25 Creative Chickpea Recipes, From Apps To Dessert (Yes, Really!) (2024)

Hummus is a Middle Eastern dip made of chickpeas and tahini, though garlic, roasted red peppers, olives, and other spices are common additions. It's great as a veggie dip, with pita chips, or even as a salad dressing!

Get the Creamy Garlic Hummus recipe.

Chickpeas are good for so much more than just creamy homemade hummus. (Though that's definitely a good use of them!) They also make for a particularly good salty snack and are infinitely adaptable based on what you've got in your spice cabinet.

Get the Roasted Chickpeas recipe.

This vegan "tuna" salad is proof that when it comes to mayo-based salads, the magic is in the fixin's. When we say you won't miss the tuna, we mean it; this creamy, zingy, crunchy salad will satisfy all your canned fish cravings. We like to keep a can of chickpeas in our pantry at all times, so this easy lunch sandwich is always only 5 minutes away.

Get the Chickpea "Tuna" Salad recipe.

Although these shortcut falafel aren’t as crispy as the classic fried variety, they develop a nice golden crust and contain all the key spices. A zippy roasted pepper salad is the perfect foil, and creamy tahini sauce (aka tarator sauce) ties it all together.

Get the Roasted Vegetable Baked Falafel Sandwiches recipe.

This is an incredible vegan version of chicken noodle soup, made with chickpeas instead of chicken and orecchiette instead of egg noodles. Cooking the pasta in the soup will yield a velvety, substantial broth, but for a leftover-friendly version, boil the noodles separately so they don’t bloat in the broth over time.

Get the Chickpea Noodle Soup recipe.

Few comfort foods satisfy like a hearty bowl of spaghetti and meatballs. Now vegans and vegetarians can enjoy those cozy vibes too! These chickpea-based meatballs pack tons of flavor, come together quickly, and even provide a good amount of protein and fiber. Pair with spaghetti or whatever pasta shape you like.

Get the Vegan Meatballs recipe.

The tahini-ranch here is a lightened-up dressing that is better than any bottle you could buy. It, plus crunchy chickpeas, creamy avocado, and feta, make this a perfect summer salad for lunch or a picnic!

Get the Roasted Chickpea and Avocado Salad recipe.

This versatile chickpea salad is a great summer side but can easily be a full meal on its own! Adding a spoonful of Dijon mustard to your red wine vinaigrette makes it creamier in both taste and body—consider it your secret weapon in making a classic dressing just that much better.

Get the Antipasto Chickpea Salad recipe.

With roots in India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and England, there are endless iterations of Mulligatawny soup, a brightly colored blended lentil and chickpea soup with the perfect balance of spicy, creamy, and sour with a hint of sweetness. This protein-packed version is completely vegetarian and can easily be made vegan too!

Get the Mulligatawny Soup recipe.

Take it from us, crisping rice in a little olive oil and turning it into a crust is the most wonderful way to enjoy the grain. This one cradles a really delicious cheesy chorizo and chickpea filling, but once you've got the method down, feel free to get creative!

Get the Cheesy Chorizo, Chickpea and Crispy Rice Skillet recipe.

This hearty "meat" loaf is made mostly out of chickpeas and baby bella mushrooms. We're in love! Serve it with a side of vegan mashed potatoes and green beans for the most comforting meal this fall.

Get the Vegan Meatloaf recipe.

This summer-friendly recipe uses canned chickpeas, meaning it comes together in less than 30 minutes. 😎 Our lemon-parsley vinaigrette here is perfectly tart and fresh with a hint of spice, and you're going to want to put it on everything.

Get the Mediterranean Chickpea Salad recipe.

These snackable chickpeas are delicious on their own or as a crunchy topper for salads, creamy soups, or grain bowls. You can also toss them with hot stovetop popcorn for a protein-packed movie snack.

Get the Air Fryer Crunchy Chili-Spiced Chickpeas recipe.

Papdi chaat—a traditional street food from India—is here to really spice up your snacking lifestyle. This particular version is a delight with two chutneys, tender potatoes and chickpeas, tangy yogurt, a medley of eye-catching red onions, pomegranate seeds, diced tomatoes, and finished with crunchy sev noodles. 😍

Get the Papdi Chaat recipe.

Although nothing's faster than picking up a sandwich from your favorite falafel joint, we promise that making these falafel balls at home is a cinch. These are herby and savory, and the crispy outside gives way to a perfectly tender and spicy interior that's perfect tucked into a pita.

Get the Homemade Falafel recipe.

This vegan coconut ranch is absolutely irresistible. (Seriously, you'll want to dip everything in it.) But the crunchy chickpeas may just be our favorite part. Who needs croutons?

Get the Coconut Ranch Kale Salad recipe.

Pistachios, mint, cilantro, dill, and parsley combine to turn these falafel a celebratory bright green (perfect for the holidays, springtime, etc.) Bonus: These are baked, not fried, for less mess.

Get the Herby Baked Falafel Bites with Spicy Mint Tahini Dip recipe.

All the spicy, garlicky flavors of your favorite falafel sandwich get deconstructed and stuffed inside bell peppers. It's the vegetarian version of classic stuffed peppers that we're putting in regular rotation.

Get the Falafel Chickpea Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers recipe.

With this curried chickpea salad recipe, you have a simple, fast, meatless way to satisfy your craving for a curried chicken salad. Instead of the raisins you might find in the classic, we added fresh red bell pepper and red onion for some vegetal sweetness and a bit of bite. Yum!

Get the Curried Chickpea Salad recipe.

Inspired by a pair of delicious tomato-and-spinach-based chickpea stews from Sevilla, Spain, this chickpea stew is humble, hearty, and lovely in its simplicity.

Get the Chickpea Stew recipe.