33 of the BEST vegan chickpea recipes: From appetizers to desserts, and even recipes with chickpea flour. Here are some of the best ways to enjoy this humble, inexpensive, nutrient-dense ingredient! Simple Delicious Vegan Chickpea Recipes Chickpeas are a staple for any vegan (and non-vegan) kitchen. Not only are […]
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33 of the BEST vegan chickpea recipes: From appetizers to desserts, and even recipes with chickpea flour. Here are some of the best ways to enjoy this humble, inexpensive, nutrient-dense ingredient!
Simple Delicious Vegan Chickpea Recipes
Chickpeas are a staple for any vegan (and non-vegan) kitchen. Not only are they inexpensive and super versatile, but they’re packed with nutrients, fiber, and plant-based protein, ready to make hearty vegan chickpea recipes to keep you satisfied all day long. That includes salads, curries, fritters, and even chickpea desserts. I’ve also included some of my favorite chickpea flour recipes.
Best of all, you can use either home-cooked or canned chickpeas for almost all the below recipes with chickpeas–many of which are quick and simple to prepare, vegan and gluten-free, and often meal-prep and freezer friendly! Honestly, I throw a can of chickpeas into practically any meal when I want a fiber or protein boost.
Are Chickpeas Healthy?
The short answer is yes. Chickpeas are a significant source of plant-based protein (14 grams of protein per cup!) and dietary fiber. They are also a rich source of several vitamins and minerals, like copper, calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, folate, and vitamin B6.
These micronutrients can benefit nerve function, red blood cell, immune system, and brain health, reduce the risk of several chronic diseases, and help regulate blood sugar. They’re also a slow-digesting starch, helping to feed the good bacteria in our gut for improved digestive health. You can read more about the health benefits of chickpeas on Healthline.
How To Cook Dried Chickpeas
Canned chickpeas are ridiculously convenient and not too expensive, but cooking your own chickpeas is even more budget-friendly. Plus, once cooked, they’ll store in the freezer for up to 3 months, ready when needed.
- First, soak the chickpeas in a bowl of water covered by at least 2 inches of water for at least 8 hours or overnight.
- Drain and rinse the chickpeas, transfer them to a saucepan, and cover them with several inches of fresh water.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 1 ½-2 hours, until tender but not mushy. Then, they’re ready to use in delicious, healthy chickpea recipes.
To save time and energy, I prefer to use a pressure cooker. This reduces the cooking time to only about 20 minutes.
If you live in a region with particularly hard water, it is recommended to add about 1-2 teaspoons of baking soda to the cooking water. Sodium bicarbonate softens the water and makes it more alkaline, which may help to soften legumes faster.
Note the cooking liquid when cooking chickpeas is ‘aquafaba’ and can be whipped into peanut butter mousse and vegan meringue.
Appetizers and Snacks
Crispy Air Fryer Chickpeas
To start off these vegan chickpea recipes, these super crispy chickpeas are ready in under 20 minutes. They’re perfect for enjoying in place of potato chips and tossing into soups and salads for extra crunch and protein.
Quinoa Chickpea Salad
This veggie-packed quinoa salad tossed with a bright lemon vinaigrette is not only perfect for your next BBQ, potluck, or picnic but makes for a super versatile and nutrient-dense healthy chickpea recipe loaded with protein, fiber, and antioxidants.
Vegetable Couscous Salad
Like the above, but with couscous instead of quinoa, this healthy chickpea recipe is loaded with mixed veggies for a light and flavorful summery appetizer or side in 15 minutes.
Chickpea Broccoli Nuggets
If you’re looking for child-friendly recipes with chickpeas, these little nuggets are a must-try. They’re loaded with nutrients and low on fat but crispy and delicious (like my buffalo cauliflower wings and air fryer zucchini chips).
Stuffed Mushrooms
Loading up mushrooms with a hearty spiced chickpea and vegetable filling smothered with vegan cheese sauce makes for a hearty chickpea side dish, appetizer, or light main.
Oil-free Hummus
No list of recipes with garbanzo beans would be complete without fluffy, creamy, delicious homemade hummus made with canned chickpeas and top tips for the smoothest, fluffiest results. Perfect for dipping with pita bread, chips, and crudites.
Air fryer falafel
Make delicious homemade falafels much healthier by ditching the deep fryer for an air fryer instead. They’re crisp outside, tender in the middle, and taste delicious in wraps, pita, salad bowls, and more.
Cauliflower Chickpea Patties
These gluten-free cauliflower patties combine cauliflower with chickpeas and chickpea flour for a simple and versatile chickpea side dish. You can enjoy them as bite-sized fritters, medium patties, or large burgers. Either way, they’re loaded with protein and low on fat, with simple pantry ingredients.
Avocado Toast with Toppings
Crispy chickpeas are just one of several ways to boost your avocado toast game for a delicious and nutritious breakfast, snack, or light lunch. Add pickled red onions for even more flavor.
Vegetable Chickpea Fritters
Stuff a chickpea dough base with corn and bell pepper or the veggies of your choice for these simple and delicious veggie fritters, perfect to enjoy as a snack, side, or light main.
Chickpea Ricotta Cheese
When wondering what to make with chickpeas, I bet a vegan cheese alternative never crossed your mind. This vegan ricotta relies on 7 wholesome ingredients and is ready in minutes to enjoy in vegan lasagna, over toast, or as a dip.
Chickpea Dinner Recipes
Garlic Broccoli Chickpea Stir-fry
This simple stir-fry is low fat, packed with flavor thanks to its simple garlic ginger sauce, nutrient-dense, and ready in just 25 minutes, perfect with rice or noodles.
