How Much Protein in Chickpeas?

How Much Protein in Chickpeas?

We're constantly reminded about how essential protein is for good health as we grow. But, while greek yogurt and lean meats are both excellent ways to get protein, the truth is, protein is found in a lot more foods than you may think. In fact, you may be surprised how much protein the foods you regularly eat contain. When following a 2,000 calorie diet, the recommended daily protein intake is about 50 grams a day. While this may change based on your activity levels, reaching that goal shouldn't be a challenging task. If you're consuming good-for-you foods like fruits, vegetables and legumes, you're bound to surpass your protein goals. One food that is an excellent source of protein is chickpeas. Though chickpeas aren't always the first food you think of when boosting your protein intake, they should be. With about 7 grams of protein and 4 grams of fiber per cup, enjoying chickpeas as a snack is an excellent way to increase your protein intake while remaining full and satisfied between meals. Add chickpeas to everything from salad to flatbread, for a protein-packed treat that will leave you feeling just as great as it tastes. Spicy Chickpea Quinoa Patties

What Are Chickpeas?

Ready to learn more about chickpeas? Let's start by first discussing what they are. Chickpeas, a legume from the plant family Fabaceae, are a highly nutritious food. Loaded with fiber, and of course, protein, they're often deemed a superfood and added to many recipes due to their nutritional value alone. Now, if you've noticed that your local grocery store doesn't carry chickpeas but does carry garbanzo beans, don't worry. Chickpeas and garbanzo beans are the same things! One of the things that help chickpeas stand out amongst the other legumes is that they are incredibly versatile. Their creamy texture can take on nearly any shape you'd like, and their neutral flavor tastes great when added to any cuisine. Ideal for making plant-based meals like these Spicy Chickpea Quinoa Patties, keeping a can of chickpeas on hand is an excellent way to ensure that you always have something nutritious and tasty to eat.

Type of Chickpea to Purchase

When purchasing chickpeas, you'll likely notice that there are two varieties: canned and dried chickpeas. While canned chickpeas are much easier to work with, they are more pricy. That being so, dried chickpeas are budget-friendly and not tricky to boil. The type of chickpea you purchase will largely depend on the recipe you are making, as some recipes require dried chickpeas, desi chickpeas, or Kabuli chickpeas. We suggest reviewing the recipe you've chosen before heading to the grocery store to ensure success.

Why Is Protein Important for Our Health?

Protein is found in various foods, and there are several different types of it. Antibodies, transport proteins, enzymes and hormonal proteins are just a few of the seven types found in the foods you eat. Protein helps build our cells, organs, muscles, bones and connective tissue, a nutrient essential to good health. It also helps repair those crucial structures in the body throughout our lives. Additionally, protein is a necessary form of energy, with each gram of protein providing about 4 kcal of it. When searching for food that's rich in protein, you'll come across two types: "complete" sources of protein and "incomplete" sources of protein. The main difference between each is that "complete" protein sources contain all of the essential amino acids that our bodies need. Incomplete protein sources have some but not all of the essential amino acids our bodies require, meaning that you'll have to pair them with other foods that contain the missing amino acids. As long as your diet consists of whole foods and several protein sources, worrying about whether a food is a complete or incomplete protein source is unnecessary.

A Protein-Rich Chickpea Recipe

Chickpea Flour Omelette With Chipotle Grilled Tomato Now that you know just how essential protein is to your health and that chickpeas are loaded with it, it's time to incorporate more of this legume into your diet. Check out our online recipe book for a long list of delicious chickpea recipes, or follow the recipe below to get started.

Chickpea Flour Omelette With Chipotle Grilled Tomato

Chickpea flour turns a traditional omelette into a protein-packed breakfast option in this recipe. Loaded with wholesome foods like curly kale, this omelette then combines flavorings like turmeric and nutritional yeast to create a cheese-like dish, sans dairy. Flavorful and great for you, this Chickpea Flour Omelette With Chipotle Grilled Tomato is the ideal savory breakfast to wake up with. Plus, it can be fully cooked and ready to eat in just five minutes. Whether you're searching for more ways to add protein to your diet or are looking to incorporate chickpeas into it, we're confident that chickpeas will undoubtedly earn a spot in your pantry after reading this article. From everyone at Bob's Red Mill, we hope you have a flavor-filled day!  
Bob's Red Mill
December 17 2021

Comments

Bob's Red Mill Logo

Our Company

Customer Support

FAQ
Join our table

Get baking tips, exclusive offers and other things straight to your inbox.

Connect with Us
© 1978-2025 Bob’s Red Mill Natural Foods
Terms of Use Privacy Policy Cookie Notice Do not sell or share my info Manage Preferences