6 Chickpea-Based Snacks to Satisfy Your Cravings

Check out these delicious (and overall pretty healthy) chickpea snacks next time you’re feeling peckish.

Chickpeas are a wonderful superfood. They are packed with protein, have filling fiber, and are low in fat; a great pantry staple. They are often considered to be a primary component of a vegan or vegetarian diet, but are still loved by carnivores and omnivores alike. When we think of chickpeas and snacks, our minds may gravitate towards a creamy, thick hummus, or a savory, crispy falafel (maybe even aquafaba). But the chickpea has expanded beyond the traditional hummus role, and has even ventured towards sweet.

Innovations such as a hummus milkshake (yes, you read that right), and “raw cookie dough” made out of chickpeas are becoming increasingly popular. Other new chickpea snacks include dry-roasted or salted caramel-covered, and there are even chickpea chips—and most of them are also gluten-free. We’ve gathered our favorite innovative ways to enjoy this up-and-coming snack below. All hail the mighty chickpea!

Saffron Road Crunchy Chickpeas with Sea Salt, $6.45 on Amazon

Amazon

Certified organic, with 6 grams of protein, this crunchy chickpea snack is addicting. Seasoned with sea salt and perfectly roasted, this is a wholesome, crackling snack that will keep you satisfied for hours. And they have awesome flavors, including Falafel and Bombay Spice for when you want to switch things up.Buy Now

Hippeas Organic Chickpea Puffs Vegan White Cheddar, $2.84 on Amazon

Amazon

These puffed-up snacks are the white cheddar vegan version of Pirate’s Booty or a super healthier version of Cheetos (sort of…). Hippeas have a little bite and crunch, and offer a nice vegan cheese flavor alternative. They contain 4 grams of protein and 3 grams of fiber, are organic and gluten-free, and come in other flavors too, like Sriracha Sunshine and Happenin’ Hickory. Hippeas also supports Farm Africa, a charity which aids African farmers, assisting them with productivity and climate-safe practices so you can feel even better while snacking on these.Buy Now

Saffron Road Chickpea Chickbean Crisps, $4.99 on Amazon

Amazon

If tortilla chips are your jam, but you want to try a protein-packed snack that’s a bit lighter and airier, then you may like Saffron Road’s Chickpea Chickbean Crisps. Composed of superfoods such as chickpeas, peas, lentils, and sweet potatoes, these crisps have a nice crunchy texture. They boast 5 grams of protein, are baked and made in the USA, and are gluten-free. And they’re available in Sea Salt, Chili Lime, White Cheddar, and Zesty Ranch flavors.Buy Now

Maya Kaimal Seeded Multigrain Chickpea Chips, $4.59 from Instacart

Instacart

Indian food goddess Maya Kaimal delights us once again with a new healthy creation, the chickpea chip, inspired by a Southern Indian snack, murukku. Made with chickpea and rice flour, and dehydrated potatoes, this thinly sliced, crispy snack is a great replacement for your greasy potato chip craving. The medium-spiced seeded multigrain version is chock-full of black and white sesame seeds, quinoa, and chia seeds, and is flavored with cumin and asafetida, a unique flavoring similar to scallions. These chips go well with guacamole, or hummus, for an extra chickpea punch.Buy Now

Biena Salted Caramel Chickpea Snacks, $4.46 from LuckyVitamin

LuckyVitamin

For a subtly sweet snack, Biena has created a delightful salted caramel chickpea snack, which is non-GMO. These snacks are gluten-free and have 4 grams of protein and fiber, making them a healthy alternative that satisfies those sweet-tooth cravings. The salted caramel coating has a velvety texture that pairs well with the crunch of the roasted chickpea underneath. Biena also has chocolate-covered chickpea snacks that are just as lovely, including a dark chocolate version for an extra dose of antioxidants, and milk chocolate for a classic candy taste.Buy Now

P.S. Snacks Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, $32.28 for 12 pack from P.S. Snacks

P.S. Snacks

Isn’t the best part of making chocolate chip cookies eating the dough left in the bowl afterwards? But with potential food-borne illnesses, it’s not exactly recommended. However, thanks to P.S. Snacks, we can now binge on “raw” chocolate chip cookie dough that’s made with chickpeas and creamy almond butter. Not only is it safe to eat, but it’s healthful (more so than regular dough, at least). Flavors and varieties include peanut butter and fudge brownie cookie dough. So bring on the spoons and a glass of milk (or almond milk), and dig in!Buy Now

Related Reading: What are Lupini Beans & Why Are They the Next Big Thing?

