Breads · Liguria
Ligurian Farinata Recipe at Home
This Ligurian chickpea flatbread uses a long-rested batter and a hot oven for a crisp, bronzed top and a tender center, with no special oven needed.
By Lucia Moretti (pen name) · · Editorial policy
Ligurian farinata is a thin, savory chickpea-flour flatbread with a crisp top and a tender center. In Genoa, it is traditionally baked in broad, shallow pans until the surface freckles with brown. At home, a thin metal pan and a very hot regular oven get you close without special equipment.
The key is a smooth batter that rests in the refrigerator for two hours. That gives the chickpea flour time to hydrate, so the center cooks evenly instead of tasting dusty. Right before baking, I pour the batter into a hot, well-oiled pan and bake it until the edges are browned and the top is blistered. That quick transfer helps the bottom set while the surface turns crisp.
Farinata is best served hot, cut into wedges, with plenty of black pepper. For another Ligurian meal, try Stuffed Ligurian Zucchini Recipe or Homemade Pesto Genovese Recipe. This version works because a rested batter and a thoroughly heated pan give a home oven a head start on the deep browning of a wood-fired one.
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The recipe
Ligurian Farinata
Ingredients
for 4 servingsEquipment
- Medium mixing bowl
- Whisk
- 12-inch (30 cm) metal pizza pan or shallow round baking pan
- Thin spatula
Method
Whisk the chickpea flour and water in a medium bowl until smooth, breaking up any small lumps. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours so the flour hydrates.
Heat the oven to 500°F (260°C) with a rack in the upper third. Remove the batter from the refrigerator while the oven heats. Skim off any foam, then whisk in the salt; the batter should be thin and pourable, with no dry flour at the bottom.
Set a 12-inch (30 cm) metal pizza pan or shallow round baking pan in the oven for 5 minutes. Carefully remove it, add the olive oil, and tilt the pan to coat the bottom. The pan should be hot, but the oil should not smoke.
Pour the batter into the oiled pan right away. Tilt gently to spread it evenly, then carefully return the pan to the upper-third rack.
Bake for 18 to 22 minutes, until the edges are deep golden and the top is set with scattered brown spots. If the top is still pale, broil for 1 to 2 minutes, watching closely so it does not scorch.
Rest the farinata in the pan for 2 minutes, then loosen the edges with a thin spatula and cut into wedges. Finish with black pepper and serve hot, while the edges are crisp.
Where it goes wrong
| If you see | It’s because | Do this |
|---|---|---|
| The batter has small lumps. | Why The flour was added too quickly or not whisked thoroughly. | Fix Whisk until smooth before chilling. If lumps remain, strain the batter through a fine-mesh sieve. |
| The center tastes dusty or floury. | Why The batter did not rest long enough for the chickpea flour to hydrate. | Fix Give it the full 2-hour rest in the refrigerator, then whisk before baking. |
| The bottom is soft instead of browned. | Why The oven or pan was not hot enough, or the batter was too thick in the pan. | Fix Preheat the oven fully, heat the empty pan for 5 minutes, and use a 12-inch pan so the batter spreads thinly. |
| The top is pale when the edges are already dark. | Why The pan is too low in the oven or the oven's top heat is weak. | Fix Use the upper-third rack. Broil briefly at the end, watching continuously. |
| The farinata sticks to the pan. | Why The pan was not coated evenly with oil or the farinata was removed before its edges set. | Fix Tilt the pan to spread the oil, bake until the edges are browned, and loosen them with a thin spatula after a short rest. |
Questions
What is farinata made of?
Farinata is made from chickpea flour, water, salt, and olive oil. The batter is rested, spread thinly in an oiled pan, and baked until browned.
Can I make farinata without a wood-fired oven?
Yes. A regular oven set to 500°F (260°C) works well. Preheating a metal pan helps the bottom brown, and a brief broil can deepen the color on top.
How long should farinata batter rest?
Rest the batter for 2 hours in the refrigerator so the chickpea flour hydrates. Whisk it again before baking.
Is farinata gluten-free?
Farinata is naturally gluten-free when made with pure chickpea flour. Check the flour label for cross-contact warnings if you need to avoid gluten strictly.
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