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Christine Byrne, Justina Huddleston
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If you thought chickpeas were just for hummus and plain old salads, think again. Turns out, the fiber-rich, protein-packed legumes are perfect for everything from curry to cookies. And not only are they versatile, but they’re affordable, too. Finding affordable recipes is more important than ever these days, with food inflation the highest it’s been since 1979, and with no signs of prices at the grocery store falling any time soon. We’ve been racking our brains trying to come up with cheap but flavorful meal ideas, and we always end up coming back to chickpeas.
You can buy dried chickpeas in the bulk bins for a buck or two and then soak them in water overnight to get them ready for use in a couple of recipes. Or, you can stock up on ready-to-go cans that you can purchase right on Amazon if you don’t think you’ll remember to plan ahead. Oh, and if you have an Instant Pot, even better: you can cook dried chickpeas in a pressure cooker without soaking them overnight. Either way, chickpeas are a healthy, inexpensive pantry staple that we all should take advantage of.
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The ideas below are a mixture of savory and sweet chickpea recipes that you’ll wish you knew about sooner. There are stews and baked chickpea cakes for meatless Mondays, and brownies and blondies for nutrient-dense desserts. But best of all, the ingredient at the center of it all is an affordable staple that you can keep on hand to make price-conscious meals and treats all week.
Mashed Chickpea Salad
If you’re looking for an easy meal idea, this chickpea salad (it’s a vegetarian sub for tuna or chicken salad) will fit the bill. It’s creamy, satisfying, and loaded with protein and fiber to keep you full.
Get the recipe from Now Cook This.
Vegan Chickpea Brownies
Chickpeas are mild and full of starch, so they’re great for baking, too!
Get the recipe from Chocolate Covered Katie.
Firecracker Chickpea Meatballs
You don’t need meat to make meatballs. Mind blown, right?
Get the recipe from Connoisseurus Veg.
Chickpea & Quinoa Salad
You can serve this chickpea and quinoa salad as a side dish or as a vegetarian entree. It’s loaded with plant-based protein, and it’s versatile, too — if you don’t like quinoa, you can swap it out for another cooked grain.
Get the recipe from Spain on a Fork.
Vegan Cookie Dough
If edible cookie dough isn’t a reason to fall in love with chickpeas, I’m not sure what is.
Get the recipe from Joyful Healthy Eats.
Lemon Orzo Chickpea Pasta Salad
Trying to save money on lunch? Make a big batch of this orzo and chickpea pasta salad on Sunday, then bring it to work all week. Swap the pine nuts for almonds to make it even more affordable.
Get the recipe from Rainbow Plant Life.
Sticky Sesame Chickpeas
The next time you’re in the mood for saucy takeout, skip it and make these sweet, sesame-flavored chickpeas instead.
Get the recipe from Eat With Clarity.
Air-Fryer Chickpeas
There are four ways to flavor these air-fryer chickpeas, and you’ll probably want to try them all.
Get the recipe from My Forking Life.
Flourless Peanut Butter Chickpea Muffins
These gluten-free muffins taste nothing like chickpeas, and everything like peanut butter.
Get the recipe from Ambitious Kitchen.
Chickpea Fries
These baked “fries” are packed with fiber and plant-based protein.
Get the recipe from Hey Nutrition Lady.
Chickpea Tikka Masala
Chicken tikka masala is great, but chickpea tikka masala is an equally tasty vegetarian alternative, and chickpeas are so much more affordable than meat.
Get the recipe from Watch What U Eat.
Persian Herb and Chickpea Stew With Rice
If you’re in the mood for a hearty meatless meal, this cozy chickpea stew served over rice is an obvious choice.
Get the recipe from Half Baked Harvest.
Chickpea and Spinach Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
Loaded baked potatoes just got a major upgade. These chickpea-spinach loaded sweet potatoes are nutrient-dense and packed with greens.
Get the recipe from Last Ingredient.
Chickpea Blondies
The fudgy center of these chickpea blondies will give you daydreams for weeks after you taste them.
Get the recipe from Nora Cooks.
Pumpkin Pie Chickpeas
Roasted chickpeas are a great snack, and these pumpkin pie flavored ones deliver a little something sweet. It will help you resist the temptation on your next trip to Trader Joe’s.
Get the recipe from Produce on Parade.
Vegan BBQ Chickpea Salad
This vegan taco salad is as good as any meat-and-cheese-fillled version you’ve ever tried.
Get the recipe from Running on Real Food.
Sweet Potato and Chickpea Patties
Forget deep-fried falafels—these sweet, savory chickpea patties are the only chickpea cake you need.
Get the recipe from Cupful of Kale.
Baked Buffalo Chickpea Taquitos
There’s not much better than a fresh taquito, and these Buffalo chickpea ones are no exception.
Get the recipe from Ela Vegan.
Pin it!
Pin it now, and try these flavorful and healthy chickpea recipes!
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