The Delicious and Nutritious Chickpea Snack

Are you in search of a healthy and tasty snack that can satisfy your hunger pangs? Look no further than chickpeas. Chickpeas are a versatile legume that can be transformed into various forms, including hummus, falafel, and crispy, crunchy snacks. In this article, we’ll explore the benefits of chickpeas and provide some exciting recipes for you to indulge in.

Chickpeas- The Nutritional Powerhouse

Chickpeas are a perfect snack for those looking to lose weight, maintain a healthy diet or up their protein intake. High in fibre, protein, vitamins and minerals, chickpeas can help regulate blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease and diabetes.

One cup of chickpeas contains:

• 15g of protein
• 12 g of fibre
• 4g of fat
• Approximately 270 calories

Chickpeas are also a great source of iron, magnesium, potassium and vitamin B-6 which help strengthen our immune system and repair tissues. Eating chickpeas regularly can help you maintain a healthy weight, improve digestion, reduce inflammation and lower cholesterol levels.

Chickpea Snack Ideas

Chickpeas are a versatile legume that can be used in a variety of ways in the kitchen. Try these tasty and nutritious chickpea snack ideas:

• Roasted chickpeas: Preheat the oven to 375 Fahrenheit. Drain and pat dry chickpeas. Toss with olive oil and spices of your choice like paprika, cumin and garlic salt. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until crispy.
• Chickpea fries: Boil chickpeas until tender. Transfer them to a food processor, add garlic, cilantro and salt to taste. Puree the mixture for a couple of minutes until smooth. Pour the puree into a baking dish, spreading it evenly. Let it chill for an hour. Preheat a skillet with olive oil until hot. Cut the set chickpea puree into fry-like shapes and fry both sides until crispy.
• Spicy chickpea salad: Toss chickpeas in a bowl with halved cherry tomatoes, cubed cucumber, chopped red onion and a tablespoon of your favourite hot sauce. Garnish with some chopped parsley and feta cheese. This quick and easy snack is perfect for those on-the-go.
• Chickpea protein balls: Pulse chickpeas, almond butter, honey, chocolate chips, and oats for a few minutes in a food processor until a dough forms. Roll the mixture into 1 inch-sized balls and refrigerate for 30 minutes. These protein balls serve as a perfect afternoon snack or a pre-workout energy booster.

Chickpea Snacks to Buy

There is a wide range of chickpea snacks available in the market today. Here are our top picks:

• Biena roasted chickpea snacks: These delicious, nutritious, and gluten-free snacks come in a variety of flavours like sea salt, honey roasted and rockin’ ranch. Just grab a bag and go.
• Hippeas: A crispy, crunchy snack that is baked to perfection, gluten-free, has low saturated fats and is cholesterol-free. It’s a great alternative to greasy potato chips.
• Saffron Road chickpea snacks: These guilt-free, spiced snacks are gluten-free and come in a variety of flavours like Bombay and Falafel. Delight your taste buds with these tasty treatswhile on the go.
• The Good Bean chickpea snacks: Rich in protein and fibre, these roasted chickpea snacks contain only natural and organic ingredients, come in different flavours like sea salt, mesquite and Thai coconut lemongrass.

Conclusion

Chickpeas are a highly nutritious food packed with protein, vitamins, minerals and fibre. Whether you want to lose weight, maintain a healthy diet or up your protein intake, chickpeas are an excellent addition to your diet. From roasted chickpeas to spicy chickpea salads and chickpea protein balls, you have several snack options to choose from. So why not add chickpeas to your daily snack routine and get the health benefits you need?