Imagine transforming humble dried chickpeas into creamy, tender morsels of deliciousness in just 45 minutes - without hours of soaking or constant stovetop monitoring! 🌟 This Instant Pot Chickpeas recipe is about to revolutionize your cooking game, bringing restaurant-quality Middle Eastern flavors straight to your kitchen with minimal effort and maximum taste. Whether you're a meal prep enthusiast, a plant-based foodie, or simply looking to elevate your cooking skills, these perfectly cooked chickpeas will become your new kitchen superpower!
Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 40 mins
Total Time: 45 mins
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 cup dried chickpeas
- 4 cups water
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tsp olive oil (optional)
Instructions
- Sort and rinse the dried chickpeas thoroughly, removing any small stones or damaged beans. Place chickpeas in a fine-mesh strainer and rinse under cold running water.
- Add the cleaned chickpeas to the Instant Pot inner pot. Pour in 4 cups of fresh cold water, ensuring the chickpeas are fully submerged.
- Add salt, bay leaf, and olive oil (if using) to the pot. The olive oil helps reduce foaming during cooking and adds a subtle flavor.
- Close the Instant Pot lid, ensuring the valve is set to the sealing position. Select the Manual or Pressure Cook setting.
- Set the cooking time to 40 minutes at high pressure. This duration ensures tender, fully cooked chickpeas without becoming mushy.
- Once the cooking cycle completes, allow for a natural pressure release for 15 minutes. This helps the chickpeas absorb additional moisture and become more tender.
- After natural release, carefully quick release any remaining pressure. Open the lid, and remove the bay leaf.
- Drain the chickpeas in a colander, reserving some cooking liquid if desired for other recipes or adjusting consistency.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Chickpeas can be served warm, used in salads, or stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Tips
- Always sort and rinse your dried chickpeas carefully to remove any small stones or damaged beans.
- Use the natural pressure release method to ensure maximum tenderness and prevent chickpeas from becoming mushy.
- The optional olive oil helps reduce foaming and adds a subtle flavor complexity.
- Reserve some cooking liquid - it's perfect for adjusting consistency in hummus or other recipes.
- For extra flavor, consider adding whole spices like cumin seeds or a piece of kombu during cooking.
- If you prefer firmer chickpeas, reduce cooking time by 5-10 minutes.
- Store cooked chickpeas in their cooking liquid to maintain moisture and freshness.
- Batch cook and freeze portions for quick meal preparation throughout the week.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 269kcal
Carbohydrates: 45g
Protein: 14g
Fat: 4g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 0mg
