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Chickpea Flour Pizza

17/11/2023

Chickpea flour pizza is a very interesting and healthy variant of the traditional Italian pizza. Moreover, being gluten-free, it is also suitable for those following a gluten-free diet. In Italy, a similar preparation is known as farinata or cecina, typical of Liguria and Tuscany. Here’s the recipe for a pizza with a chickpea flour base:

Ingredients

  • 200 g of chickpea flour
  • 600 ml of water
  • Salt to taste
  • 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
  • Toppings of choice (for example, tomato, mozzarella, basil, olives, etc.)

Preparation

  1. In a large bowl, sift the chickpea flour and gradually add the water, mixing with a whisk to prevent lumps.
  2. Add a pinch of salt and the extra virgin olive oil to the mixture. Let the dough rest for about 3-4 hours at room temperature.
  3. After resting, stir the dough again and preheat the oven to 220 °C.
  4. Drizzle a bit of oil in a pan (preferably round to mimic the shape of a pizza) and warm the pan in the oven for a few minutes.
  5. Carefully remove the hot pan from the oven and pour in the batter to form an even layer about half a centimeter high.
  6. Bake in the oven for about 20-30 minutes or until the base becomes golden and crispy at the edges.
  7. While the base is cooking, prepare your topping ingredients. Dice the mozzarella and let it drain, thinly slice the tomato, and prepare other vegetables of your choice.
  8. Once baked, remove the base from the oven, evenly distribute the tomato and other topping ingredients on the surface.
  9. Bake the pizza again and leave it to cook for another 10 minutes or until the toppings are hot and the mozzarella has melted.
  10. Take the pizza out of the oven, add a raw drizzle of oil and fresh basil if desired.

Curiosity

Farinata, or cecina, is a typical dish in Liguria and, with local variations, also in neighboring Tuscany. In some areas, it is called “chickpea pie” and can be enjoyed on its own or used as a base for pizza. The classic Ligurian farinata is typically cooked in very hot ovens, in large copper pans called “testo”, which gives it that distinctive flavor and crispness.

Keep in mind that chickpea flour pizza will be different from traditional pizza, it will have a slightly softer texture and the taste will naturally remind you of chickpeas. However, it is an excellent gluten-free alternative that is particularly rich in protein and fiber.