Chickpea flour is made from dried, finely ground chickpeas. It is a versatile ingredient used in both baking and cooking. In vegan recipes, it works as an excellent egg substitute and binding agent in vegetable and bean patties, pancakes and omelettes. It is also ideal for making falafel. In France, chickpea flour is used to prepare socca, a traditional Provençal chickpea flatbread, while in India it is a key ingredient in pakoras, crispy deep-fried vegetables. The flour must be cooked (heated) before consumption.