39 Easy Vegetarian Chickpea Recipes (#9 is My Fave) (2024)

Incorporate healthy plant-based proteins into your diet by making these tasty vegetarian chickpea recipes part of your meal plan today!

Chickpeas are like a vegetarian’s magic beans. I know what you’re thinking and the answer is no, they won’t grow into giant beanstalks so don’t bother planting them in your backyard (speaking from experience).

Try out some of these recipes instead and supply yourself with the amazing health benefits chickpeas provide.

If you’re a gym bro (or gal!), you may already know foods that are high in protein are absolute must-haves, but you might have some trouble finding tasty veggie choices that can supplement your needs.
Not to worry though, by subscribing to our high-protein vegetarian meal plan and feasting on delicious chickpea recipes like those in this compilation, you’re good to go!

Please your taste buds with these Vegetarian Chickpea Recipes!

Don’t get me wrong, I love myself some classics, but chickpeas are much more than the regular salad, curry and hummus.

That’s why I’ve gone above and beyond to bring you an assorted list of easy chickpea recipes, where the only thing most of them have in common are our fiber-filled friends. See for yourself below!

Breakfast

Bonus: thin, crispy and gluten-free

These easy chickpea pancakes are sweet and salty, and absolutely delicious. Be warned, your breakfasts will never be the same again!

Bonus: you can use just about any veggies to make these

A savory pancake begging to be eaten with pickles and chutneys or yogurts and cream. East meets West with this beautifully, wonderfully healthy dish.

Protein: 40g
Calories: 524kcal
Ready in: 25 minutes
Recipe by: SavoryExperiments
Bonus: an alternative to toast and pancakes

Gluten-Free Chickpeas and Poached Eggs are a healthy meal idea using yogurt, spinach and Mediterranean spices.

Lunch

Bonus: the greatest chickpea salad sandwiches use simple ingredients!

Upgrade your vegetarian sandwich offerings with this chickpea salad sandwich (one of our favorite veggie sandwich ideas ever!)! It’s simple and speedy with 20g of protein!

Bonus: an easy recipe that’s excellent for weight loss

This spinach and chickpea bake is easy, delicious and super healthy- a breakfast your body will thank you for!

Bonus: nearly your day’s fill of fiber in only five minutes!

A chickpea avocado salad!? That’s elite-level health right there. From just one serving you get a great amount of protein and fiber, around 20g of each!

Bonus: so your delicious fillings don’t fall out, remember to roll those wraps perfectly!

Chickpea Wraps – these firm faves are really easy to make, super tasty and oh-so-satisfying. We’ll even show you how to roll them properly!

Bonus: a creamy fiber-filled lunch!

The classic curry takes on a new face with our vegan tikka masala. Full of healthy veggies and fragrant flavours, this is sure to win your heart!

Bonus: probably my favorite salad of all time!

You won’t believe this tasty bad boy is actually good for you! Ready in 7 minutes, high in protein, fiber and absolutely delicious. Perfect for a quick lunch.

Bonus: cooking the sweet potatoes in the microwave is the best way to speed things up

Smooth and hearty meets sweet and crunchy, this sweet potato and beetroot salad has got it going on!

Bonus: works as a tasty snack as well

Love hummus? Try masabacha! Made with whole chickpeas and served with roasted tomatoes, this is not one to miss!

Bonus: perfect for every season!

Full of protein, fiber and loads of other nutrients this halloumi salad will keep you feeling full for hours – and you’ll secretly be looking forward to more!

Bonus: can be kept in a freezer for sometime

This wonderful chickpea tomato sauce recipe is hearty, rich, and packed with flavors! Serve it on pasta, with baked potatoes, or on toast!

Bonus: pre-cooking the beets saves a ton of time!

An animal friendly, fresh and tangy winter salad with some serious health benefits. It’s fresh and new, but still prepped within 15 minutes – awesome!

Bonus: sure to be one of your favourite delicious vegan chickpea recipes!

This easy (and animal-friendly) lunch and dinner bowl hits all the right spots – grains, greens and a legume! What’s not to like?

Protein: 12g
Calories: 446kcal
Ready in: 15 minutes
Recipe by: BePlantWell
Bonus: this creamy delight is filled with delicious flavors

This chickpea avocado sandwich recipe is so easy to make and the perfect meal prep recipe! Avocado and chickpeas are the perfect tuna salad or chicken salad alternative.

