Are you looking for a healthier alternative to cornflour in your cooking?
Look no further than gram flour!
This versatile ingredient is not only gluten-free, but it also has numerous health benefits.
Gram flour can be used as a substitute for rice flour, quinoa flour, millet, and even cornflour.
It’s easy to find in most grocery stores or specialty shops that sell Indian food products.
In this article, we’ll explore the many ways you can use gram flour in your cooking and answer the question: Can I use gram flour instead of cornflour?
Let’s dive in and discover the wonders of this nutritious ingredient!
Can I Use Gram Flour Instead Of Cornflour?
Yes, you can definitely use gram flour instead of cornflour in your cooking.
Gram flour, also known as besan, is made from ground chickpeas and has a slightly nutty flavor. It’s a great substitute for cornflour because it’s gluten-free and has a similar texture when used as a thickener or binder in recipes.
In fact, gram flour can be used in a variety of ways in your cooking. It can be used as a thickener in soups, sauces, and curries, and can even be used to make a gluten-free roux.
Gram flour is also great for baking. It can be used to make dense cakes, biscuits, tray bakes like brownies, and quick unleavened breads. If you’re looking for a lighter crumb, you can combine gram flour with another gluten-free flour like rice or potato flour.
In addition to its versatility in cooking, gram flour is also a great source of protein and fiber. It’s low in fat and calories, making it a healthy choice for those looking to eat healthily.
What Is Gram Flour?
Gram flour, also known as besan, is a type of flour made from ground chickpeas. It is commonly used in Indian cuisine and is a staple ingredient in many dishes such as curries, fritters, and bread. Gram flour has a slightly nutty taste and a dense, grainy texture. It is a good source of protein and fiber and is often used as a gluten-free alternative to wheat flour in baking.
Besan is made from ground Bengal gram or chana dal, which is skinned and split Bengal gram. It can be found in most grocery stores or specialty shops that sell Indian food products. Non-Indian brands may label it as chickpea flour, so it’s important to read the description to ensure you’re getting the correct type of flour.
Gram flour can be used in both sweet and savory dishes, making it a versatile ingredient in your kitchen. It’s also easy to use as a substitute for other flours like rice flour, cornflour, quinoa flour, and millet. Overall, gram flour is a healthy and delicious addition to your cooking repertoire.
Health Benefits Of Gram Flour
Gram flour is not only a great substitute for cornflour but also has numerous health benefits. Here are some of the health benefits of gram flour:
1. High in Protein: Gram flour is rich in protein, with approximately 22 grams of protein per 100 grams of flour. This makes it an excellent source of protein, especially for vegetarians and vegans.
2. Rich in Fiber: Gram flour is also high in fiber, which can help improve digestion and prevent constipation. The fiber in gram flour helps to slow down the absorption of carbohydrates, which can help regulate blood sugar levels.
3. Gluten-Free: Gram flour is naturally gluten-free, making it a great choice for people with celiac disease or gluten intolerance.
4. Low in Calories: Gram flour is low in calories, with approximately 387 calories per 100 grams of flour. This makes it a great option for people who are trying to lose weight or maintain a healthy weight.
5. Helps Control Acne: Gram flour has been used for centuries in India to treat acne. The zinc in gram flour has been shown to fight the infections that cause acne, while also helping to control excess sebum production and soothe inflamed skin.
6. Good for Heart Health: Gram flour is rich in unsaturated fatty acids like linoleic and oleic acids, which are beneficial for heart health. These healthy fats help stabilize cholesterol levels and can reduce the risk of heart disease.
Gram Flour Vs Cornflour: What’s The Difference?
While gram flour and cornflour can both be used as thickeners and binders in recipes, there are some key differences between the two.
Firstly, cornflour is made from finely ground corn kernels, while gram flour is made from ground chickpeas. This means that gram flour has a slightly nuttier flavor and a denser texture than cornflour.
Secondly, cornflour is often used as a coating for fried foods like chicken or fish, while gram flour is more commonly used in Indian cuisine for dishes like pakoras or bhajis.
Finally, cornflour is not gluten-free, while gram flour is. This makes gram flour a great option for those with gluten allergies or sensitivities.
Using Gram Flour As A Substitute For Cornflour
If you’re looking to substitute cornflour with gram flour in your recipes, there are a few things to keep in mind.
Firstly, gram flour has a slightly nutty flavor that may affect the taste of your recipe. However, this can be a desirable flavor profile in some dishes.
Secondly, gram flour has a slightly different texture than cornflour. While cornflour is very fine and powdery, gram flour has a slightly coarser texture. This can affect the texture of your recipe, but it’s usually not noticeable.
When using gram flour as a thickener or binder in recipes, you can use it in the same way as cornflour. Simply mix it with water or another liquid to form a paste before adding it to your dish. You may need to use slightly more or less gram flour than cornflour depending on the recipe and desired consistency.
When using gram flour in baking recipes, you can use it in the same way as cornflour as well. However, keep in mind that gram flour has a slightly different texture and flavor profile than cornflour, so the end result may be slightly different.
Recipes Using Gram Flour As A Replacement For Cornflour
If you’re looking to use gram flour as a replacement for cornflour in your recipes, here are some delicious ideas to try:
1. Gram Flour Coated Fried Chicken: Instead of using cornflour to coat your chicken, try using gram flour mixed with spices like paprika, cumin, and garlic powder. Fry the chicken until crispy and serve with your favorite dipping sauce.
2. Gram Flour Flatbread: Mix gram flour with water, salt, and olive oil to form a dough. Roll out the dough and cook on a griddle or in a pan until golden brown. Serve with hummus, tzatziki, or any other dip of your choice.
3. Gram Flour Pancakes: Mix gram flour with baking powder, salt, and your favorite sweetener. Add milk and eggs to form a batter and cook on a griddle until golden brown. Serve with fresh fruit and maple syrup.
4. Gram Flour Pizza Crust: Mix gram flour with water, yeast, salt, and olive oil to form a dough. Roll out the dough and top with your favorite pizza toppings before baking in the oven.
5. Gram Flour Fritters: Mix gram flour with water, salt, and spices like turmeric and cumin. Add chopped vegetables like onions, potatoes, or cauliflower to form a batter. Fry the batter until crispy and serve with chutney or yogurt sauce.
These are just a few examples of how you can use gram flour as a replacement for cornflour in your cooking. Get creative and experiment with different recipes to find what works best for you!
Tips For Cooking With Gram Flour
If you’re new to cooking with gram flour, here are some tips to help you get started:
1. Use it as a thickener: Gram flour can be used as a thickener in soups, sauces, and curries. Simply mix it with water to form a paste, then add it to your recipe. It will help thicken the sauce and give it a slightly nutty flavor.
2. Combine it with other flours: If you’re baking with gram flour, consider combining it with other gluten-free flours like rice or potato flour. This will help give your baked goods a lighter texture.
3. Use it as a binder: Gram flour is very absorbent and can be used as a binder in vegan cooking or when avoiding eggs for allergy sufferers. Mix it with equal quantities of water to replace eggs in a recipe.
4. Experiment with spices: Gram flour has a slightly nutty flavor that pairs well with a variety of spices. Try adding coriander, cumin, turmeric, or chili powder to your gram flour recipes for added flavor.
5. Be mindful of the raw flavor: Some people find that gram flour has a slightly bitter, raw flavor. To avoid this, cook your gram flour thoroughly before using it in your recipe. You can also try using besan, which is made from roasted chickpeas and has a milder flavor.
