Learn How to Cook Chickpeas in the Instant Pot, Crock-Pot, or stovetop without soaking overnight.  The three methods below will turn dried chickpeas, or garbanzo beans, into perfectly cooked al dente or soft chickpeas that can be used in soups, stews, or your favorite hummus recipe.

Want a few ideas for chickpea recipes you can try?  This Homemade Hummus, Chickpea Curry, and Mediterranean Chickpea Salad with Cucumber are a few healthy ways to use dried chickpeas after cooking.

Learning How to Cook Chickpeas

Chickpeas, oh chickpeas!!  Why have I not been cooking you from your dried counterpart my whole life?

Seriously, do you know how to cook chickpeas?

On the stovetop, in the Crock-Pot, or in the Instant Pot?

Like… not the canned chickpeas you buy in the store.

The clear bag full of those cute, dried beans that initially look SO intimidating!

Dried Chickpeas versus Canned Chickpeas

The first time I ever tried chickpeas that were cooked at home was when my mother-in-law made her famous Homemade Hummus recipe.  I had made hummus with canned chickpeas before, but this hummus was different.

The texture was fluffy and the flavor incredible.

Really?  Could cooking chickpeas on the stovetop really make that big of a difference?

Not only are chickpeas cooked from scratch better for making hummus, but they also taste incredible on their own with a touch of lemon juice, salt, and pepper.

Below you will learn what are chickpeas, chickpeas nutrition and health benefits, how to cook chickpeas on the stovetop, in the Crock-Pot, and in the Instant Pot, a few chickpea recipes, and answers to some chickpeas FAQs.

What are Chickpeas?

Chickpeas, oftentimes referred to as garbanzo beans, are part of the legume family and commonly used as a culinary ingredient.  While chickpeas have been in Indian and Middle Eastern cultures for over 7500 years, it is quickly gaining popularity in the American culture.

Chickpeas are most often found in recipes such as chana masala, hummus, and falafel.  It boasts numerous health benefits and nutrition, too.  (See below for more about chickpeas health benefits.)

Chickpeas Nutrition

Chickpeas are loaded with health benefits, are a good source of protein, and relatively low in calories.

A few health benefits of chickpeas include (in a 1-ounce serving):

• 46 calories
• 8 grams carbs
• 2 grams of fiber
• 3 grams of protein (plant-based protein)
• Folate, iron, phosphorous, and magnesium

While chickpeas are moderately dense in calories, they do contain a good amount of fiber and protein that will help keep you stay full for a good length of time.

How to Cook Chickpeas (Garbanzo Beans)

There are three ways you can cook dried chickpeas: stovetop, in a Crock-Pot or slow cooker, or in an Instant Pot or pressure cooker.

But before you begin cooking chickpeas you will first want to make sure you sort, rinse, and drain the chickpeas.  While most bags of dried chickpeas have been thoroughly sorted, you still want to make sure a dirt clod did not make its way into your bag.

Many instructions also recommend that you soak your chickpeas overnight.  However, the three methods below do not require soaking and make this an easier way to cook chickpeas.

Three Ways to Cook Chickpeas

Let’s learn how to cook chickpeas on the stove, Crock-Pot, and Instant Pot:

Stovetop Method

1. In a large pot add chickpeas, salt, and enough water to cover the chickpeas by 1 ½ – 2 inches.
2. Bring the pot to a boil, cover with a lid and reduce heat to a simmer.
3. Simmer chickpeas for 1 ½ hours for al dente chickpeas and 2 hours for soft chickpeas.

Instant Pot Method

1. Add chickpeas, salt, and enough water to cover the chickpeas by 1 ½ – 2 inches in a 6-quart Instant Pot.
2. Set Instant Pot to high pressure and cook for 30-35 minutes for al dente chickpeas and 35-40 minutes for soft chickpeas.
3. Allow a 10 minute natural pressure release.