Protein: 9g
Calories: 281kcal
Ready in: 25 minutes
Recipe by: TinnedTomatoes
Bonus: chop, grate or shred any other veggie of your choice and toss into this dish!

The most delicious rice you’ve ever tasted. This Chickpea Dirty Rice is easy to make and full of flavour.

Protein: 10g
Calories: 281kcal
Ready in: 60 minutes
Recipe by: RainbowNourishments
Bonus: leftovers can be stored in the fridge overnight

Hearty Moroccan chickpea hand pies packed with vegetables, encased in a crispy gluten-free wrap. Vegan-friendly and wholesome!

Dinner

Bonus: great for weight loss!

After a high protein, high fibre, low calorie vegetarian dinner? Our Mexican bean stew is just the ticket! Try it now!

Bonus: the perfect option for a quick weeknight dinner

This healthy vegetarian recipe for gluten-free socca pizza is made with chickpea (besan) flour, loaded with plant-based protein, easy to make and a delicious low-calorie treat (its one of our favorite vegetarian pizza recipes!)!

Bonus: a hearty chickpea beetroot soup great for weight loss

Looking for a light but filling soup to warm your belly during the winter? Try our beetroot soup, topped with crunchy chickpeas!

Bonus: a hearty chickpea beetroot soup great for weight loss

Looking for a light but filling soup to warm your belly during the winter? Try our beetroot soup, topped with crunchy chickpeas!

Bonus: works well for weeknight dinners or as a delicious side dish!

Looking for new oven ideas? Try this delicious roasted fennel and carrots with chickpeas! 22g protein per serving!

Bonus: serve with some creamy hummus instead for a wholesome meal

This quick take on the falafel salad is packed with protein – and adds even more with our peanut sauce! It’s quick, it’s easy and completely animal-friendly!

Protein: 28g
Calories: 669kcal
Ready in: 45 minutes
Recipe by: WholefoodSoulfoodKitchen
Bonus: store in the fridge and you can enjoy this delicious meal the next day!

This Indian cauliflower curry recipe is a quick, simple and healthy dinner recipe that requires only one pot and an oven (one pot sound good? Try these vegetarian one pot meals!). It is dairy-free, gluten-free and can easily be made nut-free as well.

Protein: 14g
Calories: 529kcal
Ready in: 55 minutes
Recipe by: ForkfulOfPlants
Bonus: a healthy vegan chickpea recipe

This sweet potato pilaf is fragrant and packed with goodness from brown rice, sweet potato, chickpeas and walnuts. It has a light and fluffy texture which is deliciously moreish. It’s super easy to make and is perfect for meal prep.

Protein: 21g
Calories: 584kcal
Calories: 584kcal
Recipe by: TheVeganLarder
Bonus: the basil pesto might be the star of the show, but you can still leave it out

A simple chickpea stew that is perfect for summer days as well as cozy winter nights (if this sounds good, try our vegan winter soup ideas too).

Protein: 28g
Calories: 689kcal
Ready in: 30 minutes
Recipe by: TinAndThyme
Bonus: soak the freekeh in water for a while to reduce the cooking time

This recipe for freekeh served with chilli chickpeas and herbed vegetables is like a grain bowl that makes a really tasty dinner and is surprisingly quick to prepare with three already delicious components come together to make a taste sensation.

Protein: 13g
Calories: 410kcal
Ready in: 30 minutes
Recipe by: TheLive-InKitchen
Bonus: you can also serve the pesto linguine with some garlic bread for a super easy meal!

This pesto linguine is a vegetarian pasta dish loaded with crispy balsamic roasted chickpeas and summery pesto (try some of these vegetarian pasta bakes for more yummy pasta ideas!)!

Protein: 8g
Calories: 183kcal
Ready in: 1hr 10 minutes
Recipe by: ASweetAlternative
Bonus: a nutritious meal that keeps well for sometime

These chickpea stuffed peppers are an easy, filling, and flavorful vegetarian (and gluten-free) dinner or lunch idea. Make a colourful assortment using your favorite types of bell peppers (red peppers, orange, and yellow are perfect for fall!).

