25 Charming Recipes Featuring Chickpeas (2024)

FAQs

What's the difference between garbanzo beans and chickpeas? ›

The honest answer—there's no difference between chickpeas and garbanzo beans. They're just two (of many) different names for the same type of pulse. (Pulses are basically seeds of legume plants.) The word chickpea doesn't come from chickens at all—it's an evolution of the plant's Latin name, cicer arietinum.

Use them instead of hominy in a veggie-based pozole, serve them solo in a salad dressed with lemon and herbs, or toss them with pasta, greens, and mozzarella for a flavorful go-to weeknight meal. We have plenty of chickpea recipes to celebrate the legume's versatility.

🌱 Symbol of abundance and renewal, chickpeas enrich cultural traditions. 💪 Nutritional and environmental powerhouse: protein-rich, soil-friendly. 🍲 Culinary versatility and economic boon, ideal for diverse diets and farmers.

So really, there is no wrong answer. Both are correct! This unique, nutrient-packed bean has been popular in the Middle East for many years, as chickpeas are a staple ingredient in many of the region's most well-known dishes like hummus and falafel.

Naturally low in saturated fat, loaded with nutrients

While naturally low in saturated fat, chickpeas are nutrient-dense. They provide nearly 20 grams of protein in a ½-cup serving and 5 grams of dietary fiber. Chickpeas also are a source of folate, iron, vitamin C and phosphorus.

You can eat at least one serving (28 grams) of chickpeas per day. However, don't eat more than 70 grams a day since that can cause adverse side effects. If you consume too many chickpeas, some side effects you may get include bloating, nausea, and gas. It's important to remember that chickpeas should not be eaten raw.

"Chickpeas are wonderful to add directly to your dish—like salad, pasta, or soup—for extra protein and fiber," Cannon told us.

If you are using canned chickpeas, drain and rinse them with water to cut the sodium (salt) content by almost a half. Rinse well in cold water to make them easier to digest and less gas-producing.

To do this, I drain and rinse a can of chickpeas, then toss them with oil, salt, pepper, and any spices that I'm feeling. (I typically go with garlic powder, cumin, and smoked paprika, but anything will work.)

What makes chickpeas taste better? ›

I've been known to smash them up with a bit of garlic, lemon juice, some spices, and a big lug of good extra virgin olive oil. Just pass the pita to sop up all the goodness. Canned chickpeas are convenient, and I do use them regularly.

Canned chickpeas are pre-cooked chickpeas. You can eat canned chickpeas straight out of the can! (Just be sure to rinse them off before chowing down to wash out excess sodium) Otherwise, you can roast them or turn them into any number of delicious dishes, like these here.

Chickpeas are high in fiber, protein, and healthy fats and have a low glycemic index (GI). As a result, chickpeas help manage cholesterol, triglycerides, blood sugar, and blood pressure; maintain healthy body weight; and support gut health.

As an important part of Indian cuisine, it is used in salads, soups and stews, and curry, in chana masala, and in other food products that contain channa (chickpeas). In 2022, India accounted for 75% of global chickpea production.

The typical papilionaceous flower, with one big standard, two wings and two keel petals (boat shaped), has 9 + 1 diadelphous stamens and a stigma with 1–4 ovules. Anthers dehisce a day before the flower opens leading to self-pollination. In four weeks after pollination, pod matures with one to three seeds per pod.

Does it matter whether you buy chickpeas or garbanzo beans? No, chickpeas and garbanzo beans can be used interchangeably. They are the same type of chickpea.

Black chickpeas are slightly higher in protein and fibre than white chickpeas, and they also contain more iron, folate, and antioxidants. On the other hand, white chickpeas are slightly lower in calories and carbohydrates than black chickpeas, making them a good choice for those who are watching their calorie intake.

And there's only one rule for eating chickpeas: Make sure they're fully cooked beforehand! Aside from being too hard to eat when they're dry, uncooked chickpeas contain toxins like lectins which can cause food poisoning. Plus, cooking cooked chickpeas again will only make them better.

Canned chickpeas are pre-cooked chickpeas. You can eat canned chickpeas straight out of the can! (Just be sure to rinse them off before chowing down to wash out excess sodium) Otherwise, you can roast them or turn them into any number of delicious dishes, like these here.