Name: Chickpea Flour Pizza Crust (Vegan and Gluten-Free)
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 40 min
Ingredients: 1 cup chickpea flour (garbanzo bean flour); 1 cup filtered water; 1.5 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (plus 1 teaspoon for the pan); 1 tablespoon maple syrup (optional for a touch of sweetness); ½ teaspoon fine sea salt; ¼ teaspoon onion powder (optional for added flavor); ¼ teaspoon garlic powder (optional for added flavor); ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper (optional for added flavor); ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional for heat)

This light and well-seasoned chickpea flour pizza crust is packed with nutrition for a healthier and gluten-free take on traditional pizza dough. Using simple ingredients, this easy recipe requires little hands-on effort so you can enjoy homemade pizza night!

Chickpea flour pizza crust in a cast iron skillet next to tomato sauce and fresh basil with a white background.

Ditch the cardboard-tasting gluten-free pizza crust and replace it using this delicious and chickpea flour dough! As someone who is allergic to yeast, wheat, soy, dairy, gluten and eggs, it was almost impossible for me to find any suitable pizza crust... until now.

The essence of the crust comes from just two main ingredients - chickpeas (a.k.a. garbanzo beans) and water. At first I was skeptical, thinking this seemed a little too healthy and easy to be true. But, after experimenting a bit with the ratios and seasonings for flavor, I landed on a delicious gluten-free chickpea pizza crust recipe that I am proud to share - perfect for a homemade vegan and gluten-free cheese pizza!

Vegan and gluten-free cheese pizza topped with basil and crushed red pepper on a white and gray marble platter next to fresh basil and pizza sauce with a white background.

Ingredients

This chickpea flour crust requires only four ingredients, but I recommend the optional ingredients as well for flavor as it would otherwise taste a little bland.

Chickpea flour
Water
Extra virgin olive oil
Fine sea salt
Maple syrup - optional for a touch of sweetness
Onion powder - optional for added flavor
Garlic powder - optional for added flavor
Ground black pepper - optional for added flavor
Red pepper flakes - optional for heat

Why Use Chickpea Flour?

Chickpea flour is an amazing pizza crust alternative for a couple reasons. First, it serves as an option for a truly allergy-friendly pizza recipe. Those with celiac disease and anyone who follows either a gluten-free or vegan diet (or both!) can enjoy a flavorful gluten-free and vegan pizza crust.

Secondly, chickpeas are loaded with nutrients that regular pizza crusts just do not have! Chickpeas are a high protein legume and are an excellent source of dietary fiber and B vitamins. In fact, one cup of garbanzo bean flour (the amount used in this recipe) contains 20 grams of protein as well as 20 grams of fiber!

In addition, chickpeas provide manganese, iron and zinc while containing no cholesterol. You can take comfort knowing chickpea flour makes for a healthy pizza!

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven. Turn your oven to broil (500 degrees F) and place the top oven rack 6 inches from the top heating element. This is the oven rack you will be using.

2. Combine all of the ingredients. In a medium bowl, combine the chickpea flour, water, oil, salt and additional seasonings, if using. Whisk well until no lumps remain and set aside for 30 minutes to allow the mixture to thicken.

Chickpea flour pizza crust ingredients in a glass mixing bowl with a white background.

Chickpea flour pizza crust batter in a glass mixing bowl with a white background.

3. Heat an empty cast iron skillet. Place an empty, un-oiled cast iron pan into the hot oven for 5 minutes. You want the pan to be hot to help make a crispy crust. If you don't have a cast iron skillet, line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

4. Pour in the batter. Carefully remove the hot pan from the oven and place on a heat-safe surface. Coat the bottom of the skillet with olive 1 teaspoon olive oil and pour the batter into the pan, ensuring that it evenly covers the entire bottom (you may need to pick up the pan to swirl the batter around).

A red silicone brush brushing a cast iron skillet with oil with a white background.

A hand pouring chickpea flour pizza crust batter from a glass mixing bowl into a black cast iron skillet with a white background.

5. Broil. Return the skillet to the top rack in the broiler for 4 to 4.5 minutes. Watch carefully at the end to avoid burning. You want the crust to be golden brown around the edges and a bit golden in the center.

6. Remove from oven. Enjoy immediately if serving as a flatbread on its own (top or dip with homemade pesto!), or use as a pizza base for your toppings of choice. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 1-2 days once fully cooled to room temperature.

Chickpea flour pizza crust in a cast iron skillet next to a black and white striped towel with a white background.

Serving Suggestions

This recipe is just for the crust, so feel free to top it however you wish! Keep it traditional with your favorite pizza sauce, vegan mozzarella cheese and some fresh basil, or try one of these combinations if you're looking for inspiration:

Vegan white pizza: Skip the marinara sauce and enjoy a white pie consisting of vegan mozzarella, caramelized onions, roasted garlic, fresh basil and a little olive oil. So good!

Pesto and roasted beet pizza: Use pesto as the base and top with roasted spiralized beets, mushrooms, red onion, a little bit of olive oil and a sprinkle of salt and pepper.

Vegan and gluten-free cheese pizza with fresh basil and red pepper flakes on a white circular marble cutting board next to fresh basil.

If you give this recipe a try, please let me know! Leave a comment or rating below and tag a photo @eatingbyelaine so I can see your chickpea flour pizzas!

Chickpea Flour Pizza Crust (Vegan and Gluten-Free)

Ingredients

Why Use Chickpea Flour?

Instructions

Serving Suggestions