Along with pasta and tomato paste, canned chickpeas are the unsung heroes of my pantry. These little beans are incredibly versatile, budget-friendly, and delicious for any meal. If you’re stuck on chickpeas, don’t worry. I’ve rounded up some great recipes that will get your canned chickpeas in the spotlight.
Sure, some purists might argue that dried and soaked chickpeas are king in the flavor department, but when it comes to convenience and getting dinner on the table (seriously!), canned chickpeas win our hearts. Packed with protein, fiber, iron, and folate, canned chickpeas are the perfect plant-based protein to replace meat and brighten up any dish. And don’t forget their incredible texture, which is ideal for everything from creamy hummus to crunchy falafel. Ready to get creative with this pantry powerhouse? Check out these must-try chickpea recipes.
13 Chickpea Recipes for a Protein-Packed Vegan Meal
Chickpeas are a great staple food all year long. They are perfect for cozy winter stews or refreshing summer salads. Whether you want something hearty or a light lunch, chickpeas will satisfy you. So stock up your pantry. Check out these recipes and you’ll be whipping up something delicious in no time.
One Pot Vegetarian Moroccan Stew
Why we love it: What makes stews so perfect for the world? This Moroccan-inspired stew is beautifully grounded thanks to the warm spices and rich chickpeas. I was particularly struck by the bright cilantro thrown in as a garnish. It provides a vibrant kick and a burst of color.
Hero Materials: Tomato paste gives this stew nice body and rich flavor that pairs perfectly with the spices.
Sweet Potato and Chickpea Balls with Feta Yogurt
Why we love it: When you’re looking for something quick and easy to make for lunch, this bowl always hits the spot. If you haven’t tried your favorite roasted vegetables topped with tangy feta cheese yogurt yet, I hope this bowl inspires you. It’s filling and energizing even without the meat in sight.
Hero Materials: Harissa is the shining star of this recipe. It’s a deliciously warm blend of chiles, garlic, oil, and spices that originated in Tunisia. It’s the perfect finishing touch to roasted sweet potatoes and chickpeas.
Grapefruit, Avocado, Golden Beet Salad with Crispy Chickpeas and Feta Cheese
Why we love it: I love this salad in the winter when grapefruit is at its best, but it’s so delicious that I enjoy it all year long. The combination of colors makes it a visual masterpiece, and the variety of textures makes it a far cry from your typical salad. As far as chickpea recipes go, this one might be one of my favorites. As Camille says, it tastes like sunshine. How can you beat that?
Hero Materials: Think of golden beets as a milder, sweeter alternative to red beets. I’m obsessed with them.
Cumin Chickpea Salad with Mint Chatney
Why we love it: This salad is perfect when you need a reset. It’s light without leaving you hungry. The contrast of spiced chickpeas, fresh vegetables, intensely spicy chili sauce, and fragrant herbs creates the perfect glow ball.
Hero Materials: Feel free to throw in some mint chatneys. In this case, the more the better.
Herb Green Chickpea Falafel
Why we love it: Don’t be intimidated by the thought of having to fry falafel, because this recipe calls for baking them instead. They’re surprisingly easy to make, and just as delicious, familiar, and comforting as the ones you’ll find at your local falafel shop. You’ll find yourself coming back for this recipe again and again.
Hero Materials: Falafel is only as good as the herbs you put in it. These falafels, made with cilantro, mint, and dill, are incredibly fresh and delicious.
Classic hummus with seasoned chickpeas
Why we love it: If you’ve been itching to make hummus, this is your cue to make it this week. It’s surprisingly easy to make and much tastier than store-bought. Adding seasoned chickpeas really adds to the flavor of the whole hummus. All that’s left to do is serve it with your favorite flatbread or chips.
Hero Materials: Seasoned chickpeas take hummus to a whole new level.
Pumpkin Chickpea Curry
Why we love it: The next time you need a boost, settle down with a bowl of warm pumpkin channa masala. A fragrant and sumptuous meal, perfect for any time of year. It’s always a good time to get your fill of pumpkin’s nutritious vitamins and minerals (vitamin A, carotenoids, fiber, iron).
Hero Materials: The spice combination here is unrivaled. Cinnamon, cumin, curry powder, chili powder. How can you choose?
Chickpea, Corn, and Avocado Salad with Roasted Poblano Vinaigrette
Why we love it: This salad is a fresh and flavorful combination that is perfect for any season. Creamy avocado pairs wonderfully with sweet corn and protein-packed chickpeas to create a satisfying and nutritious dish. Paired with a refreshing lime dressing, this is a quick and easy recipe that you’ll want to make again and again. (Trust me.)
Hero Materials: Roasted Poblano Vinaigrette, Where Have You Been?
Roasted Tandoori Spice Chickpea Grain Bowl
Why we love it: Next time you are looking for a chickpea recipe, follow this rule: a bowl. This simple, spice-filled dish is a favorite for many and is incredibly easy to make. This bowl is all about the spice combination (it’s a long list, but you probably already have it). Mix them together and the rest will be done in no time.
Hero Materials: Grilled halloumi makes everything taste better. It’s that simple.
Chickpea Salad Sandwich
Why we love it: Start your week off right with this easy recipe. Most of the ingredients are already on hand and vegetarian friendly (it’s also easy to make vegan). As if that weren’t enough, it’s also delicious. I double the recipe and make a big batch for Sunday dinner. Then you’ll have deli-quality sandwiches all week long. (That’s right, you’ll never get sick of them.)
Hero Materials: Chickpea salad made with the juice of half a lemon adds a refreshing acidity.
Crispy Chickpea Flour Pizza Crust
Why we love it: The beauty of this chickpea recipe is its incredible versatility. Once you have the chickpeas and gluten-free dough, you can make the rest of the meal however you want. I prefer the classic tomato sauce, cheese, and basil situation, but the options are truly endless.
Hero Materials: Thanks to the garlic powder, this pizza has an incomparable taste.
Indian Chickpea Stew
Why we love it: developer Nisha BoraA vegan cooking goddess, this chickpea stew has everything you need for a cozy, comforting meal. It’s loaded with vegetables, has a spice kick that will keep you going for days, and is topped off with creamy coconut milk.
Hero Materials: Ginger provides a bold, spicy, and refreshing flavor that is felt throughout this delicious dish.
Root Vegetable & Quinoa Salad with Tahini-Maple Vinaigrette
Why we love it: This is not your average grain bowl. Elevate your next lunch with this amazing salad. Not only is it a perfect textural feast for the senses thanks to the perfect combination of vegetables, but the vinaigrette packs a real flavor punch. It has all the elements you want in a delicious and filling salad. You can’t go wrong.
Hero Materials: I think using tahini as a base for a vinaigrette is always a good choice.
Chickpea Chocolate Chip Cookies
Why we love it: That’s right. The topic of this roundup is chickpea recipes, but do you think you can skip dessert? These cookies use chickpea flour as a gluten-free base, giving them a nutty, buttery texture. If you didn’t think chocolate chip cookies could be improved, this recipe will prove you wrong.
Hero Materials: Sprinkling a little flaked salt on your cookies will maximize the flavor.
