5 Weight Loss Recipes With Chickpeas

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Chickpeas are a hugely popular legume that are eaten as a carbohydrate but that also count as a vegetable portion. They are full of protein and fibre, meaning that a regular portion of chickpeas will keep you full for ages so they are perfect if you are on a healthy eating or weight loss plan.

They also contain loads and loads of vitamins and nutrients, including folic acid, manganese, iron, copper, zinc and magnesium. Eating chickpeas regularly can also help to lower your cholesterol and improve your blood sugar levels. Added to all of that, they are extremely low in fat. Here’s 5 weight loss recipes with chickpeas.

Chickpea Cookie Dough Dip

Ingredients:

• 1 x 400g tin chickpeas, drained
• Pinch of salt
• 2 tbsp. crunchy organic peanut butter
• 2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 2 tbsp. runny honey
• 50g dark chocolate chips

Method of Preparation:

1. Put the chickpeas, salt, peanut butter, vanilla and honey into a food processor. Whiz until smooth, then stir in the chocolate chips.
2. Serve with thin crackers or fruit.

Recipe serves 4. Calories per serving: 126. Omit the chocolate chips if you like and add blueberries or dried fruit instead.

Roast Chickpea Bites

Ingredients:

• 1 x 400g tin chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 1 tbsp. olive oil
• 1 tsp. sweet paprika
• Pinch of chilli powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

Method of Preparation:

1. Preheat the oven to 230C.
2. Pat the chickpeas dry. Toss them in a bowl with the oil, paprika, chilli powder, salt and pepper. Spread them in a single layer in a non-stick roasting tin and bake for 30-40 minutes, until crunchy and crisp.

Recipe serves 4. Calories per serving: 84. Use cinnamon instead of chilli and paprika to make these into sweet chickpea bites.

Chickpea, Potato & Veggie Stew

Ingredients:

• 1 x 400g tin chickpeas, drained
• 1 x 400g tin chopped tomatoes
• 2 potatoes
• 2 red capsicum
• 1 aubergine
• 2 courgettes
• 1 onion
• 3-4 garlic cloves
• 2 tbsp. olive oil
• Small handful freshly chopped coriander
• 1 tsp. dried mixed herbs
• Salt and pepper

Method of Preparation:

1. Chop the potatoes into small bite-sized chunks. Slice the capsicum in half and remove the seeds and pith from inside, then dice into small chunks. Slice the aubergine. Slice the courgettes. Thinly slice the onion. Mince the garlic cloves.
2. Heat the oven to 200C. Put the potatoes, capsicum, aubergine, courgette and onion into a roasting tin and toss with the oil, herbs, salt and pepper. Cook for 45 minutes until golden and roasted.
3. Put the tin onto a low heat on the hob. Add the chickpeas and tomatoes. Simmer until the chickpeas are warmed through, season again then stir in the salt and pepper.

Recipe serves 4. Calories per serving: 271. Add a chopped red chilli for extra heat, or other veggies such as carrots for extra flavour.

Lemon & Coriander Hummus

Ingredients:

• 2 x 400g tin chickpeas, drained
• 3 garlic cloves
• 3 tbsp. 0% fat Greek yoghurt
• 3 tbsp. tahini paste
• 3 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
• Large handful freshly chopped coriander
• Zest and juice of two lemons

Method of Preparation:

1. Whiz the chickpeas, garlic, yoghurt, tahini, 2 ½ tbsp. of the oil and the lemon juice and zest in a blender until very smooth.
2. Stir in the chopped coriander. Drizzle with the rest of the oil before serving.

Recipe serves 6. Calories per serving: 169. Add more garlic or use less depending on your tastes.

Chickpea Burgers

Ingredients:

• 1 x 400g tin chickpeas, drained
• 4 small wholemeal buns
• 1 tomato
• 1 red onion
• ½ cucumber
• Tomato ketchup
• Zest and juice of one small lemon
• 100g breadcrumbs
• 1 tsp. ground cumin
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp. oil
• Pinch each curry powder and chilli powder
• Small handful freshly chopped coriander
• Salt and pepper

Method of Preparation:

1. Whiz the chickpeas, lemon zest, lemon juice, cumin, egg, curry powder, chilli powder, coriander, salt and pepper and ¾ of the breadcrumbs. Once smooth, form into 4 even patties. Press the rest of the breadcrumbs over the sides of the burgers.
2. Heat oil in a frying pan. Fry the burgers on each side for 3-4 minutes until golden brown and crisp and cooked through.
3. Meanwhile, thinly slice the tomato, red onion and cucumber. To serve, pile the buns with tomato, onion and cucumber. Add the burger, top with ketchup and serve.

Recipe serves 4. Calories per serving: 344. Add chilli to the burgers for extra kick, or experiment with the dried herbs and spices of your choice.

If you are looking for more recipes and a weight loss plan then see our 28 Day Diet & Exercise Plan here