This Italian chickpea bread, also known as farinata or socca, is a delightful and simple dish that brings a taste of Italy to your kitchen. Made with just a few basic ingredients, this gluten-free bread is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, perfect for serving as an appetizer or a side dish.
Chickpea flour might not be a staple in every pantry, but it is essential for this recipe. You can find it in most supermarkets, often in the gluten-free or international foods section. Rosemary is optional but adds a wonderful aroma and flavor, so consider picking some up if you don't already have it.

Ingredients for Italian Chickpea Bread
Chickpea flour: This flour is made from ground chickpeas and is naturally gluten-free, providing a nutty flavor and a dense texture to the bread.
Water: Used to create the batter, it helps to achieve the right consistency.
Olive oil: Adds richness and helps to crisp up the edges of the bread.
Salt: Enhances the flavors of the other ingredients.
Rosemary: Optional, but it adds a fragrant, earthy note to the bread.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
To achieve a perfectly crispy texture for your Italian chickpea bread, ensure that the cast iron skillet is thoroughly preheated before adding the batter. This step is crucial as it helps the bread to start cooking immediately upon contact with the hot surface, creating a delightful crust. Additionally, letting the batter rest for at least 30 minutes allows the chickpea flour to fully hydrate, resulting in a smoother and more cohesive dough.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
chickpea flour - Substitute with besan (gram flour): Both are made from chickpeas and have similar textures and flavors.
chickpea flour - Substitute with quinoa flour: Quinoa flour has a slightly nutty flavor and similar protein content, making it a good alternative.
water - Substitute with vegetable broth: Adds extra flavor to the bread without altering the consistency.
olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil has a similar smoke point and healthy fat content, making it a suitable replacement.
olive oil - Substitute with coconut oil: Provides a different but pleasant flavor and maintains the necessary fat content.
salt - Substitute with sea salt: Sea salt can provide a slightly different mineral content and flavor profile.
salt - Substitute with kosher salt: Kosher salt has larger grains and a cleaner taste, making it a good alternative.
rosemary - Substitute with thyme: Thyme offers a different but complementary herbaceous flavor.
rosemary - Substitute with oregano: Oregano provides a robust and slightly peppery flavor that works well in savory breads.
Other Alternative Recipes Similar to This Dish
How To Store / Freeze This Recipe
- Allow the Italian chickpea bread to cool completely before storing. This prevents condensation, which can make the bread soggy.
- Wrap the bread tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil to maintain its freshness. Alternatively, place it in an airtight container.
- Store the wrapped bread at room temperature if you plan to consume it within 2-3 days. For longer storage, refrigerate it.
- To freeze, wrap the bread in plastic wrap and then place it in a freezer-safe bag or container. This double-layer protection helps prevent freezer burn.
- Label the container with the date to keep track of its freshness. The bread can be frozen for up to 2 months.
- When ready to enjoy, thaw the bread at room temperature or in the refrigerator. For a quicker option, use the microwave on a low setting.
- To reheat, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the bread on a baking sheet and warm for about 10 minutes, or until heated through and slightly crispy.
- For an extra touch, brush the reheated bread with a bit of olive oil and sprinkle with fresh rosemary before serving.
How To Reheat Leftovers
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the leftover Italian chickpea bread on a baking sheet and cover it with aluminum foil. Bake for about 10-15 minutes until it is warmed through and the edges regain their crispiness.
For a quicker method, use a toaster oven. Set it to 350°F (175°C) and place the chickpea bread directly on the rack. Toast for 5-7 minutes, keeping an eye on it to ensure it doesn't burn.
If you prefer using a stovetop, heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add a small amount of olive oil to the pan. Place the bread in the skillet and heat for 2-3 minutes on each side until it is warmed through and slightly crispy.
For a microwave option, place the chickpea bread on a microwave-safe plate. Cover it with a damp paper towel to prevent it from drying out. Microwave on medium power for 1-2 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure it heats evenly.
If you have an air fryer, preheat it to 350°F (175°C). Place the bread in the basket and heat for 3-5 minutes. This method will help maintain the crispiness of the edges while warming the interior.
Best Tools for This Recipe
Mixing bowl: A large bowl used to whisk together the chickpea flour, water, olive oil, and salt until smooth.
Whisk: A utensil used to blend the ingredients in the mixing bowl to create a smooth batter.
Cast iron skillet: A heavy-duty skillet that is preheated in the oven and used to bake the chickpea bread.
Oven: An appliance preheated to 450°F (230°C) to bake the chickpea bread.
Measuring cup: Used to measure out the chickpea flour and water accurately.
Tablespoon: Used to measure the olive oil and for adding extra oil to the skillet.
Oven mitts: Protective gloves used to safely handle the hot cast iron skillet.
Spatula: Used to spread the batter evenly in the skillet and to help remove the bread once baked.
Knife: Used to slice the chickpea bread once it has cooled slightly.
Cutting board: A surface to place the bread on for slicing.
How to Save Time on Making This Recipe
Prepare ingredients in advance: Measure out chickpea flour, water, and olive oil ahead of time to streamline the process.
Use a blender: Blend the batter instead of whisking to ensure a smooth consistency quickly.
Preheat the skillet: Start preheating your cast iron skillet while the batter rests to save time.
Multitask: While the batter rests, prepare any garnishes like rosemary.
Use parchment paper: Line the skillet with parchment paper for easy cleanup and quicker removal.

Italian Chickpea Bread Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup Chickpea Flour
- 1 cup Water
- 3 tablespoon Olive Oil plus extra for the pan
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Rosemary optional, for garnish
Instructions
- 1. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the chickpea flour, water, olive oil, and salt until smooth. Let the batter rest for at least 30 minutes.
- 2. Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C). Place a cast iron skillet in the oven to heat up.
- 3. Once the skillet is hot, carefully remove it from the oven and add a tablespoon of olive oil, swirling to coat the bottom.
- 4. Pour the batter into the skillet, spreading it out evenly. Bake for 15-20 minutes, until the edges are crispy and the top is golden brown.
- 5. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before slicing. Garnish with rosemary if desired. Serve warm.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
Suggested Main Courses and Desserts for This Recipe
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