37 All-Star Chickpea Recipes for Easy Pantry Lunches and Dinners
Our best chickpea recipes include all-star mezze, side dishes, and mains—easy lunches and dinners that we turn to again and again. Why? Because the chickpea is a protein powerhouse, and its range is vast. We consider canned and dried garbanzos as a fresh canvas with significant sustenance. Whether you blend cooked chickpeas with nutty tahini and olive oil to form a velvety hummus, crisp canned ones in an air fryer to add hearty crunch to a salad, or blend soaked uncooked chickpeas into an herby fritter, this trusty legume will not let you down. Below you’ll find inspiration for using up the dried chickpeas in your pantry—and lots of quick meals that transform the canned chickpeas into something hearty with minimal cook time. Scroll down to find your new favorite use for all the garbanzo beans in your life.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Anna Hampton1/37Chickpea Salad Sandwich With Creamy Carrot-Radish Slaw
Looking for easy, quick chickpea recipes with a bit of freshness? This vegetarian sandwich brings together feta, cilantro, parsley, and cucumber for a refreshing and nutritious meal with minimal prep time.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne2/37
Yogurt Soup With Orzo and Chickpeas
This cozy chickpea soup requires just a few pantry staples. If you’ve got it, don’t skip the tangy sprinkle of sumac and a good swirl of extra-virgin olive oil on top.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell3/37
Roasted Cabbage Steaks With Crispy Chickpeas and Herby Croutons
In this dinner party-worthy dish, cabbage finally gets its opportunity to take on a leading role, thanks to a topper of roasted crispy chickpeas, which are seasoned with cumin and coriander, and crunchy croutons that are roasted with fresh herbs and garlic.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Michelle Gatton4/37
Chickpea-Potato Chaat
For a low-effort but flavor-loaded veggie dinner, toss a can of chickpeas with boiled potatoes, cilantro-mint chutney, tamarind chutney, and yogurt, then top with chiles, onions, tomatoes, and chaat masala.
- Photo by Jonathan Lovekin5/37
Creamy Hummus
We can’t imagine life without hummus in the fridge. And while the store-bought stuff is fine, the ultimate version starts with Yotam Ottolenghi’s approach—and dried chickpeas. Once it’s silky and smooth, play hummus dress-up however you like: add roasted red bell pepper, roasted butternut squash, or simply olive oil. But first, here is the base hummus recipe.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Chris Morocco6/37
Baked Feta and Greens With Lemony Yogurt
Warm feta cheese, crispy chickpeas, hearty greens, with a lemony yogurt sauce become a fork-and-knife entrée in about 30 minutes. Throw in some fluffy pita or naan for good measure. This is pure comfort food.
- Photo by Elena Heatherwick7/37
Confit Tandoori Chickpeas
These tandoori-spiced chickpeas get slow-cooked with aromatics in oil, and they’re sublime for a make-ahead meal. Our executive editor makes this dish literally every week.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell9/37
Red Wine–Braised Chicken With Chorizo and Chickpeas
Crispy bits of chorizo, tender chickpeas, and a splash of sherry vinegar give this simple weeknight braise a Spanish vibe and hearty bite.
- Photo by Susan Brooks-Dammann/Stocksy United10/37
Instant-Pot Italian Chickpea Stew With Pesto
Thanks to the Instant Pot, you can make this Italian chickpea dish with less total time in the kitchen. Looking for more Instant Pot recipes? We’ve got those, too.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Liza Jernow11/37
Chickpea-Mushroom Veggie Burgers
This vegan chickpea burger recipe combines quinoa, mushrooms, tahini, miso, garlic, and paprika—but the best part is that you can freeze a stash of them so you always have veggie burgers on hand.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Olivia Mack Anderson12/37
Lemony Pasta With Cauliflower, Chickpeas, and Arugula
This pasta dinner is full of fresh arugula. It’s light enough for a warm evening but the chickpeas make sure you'll be fully satisfied.
- Photo and Food Styling by Kendra Vaculin13/37
Spiced Chickpea Scramble
You'll only need 3 Eggs and a Can (of chickpeas) for this non-recipe, which requires minimal prep and lets you lean on whatever you have to use up in your pantry and fridge for the spicing and toppers.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Katherine Sacks14/37
Tomato Tart With Chickpea Crumble
Late summer is when a simple tomato tart with a side salad and mustard vinaigrette hits the spot. Add some pistachios and chickpeas for a filling weeknight dinner.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Olivia Mack Anderson15/37
Slow-Cooked Pork With Chickpeas
In this hands-off dish, gently cooked canned chickpeas get creamy while the pork braises. You can make it on the weekend to eat for days to come.
- Chelsie Craig16/37
Brothy Pasta With Chickpeas
Chickpeas and pasta: One of the best combos of all time. In this quick and simple recipe, cooking the onion and garlic until they’re completely soft encourages them to give up all their goodness to the velvety-rich tomato broth.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Anna Hampton17/37
Grain Bowls With Chicken, Spiced Chickpeas, and Avocado
If you have chickpeas in the pantry and you’ve picked up a store-bought rotisserie chicken, you’re just minutes away from this satisfying dinner. The truly pro-move? Keep tangy pickled red onions in your fridge at all times.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Olivia Mack Anderson18/37
Instant Pot Chickpea Salad with Lemon, Feta, and Fresh Dill
The Instant Pot makes it quick and easy to bring dried chickpeas to life. Then the lemon, feta cheese, and fresh dill makes the whole dish vibrant.
