Creative Chickpea Recipes That Go Way Beyond Hummus


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.

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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

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.

Check out this recipe

Chickpeas on a large ladle coming out of the instant potChickpeas on a large ladle coming out of the instant pot

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!

Check out this recipe

Chickpea Cookie Dough served blue bowlChickpea Cookie Dough served blue bowl

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.

Check out this recipe

overhead shot of blue mason jar filled with crispy chickpeasoverhead shot of blue mason jar filled with crispy chickpeas

Spicy Roasted Chickpeas

Spicy roasted chickpeas that are a tasty, healthier snack! Check out my foolproof method for the CRISPIEST results!

Check out this recipe

spicy roasted chickpeas in a gray bowlspicy roasted chickpeas in a gray bowl

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.

Check out this recipe

baked cauliflower chickpea samosas in a small blue bowlbaked cauliflower chickpea samosas in a small blue bowl

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.

Check out this recipe

hand picking up a spiced chickpea naan nacho from pile of nachoshand picking up a spiced chickpea naan nacho from pile of nachos

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.

Check out this recipe

overhead shot of 7 different hummus recipes in white bowlsoverhead shot of 7 different hummus recipes in white bowls

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!

Check out this recipe

close up of a pile of crispy baked falafel on a gray plate with side of dipclose up of a pile of crispy baked falafel on a gray plate with side of dip

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.

Check out this recipe

two sweet potato falafel pitas on gray plate with dipping saucetwo sweet potato falafel pitas on gray plate with dipping sauce

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!

Check out this recipe

Easy Feta HummusEasy Feta Hummus

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!

Check out this recipe

overhead shot of ingredients for chopped chickpea salad in large metal bowlsoverhead shot of ingredients for chopped chickpea salad in large metal bowls

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!

Check out this recipe

side view of kale caesar salad with garlic chickpeas in gray bowlside view of kale caesar salad with garlic chickpeas in gray bowl

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.

Check out this recipe

close up view of chickpea salad sandwich on plateclose up view of chickpea salad sandwich on plate

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.

Check out this recipe

Stack of four glass jars filled with chickpea barley and butternut squash saladStack of four glass jars filled with chickpea barley and butternut squash salad

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.

Check out this recipe

Close up shot of mason jars filled with thai chickpea mason jar salad on wood trayClose up shot of mason jars filled with thai chickpea mason jar salad on wood tray

Chickpea Salad Bento Box (Vegan)

Chickpea salad bento box is a vegan no cook lunch option that can be ready in under 25 minutes! 

Check out this recipe

overhead shot of glass meal prep container with chickpea salad bento boxoverhead shot of glass meal prep container with chickpea salad bento box

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.

Check out this recipe

overhead shot of four glass containers filled with pesto chickpea pitas and thai chicken lunch bowlsoverhead shot of four glass containers filled with pesto chickpea pitas and thai chicken lunch bowls

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!

Check out this recipe

overhead shot four glass meal containers with chickpea buddha bowls and greek chicken wrapsoverhead shot four glass meal containers with chickpea buddha bowls and greek chicken wraps

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. 

Check out this recipe

overhead shot of four meal prep containers with sesame noodles and spiralized vegetablesoverhead shot of four meal prep containers with sesame noodles and spiralized vegetables

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.

Check out this recipe

Orzo pasta salad with mint and feta in white bowlOrzo pasta salad with mint and feta in white bowl

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!

Check out this recipe

Easy Chickpea Cucumber Salad - It Starts With Good FoodEasy Chickpea Cucumber Salad - It Starts With Good Food

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.

Check out this recipe

white plate with chickpea butternut squash fajitas on gray counter with fresh avocado and limewhite plate with chickpea butternut squash fajitas on gray counter with fresh avocado and lime

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!

Check out this recipe

spicy slowcooker chickpea chili in a blue bowl with a spoonspicy slowcooker chickpea chili in a blue bowl with a spoon

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.

Check out this recipe

chickpea curry in blue pot with spoonchickpea curry in blue pot with spoon

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.

Check out this recipe

overhead shot of instant pot chickepea curry with rice and green beans in brown bowloverhead shot of instant pot chickepea curry with rice and green beans in brown bowl

Vegan Moroccan Chickpea Skillet

Vegan Moroccan chickpea skillet is freezer-friendly and perfect for meal prep! With chickpeas, sweet potatoes and spicy Moroccan seasoning.

Check out this recipe

overhead shot of glass container filled with vegan Moroccan chickpea skilletoverhead shot of glass container filled with vegan Moroccan chickpea skillet

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.

Check out this recipe

overhead shot of four glass meal prep containers filled with korean bbq chickpea bentooverhead shot of four glass meal prep containers filled with korean bbq chickpea bento

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.

Check out this recipe

four air fryer cauliflower chickpea tacos lined up on blue background with hand grabbing onefour air fryer cauliflower chickpea tacos lined up on blue background with hand grabbing one

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.

Check out this recipe

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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!

Check out this recipe

chickpea and cauliflower curry in bowl with wood spoon and ricechickpea and cauliflower curry in bowl with wood spoon and rice

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.

mini moroccan chickpea burgers with spicy harissa mayo on parchmentmini moroccan chickpea burgers with spicy harissa mayo on parchment

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.

Check out this recipe

bowl of vegan slow cooker peanut stewbowl of vegan slow cooker peanut stew