10 Creative Ways to Enjoy Chickpeas Beyond Hummus

1. Add Them to Sandwiches or Wraps

If you're aiming to reduce your meat intake, this sandwich offers a vegetarian twist on the traditional chicken salad sandwich. Chickpeas are seasoned and mashed to create a hearty, textured filling that mimics the consistency of chicken salad.

2. Create a Tuna Salad Alternative

Chickpeas can also transform your typical tuna salad into something extraordinary. This recipe skips the mayo and combines marinated chickpeas with canned tuna, radicchio, red onion, kalamata olives, and capers. The outcome is a vibrant, unique tuna salad that stands out from anything you'd find at a deli.

For a fully plant-based alternative, skip the tuna and use mashed chickpeas instead. Combine them with lemon zest, capers, and your favorite tuna salad ingredients to create a vegan version of this classic lunch dish.

3. Add Them to Grain Bowls or Rice Dishes

In Middle Eastern cuisine, chickpeas are frequently used to enhance rice dishes. This recipe combines the earthy legumes with pistachios and arugula, resulting in a nutritious and flavorful lunch or side option.

For a satisfying grain bowl, try pan-cooking chickpeas until they turn golden and crispy. Mix them with leftover rice and vegetables for a quick, customizable meal that’s sure to impress.

4. Incorporate into Soups or Stews

Have a can of chickpeas you need to use? Add them to a soup or stew for extra heartiness. This upgraded chicken soup features a broth infused with garlic, lemon, and ginger, while the chickpeas provide a protein-rich, textured element.

5. Try a Veggie Burger

Chickpeas, with their robust texture, are perfect for creating veggie burgers. This recipe blends them with harissa and panko breadcrumbs, resulting in a flavorful, meatless option that keeps you satisfied. No food processor? No problem—just mash the chickpeas in a bowl before shaping them into patties.

6. Use Them in Desserts

Chickpeas are surprisingly excellent in no-bake cookie recipes. In this version, they’re combined with oats, pecans, raisins, molasses, and cinnamon to create a wholesome twist on oatmeal raisin cookies. These treats are so delicious, you won’t even crave traditional flour-based cookies.

7. Roast Them for a Nutritious Snack

For a protein-packed, crunchy snack, roast chickpeas in the oven. At 450 degrees Fahrenheit, just 20 to 25 minutes will give you perfectly crispy chickpeas, ideal for snacking or adding to salads and grain bowls.

To achieve maximum crunch, ensure the chickpeas are completely dry before roasting. Customize their flavor by tossing them with Parmesan, paprika, or simply salt and pepper for a versatile treat.

8. Fill Sweet Potatoes with Them

Bored with traditional potato toppings? Incorporating chickpeas not only introduces new flavors but also boosts the protein content. This recipe features warm spices like cinnamon and cardamom to enhance the sweet potato’s natural taste, but feel free to experiment with your favorite spices.

9. Turn Them Into Flour

White flour alternatives have surged in popularity, and for good reason. These options are often richer in nutrients, high in protein, and suitable for gluten-free diets. To create chickpea flour, all you need are dried chickpeas, a coffee or spice grinder, and a bit of patience to sift the mixture until it’s light and fluffy.

10. Fry Them for a Tasty Treat

Falafel may be a classic chickpea dish, but it’s no less delightful. These crispy bites cook quickly, and you only need a blender or food processor to prepare the batter.

For an extra protein boost, opt for homemade chickpea flour, though all-purpose flour works just as well. Pair these with your preferred dip—this recipe suggests tzatziki, but feel free to use any dip you love!