Recipe testing can be stressful, expensive and very frustrating but when something comes together (be it the first time or the 50th time) there is no better feeling!
This was one of those rare occasions where it just worked on the first try and has worked perfectly twice since. I think that means I can declare this recipe “foolproof”?
I think I will also declare it my new favourite dinner because it really is so delicious, so easy to make and healthy too!
Taste-wise, this really hits the pizza spot. Texture-wise, it’s very close but isn’t quite a replacement for a wheat or gluten-free flour based pizza.
It’s a much softer dough. Still, it’s in no way less delicious! If you’re on a vegan & grain-free diet, this will definitely cure your pizza cravings :-)
The base of the pizza is a socca or “farinata” flatbread, made from chickpea flour.
As you can probably guess from the name, it originates from Italy and is made very simply by mixing chickpea / garzbonzo bean flour with water and a bit of olive oil, adding to a pan and baking at a high heat.
You can find chickpea flour at the supermarket in the world food aisle or in Asian markets, health food shops or online.
This socca pizza is:
- Vegetarian & vegan
- Dairy-free
- Gluten-free & grain-free
- High in plant-based protein
- Healthy
📖 Recipe
Healthy Pizza (Vegan + Gluten-free)
The most delicious and healthy grain-free pizza you will ever make! Made with a "socca" base (chickpea flour) and cashew-based cheese sauce.
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp mild olive oil or rapeseed oil
- 90 g / 1 cup chickpea flour
- 240 ml / 1 cup water
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp mixed dried italian seasoning, basil, oregano etc.
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Super easy pizza sauce
- 120 g / ½ cup tomato passata
- 2 tbsp tomato puree
- ½ red onion
- 3 garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp dried Italian seasoning mix
Toppings
- Cashew cheese sauce
- Fresh chopped basil
- Chopped veggies of choice (I used red onion and pepper)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 230C / 450F and brush a 35x20cm / quarter sheet baking tray with one tablespoon of the oil. Alternatively, you can use a large, round pizza tray.
- Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, mix together the remaining one tablespoon of oil, chickpea flour and seasonings. Slowly add the water and whisk until completely smooth.
- Pour the batter onto the baking tray and carefully tilt to make sure the tray is evenly coated. Cook for 10 minutes until golden and slightly crisp around the edges. Remove from the oven but keep the oven hot.
- Meanwhile, make the pizza sauce by simply blending the ingredients in a blender until smooth. Spread on top of the pizza base.
- Drizzle dollops of the cashew cheese over the sauce and scatter some chopped vegetables on top. Bake again for a further 5-10 minutes. If you prefer you can drizzle the cheese on after the pizza has baked, for a more creamy cheese.
- Cut into 6 slices and enjoy!
Nutrition Information
Yield 2 Serving Size ½ pizzaAmount Per Serving Calories 364Carbohydrates 35.3gFiber 6.6gProtein 12.6g
Anna says
Never cooked with chickpea flour, but after seeing this, I’m so tempted!!! Pizza cravings- here I come!!! :) xxx
Aimee says
It’s awesome! You can make really tasty “scrambled eggs” with it too :-) x
Thalia @ butter and brioche says
i love when things turn out perfect the first go! there is seriously no better feeling. and this socca pizza looks AMAZING. totally understand why it worked out. you can’t go wrong with pizza anything Xx
Aimee says
Thanks Thalia! Yes, especially if you’ve had a series of disasters beforehand :D x
Natalie | Feasting on Fruit says
You lucky socca-making ducky, nailing it on the first try! I guess it was just meant to be then :) I’ve never had socca (actually I couldn’t have even told you what it was made of if I hadn’t read the post already ha) but it looks like a marvelously thin crispy pizza crust replacement. And the struggle with fitting a round pizza on a baking pan is solved here too, plus it looks so modern and hip in a rectangle! Mmm those cheesy dollops <3
Aimee says
Thank you, Natalie! I know, I’m so hip, too cool for round pizzas. You should try socca! I bet you could make an amazing oil-free version :-)
Aysegul says
Oh I know the feeling so well. When a recipe works and it is good, it feels so good. :)
This socca pizza is everything. I have never baked/cooked with chickpea flour, but I just bought some to try out. This will be my first recipe. I also love your cashew cheese recipe.
Oh man.. lot’s of great ideas and inspiration in this website.. Well done, my dear friend.
<3
Aimee says
oh you’re gonna love it, I look forward to seeing what you create with it! Hugs <3
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
I think we should all just convert to eating socca pizzas ;) The best!
Aimee says
I would be all for that!