Chickpea Flour Flatbreads

Since discovering that I was gluten intolerant, chickpea flour, or besan flour to use it’s official name, has become a brilliant alternative to bread. Normally I use it as a replacement for bread if I make a soup. Recently I’ve made a gluten free sausage sandwich and I have discovered that it makes a great alternative to corn chips with guacamole. Also, it makes a fantastic pizza base too.

Besan flour is a totally gluten free product that is high in vitamins, minerals and nutrients. It is high is protein, iron and fibre. Besan flour contains potassium, mangnesium, folate, vitamin B6 and thiamine. In fact one bowl of chickpeas cooked can contain 20% of your daily protein allowance.

As well as being high in nutrients besan flour can help to lower cholesterol, it can help to control diabetes, improve health of the heart and it has been known to rid the body of any iron deficiencies during pregnancy. For me, it’s been a lifesaver as it makes a healthy alternative to bread.

Serves 4

Equipment needed.

• Scales
• Measuring jug x 2
• Mixing spoon
• Teaspoon
• Frying pan

Ingredients

• Chickpea flour x 150g
• Almond milk x 220mls
• Baking powder x 1 tsp
• Dried mixed herbs x 2 tsp
• Coconut oil x 4 tsp

Method

• Start by measuring the chickpea flour on the scales. I like to use the jug I’m going to mix in. It saves on washing up.
• Then put a teaspoon of baking powder and two teaspoons of dried mixed herbs into the flour and give it a good stir.
• Next measure the almond milk in the other jug and pour into the chickpea flour mixture.
• Stir again until it looks like pancake mixture.
• Heat the frying pan on a medium temperature and add a teaspoon of coconut oil.
• Make sure the oil covers the base of pan.
• Finally add about a quarter of the mixture and cook.
• My top tip is to wait for the flatbread to look like it’s almost dry on top before turning it over.
• Add the next teaspoon of coconut oil and a quarter of the chickpea flour mixture to the pan. Do the same as above for the next three.

As I have mentioned this is now like my healthy alternative to bread. It can be made into sandwiches, pizzas or just served with soup. The bonus is besan flour is not as expensive as the gluten free bread alternatives and can be purchased cheaply on the internet too. If you try these little lovelies as always enjoy!