I Thought Chickpeas Were Boring Until I Tried These 17 Recipes

If you thought chickpeas were just for hummus and plain old salads, think again. Turns out, the fiber-rich, protein-packed legumes are perfect for everything from curry to cookies! Because of their high starch content and mild flavor, they make for a hearty main dish base and also blend seamlessly into batters and doughs.

You can buy dried chickpeas in the bulk bins and soak them in water overnight to get them ready for use. Or, you can buy them ready-to-go in cans. Either way, chickpeas are a healthy, inexpensive pantry staple that we all should take advantage of.

The ideas below are a mixture of savory and sweet chickpea recipes that you’ll wish you knew about sooner. There are stews and baked chickpea cakes for meatless Mondays, and brownies and blondies for nutrient-dense desserts.

Vegan Chickpea Brownies

Chickpeas are mild and full of starch, so they’re great for baking, too!

Get the recipe from Chocolate Covered Katie.

Firecracker Chickpea Meatballs

You don’t need meat to make meatballs. Mind blown, right?

Get the recipe from Connoisseurus Veg.

Sticky Sesame Chickpeas

The next time you’re in the mood for saucy takeout, skip it and make these sweet, sesame-flavored chickpeas instead.

Get the recipe from Eat With Clarity.

Vegan Cookie Dough

If edible cookie dough isn’t a reason to fall in love with chickpeas, I’m not sure what is.

Get the recipe from Joyful Healthy Eats.

Air-Fryer Chickpeas

There are four ways to flavor these air-fryer chickpeas, and you’ll probably want to try them all.

Get the recipe from My Forking Life.

No-Bake Brownie Batter Dip

Perfect for fruit, cookies, or crackers, this brownie batter dip is basically dessert hummus.

Get the recipe from A Clean Bake.

Flourless Peanut Butter Chickpea Muffins

These gluten-free muffins taste nothing like chickpeas, and everything like peanut butter.

Get the recipe from Ambitious Kitchen.

Chickpea Fries

These baked “fries” are packed with fiber and plant-based protein.

Get the recipe from Hey Nutrition Lady.

Chickpea Tikka Masala

Chicken tikka masala is great, but chickpea tikka masala is an equally tasty vegetarian alternative.

Get the recipe from Watch What U Eat.

Persian Herb and Chickpea Stew With Rice

If you’re in the mood for a hearty meatless meal, this creamy chickpea stew is an obvious choice.

Get the recipe from Half Baked Harvest.

Chickpea and Spinach Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

Loaded baked potatoes can look a lot of different ways. These chickpea-spinach loaded sweet potatoes are nutrient-dense and packed with greens.

Get the recipe from Last Ingredient.

Chickpea Blondies

The fudgy center of these chickpea blondies will give you daydreams for weeks after you taste them.

Get the recipe from Nora Cooks.

Pumpkin Pie Chickpeas

Roasted chickpeas are a great snack, and these pumpkin pie flavored ones deliver a little something sweet.

Get the recipe from Produce on Parade.

Vegan BBQ Chickpea Salad

This vegan taco salad is as good as any meat-and-cheese-fillled version you’ve ever tried.

Get the recipe from Running on Real Food.

Sweet Potato and Chickpea Patties

Forget deep-fried falafels—these sweet, savory chickpea patties are the only chickpea cake you need.

Get the recipe from Cupful of Kale.

Baked Buffalo Chickpea Taquitos

There’s not much better than a fresh taquito, and these Buffalo chickpea ones are no exception.

Get the recipe from Ela Vegan.

Chickpea Peanut Butter Cookies

Yes, these chickpea, chocolate, and peanut butter cookies will make your house smell amazing.

Get the recipe from The Endless Meal.

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Pin it now, and try these flavorful and healthy chickpea recipes!

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