And as a major staple of the Mediterranean Diet, we have heaps of nutritious, tasty and easy chickpea recipes for morning noon and night! You can spend your whole day with this incredible Mediterranean legume, from breakfast Sweet Potato Hash, to a Mediterranean chickpea salad for lunch to Pasta e Ceci for dinner–oh, and don’t forget crispy roasted chickpeas for healthy snacking in between! To get all our best chickpea recipes in one convenient place, I’ve put together this list of 32 insanely delicious chickpea recipes, from salads and healthy snacks to hearty dinners and easy lunches!
What are Chickpeas?
Chickpeas, also known as garbanzo beans, are a type of legume. Like other legumes and pulses such as lentils and beans, chickpeas are chockfull of fiber, plant-based protein, and healthy vitamins and minerals–see the USDA for their full nutritional profile. Most grocery stores carry the white variety, which you’ll easily recognize for its tan color. Some specialty markets offer brown, green, black, and even red chickpeas. If you can find them, don’t be afraid to try the different varieties!
Canned vs. Dried Chickpeas
Readers often ask about the use of canned vs. dried chickpeas. For the most part, this is a personal preference, as both are great options for cooking. For the most part–and for all the recipes on this list–I use canned chickpeas for convenience, unless it’s a very traditional recipe like my authentic falafel. On the other hand, a bag of these dried beans is far more economical, and I promise you learning how to cook chickpeas is not difficult. It requires no special skills, just a little extra time. I even give an option for cooking chickpeas with no soaking involved! Plus, cooking chickpeas from scratch produces a creamier chickpea. And as an added bonus you can control the sodium content and tweak the texture to your liking.
Easy Chickpea Recipes: Snacks and Healthy Breakfasts
Chickpeas aren’t just for soup or dips! They’re also a great way to add more vegan protein into your snacks and breakfasts. Here are some high protein snacks and healthy breakfast recipes that are easy to make and will keep you satisfied all day:
Chickpea Salad Recipes
Incorporating grains or legumes like chickpeas into salads is one of my main tips for how to make a salad you’ll actually want to eat. Not only do they add a good bit of heft, they also add texture and creaminess, making salads infinitely more delicious. Here are 7 dinner salad recipes you’ll love:
Vegetarian Chickpea Dinner Recipes
Chickpeas, along with other legumes like lentils, are a great way to add more vegan protein to your diet. You won’t miss the meat in these vegetarian and vegan chickpea recipes!
Chickpea Dinner Recipes: Meat and Seafood
I love combining creamy chickpeas with savory meats, adding a layer of texture and flavor and upping the meal’s nutrition.
Comforting Chickpea Soup and Chickpea Stew Recipes
I’m a huge fan of chickpeas in soup, as they’re a nutritious vegetarian protein that adds a nice texture both when they’re puréed or left whole. All of these recipes use canned chickpeas to make them quick and easy, but you can cook from dried if you’d like more control over their texture. You can even use their broth, called “aquafaba” as a thickener. Here are some of my favorite chickpea soup recipes: Browse all Mediterranean recipes.
Italian Lentil Soup
15-Minute Garlic Parmesan White Beans Recipe
Butter Beans with Garlic, Lemon and Herbs
Spicy Harissa White Bean and Lentil Salad
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