Gourmet Hacks: 5 BEST Substitutes for Gram Flour

Ever find yourself in a pinch because you’re out of gram flour? No stress!

We’ve got your back with some killer swaps that’ll keep your cooking game strong.

Gram flour, also known as chickpea flour, is a staple in many recipes, especially if you’re into gluten-free or vegan cooking.

But hey, we get it. Sometimes the pantry isn’t as stocked as we thought.

That’s where we come in, dishing out five fantastic alternatives that might just be chilling in your kitchen right now.

From baking projects to thickening sauces, these substitutes are about to become your new best friends in the kitchen. Ready to get this substitution party started?

What is Gram Flour?

Gram flour, also known as besan, is a staple ingredient in many Indian dishes.

It’s made from ground split chickpeas (also known as chana dal) and is slightly nutty.

A versatile product, it can make everything from sauces and snacks to souffles and desserts.

When buying gram flour, you will want to look for one that says it is roasted, making it taste better.

The flour also has a high oil content, so it should be stored in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer.

Gram flour often comes in either white or brown varieties.

This will have no impact on its taste, but brown gram flour may have bits of skin mixed in, giving dishes a slightly grainy texture.

If you’re planning on using gram flour in a dish where it will be cooked, such as a sauce or casserole, you should consider using white rather than brown gram flour.

The latter isn’t ideal for use in dishes where the batter needs to be light and fluffy either.

The 5 Best Substitutes for Gram Flour

Here’s a detailed comparison of the 5 best substitutes for gram flour, along with their key characteristics and proper ratios:

Substitute	Key Characteristics	Proper Ratio
Chickpea Flour	Chickpea flour, also known as besan, is the most common substitute for gram flour. It has a nutty flavor.	Use an equal amount of chickpea flour as you would with gram flour.
Rice Flour	Rice flour is a gluten-free option that can be used as a substitute for gram flour. It has a neutral flavor.	Use an equal amount of rice flour as you would with gram flour.
Corn Flour	Corn flour, also known as cornmeal, is another gluten-free substitute for gram flour. It has a slightly sweet taste.	Use an equal amount of corn flour as you would with gram flour.
Quinoa Flour	Quinoa flour is a protein-rich alternative to gram flour. It has a slightly earthy and nutty flavor.	Use an equal amount of quinoa flour as you would with gram flour.
Millet Flour	Millet flour is another gluten-free option that can be used as a substitute for gram flour. It has a mild flavor.	Use an equal amount of millet flour as you would with gram flour.

Now, let’s discuss each substitute in more detail:

1 – Chickpea Flour

Chickpea is a legume that produces seeds. The ingredient resembles gram flour, and it’s yellow.

It has a nutty flavor that lends itself well to different dishes.

Chickpeas are often used for hummus, falafel, and pasta.

Typically, this product is made from white chickpeas, so some have a smooth texture.

However, some are made from yellow split peas.

People who use this flour prefer it over the more expensive almond flour.

This is because it can produce healthy and greaseless baked goods.

The important thing to note about chickpea flour is that it contains no gluten.

This means those with a gluten allergy can use it in their cooking.

2 – Rice Flour

Rice flour, which has a neutral flavor, is made from finely-milled rice.

Like chickpea flour, it’s very versatile.

Usually used in sweet dishes, this ingredient appears in cake mixes and ice cream recipes.

Additionally, you can use rice flour for breading meats or fried fish.

This is because the dough will create a crispy exterior, perfect for the frying process.

In addition, it’s delicious in flatbreads and waffles.

It’s important to note that rice flour is gluten-free.

However, this ingredient often contains wheat starch or soy sauce.

If you have a gluten allergy or sensitivity, be sure to check the ingredients list before serving.

3 – Corn Flour

Corn flour is a great substitute if you can’t use rice flour in your dish.

This product has the same texture as rice flour, which means it’s fantastic for baking.

It’s important to note that this ingredient is easier to find than gram flour.

You may find it in grocery stores or specialty shops that sell Indian food products.

People use cornflour to add a crisp exterior to their meat.

For instance, it can coat pork chops or chicken before frying them in hot oil.

In addition, you can use this ingredient when making quick bread, which typically has a crumbly texture.

The dough will absorb less fat than recipes that use almond flour.

4 – Quinoa Flour

Although quinoa flour contains gluten, it is one of the healthiest types of flour you can use.

This ingredient has a nutty taste and is often used in bread and cakes.

It may also be used in masalas to thicken sauces.

Typically, this flour is made from ground white or red quinoa seeds.

Either way, it has a soft and smooth texture.

If you want to buy quinoa flour, you may not find it in stores.

Instead, this product is usually available online or at Indian grocery stores.

It’s crucial to note that quinoa flour has a good deal of potassium, magnesium, iron, and calcium.

As you can imagine, this is great for vegetarians, vegans, or anyone who wants an alternative to common flours.

Many people choose it because it tastes delicious.

5 – Millet Flour

If you can’t find quinoa flour, millet flour is a great substitute.

This product has a mild flavor, which makes it perfect for baking.

Also, the dough will absorb less fat than if you used almond or coconut flours.

People use this ingredient in bread and cakes to make them healthier and lighter tasting.

In addition, they use it in Indian dishes, such as kheer or upma.

This product is usually available at health food stores or online specialty shops.

Before buying millet flour, you should read the ingredients list carefully to ensure it’s gluten-free.

Conclusion

Gram flour is a great substitute for rice flour, cornflour, quinoa flour, and millet.

People who want to eat healthily will use it in their cooking because it has many health benefits.

It’s also gluten-free and is easy to find in most grocery stores or specialty shops that sell Indian food products.

If you can’t find gram flour, you can always use rice flour.

It has a neutral flavor and is fantastic for baking.

You need to be careful if you have a gluten allergy or sensitivity because many recipes contain wheat starch or soy sauce.