Chickpeas (also known as garbanzo beans) are healthy, hearty, and full of plant-based protein. Whether you’re looking for a crispy snack or an easy weeknight dinner, these chickpea recipes are sure to please. There are even some dessert recipes thrown into the mix! From cozy curries to fudgy brownies, there are endless possibilities when cooking with garbanzo beans. These recipes are inspired by flavors all around the world! You’ll explore the flavors of India, Morocco, the Middle East, and the Mediterranean. From spicy curries to savory hummus, you can find a way to incorporate chickpeas into every meal with these simple recipes!
20+ Easy Chickpea Recipes
1. Hummus
This famous dip is a classic way to add chickpeas to your diet! Not only is this savory paste delicious, but it’s nutritious as well! Dip your vegetables into a bowl of hummus, or add it as a spread to a pita wrap. It elevates all that it touches. You will fall in love with its rich flavor! This creamy dip will be a staple in your refrigerator. It’s the perfect thing to have on hand for last-minute guests, or a quick after-school snack.
2. Chickpea Salad
What better way to enjoy chickpeas than in this savory, yet simple salad? It makes a great side but is hearty enough to be a full meal. Pack a bowl of chickpea salad in your lunch box, and you will look forward to your lunch break all day. The protein from the chickpeas will keep you full until dinner rolls around. Say goodbye to boring salads, and hello to this exciting one! Flavorful chickpea salad is the power boost you need to get through your day. Keep a bowl prepared in your refrigerator, and you’ll never scramble for a last-minute lunch again.
3. Chickpea Pasta Salad
Whole grain pasta is a nutritious source of slow-burning carbs, and chickpeas are packed with protein. Enjoy this dynamic pair in this scrumptious chickpea salad. Add in the cucumber and tomato, and you’ll have a delicious salad that you can take anywhere. Offer a healthier alternative at the next potluck with this combination. Salads get a bad rap, and this chickpea pasta salad is here to change that. This hearty dish provides the nutrients that you need with a flavor that you want!
4. Chickpea Shawarma Sandwich
Leave tired lunch meat out to dry and try this chickpea shawarma sandwich. It has all of your favorite chicken shawarma flavors, without the meat! Transform chickpeas into these flavor-packed patties with a plethora of spices. Cilantro, curry, and turmeric are just some of the delicious flavors featured on this sandwich. This warm sandwich is a comfort on a cold day. Fix up a plate of these patties for the whole family!
5. Roasted Chickpeas
Roasted chickpeas are the perfect snack to have on hand! Enjoy them as-is for a quick snack or top your salads with them for a quick crunch. Roasted chickpeas are nutty in flavor and can be seasoned with any spice you can think of. From a sweetened BBQ tang to a sharp sriracha spice, the possibilities are endless! Even little palettes will love these crunchy treats. Pop a tray in the oven, and you’ll have your own batch in record time.
6. Best Chickpea Burgers
For a meat-free cook-out alternative, try these chickpea burgers. Still protein-packed and easy to take to the park, these burgers are in a class by themselves. The key to a good plant-based burger is to avoid trying to emulate a traditional burger. Instead, create a patty that you like just as well! These chickpea burgers are incredibly flavorful and pair well with all of your favorite burger toppings. However you fancy your burger, this chickpea patty can hold its own.
7. Falafel
Falafels are a traditional Middle Eastern street food. These savory balls of fried hummus are absolutely delicious! Home cooks can enjoy falafel poppers in their kitchen straight from the fryer. They are easier to make than fried chicken. Serve these as an appetizer or pair them with some sides for a nutritious meal. Check out the chickpea and pasta salad for a complete meal idea!
8. Chana Masala
Chana masala is a traditional Indian dish. With its creamy curry base and fragrant spices, it’s no wonder restaurants consider this dish to be a bestseller. Save yourself a trip to the restaurant and prepare your own pan of chana masala at home. The good news? You can have seconds! Fill your home with the comforting aroma of simmering chana masala. It will draw teens from their video games for an old-fashioned family dinner.
9. Sausage Chickpea Skillet
This recipe is a perfect example of meat and chickpeas working together. Chickpeas do not have to be a meat replacement. Try this skillet and watch as chickpeas take on the taste of the spicy sausage. Serve over rice, and you’ll have a warm and hearty meal. This is a one-pot dish that you can make quickly, so it’s perfect for busy weeknights! Throw this dish together in between art and soccer practice, for a stress-free meal.
10. Chickpea Tagine
Another popular menu item at Indian restaurants, tagine is a fragrant dish that can be served over rice or flatbread. Leave the table stuffed to the brim after indulging in a big helping of chickpea tagine. The chickpeas provide filling protein and the sauce is irresistible. This is a dish the whole family can enjoy! All of the bowls will be licked clean, and you won’t have to worry about leftovers.
11. Couscous Chickpea Salad
Couscous is a small pasta that makes a delicious base for this savory salad. Toss in the chickpeas and vinaigrette, and you’ll one heck of a meal. If you can, make this dish ahead. It somehow gets better over time. Don’t get me wrong, this salad is delicious from the first bite. However, if you let the flavors marinate together for a couple of hours, the result is a flavorful salad that is absolutely divine.