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The One Cooking Gadget You Should Get Dad, and It’s on Sale Now

If you’re going to get Dad a cooking gadget for Father’s Day, consider making it this ThermaWorks Mk4 Thermapen thermometer at its limited-time sale price. A meat thermometer is one of the more important, yet underrated, tools for any home cook or pitmaster to have in their arsenal, but a poor quality thermometer, which gives inaccurate or inconsistent readings is essentially useless (for obvious reasons).

Right now, ThermowWorks is offering an exclusive and deep discount for Chowhound and CNET readers on its most popular and well-reviewed Mk4 model (the most we’ve ever seen it discounted outside of Black Friday), down 20 percent to just $79.20. Yes, please.

We absolutely adore the Hk4 for cooking brisket and other BBQ faves, but don’t just take our word for it. One verified purchaser, who claims to “cook over 225 chicken halves at one time 3 to 5 times per summer in a 12-foot long chicken cooker,” called the Mk4 a total “lifesaver” reducing any anxiety over whether the (man) birds were done or not.

ThermoWorks Mk4 Thermapen, $79.20 on Thermoworks

ThermaWorks

With Super-Fast® Thermapen technology, Dad can take uber accurate internal temp readings on brisket, poultry, pork loin, steaks and much more. Hold the device it in any direction and the display face will automatically rotate so you can read it in any position, up or down, and without cocking your head. High-tech, intuitive, fast and accurate, it even knows when it’s dark and turns a backlight on, making it easy to read outside dusk or in a dark oven. Just touch the sensor window with your finger and the display lights up. Leave the probe open and the Mk4 stays on while you use it but set it down, and sleep mode saves your battery power.Buy Now

Keep Reading: 11 Unique Food and Drink Gadgets You’ll Absolutely Need in Your College Dorm

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Slow Cooker Bourbon Ribs for Father’s Day

Father’s Day dinner is deserving of a big bold showstopper of a dish and this meaty, moist, fall-off-the-bone rack of baby back ribs may be just the thing. Baby backs aren’t difficult to make per se but to get them just right, it does require a little patience, some equipment, and a good recipe plan.  A slow cooker is an easy way to get any meat tender, ribs included, and a fast trip under the broiler will give these ribs that coveted caramelization, and char.

The other piece of the puzzle is having a good BBQ sauce. Of course, it will gain sweetness from the brown sugar but also a real complex depth of flavor from the coffee and bourbon while a dash of soy sauce adds umami. If you’re keen to buy your sauce, here are a few of our favorites. And consider some of our favorite BBQ sides to serve the ribs with.

Cook & Carry Programmable Slow Cooker, $39.99

Buying a good crock-pot does not mean you have to break the bank!

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Welcome to Slow Cooker Sunday. Plug in and chill out for what’s supposed to be the laziest day of the week.

Slow Cooker Baby Back Ribs with Bourbon Barbecue Sauce
Makes 2 racks of baby back ribs

For the ribs:
2 racks baby back ribs

For the barbecue sauce:
8 ounces thick-cut smoked bacon, chopped
1 large yellow onion, chopped
4 garlic cloves, chopped
1 large shot bourbon
1 cup extra-strong brewed coffee
1 cup ketchup
1 tablespoon soy sauce

Mix together these dry ingredients:
1 tablespoon dark brown sugar
1 tablespoon smoked paprika
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 tablespoon ground yellow mustard seed
1 tablespoon dried sage
1/2 teaspoon cayenne powder
1 teaspoon kosher salt

Step 1: To make the barbecue sauce, cook the bacon in a medium skillet over medium heat until it starts to brown. This should take about 10 minutes.

Step 2: Add the onion and garlic and cook until the onions have softened approximately 10 more minutes.

Step 3: Add the dry ingredients mixture and stir to evenly combine.

Step 4: Add the bourbon and stir all of the ingredients together, deglazing the pan.

Step 5: Add the bacon-vegetable mixture, coffee, ketchup, and soy sauce to a blender and blend until smooth.

Step 6: Place the sauce and meat in an airtight container and place in the refrigerator to marinate. If you can do this overnight that’s best, but even a few hours will noticeably change the flavor of the meat.

Step 7: Turn the slow cooker on high and add the ribs and sauce. Try to set the ribs standing up along the sides of the pot to keep the meat from sitting in the simmer. Cook for 4 to 5 hours until done.

