These easy chickpea recipes will show you how to transform this simple powerhouse pantry staple into budget-friendly, protein-rich meals! Enjoy fresh salads, crunchy snacks, and hearty mains that all start with a simple can of beans.
Chickpeas (also known as garbanzo beans) are one of the most useful and affordable ingredients to keep in your kitchen. They are packed with plant-based protein, fiber, and nutrients making them the perfect base for everything from creamy hummus and crunchy roasted snacks to vibrant curries and stews.
It's easy to stretch your grocery budget, meal prep healthy options, and add in more plant-based protein with this healthy legume!
Chickpea FAQs
Are chickpeas healthy?
Yes, this legume is healthy and super dense in nutrients! These are low in saturated fat, but they offer a big dose of protein and fiber. Chickpeas are considered a heart-healthy ingredient that helps control blood sugar spikes and can promote weight loss.
Do I need to cook canned chickpeas?
No, chickpeas are cooked before the canning process. All you need to do is rinse and drain before using them.
Can you freeze chickpeas?
Yes, chickpeas from the can or freshly cooked chickpeas freeze wonderfully! Store in an airtight container, release as much air as possible, and enjoy within 6 months for the best taste and texture.
What is aquafaba?
Aquafaba is the liquid inside a can of chickpeas, and you are going to want to save it! It whips up beautifully into meringue or mousse, and it's an excellent binder for baked goods like cake or even meatloaf. You can use it as a thickener in soups or an emulsifier in vegan mayonnaise. Keep it in an airtight container up to 5 days in the fridge or freeze it in an ice cube tray for easy long term storage.
Instant Pot Chickpeas
How to make Instant Pot Chickpeas- no soaking required! Cooking your chickpeas from scratch will save you money and tastes so much better than canned.
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Chickpea Snacks and Appetizers
Chickpea Cookie Dough
Whip up a sweet snack in minutes! This Chickpea Cookie Dough is made with wholesome ingredients and is refined sugar-free. It also has sneaky protein and fiber, making it a balanced snack!
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ULTRA Crispy Air Fryer Chickpeas
Crispy air fryer chickpeas are the tastiest and crunchiest snack you will find. Using the air fryer cuts the cook time down to 15 minutes, and they are so much crispier than in the oven! Vegan and gluten-free, these crispy roasted chickpeas are an awesome healthier snack.
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Spicy Roasted Chickpeas
Spicy roasted chickpeas that are a tasty, healthier snack! Check out my foolproof method for the CRISPIEST results!
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Healthy Baked Cauliflower Chickpea Samosas (Freezer Friendly)
These healthy baked cauliflower chickpea samosas can be baked and stored in the freezer for an easy grab and go snack. These samosas use egg roll wrappers, which cuts out a huge amount of prep work.
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Spiced Chickpea Naan Nachos
A fun twist on classic nachos, these spiced chickpea naan nachos are fun and delicious! With coriander-spiced chickpeas, crispy naan wedges, shredded carrots, tomatoes and cheese.
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7 Amazing Hummus Recipe Flavors
These 7 amazing hummus recipe flavors are great for appetizers or snacks! Ready in minutes, no peeling chickpeas or cooking them from scratch required.
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Crispy Baked Falafel Recipe
This baked falafel recipe is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside without the frying step! Made with simple pantry ingredients, it's a great weeknight dinner, and works well for meal prep!
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Sweet Potato Falafel Pitas with Tahini Sauce
These sweet potato falafel pitas are a fun remix on the classic falafel: soft and slightly sweet. Bake them up in the oven and serve in a pita with crunchy veggies and a drizzle of tahini sauce.
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Easy Feta Hummus
This Easy Feta Hummus dip is full of Greek-inspired flavor! Eat it with vegetables, sandwiches, salads and so much more. This healthy snack goes great with everything!
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Chickpea Salad and Sandwich Recipes
Chopped Chickpea Salad (Make Ahead)
This chopped chickpea salad has bulgur wheat, crunchy veggies, feta cheese, and a delicious honey lemon vinaigrette is a delicious vegetarian salad that tastes even better on day 2!
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Kale Caesar Salad with Garlic Chickpeas
Kale caesar salad made with a creamy greek yogurt dressing and crispy garlic chickpeas. A delicious and healthier alternative to traditional caesar salad, packed with micro-nutrients and protein!
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Chickpea Salad Sandwich
This chickpea salad sandwich is an easy, vegan-friendly lunch recipe that is ready in under 10 minutes! With smashed chickpeas, crunchy celery, dill and mayonnaise, you can prep a batch to enjoy all week.
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Chickpea, Barley & Butternut Squash Jar Salads
Make ahead chickpea, barley and butternut squash jar salads will have you looking forward to lunch all morning! Vegetarian, ready in under 1 hour, and tastes amazing, even on day 4.
