5 Health Benefits of Adding Besan to Wheat Chapati
Kazi Nasir | Dec 18, 2025, 12:19 IST
Benefits of Adding Besan to Chapati
( Image credit : Freepik )
Chapati is traditionally made with wheat flour, but many Indian households are now enhancing its nutritional value by mixing in besan (gram flour). Besan adds plant-based protein, dietary fibre, essential minerals and a mild nutty flavour that improves satiety and texture. Even a partial replacement of wheat flour can make chapatis more filling, aid digestion and support better blood-sugar control.
Chapati is generally prepared with wheat flour but to increase its nutritional value, indian house holds have started mixing it with besan (gram flour). With besan comes extra protein, fibre, minerals and a type of nutty flavour that improves satiety and texture of the Chapati. So if you are looking to make your meal more filling or add more plant-based protein in it or simply vary the taste and texture, you can also add besan to your regular chapati to upgrade its flavour.
Besan is made from ground chickpeas which is why it is rich in plant protein compared to other flours. Adding besan in chapatis increases the protein presence which helps keep one fuller for longer. It is useful for weight management or you can use it as a post-workout meal or a vegetarian diet.
Chickpea flour comes with additional dietary fibre, supporting digestion and helping steady blood sugar by slowing carbohydrate absorption from the food. For people who struggle with mid-afternoon cravings, a protein- and fibre-rich chapati can reduce snacking.
Besan also contains important micronutrients such as notably iron, B-vitamins and magnesium, which meaningfully increase the nutritional profile of each roti compared with 100% wheat. So this small swap can help one improve overall micronutrient intake with the peroid of time.
As besan has higher protein and fibre, it lowers the digestion of digestible starch in refined wheat flours. Even partial replacement of wheat reduces the chapati's glycemic response. For a diabetic, this makes besan mix rotis a friendlier option.
One needs to be mindful as besan is gluten-free, so increasing its proportion in the wheat flour reduces the dough’s elasticity. That means chapatis will be slightly firmer or denser at high substitution levels. However, modest amounts (10–30%) keep softness while delivering the benefits above.
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Q1. Is besan good for health?
Ans: Yes, it is
Q2. Is besan roti good for your skin?
Ans: Yes, gram flour (besan) is good for the skin
Q3. What to add to flour to increase protein?
Ans: vital wheat gluten
1. Higher plant protein & better satiety
Besan for Digestion
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2. More fibre and digestive benefits
3. Micronutrients & iron boost
Besan for Digestion
( Image credit : Freepik )
4. Lower glycemic impact (better for blood-sugar control)
5. Gluten & texture considerations
Plant Based Protein Indian Diet
( Image credit : Freepik )
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FAQs
Ans: Yes, it is
Q2. Is besan roti good for your skin?
Ans: Yes, gram flour (besan) is good for the skin
Q3. What to add to flour to increase protein?
Ans: vital wheat gluten