15+ Best Indian Chickpea Recipes (Vegetarian)

Modified: Jan 29, 2026 · Published: Jan 26, 2022 by Bhavana Patil · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

Looking for easy, healthy Indian chickpea (garbanzo bean) recipes? Check out my collection of 15+ delicious vegetarian chickpea dishes you can make in your Instant Pot or on the stovetop!

indian vegetarian indian chickpea recipes collection collage

One of the most well-known protein-rich pulses in Indian cuisine is the chickpea, often known as chana. Chickpeas are incredibly nutrient-dense and high in protein and fiber, two of the most vital macronutrients for a healthy life and maintaining fitness.

You may use chickpeas to prepare a range of recipes, from snacks to lunch and supper. chana masala, chana chaat, and chickpeas paratha are a few examples of such foods.

Interested in learning more about the pulses used in Indian cuisine? Explore my comprehensive guide on Indian Pulses.

What Are Chickpeas?

Chickpeas, also known as garbanzo beans, belong to the Fabaceae family and have been grown and consumed in Middle Eastern countries for thousands of years. They also hold a significant place in Indian cuisine, featuring a lot of delicious and diverse recipes.

These legumes are high in protein and fiber. Makes an excellent meat substitute for people on vegetarian or vegan diets. Other names for chickpeas are Bengal gram, garbanzo, garbanzo bean, and Egyptian pea.

Types of Chickpeas

There are different varieties of chickpeas available around the world; a few types are

Kabuli: Bigger, light-colored, and smooth in appearance, are farmed in Africa, Europe, and the Mediterranean. They are easily available in American and Indian Grocery stores.
Desi: Smaller, darker, with a rough appearance, and mostly farmed in India. They are also known as Kala Chana, where 'Kala' means 'Black' and 'Chana' means 'Chickpea' in India. They are easily available in Indian Grocery stores.
Green: Regular chickpea harvested while young. They are fresh, greenish color, and have a slightly sweet taste. You can find them in the Indian grocery store or farmer's market during late spring or summer.

15+ Vegetarian & Vegan Indian Chickpea Recipes

Let's look at the 15+ vegetarian chickpea dishes, which will offer you various options.

Instant pot boiled chickpeas served in a black bowl

Instant Pot Chickpeas (Soak & No-Soak Method)

Cooking perfect chickpeas in the Instant Pot is a fast and easy method than making them on the stovetop. These pressure cooker chickpeas are cheaper, healthy and taste better than canned.

Check out this recipe

cooked black chickpeas (kala chana) in a bowl with instant pot behind the bowl

Instant Pot Black Chickpeas (Soak & No-Soak Method)

Learn how to cook perfect black chickpeas in an Instant Pot Pressure Cooker. You can cook them with or without soaking them ahead of time. It can be used for sides, salads, snacks, curries, or rice dishes.

Check out this recipe

Appetizer/Snacks

air fryer roasted chickpeas served in a bowl

Crispy Air Fryer Chickpeas

These Roasted Chickpeas are ultra crispy and golden brown protein-packed snacks prepared with very little oil in the air fryer

Check out this recipe

chana chaat served in a bowl and chutneys and sev on the side

Chana Chaat Recipe (Chickpea Chaat)

Chana Chaat is a quick, healthy, and flavorful Indian chaat snack recipe made with white chickpeas (chana), veggies, spices, fresh herbs, and sweet and tangy chutneys.

Check out this recipe

dahi papdi served in a white plate garnished with sev and papdi, dev and chutneys on the side

Dahi Papdi Chaat Recipe

Dahi Papdi Chaat Recipe is one of the popular chaat recipes that you can find in any corner of India.

Check out this recipe

homemade hummus served in a bowl

Hummus Recipe

Hummus is a traditional middle eastern dip or spread made with dried chickpeas.

Check out this recipe

Indian Chaat Dip (Party Dip)

This Indian Chaat Dip is a party-friendly version of classic papdi chaat, combining flavorful thick yogurt, chutneys, boiled potatoes, chickpeas, and spices into a scoopable dip.

Check out this recipe

Salads

garbanzo beans salad served in a white bowl with persian cucumber on the side

Chickpea Salad Recipe

This healthy Chickpea Cucumber Tomato Salad recipe is simple and ready in minutes made with fresh vegetables, herbs ,simple dressing and is Vegetarian + Vegan.

Check out this recipe

chickpea salad with yogurt dressing served on a plate and lemon wedge on the side

Chickpea Salad with Yogurt Dressing

Chickpea Cucumber Salad with yogurt dressing is a protein packed salad which comes together in 10 minutes.

