12 Unique and Tasty Ways to Eat Chickpeas

Posted by Jenny Potter. Last updated on January 6, 2021 by Food Network Canada Editors

We love dried or canned chickpeas transformed into hummus, in chana masala and as a filling chickpea salad, but there are so many more unique and tasty ways to enjoy this popular legume. From flavourful pasta sauce to pizza and soup, get ready for some new and delicious chickpea recipes.

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Ginger Squash Stew, Chickpeas and Challao Stew With Rice

Chickpeas add lean protein to this rich and flavourful veggie stew, that’s chock-full of <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/everyday-cooking/photos/30-healing-ginger-recipes-for-cold-and-flu-season/#!ginger-orange-broth-soba-noodles" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">fragrant ginger</a>, butternut squash, charro and spiced with nutmeg, garam masala and chilies. Get the recipe for <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/ginger-squash-stew-chickpeas-and-challao-stew-with-rice/12969/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Ginger Squash Stew, Chickpeas and Challao Stew With Rice</a>
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Smoky Chickpea Pizza With Labneh

A crispy pita pizza starring smoky stewed chickpeas with a few scoops of creamy labneh and a runny egg in the middle. Want to stick to a classic chickpea recipe? Here are some <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/everyday-cooking/photos/best-hummus-dip-recipes/#!Kitchens_hummus-trio-recipe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">creamy hummus recipes</a>. Get the recipe for <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/smoky-chickpea-pizza-with-labneh/15268/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Smoky Chickpea Pizza With Labneh</a>
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Chickpea Salad Sandwich

This recipe is a veggie twist on a tuna salad sandwich. And the recipe calls for just a few pantry and fridge staples: chickpeas, mayo, mustard, celery, shallots, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Make a batch for a whole week of <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/everyday-cooking/photos/work-from-home-lunch-ideas/#!work-lunch-soba-bowl-garlic-shrimp1" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">work-from-home lunches</a>! Get the recipe for <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/everyday-cooking/blog/one-can-of-chickpeas-six-different-meals/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Chickpea Salad Sandwich</a>
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Grilled Chickpea Polenta Cakes With Chive Oil and Lemon

Simple homemade chive oil adds an extra dose of flavour to these tender savoury cakes packed with chickpeas (for protein!) and moist polenta. Chickpeas are one of the <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/fun-with-food/photos/food-trends-2021/#!2021-food-trends-roasted-chickpeas-three-ways" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">food trends you'll be seeing this year</a>. Get the recipe for <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/grilled-chickpea-polenta-cakes-with-chive-oil-and-lemon/18254/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Bobby Flay's Grilled Chickpea Polenta Cakes With Chive Oil and Lemon</a>
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Chorizo and Chickpea Sauce With Rice Pasta

Packed with Spanish chorizo and fresh herbs, this <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/everyday-cooking/photos/30-minute-winter-weeknight-dinners/#!quick-rotisserie-chicken-pot-pies" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">simple weeknight</a> pasta allows you to make the tasty chickpea tomato sauce ahead of time. Get the recipe for <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/chorizo-and-chickpea-sauce-with-rice-pasta/18260/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Rachael Ray's Chorizo and Chickpea Sauce With Rice Pasta</a>
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Curried Rice and Chickpeas With Egg

Bring <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/healthy-eating/photos/20-chickpea-recipes-to-make-your-heart-happy/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">chickpeas</a> to the breakfast table with this savoury six-ingredient recipe. Like a breakfast hash, top the leftover-friendly dish with an egg and dig right in. Get the recipe for <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/curried-rice-and-chickpeas-with-egg/15846/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Curried Rice and Chickpeas With Egg</a>
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Smoky Chickpeas on Grilled Toast With Poached Eggs and Zahtar

Spice up your typical beans on toast with this decadent dish of smoky stewed chickpeas with poached eggs and zahtar on toasted bread. Here are some <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/everyday-cooking/photos/quick-easy-meals-for-one/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">quick and easy meals for one</a>. Get the recipe <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/smoky-chickpeas-on-grilled-toast-with-poached-eggs-and-zahtar/15269/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Smoky Chickpeas on Grilled Toast With Poached Eggs and Zahtar</a>
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Tuscan Mashed Chickpeas

No one will expect the delicate flavours in this tasty, hummus-like dip. Unlike hummus, each bite is bursting with <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/shows/valeries-home-cooking/photos/best-italian-recipes/#!moms-lasagna" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Italian flavours</a> like tomatoes, garlic and Parmesan. Here are more <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/shows/barefoot-contessa-back-to-basics/photos/ina-garten-vegetable-side-dishes/#!rosemary-roasted-potatoes" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Ina Garten veggie side dishes</a>. Get the recipe for <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/tuscan-mashed-chickpeas/18234/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Ina Garten’s Tuscan Mashed Chickpeas</a>
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Chickpea Chili in Spicy Tomato Sauce

Another reason to love chickpeas! Root veggies, tomato sauce and canned chickpeas come together for a delightful dinner that <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/everyday-cooking/photos/12-quick-dinner-recipes-ready-in-15-minutes-or-less/#!quick-dinners-shrimp-tacos-with-slaw" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">you can make in just 15 minutes</a>. Get the recipe for <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/chickpea-chili-in-a-spicy-tomato-sauce/15847/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Chickpea Chili in Spicy Tomato Sauce</a>
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Chickpea and Potato Soup

If you're looking for a <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/healthy-eating/photos/healthy-comforting-soups/#!01-Vietnamese-Style-Chicken-Soup-Dumpings" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">healthy, hearty soup</a> with a lot of bite, look no further than this creamy and delicious vegetarian main. Get the recipe for <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/chickpea-and-potato-soup/17423/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Rachael Ray's Chickpea and Potato Soup</a>
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Cashew Chickpea Burger

These firm and hearty burgers are the perfect meatless meal paired with a creamy sauce and fresh veggies. Get the recipe for <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/cashew-chickpea-burger/14957/" target="_blank">Cashew Chickpea Burger</a>
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Vegan Meringues

You'll never drain chickpea water down the sink again! The leftover liquid can be whipped up into the most delightful vegan meringues — just fold in chocolate chips or any flavouring you like, then use it as the base for a <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/healthy-eating/photos/10-vegan-desserts-that-even-non-vegans-will-love/#!chocolate-blood-orange-cake-vegan-desserts" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">healthy vegan dessert</a>. Get the recipe for <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/vegan-meringues/19408/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Vegan Meringues</a>
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