- Photo by Nicole Franzen19/37
Grain Bowl With Roasted Sweet Potatoes, Spiced Chickpeas, and Chard
We tend to think that the best chickpea recipes are flexible and simple—and often the key to that is a really great sauce. Dressing these chickpeas and veggies in a creamy tahini and poblano sauce makes for a super-satisfying meal-in-a-bowl.
- Photo by Mandy Lee20/37
Spicy Chickpea Poppers
Take crispy chickpeas to the extreme with this recipe of battered, fried garbanzos scented with Thai basil, Sichuan peppercorns, and a host of fragrant spices including cumin and five-spice powder.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Prop Styling by Sophie Strangio, Food Styling by Monica Pierini21/37
Sweet Potato Bowls With Kale and Chickpeas
Coconut milk and curry powder lend comforting warmth and spice to this go-to vegetarian dinner recipe.
- Photo by Joff Lee22/37
Loaded Halloumi Flatbreads
Pile seared Halloumi cheese and a yogurt-dressed cabbage-and-chickpea salad over a swath of hummus for these satisfying vegetarian sandwiches.
- Photo by Peter Cassidy23/37
Shimbra Wat (Chickpeas With Spicy Flaxseed Paste)
This Ethiopian dish of chickpeas in a berbere-spiced, flaxseed-thickened sauce makes for a quick, filling, and wonderfully flavorful meal.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle24/37
Coconut-Braised Chickpeas With Sweet Potatoes and Greens
We love chickpea recipes that incorporate other pantry staples, too, like this comforting stew made with coconut milk, chickpeas, and sweet potatoes. If you don't have fresh greens, you can substitute frozen.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Simon Andrews25/37
Chickpea Flatbreads With Burst Tomato Sauce
Crispy-edged flatbread made with chickpea flour is wonderful for scooping up a saucy, sweet-tart mix of burst tomatoes, chickpeas, feta, and greens.
- Photo by Laura Edwards26/37
Kala Chana
Black chickpeas have a nutty flavor that pairs wonderfully with the warm spices in garam masala.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Kate Buckens27/37
Spiced Quinoa and Chickpea Bites
These protein-packed chickpea bites are spiced with cumin, cinnamon, and garlic, and held together with an egg and bit of almond butter or sunflower seed butter. They are equally good tucked into a pita or served on their own.
- Photo by Alex Lau28/37
Spicy Creamy Chickpeas With Runny Eggs and Prosciutto
Chickpeas take a luxurious bath in cream that’s tinged with tomato paste and smoked paprika, laced with ribbons of prosciutto and topped with just-set eggs.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, food and prop styling by Ali Nardi29/37
Crispy Curry-Roasted Chickpeas
These spicy and crunchy chickpeas are so good we just can't stop snacking on them. Make a batch to pair with golden-hued Turmeric Margaritas.
- Photo by Alex Lau, Food Styling by Andy Baraghani30/37
Crispy Pita With Chickpeas and Yogurt (Fattet Hummus)
This creamy, crunchy breakfast dish has everything we’re craving in the morning. But it also pairs well with vegetables, fish, or lamb come dinnertime.
- Photo by Colin Price Photography31/37
Chickpea and Seeds Sandwich
Turn soaked sunflower seeds into a creamy dressing for smashed chickpeas with onions, celery, capers, and dill, then stuff into pita pockets for an easy, delicious vegan sandwich.
- photo by Romulo Yanes32/37
Rava Dosas With Potato Chickpea Masala
Rava dosas—savory, crisp-edged crepes popular in South India—are typically made from semolina and rice flours. Fill them with hearty vegetables cooked in a blend of spices, chile, garlic, and ginger for a savory meal.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell33/37
Chickpea Crepe "Tacos" With Eggplant and Lamb
Thin, naturally gluten-free chickpea flour pancakes take the place of tortillas in these warmly spiced lamb and eggplant “tacos.”
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Katherine Sacks34/37
One-Pot Curried Cauliflower with Couscous and Chickpeas
This warming vegetarian one-pot stew comes together fast, thanks to quick-cooking split lentils and pearled couscous, along with protein-packed canned chickpeas.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Pearl Jones35/37
Winter Italian Chopped Salad
Marinated artichoke hearts, canned chickpeas, and pepperoni roast together to make a warm foundation for this wintry salad. Fresh oranges balance the salty and savory flavors. Like an antipasti medley.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Kate Schmidt36/37
Stuffed Sweet Potatoes With Curried Chickpeas and Mushrooms
You might have noticed that we're into well-garnished sweet potatoes. Here's one of our favorite recipe options: Indian-inspired sweet potatoes loaded with spiced chickpeas, mushrooms, and spinach.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Styling by Ali Nardi37/37
Moroccan Garbanzo Bean and Feta Pitas
Which Mediterranean-inspired chickpea recipes like this, you’ll always have a satisfying lunch. Here, crunchy cucumbers and sweet tomatoes get the well-rounded support they need from salty feta and sturdy garbanzo beans.
Katherine Sacks
Joe Sevier
Tiffany Hopkins
Joe Sevier
Anna Stockwell
Matthew Zuras