These 35 chickpea recipes celebrate the versatility and simplicity of garbanzo beans.

If you want to add flavor, protein, and fiber to your meals without compromising taste, you’re in for a treat.

These recipes are designed to be approachable and enable you to whip up a satisfying and nutritious meal with minimal effort and a low budget.

Easy chickpea recipes

Chickpeas are a pantry staple that can quickly elevate dishes with their nutty and earthy profile.

From savory mains to wholesome salads, let’s dive into the world of chickpeas and discover how this humble legume can upgrade your next meal.

Chickpea recipes video

1. How to cook dried chickpeas

cooked tender chickpeas in a white sift with hand holding a white spoon

We start this list with a guide to cooking canned and dried chickpeas, storing them, and using them to make delicious plant-based meals.

You will see the step-by-step process of soaking and cooking dried chickpeas to perfection and how to use them in protein-packed recipes that satisfy every palate.

2. Falafel

Falafel in a pita bread with hummus

Falafels are deep-fried balls (we also do them in the air fryer) made out of soaked chickpeas, broad beans, or a combination of both.

We will show you how easy it is to prepare falafel, cook it in oil or an air fryer, and serve it with tahini sauce and pita bread.

3. Chickpea pasta salad

Chickpea pasta salad with a silver fork

You’ll love this chickpea pasta salad because it’s tasty, nourishing, and fulfilling, with plant-based protein, vitamins, and antioxidants.

It’s an excellent recipe for meal prepping, and it’s drizzled with a mustard dressing and topped with creamy avocado.

4. Creamy hummus

Hummus on a plate with chickpeas in the middle and lemon on the side

A must-make chickpea recipe on this list is our velvety, creamy hummus.

It’s a mouthwatering spread with simple ingredients, and you can make it with canned or cooked dried chickpeas.

TIP: if you don’t have tahini at home, try this notahini hummus instead.

5. Quick chickpea salad

Chickpea salad with a silver fork

This chickpea salad is an easy, fulfilling, and nutritious dish and one of our favorite potlucks and meal prep recipes.

Make it in 15 minutes with simple, fresh ingredients and a refreshing lemon vinaigrette.

6. Air fryer chickpeas

Turkish red lentil soup with fresh parsley and roasted chickpeas

Air fryer chickpeas are quick, healthy, easy to make, and delicious when topped on creamy soups like eggplant, cauliflower, and Turkish lentil.

In less than 15 minutes, you’ll have a tasty, light, and crunchy snack (perfect before a workout) or topping for your meals.

7. Tahini salad

Tahini salad with chickpeas and lemon

Our tahini salad recipe is excellent as a side dish, but you can quickly turn it into a main by combining it with roasted chickpeas or falafel.

Please upgrade it to lunch on the go by serving it in a wrap with hummus or some warm pita bread.

8. Chickpea quinoa salad

Quinoa chickpea salad with fork

This quinoa chickpea salad offers a nutritious, naturally vegan, gluten-free meal to please the pickiest eaters.

We add a colorful palette of fresh veggies to this salad, which makes for an inviting and healthy lunch idea.

9. Chickpea fritters

Chickpea fritters with tahini sauce and fresh parsley and a hand dipping a fritter

Savor the crispy perfection of chickpea fritters, where the combination of red onions and nutritional yeast adds a delightful umami richness to every bite.

This easy-to-make recipe promises a nutty blend of flavors and a healthy choice for a quick and satisfying snack or appetizer.

10. Carrot salad with chickpeas

carrot raisin salad with chickpeas and almonds

Carrot raisin salad is a classic, but with this recipe, we innovate slightly with chickpeas. 

We make a creamy old-fashioned one, grandma’s style, with shredded carrots, raisins, and mayo, and a modern one with orange juice, chickpeas, raisins, and without mayo.

11. Mashed chickpea salad

Vegan tuna on toast with sliced cucumber

Vegan tuna is a quick and easy recipe made with mashed chickpeas and vegan mayonnaise.

