Chickpeas and beans can completely replace flour in many recipes.
Texture
Depending on the recipe, the result might be a little more dense, and less fluffy. It might turn your chocolate cake into the texture of a flourless chocolate cake. I don’t have a problem with that! Do you?
Benefits
- Beans are a complete food. They’ve got carbs, protein, and healthy fats, not to mention fiber. While I wouldn’t say to avoid flour, if you’re looking for more protein and food where you can really get a few key things in one place, beans are a great replacement.
- Gluten Free. I don’t have a gluten intolerance, but like the other benefits. I’m finding myself veering towards many gluten free recipes, because they are great, regardless of intolerance or not!
Recipes
So far, I’ve been very happy with chickpeas flat out replacing flour in many recipes, including:
- cookies
- raw cookie dough
- cupcakes
- cake
I also love hummus…but that’s not a replacement theme, that’s what garbanzos are famous for!
Cravings Gone Clean 
I just discovered cookie dough/cookies/cakes with beans (I like using northern beans best, since they aren’t as dry as garbanzo) and am loving it!
Yeah, it’s definitely one of the most amazing surprising ingredients out there!
How do you use chickpeas for flour? I’m assuming you put them in a food processor first?
Yes, rinse and drain them, then blend in the food processor with other ingredients. I’ve got a few recipes around here where I do this.