Sautéed chickpeas or sauteed garbanzo beans make a great snack, side dish, or topping to many dishes or dips like this Creamy Eggplant Dip or something sweet like this Dates, Grapes And Goats' Cheese Super Balls Snack. It is healthy, full of flavor, and takes less than 15 minutes to make. So if you were looking for sauteed chickpea recipes look no further, you have landed on the right page.
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❓Why is sauteed chickpea recipe soo good?
I’m sure this happens to you too sometimes, coming back home hungry like a wolfie not knowing what to tuck in?!
Well, it certainly happens to me regularly especially around 4 pm when I need to beat those afternoon terrible sugar cravings. Truthfully these sauteed chickpeas make a quick snack and are such a savior.
These pan-cooked chickpeas help me big time to avoid digging deep in the sweets jar and smashing a good few chocs or Kit-Kat bars.
One thing that I always make sure of is to always have a few chickpeas cans in my pantry just for snacks like this. A handful of these chickpeas quick snack it's yummy, filling, and a quick healthy protein fix. How great, right? 
So, in a few words, this chickpea recipe is great because :
- it is quick and easy to make
- it makes a great snack for afternoon sugar cravings
- makes the perfect movie night snack
- it is gluten-free
- it's vegan
- it only requires 2 main ingredients
🥘 Ingredients and Substitutions
- Chickpeas/garbanzo beans: I generally use canned chickpeas as it's convenient, but many times I cook them myself.
- Red Onion - is my favorite option but regular brown or white onions are perfect. Leek works fab too for all those that onion isn't an option.
- Olive oil - I like it because it's the healthiest option but I also use coconut oil for its slightly sweet flavor and high smoke point. Avocado oil, peanut oil, or any other high smoke point oils are also great.
- Chili flakes - I just love the flavor and the kick this gives to the chickpeas, but you can customize the spices in this recipe.
- Turmeric - Makes a great healthy addition and don't forget the black pepper. If you don't have turmeric powder, use garlic powder or one clove of fresh garlic.
- Mixed Seeds - I consider these the heart of the flavors here in this recipe, but you can use regular paprika if you don't have these.
- Salt - use kosher or pink Himalayan salt
- Black Pepper - this is a must especially if turmeric powder is used it is just the duo that makes the Tango flow hehe.
- Lemon juice - oh yes, please do not forget the drizzle of lemon in this sauteed chickpeas.
🔪 How to make this sauteed chickpea snack
In this sautéed chickpeas recipe, I used mixed seeds and red onion as the primary seasonings. But you should feel totally free to use whatever your taste buds wish! I included some variations in the post below, so be sure to check them out. After you make the recipe, enjoy your chickpeas as a snack or add them to your favorite meal.
Sautéed or Pan-cooked
Simply scroll down to the recipe card to see how to make this recipe pan-cooked/fried. All you need is just a few ingredients and you'll have an amazing chickpea snack.
There are two main steps:
- Cooking the onions with the right amount of seasoning and spices
- Adding the canned chickpeas cook a little more and ta-da!
📦 Storage
If you have leftovers, keep them in an airtight container on the counter at room temperature refrigerated. They will soften over time but get more flavoursome.
🤹♂️ Variations
Roasted instead of sautéed
Some, may not like the texture of the chickpeas. If you do not like it, simply bake these for about 30 minutes in a large tray shaking them now and again. They are great baked too!! A great alternative if you do not mind and are a true chickpea lover, just like I am.
Enjoy! 
If you like this recipe and want to do it the same way but roasted instead of pan-cooked, just mix all ingredients in a bowl, add a tablespoon or two of oil/coconut oil, and roast in a preheated oven at 180C/350F for approximately 25-30 min.
Chickpeas make such a healthy, fiber, protein, zink-packed snack and when it comes to spices, feel adventurous with adding some curry powder, paprika, cumin, smoked salt or simple salt, garlic fresh or powder, or anything you like, there are many possibilities and combos that you could try. Add some honey or maple syrup and chili flakes to get this snack to an almost completely different level.
I do add bacon sometimes or chorizo chopped into small cubes and fried together with the onions. So yummy!
💭 Recipe FAQs
Yes, absolutely! You can make a little more of this sauteed chickpea recipe and store it in an airtight container refrigerated. It lasts up to a week.
If you don't like or have canned chickpeas here's how to cook them yourself:
Version 1 - the soaking and thus the longer version:
2 cups of chickpeas = 5 cups of water and 1 teaspoon of baking soda.
Soak them overnight in these quantities which you can half or double.
This method helps hydrate the beans to make them soft and easy to cook.
Discard the water the beans have soaked in, place the chickpeas in a pan, add 3 times the water, and cook for about 25-30 min covered on medium fire.