It’s the perfect replacement for tuna in a sandwich, filling a sweet potato as an appetizer, or as a vegan tuna salad.

12. Chickpea stew

Chickpea Stew with spoon

Make a wholesome and rich chickpea dinner with this Mediterranean chickpea stew: an easy one-pot recipe with staple ingredients.

It’s perfect as a tasty and easy everyday dinner or as a make-ahead meal.

13. Stuffed eggplant

stuffed eggplant with avocado spread, tomatoes, and roasted chickpeas

Here is a modern and healthy recipe for a plant-based dinner with family and friends.

Our stuffed eggplant with avocado spread and crispy chickpeas is without meat and suitable for vegetarians and vegans.

14. Couscous salad

Couscous salad with yogurt dressing

Chickpea is a beautiful pairing with healthy grains, such as barley, farro, and couscous.

This couscous salad is easy, crunchy, ready in 20 minutes, and made with fresh vegetables.

15. Farro salad

Farro salad with tomato

Farro salad is a perfect meal for summer and autumn and a wholesome vegan lunch.

Add fresh veggies, olives, and chickpeas for a proteinrich, vitamin-packed meal.

16. Spinach stew

Chickpea Spinach Stew on rice with lemon

This delicious and fiber-rich spinach chickpea stew is easy to make for a quick meatless dinner or as a side for dinner.

Pair it with a dollop of yogurt and white rice, and you’ll have a complete and satiating plantbased meal.

17. Orzo salad

orzo salad in a large bowl

Our orzo salad is a light, healthy, and tasty dish that is easy to make with simple, fresh ingredients.

Pair it with canned and rinsed chickpeas, and it’s a perfect starter, summer salad, and dinner idea.

18. Fatteh

Fatteh with yogurt, chickpeas and herbs

You’ll love our Fatteh recipe because it combines different flavors and textures that are magical together.

A bed of creamy chickpea hummus is topped with crispy oven-baked pita chips and tender cumin-infused chickpeas.

19. Cauliflower salad

Cauliflower salad on a white plate

Roasted chickpeas quickly and easily add healthy protein and a tasty crunch to this creamy cauliflower salad.

Imagine slightly charred roasted cauliflower paired with nutty chickpeas, spiced with cumin, tossed with a creamy tahini dressing, and plenty of fresh lemon juice.

20. Eggplant salad

roasted eggplant salad with farfalle pasta

Eggplant salad is an easy and delicious recipe made with roasted or air-fried eggplant, chickpeas, and other crunchy seasonal vegetables.

It’s perfect as a makeahead meal, for potlucks, and as a lunchbox meal.

21. Microwave sweet potato with chickpeas

Microwave sweet potato with couscous topping

On top of a microwave sweet potato, add couscous or bulgur salad with tomato and cucumber.

Top your potato with crispy chickpeas, sliced black olives, and tahini sauce for a quick and healthy dinner.

22. Mediterranean farro salad

mediterranean farro salad with chickpeas

In just over 30 minutes, you can have a delicious, healthy, and satisfying Mediterranean farro salad.

TIP: Make this grain bowl and mealprep your next lunches or dinners.

23. Chickpea soup

Chickpea soup with hands and red nails holding the bowl

This chickpea soup with canned chickpeas, potato, and Italian herbs is a perfect make-ahead meal.

Canned tomatoes complement the nutty aroma of chickpeas well. Even chickpea skeptics will appreciate this wholesome soup.

24. Chickpea curry

Chickpea Curry with white rice and cilantro

Chickpeas are a wholesome and delicious addition to creamy curries; try this version with an aromatic Indian spice mix and a rich coconut sauce.

Serve your curry on basmati rice and store potential leftovers in the fridge for up to five days.

25. Pasta e Ceci

Pasta e Ceci in a bowl with a hand holding a spoon

This Italian pasta classic is creamy, healthy, and packed with tomato flavor.