12. Chickpea Shakshuka
If you are looking for a flavorful meal that will tide you over for a long time, look no further than this chickpea shakshuka. The vibrant sauce has all of your favorite spices and flavors, and the chickpeas fit right in for an irresistible myriad of flavors and textures. Pair this roux with a starchy base and discover your favorite food! It’s a soothing dish with a lot of soul.
13. Chickpea Sweet Potato Stew
This is the dish you didn’t know you needed! Earthy sweet potatoes are the perfect pair for hearty chickpeas in this rich stew. Simmer these veggies in a tomato-based broth and then fill up with this luscious concoction. The potato/pea pairing is an elegant combination straight from a high-end restaurant. Flex your culinary muscles when you serve this delightful stew. Everyone will be impressed with your flavor pairing.
14. Coconut Chickpea Curry
Coconut chickpea curry is a warm and delicious meal that warms you up from the inside out. What a perfect way to end any day! Simmer your favorite veggies with a can of chickpeas in this savory sauce and enjoy the delightful flavors of curry over rice. Curry is a flexible dish that can be made with various ingredients. Clear out your fridge and keep the last bits of produce from going to waste.
15. Sweet and Spicy Chickpeas
These super-spiced chickpeas are a great thing to keep around the house. Enjoy them as a snack or use them to add some crunch to your lunch. This sweet and spicy combo can kick any craving. From mid-day munchies to the after-dinner sweet tooth, these chickpeas are a healthy alternative to junk food treats. Whether they top your favorite lunch or enjoyed by the quick handful throughout the day, these sweet and spicy chickpeas are the perfect staple for any kitchen.
16. Spiced Chickpea Wraps
Wraps make a great meal, and these spiced chickpea wraps are an easy way to enjoy a plethora of healthy vegetables. Prepare this meat-free meal and enjoy its delicious spicy flavor and hearty texture. Top your wrap with veggies that match your preferences and enjoy this simple dish. This meal is the perfect lunch or dinner food. It’s nice enough to serve to guests and is so enticing, even little ones will love it.
17. Lentil and Chickpea Soup
Lentils and chickpeas are both considered superfoods due to the impressive amount of nutrients they both provide. Pair this unstoppable combo together in this chickpea and lentil soup for an unmatched nutrient boost. Both are incredible sources of protein. One bowl of this soup, and you’ll be ready to take on the world. This soup is so deliciously nutrient-dense, it may even give you superpowers!
18. Chickpea Tabbouleh
Chickpea tabouleh is a delightfully fragrant way to enjoy chickpeas. It’s thin enough to serve as a topping, like traditional tabouleh. The chickpeas provide an added heartiness that allows this dish to also function as a side dish. However you serve it, you will enjoy the flavor of these traditional tabouleh herbs. Fresh is best! Check your local grocery store for bundles of fresh herbs, or grow them yourself. You won’t believe the difference in flavor.
19. Chickpea Brownies
The mild flavor of chickpeas is versatile enough to even be featured in desserts. If you have health goals but also have an incurable sweet tooth, try these protein-packed chickpea brownies. The chickpea maintains the fudgy expectations of a delicious brownie and takes on a rich chocolatey flavor. Switch up your sweet treat with this chickpea brownie recipe. You can’t tell the difference between a batch of these chickpea brownies and your go-to recipe.
20. Chocolate Hummus
If you thought hummus was just for vegetables, think again! This chocolate hummus makes the perfect dessert or sweet appetizer. Pair this hummus with animal crackers, graham crackers, Teddy Grahams… the possibilities are endless. This sweet treat is great for any occasion. You can even combine chocolate hummus with marshmallow creme for flameless s’mores.
21. Chickpea Flour Banana Cake
Where are my gluten-free friends at? This cake uses chickpea flour as a gluten-free alternative to a baked goods staple. Banana cakes are the perfect summer treat. The tropical banana flavor is a sweet surprise for birthdays or get-togethers. Break away from traditional chocolate and vanilla with this delectable banana cake. Don’t forget the frosting!
22. Chickpea Blondies
These cookies get their shape from chickpea paste. The legumes replace traditional flour and egg components in baked goods, making this recipe allergy-friendly. They don’t compromise on taste, though. These cookies are delightfully crispy and buttery, just as blondies should be. Give these chickpea treats a chance! It’s a risk worth taking. You may end up enjoying these chickpea blondies more than the real thing.
23. Chickpea Minestrone
Minestrone is traditionally made with beans, ground turkey, and pasta in a savory, buttery broth. Swap out your kidney beans for some chickpeas and enjoy this twist on a classic recipe. This warm and savory soup is a comforting recipe to cook on a dreary day. One sip of this delectable soup can chase any gray clouds away. Fix yourself a bowl and curl up with a good book. This soup will stave off hunger and the winter chills.
24. Chickpea Chocolate Chip Cookies
These chickpea chocolate chip cookies are made without using any flour. They turn your favorite late-night snack into a protein-packed treat. Whip up a batch and watch them disappear, telling your chickpea secret is completely optional. See if your family can taste the difference! These chickpea chocolate cookies are a healthy twist on a classic favorite. Enjoy them warm dipped in milk or chilled after everyone has gone to bed. They are so good, you may not want to share! Click on a star to rate it!
Average rating 5 / 5. Vote count: 12 No votes so far! Be the first to rate this post.
Share on social media: Let us improve this post!