Crock-Pot Method

1. Add chickpeas, salt, and enough water to cover the chickpeas by 1- 1 ½ inches in a 6-quart slow cooker.
2. Set slow cooker to high and cook for 3 hours for al dente chickpeas and 3 ½ – 4 hours for soft chickpeas.

Are Garbanzo Beans Chickpeas?

Yes, garbanzo beans and chickpeas are the same legume.  Both names are used interchangeably throughout the United States.

Do I have to Cook Canned Chickpeas?

No, canned chickpeas are already cooked so you do not need to cook canned chickpeas.  However, cooking canned chickpeas will tenderize the beans and soften them up a bit when used in various recipes.

Do You Have to Soak Chickpeas?

No, it is not necessary to soak chickpeas overnight in order to cook them.  Just make sure you cook them until fork tender using one of the various methods below.

Do You Have to Peel Chickpeas?

While some argue that peeling chickpeas will give you an incredible texture, it takes quite a bit more time for minimal reward.  So no, you do not have to peel cooked chickpeas to use in recipes but you can if you would like a slightly better texture.

How to Freeze Cooked Chickpeas?

Once you have cooked the chickpeas by one of the methods mentioned, drain any excess liquid thoroughly and freeze in a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag.  Chickpeas will keep in the freezer for up to 3-6 months.

Garbanzo Bean and Chickpea Recipes

While cooked chickpeas will taste delicious on their own with a sprinkle of salt and a touch of lemon or lime juice, there are a few chickpea recipes that you might want to try out:

Roasted Beet Hummus {Vegan}

Lentil Hummus

Chickpea Curry

Mediterranean Chickpea Salad with Cucumber

5 from 4 votes

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How to Cook Chickpeas

Learn How to Cook Chickpeas in the Instant Pot, Crock-Pot, or stovetop without soaking.  The three methods below will turn dried chickpeas, or garbanzo beans, into perfectly cooked al dente or soft chickpeas that can be used in soups, stews, or your favorite hummus recipe. 

Course Dinner

Cuisine Indian

Keyword how to cook chickpeas, how to cook garbanzo beans

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 2 hours

Total Time 2 hours 5 minutes

Servings 12 servings

Calories 137 kcal

Author London

Ingredients

• 1 lb. dried chickpeas sorted, rinsed and drained
• 6-8 cups water
• 1 tsp. salt optional

Instructions

Stovetop Method:

1. In a large pot add 1 pound chickpeas, salt, and enough water to cover the chickpeas by 1 ½ - 2 inches.
2. Bring the pot to a boil, cover with a lid and reduce heat to a simmer.
3. Simmer chickpeas for 1 ½ hours for al dente chickpeas and 2 hours for soft chickpeas.
4. Drain excess water and use cooked chickpeas as desired.

Slow Cooker Method:

1. Add 1 pound chickpeas, salt, and enough water to cover the chickpeas by 1- 1 ½ inches in a 6-quart slow cooker.
2. Set slow cooker to high and cook for 3 hours for al dente chickpeas and 3 ½ - 4 hours for soft chickpeas.
3. Drain excess water and use cooked chickpeas as desired.

Instant Pot Method:

1. Add 1 pound chickpeas, salt, and enough water to cover the chickpeas by 1 ½ - 2 inches in a 6-quart Instant Pot.
2. Set Instant Pot to high pressure and cook for 30-35 minutes for al dente chickpeas and 35-40 minutes for soft chickpeas.
3. Allow a 10 minute natural pressure release.
4. Drain excess water and use cooked chickpeas as desired.

Recipe Notes

• 1 pound dried chickpeas equals ~6 cups cooked chickpeas.
• 1 serving is equivalent to ½-cup cooked chickpeas.

Nutrition Facts

How to Cook Chickpeas

Amount Per Serving

Calories 137 Calories from Fat 18

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 2g 3%

Sodium 174mg 7%

Potassium 330mg 9%

Total Carbohydrates 22g 7%

Dietary Fiber 6g 24%

Sugars 4g

Protein 7g 14%

Vitamin A 0.5%

Vitamin C 1.8%

Calcium 4.3%

Iron 13.1%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.