Check out this recipe

kala chana salad (black chickpeas salad) served in a bowl garnished with mint

Kala Chana Chaat Recipe (Black Chickpea Salad)

The Kala Chana Chaat recipe is healthy, protein-packed, refreshing, and tangy, made with black chickpeas, onion, tomatoes, and a few Indian spices.

Check out this recipe

quinoa chickpea salad served in a white bowl garnished with cilantro and lime wedge on the side

Quinoa Chickpea Salad

This easy quinoa salad with chickpeas recipe is the perfect summer salad! It is full of veggies, chickpeas, quinoa, herbs, tossed in a homemade lemony dressing.

Check out this recipe

beetroot chickpea salad served in a bowl garnished with sunflower seeds and cucumber, coriander on the side

Beetroot Chickpea Salad

This healthy beetroot chickpea salad is made with beets (boiled or roasted), chickpeas, cottage cheese (paneer), cucumber, red onion, and a tangy lemon vinaigrette.

Check out this recipe

millet chickpea salad served in a bowl

Foxtail Millet Salad

Nutritious and protein-packed Millet Salad made with foxtail millet grains, chickpeas, and a medley of colorful vegetables.

Check out this recipe

Curries/Stir-fries

Chickpea Coconut Curry made of coconut milk and chickpeas served in a bowl garnished with chilli flakes and cilantro with a side of lemon

Instant Pot Chickpea Coconut Curry

Easy and healthy Chickpea Coconut Curry made in an Instant Pot in just 20 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknight dinner.

Check out this recipe

chana masala curry served in a bowl with a spoon and rice, and salad on the side

Instant Pot Chana Masala (Chole Masala Recipe in Pressure Cooker)

Chana Masala or Chole is one-pot healthy protein-rich vegan and gluten free recipe cooked in a spicy, flavorful onion-tomato gravy along with few spices.

Check out this recipe

chickpea curry with spinach served in a bowl garnished with cilantro and has a spoon

Instant Pot Chickpea Curry with Spinach (Chana Saag)

Chickpeas and Spinach Curry in an onion tomato sauce cooked with Indian spices, it's tasty and so easy to make in Instant.

Check out this recipe

beetroot chickpea stir fry served in a bowl garnished with cilantro and chapati on side

Beetroot and Chickpea Stir Fry

Beetroot and Chickpea Stir Fry is a nutritious south Indian side dish. Very healthy, tasty and simple stir fry prepared with simple ingredients full of vitamins and protein.

Check out this recipe

Pindi chole served in a bowl with cooked chickpeas on the side.

Pindi Chole

A classic punjabi delicacy curry recipe made with soaked chickpeas and blend of spices.

Check out this recipe

chickpea sundal served in a bowl

Chana Sundal | Chickpea Sundal

Chana Sundal | Chickpea Sundal is a healthy snack or side dish prepared with cooked chickpeas, tempered with spices along with fresh coconut.

Check out this recipe

Kadala Curry served in a bowl with side of rice

Instant Pot Kerala Kadala Curry

Kadala Curry or Brown Chickpeas in Coconut Curry is a popular accompaniment in Kerala Cuisine usually served with Appam or Puttu.

Check out this recipe

black chickpeas curry (punjabi kala chana) served in a bowl garnish with coriander leaves and spoon in the bowl with cucumber and jeera rice on the side

Kala Chana Recipe (Black Chickpeas Curry)

Black Chickpeas Curry (Punjabi Kala Chana) is an easy, one-pot Indian curry recipe made by cooking black chickpeas in flavorful onion-tomato gravy along with a few spices in the pressure cooker.

Check out this recipe

Sandwiches

chickpea avocado salad sandwich served on wooden plank with side of cilantro

Chickpea Avocado Sandwich Recipe

Healthy and filling smashed chickpea and avocado mixture spread on whole grain bread to make this satisfying Chickpea Avocado Sandwich

Check out this recipe

chickpea salad sandwich served with veggies on the side

Chickpea Salad Sandwich

This smashed Chickpea Salad Sandwich recipe is easy to make, healthy and satisfying. It takes only 10 minutes to prepare with no cooking required.

Check out this recipe

Parathas

chole paratha served on a plate with curd on the side

Chole Paratha (Chickpeas Paratha)

Chole ka Paratha recipe is a protein-rich, healthy, and nutritious Indian flatbread that is made from chickpeas or chana, a few spices, and whole wheat flour.

Check out this recipe

Rice

Chole Biryani (chickpea biryani) served in a bowl with cooked chickpeas on side

Instant Pot Chana Biryani (Chickpea Biryani)

Instant Pot Chole Biryani (Chickpea Biryani) is a delicious and healthy variation of vegetable biryani.

Check out this recipe

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