Why Everyone's Talking About Chickpea Flour + What To Do With It

Chickpea flour, also known as garbanzo bean flour, gram flour, and besan, is made from ground chickpeas. While its many brilliant (and tasty) uses are just emerging here in the U.S., this protein-packed, high-fiber, and gluten-free flour has been a staple in Asian countries for centuries.

In addition to being a nutritious stand-in for refined wheat flour, it can also be an egg replacement for vegan baked goods and can even be used as a face exfoliant.

Soft vegan peanut butter cookies with only four ingredients? If this doesn't convince you to go out and buy a bag of chickpea flour, nothing will.

Socca is a flatbread or crepe-like pancake traditionally made with chickpea flour. You can top socca with anything you'd like; we love this version with blistered tomatoes and roasted zucchini.

This impressive carrot cake not only looks gorgeous, but it's also healthy enough to responsibly eat for breakfast, thanks to chickpea flour, coconut oil, and—of course—carrots.