Besan recipes are a cornerstone of Indian vegetarian cuisine, showcasing the incredible versatility and rich flavors of this humble ingredient. This collection offers a wide range of dishes made from besan, also known as gram flour, including breakfast options, snacks, main course dishes and desserts. Whether you’re looking for a quick snack or a hearty meal, these recipes provide delicious and nutritious options for any time of the day.
What is Besan?
Besan is a fine flour made by grinding chana dal (split Bengal gram), hence it is also known as gram flour in English. It is an essential ingredient in many dishes throughout India and is known by various names in different regions, such as ‘Kadalai Maavu’ in Tamil, ‘Kadale Hittu’ in Kannada, and ‘Senagapindi’ in Telugu.
Besan is not only popular in India but is also widely used across the Indian subcontinent and beyond, including Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Burma (Myanmar), and Sri Lanka. This widespread usage highlights gram flour’s adaptability and its essential role in regional culinary traditions.
Besan is celebrated for its earthy, nutty flavor and smooth texture. Its versatility allows it to be used in both savory and sweet recipes, making it a favorite in many kitchens.
Whether you’re preparing batters for fritters (pakoras), pancakes (chilla), or sweets (ladoos), gram flour adds a unique and rich taste to every dish. You can also use besan to thicken soups and curries or to bind ingredients in doughs and batters.
Besan vs Chickpea Flour
Besan is often confused with chickpea flour, but they are made from different legumes –
- Bengal Gram
- Besan is made by grinding Bengal gram, also known as kala chana.
- Bengal gram is a smaller, darker legume with a rougher coat.
- When ground, it produces a flour with a distinctive nutty flavor and a finer texture.
- Besan is primarily used in Indian cooking.
- Garbanzo Beans
- Chickpea flour is made by grinding garbanzo beans, also known as chickpeas.
- Garbanzo beans are larger, smoother and lighter in color.
- When ground, they produce chickpea flour, also known as garbanzo bean flour, which has a slightly different flavor and texture compared to besan.
- Chickpea flour is commonly used in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisines.
However, despite their differences, both Bengal gram and Garbanzo beans belong to the same legume family. As such, both flours are quite similar in flavor and texture and can often be used interchangeably in recipes.
Health Benefits of Besan
Besan is not only tasty but also very healthy. Including besan recipes in your diet is a great way to boost the nutrition, especially in a vegetarian diet. Here are some benefits of adding gram flour to your diet –
- High in Protein – Besan is a good source of plant-based protein, which is important for building and repairing muscles.
- Rich in Fiber – Besan has a lot of fiber, which helps with digestion and keeps your gut healthy. Fiber also makes you feel full, which can help with weight management.
- Low Glycemic Index – Gram flour releases sugar slowly into the blood, which helps manage blood sugar levels. This makes it a good choice for people with diabetes.
- Gluten-Free – Besan is naturally gluten-free, so it’s great for people who can’t eat gluten.
- Supports Weight Loss – Because besan is high in protein and fiber, it can help you feel full longer and reduce your overall calorie intake.
- Nutrient-Rich – Besan has important vitamins and minerals like iron, magnesium, folate, and vitamin B6, which are good for your health.
Here’s a detailed look at the important nutritional facts about 1 cup (92 grams) of besan (gram flour) –
Calories | 356 kcal |
Protein | 21g |
Carbohydrates | 53g |
Fat | 6.2g |
Fiber | 10g |
Sugars | 9g |
Glycemic Index | 30 |
Note – These values are approximate and can vary slightly depending on the brand and processing of the gram flour.
Popular Dishes Made with Besan
Besan, or gram flour, is incredibly versatile and used in a wide range of delicious dishes –
- Snacks and appetizers – Besan is perfect for snacks and appetizers like pakoras, bhajjis, cheela or dhokla. These dishes are popular for their rich flavors and are often served with chutneys.
- Main course – Hearty & nutritious besan dishes like kadhi, gatte ki sabzi and besan roti, are perfect for a healthy and delicious lunch or dinner.
- Sweets and desserts – Besan is essential in sweets like besan ladoo, besan barfi, mysore pak and besan halwa. These desserts are popular during festivals and special occasions.
- Other uses – Besan can be used in unique ways like besan soup, besan bread and besan coated veggies.
List of Besan Recipes | Gram Flour Recipes
Our collection of besan recipes includes a variety of delicious vegetarian dishes where Besan, or gram flour, is the star ingredient. Additionally, I’ve included a section at the end featuring recipes where besan is used in combination with other ingredients, enhancing both the taste and nutritional value of the dishes.
Besan Recipes for Breakfast
Start your day with healthy and nutritious besan breakfast recipes like besan chilla or dhokla. Or try some bread pakoras for a heartier, indulgent option. Explore our list of delicious besan breakfast recipes below –
Besan Chilla Recipe | Besan Pudla
Methi Cheela Recipe | Besan Aur Methi Ka Cheela
Khaman Dhokla Recipe | Soft & Spongy Gujarati Dhokla
Besan Toast Recipe | Spicy Chickpea Flour & Bread Toast
Aloo Bread Pakora Recipe | Bread Pakora with Stuffed Potato
Besan Recipes for Snacks
Find a variety of tasty snacks perfect for any time. These crispy treats make excellent appetizers or teatime delights. Here’s our list of besan recipes for snacks –
Onion Pakoda Recipe | Pyaz Ka Pakora
Palak Pakoda Recipe | Spinach Pakora
Vada Pav Recipe | Mumbai Style Pav & Batata Vada
Kachori Recipe | Kota Kachori | Urad Dal Kachori
Batata Vada Recipe
Besan Recipes for Lunch or Dinner (Vegetables & Curries)
Find rich and hearty lunch and dinner recipes made with besan. Enjoy stir-fried besan-coated vegetables or flavorful curries like kadhi and gatte ki sabzi. Explore our list of besan recipes for satisfying main course meals –
Jaisalmer Kala Chana Kadhi Recipe | Rajasthani Black Chickpea Curry
Palak Kadhi Recipe | Spinach Kadhi
Kurkuri Bhindi Recipe | Fried Bhindi | Crispy Okra
Gatte Ki Sabzi Recipe | Rajasthani Besan ke Gatte
Kadhi Recipe | Punjabi Kadhi Pakora | Besan Ki Kadhi
Besan Mirch Recipe | Rajasthani Besan Ki Mirchi Recipe
Besan Sweets and Desserts
Indulge in sweet treats made with besan. Rich and nutty in flavor, these desserts are perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth –
Besan Mawa Barfi Recipe | Besan Khoya Burfi
Besan Ladoo Recipe | Besan Laddu
Complementary Recipes Using Besan
While Besan shines as the main ingredient in the above recipes, it is also added to many other dishes in smaller quantities to complement and enhance the flavor of the ingredients. Below, I’ve included a few such recipes where adding Besan truly enhances the taste and nutritional content of the dishes –
Paneer Tikka Recipe
Gobi 65 Recipe | Cauliflower 65
Tandoori Gobi Recipe | Gobi Tikka | Grilled Cauliflower
Palak Kofta Recipe | Spinach Kofta Curry
Lauki Kofta Curry Recipe
Veg Kofta Recipe | Mix Vegetable Kofta Curry
Bharwa Bhindi Recipe | Stuffed Okra
Easy Mooli Paratha Recipe Without Stuffing
Methi Paratha Recipe | Methi Ka Paratha
Palak Puri Recipe | Spinach Puri
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