It’s a familyfriendly meal cooked in one pot and a tasty cooking method with canned chickpeas.

26. African peanut stew

African peanut stew with spinach and sweet potato in a white bowl

This peanut stew recipe is without meat; we use chickpeas to make this an easy 30-minute high-protein vegetarian meal.

You can expect a beautifully creamy texture with rich and balanced savory flavors. It’s excellent for a weeknight dinner as well as for meal prep.

27. Moroccan chickpea stew

Moroccan chickpea stew with yogurt and fresh cilantro on top

You can make this Moroccan chickpea stew in 30 minutes with simple ingredients for a wholesome weeknight dinner and meal prep.

Serve this one-pot meal with couscous, rice, or pita bread to sop up the flavorful sauce.

28. Chana dal with split chickpeas

Chana dal with spinach and hand holding chapati bread

Indulge in the creamy goodness of split chickpea curry, or Chana Dal, as chickpeas harmoniously meld with vibrant spinach and succulent fresh tomatoes.

Elevate your dining experience with this wholesome and aromatic curry, a creative take on a traditional Indian recipe.

29. Cauliflower curry

Cauliflower Curry in a bowl with basmati rice

Our cauliflower curry is an Indian-inspired recipe in which tender cauliflower florets simmer in a rich, aromatic tomato and coconut milk sauce.

You can customize the intensity of this curry by adding more or less spices. Our recipe is mild, suitable for most palates, and an excellent starting point for cooking with chickpeas.

30. Chana masala

moroccan chickpea stew with fresh cilantro

This chana masala is a simple yet flavorful recipe made in one pot with pantry staples. You can serve it with sautéed greensroti breadrice, or naan bread.

Chana Masala is an excellent way to invite Indian flavors and chickpeas into your kitchen and wow your family and friends with a tastyhealthy meal that will nourish their body and soul.

31. Sweet potato curry

sweet potato curry with a lemon wedge

You can put this curry together with little effort in one pot, and it’ll be ready in about 30 minutes. The taste is bold and well-balanced.

It’s the perfect everyday family dinner, and you can add your preferred protein, such as chickpeas, lentils, or tofu.

32. Chana saag

Chana Saag with basmati rice in a white bowl and a spoon

While trying to stay true to Indian flavors and traditions, we simplify this chana (chickpea) saag recipe so you can make it with simple pantry staples in one pot in less than 30 minutes.

Make your chana saag an even tastier dinner with a dollop of yogurtquick pickled red onions, and a generous squeeze of lemon.

33. Harira soup

Harira soup with a silver spoon in a white bowl with fresh parsley

Harira is a traditional Moroccan soup with lentils, chickpeas, and a rich and flavorful broth with warm spices, herbs, and tomatoes.

It’s a nourishing, fulfilling, high-protein meal with over 20 grams of healthy, high-quality plant protein per bowl.

34. Pumpkin curry

Pumpkin curry with rice, spoon and fresh parsley

Our pumpkin curry is easy to make in one pot with canned chickpeas in about 30 to 40 minutes.

It’s comforting, vibrant, and with a perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and aromatic flavors, it’s ideal for a weeknight dinner with friends and family.

35. Stuffed tomatoes

Stuffed tomatoes with chickpeas

You’ll love this recipe because it combines the familiar flavors of rice and tomatoes with a nourishing and aromatic filling made with chickpeas, spinach, and cumin.

This recipe is perfect for meal prep as the tomatoes get more flavorful as the ingredients meld, and you can easily reheat them in the microwave for a healthy lunch or quick dinner.

Chickpea flour recipes

These chickpea flour meals are great beginner recipes that are easy to follow and add healthy protein to your diet.

