Chickpea Flour Bread – Quick, Easy & Gluten-Free

This quick and easy one-bowl chickpea flour bread is high-fiber, high-protein, gluten-free, yeast-free, and uses baking soda for a fluffy loaf, perfect for toasting and sandwiches!

Since sharing a recipe for chickpea bread using dried chickpeas, I’ve received TONS of YouTube comments asking for a chickpea flour version. Ask, and ye shall receive! This simple chickpea flour bread recipe requires no yeast, oil, sugar, or rising time. Instead, nutty chickpea flour + baking powder and baking soda create a high-fiber, high-protein bread that’s well risen, tender, and perfect for toast and sandwiches!

You might also enjoy crispy chickpea crackers, chickpea flour gluten-free tortillas, or other nutritious, gluten-free bread recipes like lentil protein bread or quinoa bread.

The Ingredients

• Chickpea flour: (aka garbanzo bean flour or besan. Gram flour also works) It’s available in most large grocery stores/Asian markets or homemade (method in FAQs). Make sure it’s fresh, though, or it may taste bitter/stale.
• Psyllium husk powder: This is essential for binding (don’t omit). If using whole husk, grind into a fine powder (measure after grinding).
• Ground flaxseed: To further bind.
• Leavening agents: Baking powder and baking soda provide rise without yeast.
• Acid: Apple cider vinegar or lemon juice work to activate the baking soda.
• Salt: Note, chickpeas need more seasoning than you think.
• Water 

For the full ingredients list, measurements, complete recipe method, and nutritional information, read the recipe card below.

Recipe Variations

• Split pea flour: Similar to when making chickpea tofu, a blend of chickpea flour and split pea flour makes a more robust flavor.
• Flavor boosters: i.e., nutritional yeast, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, cumin, turmeric, cayenne pepper, black pepper, Italian seasoning, rosemary, thyme, or fresh parsley, cilantro, or scallions.
• Mix-ins: Olives, sun-dried tomatoes, roasted garlic, sauteed or caramelized onions, preserved lemon peel, dairy-free cheese (feta or shreds), etc. Pat dry and don’t add too much, or it won’t bind.
• Toppings: Brush or spritz with water and sprinkle with seeds (sesame seeds, poppy seeds, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, etc.), everything bagel seasoning, etc.

How to Make Chickpea Flour Bread

• Whisk the psyllium husk powder and water in a large bowl, vigorously, to avoid lumps. Set it aside to thicken/gel. Then, preheat the oven to 180°C (360°F).

• In a separate mixing bowl, combine the chickpea flour, ground flaxseed, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. Pour the vinegar directly over the baking powder and baking soda.

• Add the psyllium gel, then use clean hands to knead it into a dough.

It will be very sticky to begin with, but that’s normal. Wet hands will help.

• Transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet and shape into a flat loaf, smoothing the surface with wet hands to prevent cracks.

• Score the top with a knife, optionally sprinkling it with whole flaxseeds/other seeds.

• Bake in the preheated oven for 50-55 minutes, then remove it from the oven and let it cool completely on a cooling rack before slicing. Enjoy!

Serving Suggestions

This tender garbanzo flour bread is delicious raw, toasted, or as a sandwich with:

• Vegan Butter
• Scrambled tofu or vegan egg salad
• Sauteed mushrooms
• To make avocado toast
• Vegan cream cheese or vegan ricotta cheese
• Hummus or garlic white bean dip with fresh or grilled vegetables
• Vegan bologna
• Chickpea ‘tuna’ salad
• Roasted cherry tomatoes with balsamic

Storage Instructions

Store: Let cool, then store in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days or in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. Heat to restore texture.

Freezer: Store the loaf whole or sliced (parchment between slices to avoid sticking) in a Ziplock for up to 3 months.

Thaw: Defrost slices in a toaster OR thaw larger amounts at room temperature for several hours.

FAQs

How to make chickpea flour?

Grind dried chickpeas using a high-speed blender or food miller until floury, then strain it and re-process larger pieces.

Is chickpea flour bread healthy?

Chickpea flour, the primary ingredient in garbanzo bread, is unrefined, high in fiber and protein, and rich in several nutrients (including folate, iron, magnesium, and more) and antioxidants.

Why is the bread gummy inside?

