How to Cook Garbanzos (Chickpeas) in an Instant Pot
How to cook chickpeas in an Instant Pot. Your step-by-step guide to making the most wonderfully tender and buttery garbanzo beans (chickpeas) using the convenience of an Instant Pot!
Many people buy chickpeas in a can because it’s convenient. But did you know that you can easily cook chickpeas in an Instant Pot? It only takes minutes of your times. And you will be amazed – amaaaaazed! – at how lusciously tender and buttery chickpeas can be when you cook them in an Instant Pot!
What are garbanzo beans (chickpeas)?
Garbanzo beans, also known as chickpeas, are a type of legume (like beans, peas, and lentils). They are round in shape and tan in color. Garbanzo beans have a slight nutty-buttery-chickeny taste and an absolutely lovely creamy texture.
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Are garbanzo beans (chickpeas) good for you?
Garbanzo Beans (chickpeas) are very good for you! They’re a good source of fiber, iron, protein, and many other nutrients. They’re very helpful for weight loss, for stabilizing blood sugar levels (good for diabetics), and for lowering cholesterol.
Plus, garbanzo beans (chickpeas) are naturally gluten-free and vegan.
What’s an Instant Pot?
An Instant Pot is a multifunctional appliance. You can pressure cook, slow cook, and even sauté with an Instant Pot.
How do you eat garbanzo beans (chickpeas)?
Garbanzo beans (chickpeas) are a key ingredient in hummus. And hummus made from Instant Pot beans makes the most wonderfully luxurious creamy hummus! Once you’ve tried it, you’ll never go back to canned beans.
Garbanzo beans (chickpeas) are also yummy in soups, in casseroles, and over top of salads. Here are some of our favorite ways to eat these cute, little legumes.
Chickpea Loaf
This gluten-free and vegan loaf is full of flavor and nutrition. We love it served with a salad or even on a sandwich.
Cream of Chickpea Soup
This wonderfully delicious, lusciously creamy, gluten-free and vegan Cream of Chickpea Soup is just as delicious as any chicken soup you’ve ever had. It has a rich, hearty flavor and yet is light and healthy.
Garbanzo Pesto Salad
A quick and easy main dish salad takes less than 10 minutes to make.
Chickpea Spinach Nuggets
A delicious way to get spinach-haters to eat spinach.
Chickpea Italiano
A savory and full-of-flavor Italian stew.
Different Ways to Buy Chickpeas
When it comes to cooking/eating chickpeas, you have several options:
1. You can use canned chickpeas.
PROS: Canned chickpeas are quick and easy.
CONS: Canned chickpeas are more expensive. Also, they are not as tender as home-cooked beans. And they are not as easy for the body to digest.
2. You can cook them on the stove top.
PROS: Cheaper than canned chickpeas.
CONS: You have to plan ahead. It takes several hours to cook chickpeas on the stove top.
3. You can cook them in a slow cooker.
PROS: Super easy and hands-off method. Cheaper than canned beans.
CONS: You have to plan ahead. It takes several hours to cook beans in a slow cooker.
4. You can cook them in a pressure cooker or an Instant Pot.
PROS: Quick and easy! You don’t have to wait for water to come to a boil. You don’t have to watch the stove. No risk of the pot of chickpeas boiling over. Also, Instant Pot chickpeas taste better and have a better texture than stovetop chickpeas and canned chickpeas. And they’re cheaper than canned chickpeas.
CONS: They take longer than canned chickpeas, but as far as home-cooked beans, this method is definitely the easiest.
How to cook chickpeas in an Instant Pot
Cooking your own dried chickpeas in the Instant Pot is so easy.
Simply rinse the chickpeas in a colander, place them in the Instant Pot, add water, and push a button.
You’re good to go! The Instant Pot will take it from there!
Do I need to soak chickpeas before cooking them in the Instant Pot?
One of the advantages of cooking beans in an Instant Pot is that you don’t have to soak them before cooking them.
However! Garbanzo beans (chickpeas) may be the exception.
While garbanzo beans (chickpeas) don’t have to be soaked before cooking them in an Instant Pot, they do turn out better if you soak them. Soaking garbanzos first makes them cook more evenly and hold their shape better during cooking. Also, the cooked garbanzos are more tender, more plump, more buttery, and they have a creamier texture.
What if I don’t have time to soak the chickpeas?
You can also cook unsoaked garbanzo beans (chickpeas). You’ll just need to use more water (about 7 cups) and pressure cook them a little longer (35 to 40 minutes).
Where to buy the best dried chickpeas (garbanzo beans)?
Azure Standard carries the ABSOLUTE BEST garbanzo beans (chickpeas) I have ever tasted! They are super fresh and flavorful and always cook up tender and buttery. Once you try them, you’ll never want garbanzo beans from anywhere else.
How to Cook Garbanzos (Chickpeas) in an Instant Pot
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups uncooked chickpeas (garbanzo beans)
- 6 cups water
Instructions
- Spread garbanzo beans out on a clean countertop (or a clean dish towel) and sort through beans removing dirt and debris. Place beans in a large colander and rinse well.
- Place garbanzo beans (chickpeas) in the insert for your Instant Pot. Add 6 cups of water to garbanzo beans (chickpeas).
- Place in refrigerator and soak overnight or for 8 to 16 hours.
- Remove insert from refrigerator and place in the Instant Pot. Lock the lid on and set the Instant Pot to “Manual” and “High Pressure” for 25 minutes. (If your garbanzos aren't super fresh, add 10 to 15 minutes.) Be sure the valve is set to “Sealed”.
- When cooking time is done, turn off the heat, and allow pressure to release on its own (natural/slow-release method) before opening lid. This will take about 25 minutes.
Notes
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My garbanzo beans turned out great! Thanks for the detailed instructions.
You’re welcome, Heather. Thank you so much for the comment and the rating.