10 Ways to Use Chickpeas (hat Don't Involve Hummus

We're all familiar with hummus, but did you know there are many other ways to use chickpeas? Though they're often overlooked in favor of similar items like lentils and kidney beans, chickpeas are just as versatile as their counterparts, if not more so. This is largely thanks to the fact that chickpeas can be served in many different forms with various textures.

These bite-sized legumes make a great addition to most rice dishes and soups; you can even use them to make a vegan version of tuna salad. And they're packed with vitamins and minerals, including manganese, copper, iron, zinc, fiber, and protein. If you buy canned chickpeas, don't forget to save the liquid in the can. Also known as aquafaba, this substance is often used as an egg substitute for vegan cooking and baking. Here are some new ways to use chickpeas (without making hummus).

01 of 10

Include Them in a Sandwich or Wrap

Chickpea salad sandwich on a plate — Here, chickpeas roll in for a vegetarian version of a chicken salad sandwich (read: not your grandmother's). If you want to lighten it up, swap yogurt for the mayo. Once you try it you'll be brown-bagging one daily—and it’s so quick, you'll have no excuse not to make it. **Get the recipe:** Chickpea Salad Sandwich. Alison Miksch

Looking for ways to cut back on your meat consumption? This sandwich is basically a vegetarian version of a classic chicken salad sandwich. Here, chickpeas are seasoned and mashed, which gives them a coarse, satisfying texture similar to chicken salad.

Try It: Chickpea Salad Sandwich

02 of 10

Make Tuna Salad

Chickpea-Tuna Salad with greens on a plate — Photo by: Victor Protasio

Chickpeas can also come in handy if you're looking to revamp your standard tuna salad. This mayo-free recipe calls for chickpeas (which have been marinated in oil and vinegar) along with canned tuna, radicchio, red onion, kalamata olives, and capers. The result is a refreshing take on tuna salad that you definitely won't find at your local deli.

If you want to take things a step further, omit the tuna entirely and use mashed chickpeas (along with lemon zest, capers, and whatever else you typically like in your tuna salad) to create a plant-based version of the lunchtime staple.

Try It: Chickpea-Tuna Salad

03 of 10

Sprinkle Them in a Grain Bowl or a Rice Dish

Summer Squash Farro Bowl Recipe — Caitlin Bensel

In Middle Eastern cooking, chickpeas are a common addition to many rice dishes. This recipe pairs the nutty legumes with pistachios and arugula for a light, protein-packed lunch or side dish. If hearty grain bowls are more your speed, consider cooking some chickpeas on the stove until they're brown and crispy, and tossing them together with some leftover rice and vegetables for a DIY meal that won't disappoint.

Try It: Summer Squash Farro Bowl

04 of 10

Add to Soup or Stew

Spiced Chicken Chickpea Soup — Caitlin Bensel

Got a can of chickpeas you're eager to use before it's too late? Toss them in a soup or stew to make the comforting meal even heartier. This elevated chicken soup uses garlic, lemon, and ginger to flavor the broth, while the chickpeas add texture and a hefty helping of protein.

Try It: Spiced Chicken and Chickpea Soup

05 of 10

Go for a Veggie Burger

Chickpea Veggie Burger on a cutting board — Caitlin Bensel

Thanks to their hearty nature, chickpeas make a great veggie burger base. This recipe combines them with harissa and panko breadcrumbs for a spicy, meat-free dish that won't have you heading back to the kitchen an hour after you've finished your meal. And you don't even need a food processor for this one—you can simply smash the chickpeas in a bowl before you form them into burgers.

Try It: Chickpea Veggie Burgers

06 of 10

Let Them Shine in Desserts

Chickpeas actually work very well in no-bake cookies. Here, the beans join forces with oats, pecans, raisins, molasses, and cinnamon to form a healthy take on oatmeal raisin cookies. Once you taste these, you won't miss traditional flour-based cookies one bit.

Try It: Chickpea "Cookie Dough" Bites

07 of 10

Roast Them for a Healthy Snack

bowl of crispy chickpeas — bhofack2/Getty Images

For a crunchy, salty snack with a big boost of protein, you can roast chickpeas in the oven. Just 20 to 25 minutes at 450 degrees Fahrenheit yields perfectly crisp spheres that are amazing as a snack or even tossed into a salad or grain bowl. The trick to getting your chickpeas really crunchy is to make sure they're totally dry before you put them in the oven. And the best part is, you can choose your flavoring—toss them with Parmesan, spice them up with paprika, or just do a little salt and pepper.

Try It: Smoky Roasted Chickpeas

08 of 10

Stuff Them in Sweet Potatoes

Tired of the same old potato fixings? Adding chickpeas to your rotation not only changes up the flavors, it also adds a big helping of protein. This recipe uses warm spices like cinnamon and cardamom to complement the flavor of the sweet potato, but you can mix and match with any spices you have on hand.

Try It: Chickpea-Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

09 of 10

Grind Them Into Flour

A bowl of chickpeas beside a bowl of chickpea flour on a green background — Daria Bulgakova

Alternatives to white flour have grown exponentially in popularity over the years, and rightly so. These alternatives often have more nutrients, are packed with protein, and cater to a gluten-free consumer. To make chickpea flour, you simply need a bag of dried chickpeas, a coffee grinder (or a spice grinder), and patience to sift the mixture a few times to get it perfectly fluffy.

Try It: Chickpea Flour

10 of 10

Fry 'Em Up

Yes, falafel is a more traditional preparation of chickpeas—but that doesn't mean it's any less delicious. These bites fry up in no time, and you just need a blender or food processor to make the batter. If you're looking for a double dose of protein, use your own homemade chickpea flour; otherwise, regular all-purpose flour will do. Serve with your choice of dips (this one has a recipe for tzatziki, but any favorite dip will do!).

Try It: Crispy Falafel Bites

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