Chickpea Tofu
You can prepare this soy-free tofu (firm or silken!) using dried chickpeas or chickpea flour to make a flavorful, protein-dense soy tofu alternative, perfect for marinating, baking, or frying into tons of easy chickpea recipes.
Buffalo Chickpea Taquitos
Combining mashed chickpeas and buffalo sauce in taquitos makes for a crispy, spicy, hearty, and satisfying vegan chickpea dinner recipe in under 30 minutes.
Vegan Chickpea Curry with Eggplant
A wholesome, comforting, pantry-friendly chickpea dinner recipe made with creamy coconut milk, tender eggplant, and high-protein chickpeas, ready in under 30 minutes to enjoy with rice and/or naan.
Enjoy several similar meals with chickpeas like this pineapple veg curry, sweet potato curry, and Thai coconut curry soup.
Pasta with Chickpeas (Pasta e Ceci)
With a combination of mixed vegetables and pasta in a light yet creamy chickpea sauce, this one-pot easy vegan chickpea recipe pack flavor and nutrients for a hearty and satisfying meal that won’t weigh you down.
Chickpea Vegan Buddha Bowl
Combining crispy chickpeas with rainbow veggies, pineapple, noodles, and a creamy avocado dressing, this healthy, nutrient-dense bowl meal is summery, bright, and delicious.
Vegan Mushroom Chickpea Risotto
Adding chickpeas to this flavorful mushroom risotto is the perfect way to pack in plenty of plant-based protein for a nourishing and satisfying meal.
Vegan Shakshuka with Chickpeas
If you’re looking for meals with chickpeas that you can enjoy for breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner, this vegan shakshuka hits the spot. Combining protein-rich chickpeas in a hearty tomato-based sauce, this dish is delicious with bread, rice, or pasta.
Stuffed Zucchini Boats
Enjoy a somewhat low-carb chickpea dinner recipe when stuffing zucchini halves with wholesome chickpeas and bell peppers in a spicy tomato sauce, smothered with vegan cheese sauce.
Avocado Chickpea Pizza
Relying on two ingredients you don’t often see on pizza, this gluten-free, vegan buffalo chickpea pizza is a delicious and nutritious combination of protein, carbs, and healthy fats.
Chickpea Tacos
You can prepare these versatile gluten-free chickpea tacos in 10 minutes for a healthy, hearty, protein-rich snack or meal.
Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
Enjoy a delicious combination of sweet and savory flavors by combining perfectly baked sweet potatoes with crispy chickpeas. Enjoy it alone or with a side salad for a simple, delicious healthy chickpea recipe.
Savory Stuffed Crepes
For those days you’re craving something hearty and savory vs. the usual chocolate banana and cinnamon apple crepes, try this protein-rich, pantry-friendly vegan chickpea recipe. They’re stuffed with a spiced chickpea, mushroom, and spinach filling you’ll love.
Chickpea Desserts
Vegan Chickpea Blondies
Garbanzo bean recipes aren’t tied to savory uses only. In fact, the somewhat neutral flavor of chickpeas makes them the perfect nutrient-dense addition to recipes like vegan blondies, with gooey, fudgy, soft results.
Chickpea Cookie Dough
Combining 7 simple ingredients, you can transform a can of chickpeas into a delicious gluten-free, optionally sugar-free cookie dough. A delicious, guilt-free way to satisfy sweet cravings.
Flourless Chickpea Brownies
Double down on wholesome ingredients by combining these gluten-free, oil-free fudgy chickpea brownies with optional sweet potato frosting. Get ready to be truly surprised at how delicious chickpea desserts can be.
You might also enjoy my recipes for sweet potato brownies or pea brownies.
Healthy Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars
No one would guess that these soft, moist, and slightly chewy oatmeal bars are hiding a whole can of chickpeas. Enjoy them as a protein-rich, gluten-free, dairy-free breakfast or chickpea dessert.
No-bake Cookie Dough Bars
These no-bake cookie bars combine layers of healthy brownie and cookie dough, topped with a rich chocolate fudge sauce. However, they’re also naturally sweetened with no refined sugars, butter, oil, or eggs.
Chickpea Flour Recipes
Gluten-free Tortillas
You need just two ingredients (plus salt and water) to prepare these flavorful, flexible, gluten-free tortillas that are perfect for burritos, tacos, enchiladas, quesadillas, and more. Plus, the recipe is wheat-free, corn-free, yeast-free, and oil-free.
Make them more nutritious with spinach, like these healthy spinach tortillas.
Gluten-free Gnocchi
You can make delicious vegan and gluten-free gnocchi at home with just 3 ingredients (plus salt and water) by replacing wheat flour with chickpea flour. Plus, the extra flavor in the flour makes them even more delicious.
Vegetable Pakora
These mixed vegetable pakora (and homemade onion bhaji) are super crispy outside and tender in the middle, made with a flavorful chickpea flour batter. They’re also pan-fried to use minimal oil.
Vegan Frittata
Make a delicious egg-free frittata with a chickpea flour base. It’s packed with flavor, soft and moist, super versatile, and packed with veggies. Plus, it’s loaded with fiber and protein, and easy to make.
You might also enjoy vegan ‘egg’ muffins that combine chickpea flour and silken tofu for its vegan eggy base.
More Vegan Recipe Roundups
- 23 vegan soup recipes
- 27 vegan pasta recipes you’ll love
- 14 vegan pantry-friendly dinners
- 36 best vegan desserts
- 7 fruit-infused water recipes
- 32+ vegan Super Bowl snacks
- 33+ vegan Valentine’s day recipes
- 63 vegan Christmas dinner recipes
If you try any of these vegan chickpea recipes, I’d love a comment and ★★★★★ recipe rating on their posts. Also, please don’t forget to tag me in re-creations on Instagram or Facebook with @elavegan #elavegan—I love seeing them.
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