Chickpea Recipes: 10 Meals You Can Make With Chickpeas

Despite their name, chickpeas (Cicer arietinum)—also called garbanzo beans—are not peas at all but actually a legume. Grocery stores commonly stock canned chickpeas and dried chickpeas, both of which are versatile pantry staples.

Chickpeas complement a variety of flavors, spices, veggies, sauces, and preparation methods, making them easy inclusions in many different types of recipes.

1. 1. Chana masala: This traditional one-pot Indian chickpea curry means “mixed spiced chickpeas” in Punjabi. Make it in a slow cooker or on the stovetop for a low-effort, quick weeknight meal. Use a garam masala spice blend to make it come together extra fast. Here’s a basic chana masala recipe.
2. 2. Chickpea flour: A gluten-free option to traditional flours, chickpea flour appears frequently in Indian and Middle Eastern recipes. It’s high in protein and adds a nutty flavor. Try this one-ingredient chickpea flour recipe.
3. 3. Chickpea salad: Serve chickpeas salad as a side dish or an entrée. Mix a can of chickpeas, veggies, herbs, citrus, and cheese and toss it all in a light vinaigrette or pesto. The chickpeas are sturdy and will retain their texture. Try this easy chickpea salad recipe.
4. 4. Chickpea pizza crust: Chickpea pizza crust uses chickpea flour to create a dense and crunchy pizza dough. It’s a gluten-free option for those who love pizza but would prefer not to consume traditional flours. Top it just like you would any other pizza. Check out this recipe for an easy chickpea flour crust pizza.
5. 5. Chickpea soup: A warm chickpea stew or soup can be a hearty comfort food. Along with the chickpeas, include another legume like red or green lentils plus veggies like sweet potatoes, butternut squash, or roasted cauliflower. For a non-dairy but creamy variety, add coconut milk. To make it an even heartier main dish, serve the chickpea soup over couscous, quinoa, or brown rice. Check out this chickpea soup recipe.
6. 6. Chole bhature: Typically served for breakfast, chole bhature is a North Indian staple dish of chickpeas cooked in a heavily spiced tomato sauce and served with bhature, an unleavened, deep-fried flatbread. Check out this chole bhature recipe.
7. 7. Classic hummus: Chickpeas are a main ingredient in hummus, along with garlic, tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. For a flavored hummus, mix in other ingredients like harissa (a Tunisian red pepper paste), jalapeño, or fresh herbs. Try Chef Yotam Ottolenghi’s hummus recipe.
8. 8. Crispy chickpeas: Spiced, roasted chickpeas are crispy and golden brown with a crunchy texture and can be a flavorful alternative to a potato chip. Season them with paprika, turmeric, or cumin and serve them as an appetizer. Try out this recipe for crispy chickpeas.
9. 9. Falafel: Falafel is a Middle Eastern food combining chickpeas and fresh herbs like cilantro and parsley. You traditionally serve it with warm pita, fresh vegetables, feta cheese, and either tahini or a tahini sauce. Check out this quick and easy falafel recipe.
10. 10. Whipped aquafaba: After cooking with canned chickpeas, save the liquid from the can (called aquafaba) to incorporate into vegan desserts like vegan meringue and vegan mousse. To replace whipped cream, whip the chickpea liquid with a stabilizer and some sugar. Try out this simple whipped aquafaba recipe.
    

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