You may have under-baked it, cut it too soon, or used too many wet mix-ins.

How else can I use chickpea flour?

Chickpea flour is a versatile favorite for vegan, gluten-free cooking. I’ve used it for gluten-free gnocchi, German spaetzle, gluten-free tortillas, and as an egg replacement in breakfast tomatoes, a vegan frittata, and savory vegetable muffins.

It can also be used for pakoras/onion bhaji, socca, pancakes, batter, and more.

Recipe Notes

• Measure the ingredients: I develop and test my recipes using metric measurements for the most reliable results. Using cups often leads to inconsistent results.
• Use psyllium husk powder: NOT whole psyllium husk, or the dough won’t bind properly and may cause gumminess.
• To adjust the shape: You could make a single loaf, a baguette, or mini loaves. Adjust baking time as needed.
• Cool before slicing: This allows the garbanzo bread to fully set, ready to slice.

More Gluten-Free Bread Recipes

• Keto flaxseed bread
• Oatmeal seed bread
• Gluten-free seeded bread
• Red lentil bread rolls
• Gluten-free Pita Bread
• Gluten-free Naan Bread

If you try this chickpea flour bread recipe, I’d love a comment and ★★★★★ recipe rating below. Also, please don’t forget to tag me in recreations on Instagram or Facebook with @elavegan and #elavegan—I love seeing them.

Chickpea Flour Bread

Author: Michaela Vais

This easy one-bowl chickpea flour bread is high-fiber, high-protein, gluten-free, and uses baking soda for a fluffy loaf, perfect for toasting and sandwiches!

4.89 from 35 votes

Servings 12 slices

Prep 15 minutes mins

Cook 50 minutes mins

Total 1 hour hr 5 minutes mins

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Video

Ingredients

 

1x2x3x

• ▢ 40 g (4 Tbsp) psyllium husk powder
• ▢ 420 ml (1¾ cups) water
• ▢ 300 g (3 cups) chickpea flour
• ▢ 30 g (¼ cup) ground flaxseed
• ▢ ¾ tsp salt
• ▢ 1 ¼ tsp baking powder
• ▢ ¾ tsp baking soda
• ▢ 20 ml (1½ Tbsp) apple cider vinegar (or lemon juice)

Instructions

 

• You can watch the video for visual instructions.

  First, pour the water into a large bowl. Add the psyllium husk powder and immediately whisk vigorously so no lumps form. Let it sit for a few minutes until it thickens into a gel. Then preheat the oven to 180°C (360°F).

  Alternatively, you can add the psyllium husk powder to the bowl first, then pour in the water and whisk right away.
• In a separate bowl, combine the chickpea flour, ground flaxseed, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. Pour the apple cider vinegar directly over the baking powder and baking soda.
• Add the psyllium gel to the dry ingredients. Then knead everything together with clean hands until a dough forms.

  It will be very sticky at first, but that’s normal. Lightly wetting your hands with water helps.
• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the dough on top and shape it into a flat loaf.

  Keep wetting your hands slightly and smooth the surface of the loaf.
• Score the top with a knife. If you like, sprinkle whole flaxseeds or seeds of choice on top.
• Bake for 50 to 55 minutes. Remove from the oven and let the bread cool completely before slicing.

Notes

• Please use a kitchen scale and measure everything in grams. I develop and test my recipes using metric measurements, and using cups often leads to inconsistent results. This is especially important for psyllium. Many people use 4 tablespoons of whole psyllium husk instead of psyllium husk powder, which makes a huge difference (it would be only about half the weight). The dough won’t bind properly and the bread can turn out gummy.
• If you only have whole psyllium husks, you can grind them into powder. Measure the tablespoons after grinding, not before. Still, using a scale is always the most precise method.

Nutrition Facts

Chickpea Flour Bread

Serving Size

 

1 slice

Amount per Serving

Calories

122

% Daily Value*

Fat

 

3

g

5

%

Saturated Fat

 

0.3

g

2

%

Sodium

 

233

mg

10

%

Potassium

 

275

mg

8

%

Carbohydrates

 

18

g

6

%

Fiber

 

6

g

24

%

Sugar

 

3

g

3

%

Protein

 

6

g

12

%

Calcium

 

37

mg

4

%

Iron

 

1

mg

6

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Nutrition information is an estimate and has been calculated automatically

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