Substitutes for Gram Flour: A Guide for British Cooks

Gram flour is used in foods from India, the Middle East, and the Mediterranean. It is made out of ground chickpeas. Some dishes made with gram flour are pakoras, bhajis, and socca. Gram flour has protein in it, and it is gluten-free, which makes it a good choice for people who can’t eat gluten.

Why Substitute for Gram Flour?

It is hard to find gram flour in British supermarkets, especially in rural. This makes it hard for people who like to cook food from other countries to make their favourite dishes. Luckily, some ingredients can be used instead of gram flour.

Alternatives to Gram Flour

Here are some substitutes for gram flour for your different delicious dishes:

1. All-Purpose Flour

All-purpose flour is the most common in British supermarkets and is made from wheat. It can be used as a substitute for gram flour in many recipes but may not provide the same texture or taste. All-purpose flour is versatile and can be used in many recipes, such as cakes, biscuits, and bread.

All-purpose flour instead of gram flour can make your dish lighter and fluffier. However, this substitution may work better for certain recipes like pancakes or waffles and may not be ideal for others. If you need a gluten-free option, using all-purpose flour is not recommended, and you’ll need to explore other alternatives.

2. Rice Flour

Rice flour is commonly used in Asian cuisine and is made from ground rice. It is gluten-free and has a similar texture to gram flour. Rice flour is a great alternative for people who are gluten intolerant or have celiac disease. It can be used as a substitute for gram flour in recipes such as pakoras and bhajis and for making rice noodles and cakes.

Rice flour has a mild taste that is not too strong. It is good for people who like a milder taste. Rice flour provides energy, and it can help active people. One problem with rice flour is that it can be gritty, which might not be good for some recipes.

3. Corn Flour

Corn flour, also known as cornstarch, is a famous thickening agent made from ground corn and is gluten-free. It can be used as a substitute for gram flour in recipes such as bhajis and pakoras. Corn flour is an excellent alternative for people who are gluten intolerant or have celiac disease. It is also great for making cornbread and tortillas.

Corn flour has no strong taste, which makes it suitable for people who don’t like intense flavours. It also has a lot of carbohydrates, which can help active people. The only bad thing is that corn flour can be a bit gritty, so it may not work well in some recipes.

4. Besan Flour

Besan flour, also known as gram flour, is made from ground chickpeas and is a common ingredient in Indian cuisine. It can be found in speciality stores and online. Besan flour can be used as a substitute for gram flour in recipes such as pakoras and bhajis and for making veggie burgers and falafel. It is a good protein, fibre, and iron source and is also gluten-free.

Besan flour has a lovely nutty and earthy taste. It also has an interesting texture that can make your food more exciting. The only problem is it can be hard to find in stores in the UK, so you might need to look for speciality shops or order it online.

Benefits of Using Substitutes for Gram Flour

Using substitutes for gram flour can have several benefits. For example, using all-purpose flour can make your dish lighter and fluffier. Rice flour and corn flour are great alternatives for people who are gluten intolerant or have celiac disease. Besan flour is an excellent source of protein, fibre, and iron.

Using gram flour in cooking, you can try different flavours and textures. Besan flour has a nutty taste which adds flavour to your dish. Rice flour is mild and sweet. Corn flour is neutral and works with many dishes.

Conclusion

It can be hard to find gram flour in British supermarkets. But you can use other types of flour instead. All-purpose flour, rice flour, corn flour and besan flour all work as substitutes for gram flour. Try these different flours to see which is best for your recipes. Using a substitute might give you new flavours and textures to try in cooking!

Gram flour has a unique taste and feel. Sometimes, it is for recipes to be good. If you are unsure if another type of flour will work in the recipe, try making a little bit before making more.

When using substitutes for gram flour, it is essential to remember that they may have a different texture and taste than gram flour. This is particularly true when using all-purpose flour, which can be much lighter and fluffier than gram flour. To compensate for the different texture and taste, you may need to adjust other ingredients, such as the amount of liquid or spices used.