Tips for Chickpea Recipes

  • How to store: Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, then reheat in the oven, microwave, or air-fryer before eating.
  • How to freeze: You can also freeze warm meals from this list for up to 3 months. To freeze them, let them cool down first, then transfer them to a freezer-friendly container, leaving some space to allow them to expand. Salads with fresh veggies should not be frozen or reheated.
  • How to reheat: Thaw in the microwave or a pot on the stovetop. Before serving, garnish with fresh herbs. Always check each recipe for exact storage guidelines.
Turkish red lentil soup with roasted chickpeas, chili oil and fresh parsley
Easy chickpea recipes with fritters, stews, and salads

Easy Chickpea Recipes

By: Nico Pallotta
5 from 1 vote
Mashed chickpea salad is an easy chickpea recipe that uses mashed garbanzo beans and a few other simple ingredients to recreate the flavor of tuna salad.
You can expect a savory umami-packed flavor with a touch of brininess and tanginess pleasantly reminiscent of the sea without being fishy.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
0 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course, Snack, Starter
Cuisine: International

Ingredients

  • 2 cans (15 ounces each) chickpeas drained and rinsed
  • â…“ cup vegan mayo
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon nori sheet blended into flakes or finely chopped. You'll need 1 to 2 nori sheets.
  • ½ medium red onion chopped
  • 1 stalk celery chopped
  • 1 handful fresh parsley or dill, chopped
  • ½ lemon the juice
  • 1 tablespoon pickles or capers, chopped
  • 2 pinches salt or more to taste
  • 2 twists black pepper

Instructions 

  • Drain and rinse 2 cans (15 ounces each) chickpeas and transfer them into a container with shallow edges such as an oven dish.
    Mash them with a sturdy fork or potato masher.
    Tip: It's easier to mash the chickpeas in a container with low edges like an oven dish rather than in a bowl.
    mashed chickpeas in a baking pan
  • Add â…“ cup vegan mayo, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1 tablespoon mustard, and 1 tablespoon nori sheet (blended or finely chopped).
    Then add ½ medium red onion, 1 stalk celery, 1 handful fresh parsley, 1 tablespoon pickles (all chopped) and the juice of ½ lemon.
    Season with 2 pinches salt and 2 twists black pepper.
    all ingredients for vegan tuna in a container
  • Mix with a fork until all ingredients are well combined. Taste and adjust for salt.
    vegan tuna just made by mixing all ingredients
  • Serve in a sandwich, on toasted bread, on a baked potato, or eat as is as with a side of lettuce leaves as a salad.
    baked sweet potatoes stuffed with chickpea tuna

Notes

Nutritional information is an estimate for 1 serving of vegan tuna out of 4 servings.
STORAGE & MAKE AHEAD
Make ahead: You can make vegan tuna up to 3 days ahead.
Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for three days.
Freezer: We don’t recommend freezing, but if you do so, do it in a freezer-friendly container, then thaw in the refrigerator. Do not freeze multiple times.
NORI SHEETS?
Nori Sheets are added to give a sea flavor to the vegan tuna. If you don’t have or don’t like nori seaweed you can omit it.
The best way to add nori is to blend the sheets in a blender at full speed until the sheet turns into dust or flakes. You can store the leftover nori flakes into an airtight container for months, and use it sprinkled on salads or other meals.

Nutrition

Calories: 137kcal, Carbohydrates: 5g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 12g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Trans Fat: 0g, Cholesterol: 0mg, Potassium: 93mg, Dietary Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 203IU, Vitamin B6: 1mg, Vitamin C: 10mg, Vitamin E: 1mg, Vitamin K: 21µg, Calcium: 17mg, Folate: 13µg, Iron: 1mg, Manganese: 1mg, Magnesium: 8mg, Zinc: 1mg
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Nico and Louise in the kitchen

Hi! We are Nico & Louise

Welcome to The Plant-Based School, a food blog with easy, tasty, and wholesome recipes.

Our aim is to help you and your family eat more veggies through delicious recipes with simple ingredients.

Easy right?

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