at a 1:1 ratio in many Indian recipes, including fritters and thick sauces. It offers similar binding qualities.
• Sorghum Flour: This gluten-free grain flour has a soft texture and can work in both savory and sweet applications, including as a binder. It has a milder flavor than besan.

Besan Substitute Comparison Chart

Substitute	Primary Use	Gluten-Free	Flavor Profile	Notes
All-Purpose Flour	Binding, Thickening, Baking	No	Neutral	Best for binding; can be combined with rice flour for crispiness,.
Rice Flour	Frying, Crispiness	Yes	Neutral	Excellent for a crispy coating on fritters.
Cornstarch	Thickening, Crispiness	Yes	Neutral	Best used as a slurry to thicken sauces or a light coating for frying.
Oat Flour	Pancakes, Baking	Yes	Neutral	Good binding agent; works well for savory pancakes.
Almond Flour	Baking, Pancakes	Yes	Nutty	Adds moisture and flavor; can make baked goods denser.
Lentil Flour	Frying, Thickening	Yes	Earthy, Nutty	Similar texture and taste to besan, especially yellow lentil flour.

Tips for Substitution

• Start with less: Some substitute flours absorb liquid differently than besan. It's best to start with a little less and add more if needed.
• Mix to avoid clumps: For thickening sauces, always create a slurry with cold liquid first to prevent lumps from forming.
• Blend for your own: If you have dried chickpeas (chana dal), you can grind them into a fine powder at home with a high-speed blender.
• Consider the final product: A substitute is a compromise. Be prepared for slight variations in texture and flavor, and choose the one that best matches your end goal.

Conclusion

When a recipe calls for besan, a variety of alternatives are available, from gluten-containing options like all-purpose flour to gluten-free choices like rice or lentil flour,. The key to a successful swap lies in understanding the purpose of besan in your specific dish, whether it's for binding, crisping, or thickening. By selecting a substitute with a similar functional quality, you can still achieve a delicious result, even if the final texture and flavor differ slightly. Don't be afraid to experiment with different options until you find the one that works best for your needs. Forks Over Knives, a respected source for plant-based recipes, offers more insights into cooking with chickpea flour.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best all-purpose substitute for besan?

There is no single best all-purpose substitute, as the ideal choice depends on the recipe's function; for a general binder, all-purpose flour works, but for crisping, rice flour or cornstarch is better,.

Can I use regular all-purpose flour instead of besan?

Yes, you can use all-purpose flour for binding and baking, but note that it contains gluten and will not provide the same nutty flavor or dense texture as besan,.

What is a gluten-free alternative to besan?

Excellent gluten-free alternatives include lentil flour, rice flour, almond flour, and oat flour, which perform well for various tasks like frying, baking, and thickening,.

How do I substitute besan for making pakoras?

For crispy pakoras, a mixture of all-purpose flour and rice flour is a good choice, as the rice flour provides the desired crispiness,.

What can I use to thicken a curry instead of besan?

To thicken curries like kadhi, you can use a cornstarch slurry, wheat flour, or even almond flour, whisking vigorously to avoid lumps,.

Will other substitutes alter the taste of my food?

Yes, most substitutes will alter the flavor profile; for instance, almond flour adds a nutty taste, while cornstarch is neutral,.

Is almond flour a good substitute for besan in savory dishes?

While almond flour can be used, particularly in baked items, its distinct nutty flavor and higher fat content are different from besan's profile and may make the final product denser,.

Can oat flour replace besan?

Yes, oat flour can be used to replace besan, especially in baked goods and savory pancakes, offering a slightly different but neutral flavor and good texture,.