13 Healthy Chickpea Recipes
Healthy Chickpea Recipes are popular on many diets, such as vegan, but they’re also an ideal side. And they’re genuinely delicious, thanks to their creamy texture and nutty flavor. And these healthy recipes will surely give you more reason to love chickpeas! 😉
What is a chickpea? A delicious legume in the bean and pea family. Middle Eastern recipes usually call them chickpeas, but Latin Americans are more likely to call them garbanzos. So, if you see a recipe with garbanzos on the ingredient list, know you still have a healthy chickpea recipe.
FAQs
Making chickpea flour is surprisingly easy. If you have a high-speed blender, food processor, or spice grinder, grind the dried chickpeas as fine as possible. Then, sift them through a sieve to remove the chunks.
You now have garbanzo flour. You can run the chunks through again or add them to soup.
Chickpea pasta has a lower glycemic index than grain-based foods, making it ideal for diabetic patients. And it’s gluten-free, so it’s a great alternative to include in your gluten-free flour recipe.
Sorry, keto people, it’s not low-carb. Therefore, it is excluded from the keto-friendly and low-carb pasta list.
Easy Chickpea Snacks and Side Dishes
1. Crispy Roasted Chickpeas
This roasted chickpea recipe is great as sweet, spicy, or savory, and you can use canned or dried chickpeas. They make a healthy snack but are also a great addition to salads, soups, and stews for added texture. So, if you’re looking for a healthy replacement for potato chips and popcorn, this could be it. 😉
2. Mediterranean Chickpea Salad
Get healthy protein from this 15-minute vegetarian chickpea salad recipe loaded with antioxidants, dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals. It delivers a quick, satisfyingly delicious, and pleasing to the eyes with its colorful presentation.
3. Hummus
If you haven’t tried hummus yet, then it’s time to try this heavenly Mediterranean delight. Chickpeas, garlic, olive oil, tahini, lemon juice, and some Middle Eastern spices deliver a fantastic spread for crusty bread and pita chips. 👌
4. Chickpea Egg Salad
Ramp up your classic egg salad with chickpeas and a bunch of healthy vegetables. It makes a great side or main dish for Meat-Free Monday.
5. Crispy Air Fryer Chickpeas (4 Different Flavors)
You can make crispy chickpeas in an air fryer! Who needs chips and fries when you can also enjoy them with many flavors – cinnamon sugar, ranch, BBQ, and lime? Aah! I will gladly munch on these babies shamelessly.
Chickpea Recipe Ideas for Lunch and Dinner
6. Chickpea Curry
You’ll love this comfort food in a bowl in its vegan version, or add meaty goodness from leftover chicken or smoked turkey. Serve it over cauliflower rice for an even healthier dinner. It indeed is one of the best healthy curry chickpea recipes you’ll ever make!
7. Curry Chickpeas Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
Yet another vegan treat to enjoy this season. I never imagined stuffing my baked sweet potatoes with chickpea curry, but I’m glad for this comfort food discovery. And I’m sure you are, too, especially if you’re into curry dishes and sweet potatoes.
8. Easy Chickpea Tikka Masala
Another guilt-free curry chickpea recipe you can whip up in about 30 minutes. And it’s full of amazing flavors from garam masala, tomato sauce, curry, and coconut milk for spot-on complex flavors! Try it with rice or flatbread to complete your Indian dining experience. 😉
9. Vegan Spicy BBQ Chickpea Pizza
Chickpeas on pizza? It defies all the Italian rules in making a pizza, but it’s absolutely forgivable and totally worth it. And, of course, it’ll be tastier with my homemade pizza dough and BBQ sauce.
10. Chicken, Chickpeas, and Tomatoes
And here’s another Mediterranean-inspired chickpea recipe you’ll love in an instant. Throw the ingredients into your slow cooker in the morning, then come home to yum. And you can make it with an Instant Pot, too.
11. Vegan Chickpea Burger
This is one of many healthy chickpea recipes that make a great vegan substitute for our classic burger. Load it up with hot sauce and pepper flakes to crank up the heat. Or use honey mustard dressing to take it up a notch. Yum!
12. Chickpea Tacos
Tacos aren’t just for meaty fillings; chickpeas deliver a delicious vegan version. Even your carnivore friends will declare them delish thanks to the authentic Mexican flavors. Especially if you serve them with homemade guacamole.
13. Slow Cooker Vegan Coconut Chickpeas
Perfectly spiced chickpeas with coconut milk and tomatoes make a comforting and warm dish, especially with Thai curry paste. I love pairing it with pita bread and brioche buns to wipe my bowl clean.
