How to Cook Chickpeas

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

Want a few ideas for chickpea recipes you can try?  You might also enjoy this Homemade Hummus, Chickpea Curry, Falafel Recipe, and Mediterranean Chickpea Salad with Cucumber.

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 these cute little legumes?

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

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

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

Dried versus Canned

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 the canned beans 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 were the ones made from scratch better for hummus making, but they also taste incredible on their own with a touch of lemon juice, salt, and pepper.

What are Chickpeas?

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

This legume is 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 health benefits.)

Nutritional Information

In a 1-ounce serving of chickpeas you will find:

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

While they 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 Garbanzo Beans

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

But before you begin cooking you will first want to make sure you sort, rinse, and drain them.

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 them overnight.  However, the three recipes below do not require soaking, making them much quicker and easier methods.

3 Different Way

Stovetop Method

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

Instant Pot Method

1. Add garbanzo beans, salt, and enough water to cover them 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 and 35-40 minutes for soft.
3. Allow a 10 minute natural pressure release.

Crock-Pot Method

1. Add chickpeas, salt, and enough water to cover them 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 and 3 ½ – 4 hours for soft.

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 them.  However, cooking them will tenderize the beans and soften them up a bit when used in various recipes.

Do You Have to Soak Them?

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?

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 garbanzo beans to use in recipes but you can if you would like a slightly better texture.

How to Freeze?

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.  They will keep in the freezer for up to 3-6 months.

Recipes to Try

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 recipes you might want to try out:

Roasted Beet Hummus {Vegan}

Lentil Hummus

Chickpea Curry

Mediterranean Chickpea Salad with Cucumber

5 from 10 votes

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. 

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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

London Brazil

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 them 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 and 2 hours for soft.

4. Drain excess water and use cooked chickpeas as desired.

Slow Cooker Method:

1. Add 1 pound chickpeas, salt, and enough water to cover them 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 and 3 ½ - 4 hours for soft.

3. Drain excess water and use cooked chickpeas as desired.

Instant Pot Method:

1. Add 1 pound chickpeas, salt, and enough water to cover them 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 and 35-40 minutes for soft.

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*

Fat 2g3%

Sodium 174mg8%

Potassium 330mg9%

Carbohydrates 22g7%

Fiber 6g25%

Sugar 4g4%

Protein 7g14%

Vitamin A 25IU1%

Vitamin C 1.5mg2%

Calcium 43mg4%

Iron 2.4mg13%

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