Protein: 8g
Calories: 198kcal
Ready in: 1hr 20 minutes
Recipe by: VeganPunks
Bonus: keeps well in the fridge for several days

This vegan Goulash takes everything we know about the authentic version and makes it plant-based and super easy to follow. Perfect for a comforting winter dinner!

Appetizers, Side Dishes, Snacks and Desserts

Bonus: ready in 15 minutes!

This simple chickpea salad is the first step to eating better by building powerful eating habits with simple yet delicious ingredients!

Protein: 11g
Calories: 310kcal
Ready in: 20 minutes
Recipe by: SavoryExperiments
Bonus: for flavour retention, add the lemon juice and truffle oil at the end

This Chickpea Salad is full of flavor from mushrooms, lemon and truffle oil. The perfect side dish for any meal and ready in only 20 minutes!

Protein: 14g
Calories: 148kcal
Ready in: 16 minutes
Recipe by: RachnaCooks
Bonus: you can use your favourite seasoning

These delightful and healthy chickpeas made with an air fryer are a nutritious snack. It uses only 1 tsp. oil to make, plus, they’re gluten-free and vegan!

Protein: 1g
Calories: 360kcal
Ready in: 25 minutes
Recipe by: Platings+Pairings
Bonus: make this your next basmati rice side!

Indian Butter Chickpeas feature tender chickpeas simmered in an intensely flavorful and aromatic Indian-inspired butter sauce. Either serve it as the main course with rice or as a delicious vegetarian and vegan-friendly side dish.

Protein: 5g
Calories: 188kcal
Ready in: 30 minutes
Recipe by: DebraKlein
Bonus: drizzle some date syrup over these for that extra touch of sweetness

Here, we’ve got a delicious and gluten-free Chocolate Chunk Cookies Recipe that’s easy to make with pantry ingredients and no sugar added!

Protein: 2g
Calories: 218kcal
Ready in: 40 minutes
Recipe by: EatBeautiful
Bonus: on a vegan diet? This dessert is for you!

Sweet Bean Chickpea Cookie Dough Ice Cream is simple, beautiful in color and fun to make a nutritious sweet treat that’s perfect for a variety of diets.

Protein: 2g
Calories: 80kcal
Ready in: 45 minutes
Recipe by: Immigrant’sTable
Bonus: works well for lunch

This recipe is truly one of the best gluten-free samosa recipes I’ve ever tasted. The resulting dough is a beautiful orange color that flakes in your mouth as you bite. The sweet & spicy chickpea filling is perfectly balanced, full of crunch and texture.

Protein: 8g
Calories: 185kcal
Ready in: 15 minutes
Recipe by: MrsJones’sKitchen
Bonus: spinach, collard greens and kale work well as silverbeet alternatives here

Silverbeet (swiss chard) is pan-fried and mixed with garlic breadcrumb, fresh tomatoes and chickpeas, to make a delicious and healthy tapas dish, side, or main, which can be enjoyed hot or cold.

FAQs for Vegetarian Chickpea Recipes

Drooling yet? I know, me too. But just before you leave, I’ll answer some questions about our beige-coloured buddies.

Are chickpeas good for vegetarians?

High in protein and fiber, chickpeas are one of the best sources of plant-based proteins. Besides improving digestion and aiding in weight management, there are loads of other incredible health benefits of garbanzo beans, with just a single cup of these bad boys nourishing you with up to 40% of your daily fiber requirement!

What dishes can be made from chickpeas?

When it comes to chickpeas, the choices are endless. You can choose to make:

• Simple salads
• Fluffy falafels
• Savoury sandwiches
• Wonderful wraps
• Sizzling soups
• Colourful curries
• Delectable desserts
• A classic and humble hummus
• Some crunchy roasted chickpeas

What goes good with chickpeas?

Fruits like avocados, lemons and peaches, veggies such as beetroots, cauliflowers and carrots and even cheese works excellently well with chickpeas. Go nuts! Add them to some pasta to give your dish that extra creamy twist.

Have you got any more vegetarian chickpea recipes you’d love to share, or tips on how we can make some of these better (and if you liked these, you should also check out our vegan chickpea recipes)? Your comments make my day, so don’t forget to leave those ideas below!