Description
Karantika (Kalentika) is a creamy, savory Algerian chickpea flan from Oran—made with chickpea flour, water, milk, cheese, and spices. Often served piping hot with cumin and harissa, this naturally gluten‑free street‑food classic delivers both comfort and bold flavor.
Ingredients
- 1 large bowl chickpea flour (approx. 180 ml)
- 3 bowls water (approx. 500 ml)
- 1 bowl milk (approx. 180 ml)
- ½ tsp neutral oil (about 3 tbsp)
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp salt
- 4 portions cheese (or 2 tbsp Philadelphia)
- 1 tsp ground cumin
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 180 °C (350 °F).
- In a large bowl, make a well in chickpea flour. Crack in eggs, add oil, then whisk in water and milk gradually to avoid lumps.
- Blend until smooth, then stir in salt, cumin, and cheese.
- Pour mixture into a lightly oiled (or floured) deep baking dish (~30 × 30 cm).
- Bake 45–60 minutes until the top is golden and the center is set but slightly jiggly.
- Remove from oven, sprinkle extra cumin on top, and serve hot with harissa, or cool and slice.
Notes
- For tangier flavor, substitute Philadelphia with Laughing Cow or feta.
- Make it dairy‑free by skipping milk and cheese—just use water, chickpea flour, eggs, oil, salt, and cumin.
- Add spices like paprika, black pepper, or chopped parsley for variation.
- Enjoy en pan—sandwiched in a baguette with harissa and a pinch of cumin, like street‑food style.
- Texture holds best when stored in the fridge; avoid freezing if you want to maintain its flan‑like consistency.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45–60 minutes
- Category: Savory Snack
- Method: Baking (Flan)
- Cuisine: Algerian / North African
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: ~180
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 290 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
