Fainá
Fainá is a savory, golden-brown chickpea flour flatbread, often cooked in a round pan and sliced into wedges. It's a staple in Argentine and Uruguayan cuisine, where it's famously served as a topping or side dish for pizza, creating a classic combination known as 'pizza con fainá.' The batter is simple, primarily made from chickpea flour, water, olive oil, and salt.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
Fainá is a good source of plant-based protein and dietary fiber from the chickpea flour, with a moderate amount of healthy fats from the olive oil. A typical serving (one slice) contains roughly 150-200 calories, making it a more protein-rich alternative to a standard wheat-based pizza crust.
Nutrition breakdown
| Calories | 220 kcal |
| Protein | 9 g |
| Carbs | 28 g |
| Fat | 8 g |
| Fiber | 5 g |
| Sugar | 1 g |
| Sodium | 380 mg |
| Iron | 2.5 mg |
| Folate | 110 mcg |
| Magnesium | 45 mg |
| Phosphorus | 130 mg |
| Potassium | 220 mg |
| Zinc | 1.5 mg |
| Manganese | 0.8 mg |
| Thiamin (B1) | 0.15 mg |
Per 1/4 of a standard 12-inch fainá (approx. 120 g) · estimated, varies by recipe
💡 What's interesting
Culturally, fainá is a beloved culinary symbol of the Rioplatense region (Argentina and Uruguay), brought by Genoese immigrants in the late 19th century. Nutritionally, it's interesting as a naturally gluten-free, high-protein flatbread that complements pizza, adding texture and nutrients without the extra refined carbohydrates.
AI estimate may be inaccurate · Terms