From crispy pakoras to soft dhokla, gram flour (besan) is one of the most versatile ingredients in Indian cooking. This collection of gram flour recipes is perfect for breakfast, snacks, curries, and sweets- from bread pakora to kadhi pakora to besan halwa!
Ever since I learned to cook, besan has been an incredible part of my kitchen pantry. I can't imagine a week without a besan recipe. They are packed with flavor and are just amazing.
If I am celebrating my birthday, bread pakoras are on the breakfast menu. For enjoying rain, onion pakoras are a must. For picky eaters who don't eat lauki / ghiya (bottle gourd), I make Kofta curry. For a day when I don't want dals or regular food, Kadhi Pakora with rice makes the best meal. For the sweet tooth family, besan halwa is the choice.
Jump to:
- What is Besan Flour?
- Best Gram Flour Recipes
- Breakfast
- Bread Besan Chilla / Toast
- Bread Pakora
- Main Course
- Missi Roti
- Pumpkin Paratha
- Paneer Tikka Masala
- Kadhi Pakora
- Desserts
- Besan Halwa
- Gram Flour Snacks
- Air Fryer Paneer Tikka
- Air Fryer Cucumber Fritters
- Onion Pakoras
- Tawa Paneer Tikka
- Rice Fritters
- Air Fryer Eggplant Fries
- Air Fryer Pakora- aloo onion
- Potato Latkes / Pancakes
- Pumpkin Cutlets
What is Besan Flour?
Indian besan flour is a gluten-free flour made by grinding chana dal (also known as split brown chickpeas or Bengal gram). It is often confused with chickpea flour or garbanzo bean flour, which is made by grinding white chickpeas.
Besan is much finer and use less water than the chickpea flour. Chickpea flour is more common in the US. While both may be used for similar recipes, chickpea flour works best for recipes like frittata as it has a coarse texture not fine like besan.
Best Gram Flour Recipes
Breakfast
Bread Besan Chilla / Toast
Bread Besan Toast
Bread Besan Toast is a popular Indian breakfast dish, made with besan batter (gram flour) and fresh bread slices- a simple yet crispy and amazingly delicious breakfast on the go!
Check out this recipe
Bread Pakora
Bread Pakora Recipe-Bread Pakoda
A popular street food from Indian cuisine, Bread Pakora, made by deep frying bread slices dipped in besan flour, is an amazing breakfast or an evening snack for a perfect monsoon day!
Check out this recipe
Main Course
Missi Roti
Missi Roti- Gram Flour Flatbread
Missi Roti is a traditional North Indian flatbread made by mixing whole wheat flour with gram flour (besan) and simple spices. Team it with curd, dal or any pickle of your choice for a hearty meal!
Check out this recipe
Pumpkin Paratha
Pumpkin Paratha | Indian Pumpkin Flatbread Recipe
This utterly delicious and crispy Pumpkin Paratha or flatbread, made with kneading fresh dough of wheat flour, gram flour(besan), spices, grated pumpkin and green chilies is amazingly packed with bold and savory flavor! Team these Pumpkin flatbread with curd, pickle or any curry of your choice!
Check out this recipe
Paneer Tikka Masala
Paneer Tikka Masala Recipe
If you are looking for a Indian restaurant styled Paneer curry, you can't go wrong with this easy recipe of Paneer Tikka Masala. Simmered over slow flame, tawa-fried marinated paneer cubes, dunked into spicy onion tomato gravy, this classic paneer curry goes best with paratha or naan!
Check out this recipe
Kadhi Pakora
Kadhi Pakora
This is my family’s version of Kadhi Pakora, an Indian tangy yogurt-based curry that is slow-cooked to perfection and paired with crispy onion fritters that soak up spicy flavors from the curry.
Check out this recipe
Desserts
Besan Halwa
Besan ka Halwa | Indian Besan Pudding
Besan Halwa is a traditional Indian dessert, made by roasting gram flour in ghee slowly over the stovetop till browned. Flavored with green cardamom, saffron, this is the perfect recipe to make halwa!
Check out this recipe
Gram Flour Snacks
Air Fryer Paneer Tikka
Air Fryer Paneer Tikka Recipe
Incredibly delicious and bursting with spicy and savory flavors, this Air Fryer Paneer Tikka is a perfect appetizer for any occasion. Succulent paneer cubes marinated in a blend of Indian spices, yogurt and Gram flour and crisped to perfection in the air fryer is a twist on a classic Indian Paneer Tikka.
Check out this recipe
Air Fryer Cucumber Fritters
Air Fryer Cucumber Fritters- No Bread Crumbs
These Air Fryer Cucumber Fritters, made with Indian spices and besan (gram flour), have an amazing crispy exterior. Just a little oil, no long prepping, and a deli⅙cious vegan appetizer is ready
Check out this recipe
Onion Pakoras
Onion Pakora Recipe - Crispy Indian Onion Fritters
These deep-fried Onion pakoras or Onion Bhaji are one of the popular Indian tea-time snacks that go well with homemade Green Chutney! Light and crisp, each bite of these incredibly delicious onion pakoda is indulgent.
Check out this recipe
Tawa Paneer Tikka
Paneer Tikka on Tawa
Paneer Tikka is a delicious Indian appetizer known for its smoky, tangy, and spicy flavors. This recipe uses a steel tawa to cook the marinated paneer cubes for a perfect Indian starter!
Check out this recipe
Rice Fritters
Quick Rice Fritters
These Rice Fritters made with leftover white rice are a comfort snack that gathers in less than 20 minutes with minimum prepping! If you are looking for an easy snack that uses your rice and veggies of the season, go ahead and try this easy recipe!
Check out this recipe
Air Fryer Eggplant Fries
Air Fryer Eggplant Fries (No Breadcrumbs)
This Crispy Air Fryer Eggplant recipe made without breadcrumbs is amazingly delicious and yet simple! Made in just a little oil, these eggplant fritters are crispy on the outside and tender within. Team them with tomato sauce or your favorite dip for a quick snack!
Check out this recipe
Air Fryer Pakora- aloo onion
Air Fryer Pakora- Potato Onion
These Crispy and irresistible Air fried Pakora, flavored with green chilies and Indian spices and made using minimal oil are a gentle twist to the classical deep-fried pakora.
Check out this recipe
Potato Latkes / Pancakes
Easy Vegan Latkes (Potato Pancakes)- Gluten Free!
A mild twist to the classic recipe for Potato Latkes or pancakes- No eggs, No dairy, and gluten-free! Perfectly crispy, made spicy with Indian spices, and slowly cooked on the stovetop using iron flat Tawa- an amazing holiday snack!
Check out this recipe
Pumpkin Cutlets
Pumpkin Potato Cutlets
If you are looking for a yummy snack, try this easy recipe of Pumpkin Aloo Cutlets! With a crunchy exterior and a soft inside bursting with spicy and savory flavors, these Vegetable Tikki or rolls are definitely a crowd-pleaser at any gathering!
Check out this recipe
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