Times may obviously vary according to bean size and the desired firmness. I always cook them 'al dente' similar to the canned ones' texture.
Version 2 - A pressure cooker - they do not need any overnight soaking. Add the rinsed chickpeas to the pressure cooker, add 4 times the water, and a bit of salt, set the pressure cooker on for 8 minutes, and ta-da!!
Yes, these chickpeas can easily be frozen. Freeze in freezing bags or airtight containers, thaw in the refrigerator, and reheat when served or directly from frozen in a pan and heat until piping hot.
Yes, the best way to reheat sautéed chickpeas is the same way you cook them. In a skillet over medium heat for a few minutes. Just don't forget to add oil to the pan if they seem a little dry.
📍Tips
Chili flakes can be substituted for cayenne pepper for a homogeneous spiciness. I prefer a little chili flake or a seed - it’s nice to find that little chili surprise if you like that. If spicy isn’t your thing, then add anything you might like such as paprika, zaatar, harissa, or any spices or herbs you may wish and like.
There are other ways you can enjoy this healthy legume, like topping:
- Use in Salads like Haricot Beans Salad, Brussels Sprouts, Cranberries And Bacon Salad
- Budha bowls
- Soups like this Luscious Wild Garlic and Nettle Soup or Creamy Mushroom Soup With Turmeric And Thyme
- Top your homemade Hummus
- Curries like this delicious Red Lentil Dhal With Coconut Milk And Quail Eggs
Challenge your creativity and make everything healthier with this sauteed chickpea recipe!
🤩 Other chickpea recipes you may like
- Cauliflower, aubergine 'n chickpeas salad
- Gluten-free falafel
- Baked Aubergine With Cumin And Yoghurt Sauce
- Nettle & Chickpeas Salad
- Butternut Squash and Chickpea Curry
- Chickpea peanut butter cookies
Other recipes to consider:
Have you made this chickpea recipe? Please leave a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comment section further down the page.
Thanks for stopping by!
📋 Easy Sautéed Chickpea Recipe
Equipment
- pan
- chopping board
- knife
Ingredients
- 400 g cooked chickpeas
- 1 medium red onion
- ¼ teaspoon red chili flakes
- 1 pinch kosher salt
- 1 pinch turmeric powder
- 1 pinch black pepper freshly ground
- ½ teaspoon mixed seeds cumin, fenugreek and mustard
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or coconut oil
- 2 tablespoon lemon juice freshly squeezed
Instructions
- Chop the onion and place in a pan with the olive oil over medium fire. Add the seeds, and salt and cook for 5 min or so until the onions are nice and soft.
- Add the cooked chickpeas and the turmeric and continue cooking for another 3-4 mins stirring or tossing regularly.
- Add the chili flakes and toss for a further minute.
- Squeeze a dash of lemon and serve. Ta-da!!
Notes
Nutrition
Andrea says
love this healthy snack so much! so tasty and quick to make too!
Ramona says
superb recipe
Caroline says
We do love chickpeas but not generally as a snack. Must give them a try though as they look tasty!
Ramona says
Hi Caroline,
Thank you! I love chickpeas so much that I must think of a chickpeas dessert recipe. It’s. Icy a versatile ingredient. This snack recipe will really impress- so easy to make and soooo tasty. It’s one of my favourites ever. Last weekend we had it at a picnic -was so great and everyone enjoyed it greatly. You should definitely try it. ??
Eileen Kelly says
I am a huge chickpea fan and what a great snack. I love that you added a bit of a kick with the chili flakes. Great for flavor and digestion too. Love this snack.
Ramona says
Thank you so much Eileen, oh, me and chilli are almost everywhhere together 😉 long time love there haha. I agree with flavor and digestion, absolutely! I hope you will make it soon and fully enjoy it.
Michelle Frank | Flipped-Out Food says
Chickpeas are the absolute BOMB. I use them in everything, from soups to curries—and, of course, hummus. I had not tried cooking them in a skillet like this, though: I just love the addition of turmeric, cumin, and fenugreek—these must taste amazing!
Ramona says
They are super good Michelle. I’m sure you will absolutely love them cooked this way too. ?
Beth says
Oh, I absolutely adore chickpeas! Any way any how. These look so awesome with the turmeric and kick of heat! Definitely making this!!
Ramona says
Thank you Beth, same here. We love chickpeas. You won’t be disappointed with this recipe- always a winner here for snacking but also as a side dish.
Enjoy ?
Dawn - Girl Heart Food says
Chickpeas are a staple in our home! They are so inexpensive, but tasty too! This looks like something I would make on Sunday to enjoy for quick weekday lunches 🙂
Ramona says
Hi Dawn,
Thank you so much. Absloutely, chickpeas are so versatile and inexpensive indeed. I make quite a bit of it for quick snacking or to add to salads or soups during the week. So great! A saviour.