Home » Instant Pot » Instant Pot Chickpeas

Instant Pot Chickpeas

Instant Pot Chickpeas – No draining and no-fuss, just fresh cooked chickpeas (aka garbanzo beans) using a pressure cooker in a matter of minutes with this quick and easy recipe!

head on view of freshly cooked instant pot chickpeas in a small bowl with items surrounding.

Cooking dried chickpeas from scratch using an Instant Pot is quick and easy! You can have freshly cooked garbanzo beans in about 1 hour to use with all your favorite Chickpea recipes!

With this recipe, you can opt to cook the chickpeas with or without soaking. I’ve also included instructions when using an Instant Pot strainer, making it easy to just lift and strain chickpeas without any fuss.

Chickpeas are typically used in Mediterranean, Indian, and Middle Eastern cuisines for recipes such as Falafels, Hummus, Tikka Masala, and Salads. I love them in just about any type of cuisine as seen with this Vegan Caesar Salad, Chickpea Tacos, or Vegan Pasta Salad.

Full of nutrition, chickpeas are a heart-healthy legume and a great addition to just about any diet. They are protein and fiber-rich and contain a healthy assortment of vitamins and essential minerals the body needs.

top down view of dried chickpeas in a glass jar.

Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe only requires two ingredients but can be customized with flavors.

  • Chickpeas – you can purchase dried chickpeas packaged or in bulk. I suggest sourcing from a place the replenishes often for the freshest possible garbanzo beans.
  • Salt – will be added while the beans are cooking, intensifying their natural flavor.

Add a Flavor Boost

When adding a flavor boost, typically you will just use one of the options listed.

  • Kombu – seaweed adds a wonderful umami flavor (I use & recommend Eden kombu (affiliate link))
  • Bay leaves – this simple herb adds a touch of flavor and is easily accessible
  • Vegetable broth – you can opt to use half water and half broth, or all broth, for added flavor
  • Garlic clove or 1/4 whole onion – even something as simple as a clove of garlic or a piece of onion will add subtle flavor.

side by side photos showing the process of making unsoaked Instant Pot chickpeas.

How To Make Instant Pot Chickpeas

For this recipe, I’ve used this Instant Pot (affiliate link). After many trials, these are the best times for pressure cooked Chickpeas. If using another model or brand, you may need to make slight adjustments.

(Note – The full printable recipe is at the bottom of this post)

  • Unsoaked: When using un-soaked chickpeas, cook on Manual at HIGH pressure for 45 minutes with 15 minute natural release. You will use 5 cups of liquids.
  • Soaked: Chickpeas that have been soaked overnight can be pressure-cooked on Manual at HIGH pressure for 5 minutes, allowing a 15-minute natural release. Fill the insert with at least 4 cups of water.
side by side photos showing the process of making Instant Pot chickpeas using soaked chickpeas.

Cooking Instant Pot Chickpeas Using a Basket Insert

You may like to use the basket insert (affiliate link) when cooking the chickpeas.

Not only is the basket helpful when soaking the chickpeas, but it also makes it easy to drain and rinse them after soaking. It’s also helpful during pressure cooking and only needs the water to be adjusted.

  • Adjusting water amounts when using an Instant Pot basket insert: Use 9 – 10 cups of water. Make sure to cover the chickpeas with at least 2 inches of water.

Top Tips

  • Make your chickpeas flavorful. For the best flavor, I use kombu, but vegetable broth, bay leaves, garlic clove, or a piece of onion will also add a nice flavor.

head on view of freshly cooked instant pot chickpeas in a small bowl with items surrounding.

How To Store + Freeze

  • Refrigerator: Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator in a covered container for up to 5 – 6 days.
  • Freezer: For longer storage, cooked chickpeas can be stored in the freezer for up to 4 – 6 months. To freeze, spread cooked chickpeas on a baking sheet in a single layer and place in the freezer for 2 – 3 hours (this will help when storing so they don’t stick together). Once frozen, store the chickpeas in multi-use containers (affiliate link) or freezer-safe bags. Let thaw in the refrigerator before using.

Serving Suggestions

Now that you’ve cooked your chickpeas, the next best part is eating them! These are just a few of the many delicious chickpea recipes you will find on the TSV:

top down, side angle view of bowl with freshly made instant pot chickpeas.

More Instant Pot Recipes!

If you try this instant pot chickpeas recipe or have a question, please let me know! Leave a comment and rate it below. I love to hear what you think, or any changes you make.

Print

INSTANT POT CHICKPEAS

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

5 from 2 reviews

Instant Pot Chickpeas with no draining, no-fuss, just fresh cooked chickpeas (aka garbanzo beans) using a pressure cooker in a matter of minutes with this quick and easy recipe! Can also use soaked chickpeas.

  • Author: Julie | The Simple Veganista
  • Prep Time: 5 min
  • Cook Time: 5 – 45
  • Total Time: 4 minute
  • Yield: Serves 6
  • Category: How-To
  • Method: pressure cooker
  • Diet: Vegan

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1 lb. chickpeas (about 2 cups)
  • 45 cups water
  • 1 teaspoon salt

Optional Add-ins

  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 kombu, 4 inch piece
  • 1 garlic clove
  • 1/4 chunk of onion

Instructions

Pick out any odd or off-colored chickpeas and discard.

Place chickpeas into the bottom of the pressure cooker insert, pour water overtop. Attach the lid, turn to lock, and move the valve to ‘SEALING’. Set the Instant Pot to BEAN or manually set to HIGH PRESSURE, and cook for 5 or 45 minutes (see below for your cooking time). Once done, let the pressure release on its own for at least 15 minutes, then move the valve to the ‘VENTING’ position to complete the process.

  • Unsoaked chickpeas: Cook on Bean or High for 45 minutes with 15 minute natural release. Use 5 cups of water.
  • Soaked chickpeas: Cook on Bean or High for 5 minutes with 15 minutes natural release. Use 4 cups of water.
  • Water amounts when using a basket insert. When using an Instant Pot basket insert (affiliate link), use 9 – 10 cups of water. You want to be sure to cover the chickpeas with at least 2 inches of water.

Notes

If making a smaller batch, use 1 cup dried chickpeas, reduce water by 1 cup for both unsoaked and soaked chickpeas, continue recipe as written.

FOLLOW TSV on FacebookInstagramPinterestYoutube, Subscribe (email), or RSS for more recipes and inspiration!

7 Comments

  1. Made these the other day as instructed, but unintentionally left them on “natural release” for much longer than meant to (was distracted), and I happen to love how they turned out: soft but whole, with perfect amt of liquid to cover for freezing. Massed out 9 oz of beans and now have 4 cans’ worth of garbanzo beans, ready to go. Tested and, to my mind, true. Thank you!






  2. The beans came out like mush

    1. Julie | The Simple Veganista says:

      So sorry they didn’t come out plump! Did you use the soaked or no-soak method?

  3. If we choose the soaking method, how long do we need to soak the chickpeas before hand?

    1. Julie | The Simple Veganista says:

      Soak them in cool water for at least 8 hours or overnight. They will expand, so be sure to cover them with 1 – 2 inches of water. Enjoy the chickpeas!

  4. I’d like to try this recipe. Canned chickpeas are too soft for my taste. Are these al dente?

  5. This was my first time making chickpeas in the Instant Pot. I used a clove of garlic and two bay leaves, and they came out super flavorful. They were perfectly cooked as well (I did not soak beforehand). So much better than canned, and so easy! I’ll definitely be making this again (and again and again).






Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star