Across Canada
Besan (gram flour) in Canada.
Besan is flour made from ground chickpeas. It is the batter for vada pav and pakoras, a thickener for curries, and it is easy to find in Canada under a few different names.
From the Tapri Chai kitchen · November 2026 · 2 min read
Also called
Chickpea flour
Made from
Ground chickpeas
Used for
Batters, sev
Buy at
Indian grocers
01
What besan is
Besan, or gram flour, is a pale yellow flour made from ground chickpeas, or chana dal. It has a nutty flavour and is naturally high in protein. In English it is called chickpea flour, and some brands label it garbanzo bean flour.
02
What it is used for
In Indian cooking, besan makes the crisp batter around vada pav and pakoras, the fine noodles of sev, the gravy of kadhi and many sweets. It is the base of many of the snacks in this guide.
03
Where to buy it in Canada
Indian grocery stores sell it in large bags at the best price. Many supermarkets stock chickpea flour in the baking or natural foods aisle, and health food stores carry it too. Look for the finer grind sold as besan if you can.
04
Tips for good batter
Sift the flour to remove lumps, add water gradually, and whisk in one direction. Let the batter rest for 10 minutes. A pinch of baking soda gives a lighter crust, and a spoon of hot oil in the batter makes it crisper.
05
Substitutes
If you cannot find besan, you can grind dried chickpeas in a high-powered blender, or use a mix of rice flour and cornflour for a crisp coating, though the flavour will differ. Tapri Chai is at 200 Kennevale Dr Unit 104, Barrhaven, Ottawa, open Tuesday to Sunday, 11am to 11pm.
Questions, answered.
Is gram flour the same as chickpea flour?
Yes. Gram flour and besan are both flour from ground chickpeas.
Where can I buy besan in Canada?
Indian grocery stores, many supermarkets and health food stores.
Can I use all-purpose flour instead?
You can, but the batter will taste and crisp differently. Use rice flour or cornflour to improve the crunch.
Why is my besan batter lumpy?
Add the water gradually and whisk well. Sifting first helps.
At Tapri Chai
Taste it for yourself.
Our kitchen in Barrhaven is 100% vegetarian. 200 Kennevale Dr Unit 104, Ottawa. Tuesday to Sunday, 11am to 11pm. Closed Mondays.