Mesquite is a legume belonging to the Prosopis genus and a traditional staple food of indigenous cultures from the arid regions of the Americas. The pods are ground to a gluten-free powder that is used as both a natural sweetener and a nutty flavored flour for making breads, jelly or wine. 

Mesquite is full of protein and fiber, which digest slowly, preventing a rise in blood sugar levels.  It is also a great resource for calcium, manganese, potassium, iron, and zinc, and is rich in the amino acid lysine.

When used in baking, mesquite flour is used in combination with other flours. Substitute ¼ cup-to-½ cup mesquite flour in each cup grain flour. Mesquite bean flour is used in breads, pancakes, muffins, cakes and even cookies.