Digital Kitchen Scale
Essential for cup-to-gram accuracy and repeatable bakes.
Shop scales ↗Also known as gram flour, chickpea flour, bengal gram flour, बेसन, garbanzo flour.
Flour milled from roasted, hulled chickpeas (chana dal). Pale yellow, nutty, gluten-free. The backbone of pakoras, dhokla, and many Indian sweets — increasingly used in gluten-free baking.
Also Called
gram flourchickpea flourbengal gram flourबेसनgarbanzo flour
Properties
Density Index
0.39 g/cm3
1 Cup Weight
92g
Texture
Dry
Category
Flour
Top Substitute
Almond Flour
Use 1:1 by volume
Gluten-free with similar nutty character. More expensive and behaves differently in batters.
Most-used links for Besan
Conversions
| cups | grams |
|---|---|
| 1/4 cups | 23.0 grams |
| 1/3 cups | 30.0 grams |
| 1/2 cups | 46.0 grams |
| 1 cups | 92.0 grams |
| 1.50 cups | 138 grams |
| 2 cups | 184 grams |
| 3 cups | 276 grams |
| 4 cups | 368 grams |
Figures use the US cup (236.6 ml).
Density: 0.39 g/ml
Quick Convert
Ingredient-specific, density-based conversions for baking
1 cups of Besan equals 92.3 grams
Ingredient-specific · density-based
Cup size
Based on us cup (236.6 ml) · density data from baking references and our own measurements.Recommended Tools & Pantry Picks for Besan
Optional shopping references for bakers who want to compare tools and pantry options related to besan.
Measuring Cup & Spoon Set
Useful for quick volume checks before converting to weight.
Shop measuring sets ↗Disclosure: Some outbound links are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, CupOrGram earns from qualifying purchases. Learn more.
Substitutions for Besan
Almond Flour
good1:1 by volume
Gluten-free with similar nutty character. More expensive and behaves differently in batters.
Gluten-free with similar nutty character. More expensive and behaves differently in batters.
Rice Flour
moderate1:1 by volume
Gluten-free but no protein structure. Add an egg or binder.
Gluten-free but no protein structure. Add an egg or binder.
Storage Tips
Airtight container, cool dry place 3 months. Refrigerate for longer life — the fat content can turn rancid.
Baking Science
About 22% protein, 5% fat, no gluten. Forms a smooth, cohesive batter when whisked with water because of its high protein. Often confused with kala chana flour (made from whole brown chickpeas) which is darker and stronger-tasting.
Recipe Context
For cakes: use weight to avoid dense crumb from over-measuring.
For bread: control hydration by weighing flour and liquids together.
For cookies: 10-20g extra flour can reduce spread noticeably.
Common Pitfalls
- Switching brands without re-checking weight can change texture and bake time.
- Using volume-only measurements for dense ingredients can overshoot recipe targets.
- Scooping directly from the bag compresses flour and can make bakes dry.
Brand Variance & Measuring Method
Baseline reference: 1 cup besan = 92g. In real kitchens, a practical range is usually 81g-103g per cup (12% band).
Why this happens: flours and grains compact differently based on scoop method, humidity, and grind fineness.
Figures use the US cup (236.6 ml).Common Questions
How many grams is 1 cup of besan?
1 cup of besan weighs 92 grams.
What can I substitute for besan?
Almond Flour (1:1 by volume), Rice Flour (1:1 by volume)
Explore Besan Further
Reference
See besan in the full measurement table
Cup, tablespoon, and teaspoon weights for all ingredients, sourced and cross-checked.