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Thai Chickpea Mason Jar Salad
Thai chickpea mason jar salad has a tangy peanut dressing, quinoa, zucchini, carrots and cabbage and is topped with honey roasted peanuts! Ready in under 25 minutes.
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Chickpea Salad Bento Box (Vegan)
Chickpea salad bento box is a vegan no cook lunch option that can be ready in under 25 minutes!
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2-for-1 Meal Prep: Pesto Chickpea Pitas and Thai Chicken Lunch Bowls
Sheet Pan Meal Prep 2 Ways (again!)- the easiest and most efficient way to prep multiple meal prep lunches at the same time is to use your sheet pans! These pesto chickpea pita pockets and Thai chicken lunch bowls are ready in under 45 minutes and give you two different lunch options to enjoy through the week.
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2 for 1 Meal Prep: Chickpea Buddha Bowls and Greek Chicken Wraps
Prep these chickpea buddha bowls and Greek chicken wraps all at the same time for some variety in your meal prep lunches, ready in under 45 minutes! No more eating the same thing for four days in a row!
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Southwestern Kale Chickpea Salad with Greek Yogurt Caesar Dressing
This southwestern kale chickpea salad is packed with goodies (avocado, tortilla chips, corn and garlic chickpeas) and is drizzled in the most delicious Greek yogurt Caesar dressing!
Cold Sesame Noodles with Spiralized Vegetables
These cold sesame noodle meal prep bowls are the perfect vegan prep ahead lunch: spiralized vegetables tossed with chickpeas and whole wheat spaghetti in a spicy almond butter sauce.
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Orzo Pasta Salad with Mint + Feta
A fresh and delicious orzo pasta salad with orzo, cherry tomatoes, mint and feta cheese tossed in a tangy red wine vinaigrette. Similar to a greek salad, this orzo salad is refreshing and perfect for a picnic or potluck.
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Easy Chickpea Cucumber Salad - It Starts With Good Food
This Easy Chickpea Cucumber Salad features fresh vegetables and a tangy lemon vinaigrette. You will love this healthy salad for simple weekly meal prep!
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Chickpea Dinner Recipes
Chickpea Butternut Squash Fajitas (Freezer-Friendly)
Chickpea butternut squash fajitas are a tasty remix on the classic. With tender roasted butternut squash, bell peppers, red onions and chickpeas tossed in a flavorful homemade fajita seasoning, they're simple to prep and work great as a freezer meal.
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Spicy Slow Cooker Chickpea Chili (+ Instant Pot)
An easy and delicious 8-10 hour slow cooker chilli packed with chickpeas and sweet potato, and flavored with chipotle and lime. Ready when you walk in the door from work!
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Chickpea Coconut Curry
This coconut chickpea curry is a fragrant and flavorful Indian-inspired curry sauce, delicious served over rice with a side of naan. Made with vegan ingredients, it's simple and quick to prepare.
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Instant Pot Chickpea Curry (Vegan)
This Instant Pot vegan chickpea curry cooks chickpeas, carrots, potatoes and green beans in a fragrant Indian curry sauce. Made with vegan ingredients, the Instant Pot makes it hands off and simple to prepare.
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Vegan Moroccan Chickpea Skillet
Vegan Moroccan chickpea skillet is freezer-friendly and perfect for meal prep! With chickpeas, sweet potatoes and spicy Moroccan seasoning.
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Korean BBQ Chickpea Bento Bowls
Korean BBQ chickpea bento bowls with zucchini, carrots, brussels sprouts and korean BBQ chickpeas served over rice. Vegan and GF.
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Air Fryer Cauliflower Chickpea Tacos
Air fryer cauliflower chickpea tacos are a fresh, flavorful, and healthy dinner to get on your table quickly. Vegan, clean eating and easily made gluten-free.
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Slow Cooker Chickpea Tortilla Soup (Freezer to Crock Pot)
Slow cooker chickpea tortilla soup which can be assembled ahead of time and stored in the fridge or freezer! A great way to stay out of the kitchen this summer.
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Vegan Coconut Curry with Chickpeas and Cauliflower
An easy vegan coconut curry recipe that is packed with flavor and ready in 45 minutes. Perfect for a busy weeknight dinner!
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Mini Moroccan Chickpea Burgers with Spicy Harissa Mayo and Mint
These Moroccan-spiced chickpea burgers are packed with carrots and zucchini and topped with spicy harissa mayo and fresh mint.
Vegan Slow Cooker Peanut Stew (Maafe-Inspired)
Slow cooker peanut stew is vegan comfort food at it's finest! With chickpeas, sweet potatoes, and peanut butter, it's inspired by the West African peanut stew, maafe. You can assemble this ahead and freeze as a crockpot freezer meal.
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