Step 8: Turn on the broiler. Remove the cooked ribs from the slow cooker and place them on a baking tray meat-side up. Apply a thick coat of the sauce and broil for about 5 minutes. Make sure to keep a close eye on the ribs—you don’t want them to burn in the broiler. There should be 2 cups of sauce remaining to pour into bowls and serve on the side.

Related Reading: The Best of Brisket: Recipes, Tips, and Tricks

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Kale Salad with Strawberries, Goat Cheese, and Pecans

Enjoy this bright, cheery kale salad with sweet strawberries, creamy goat cheese, and crunchy pecans all spring and summer long! It keeps well, so it's perfect for a picnic or backyard cook-out.

Continue reading "Kale Salad with Strawberries, Goat Cheese, and Pecans" »

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Cauliflower Fried “Rice”

Here's a low-carb version of fried rice, loaded with vegetables to satisfy your Chinese takeout cravings. Cauliflower florets are quickly chopped and stir-fried to create a flavorful fried “rice” dish!

Continue reading "Cauliflower Fried “Rice”" »

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What Is the Difference Between Ice Cream and Gelato?

As summer approaches, the gradually warming weather and bright sun makes many of us think about screaming for ice cream. Hot days tempered with cool, creamy, milky, flavorful ice cream…few things could be better. However, these days many more of us are instead “urlando per gelato” which means “screaming for ice cream” in Italian. “Wait a minute,” you might be thinking. “‘Gelato’ literally translates to ‘ice cream’ in Italian? Aren’t they two totally different things?” With the number of corner gelato stores that have popped up all across the country, one would think that gelato is a completely different beast from ice cream—after all, if it’s the same name, shouldn’t it be the same product? But there are a number of differences between American ice cream and Italian gelato, and some of them may surprise you.

iShift/Shutterstock

To start, let’s review the basic components of American-style ice cream. At its core, ice cream consists of three main ingredients: cream, sugar, and air. Of course there are variations on the basics, such as the additions of flavorings, stabilizers such as guar gum, and eggs. All the ingredients are churned together quickly and repeatedly at very cold temperatures to add air which makes it light and creamy, and also prevents ice crystals forming when the water content begins to freeze. By law, U.S. ice cream that’s not labeled as low-fat must contain at least 10 percent milkfat—and many contain much more than the necessary 10 percent fat content—which is why nobody would ever mistake it for a health food. Also, depending on the style, the air content could be upwards of 50 percent. That means when you eat ice cream, it’s possible that only half of what you put in your mouth are the actual physical ingredients. More premium-quality ice cream or frozen custard should have less air, while basic brands will have more. Just remember, the air content doesn’t mean you can eat an entire pint in one sitting and think it only counts for half a pint. Still not a health food.

Cuisinart Pure Indulgence 2-Quart Automatic Ice Cream Maker, $65.99 on Amazon

If you find yourself screaming for ice cream on the regular, consider the possibility of making it in your own home!

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JM Travel Photography/Shutterstock.

While gelato is made in a similar fashion, its proportions of everything are different. Gelato isn’t subject to the same butterfat requirements, so most gelato uses cream with a higher milk content and lower butterfat content, generally under 10 percent. You’re probably surprised by this: Many think that in an apples-to-apples comparison, gelato is fattier and more caloric because of its thicker, creamier consistency and more intense flavors. You can actually thank the air content for that little trick, though; gelato is churned much more slowly, introducing less air so it’s more dense. Because there’s less fat and, therefore, it is already lighter, lots of additional air isn’t necessary to produce that creamy mouthfeel. Additionally, while ice cream, because of the higher air and milkfat content, has to add more sugar to ensure more expressive flavors, gelato needs less sugar to help the flavors come through. That’s why gelato often seems to have more potent, authentic flavors. Also, gelato is stored and served at a warmer temperature than ice cream, making the texture much softer and creamier. Just think of all the times you’ve pulled a tub of ice cream out of the freezer and let it sit on the counter for five minutes to soften up enough to scoop, while you hover expectantly with your spoon. Gelato needs no such wait time.

Less fat? Less air? More flavor? Less softening time? For some, gelato is a clear winner in the ice cream department. However, personal preference always reigns supreme. If you’ve never tried gelato, go for a traditional flavor such as stracciatella (vanilla with hardened chocolate syrup on top) or pistachio. But nowadays you can find flavors as varied as strawberry, limoncello, and even tiramisu, so you’re bound to find something pleasing to your palate.

If you have an ice cream maker, there is some debate about whether or not you can use it to make truly authentic gelato. It would be a little harder because of the slower churn and the temperature differences. But if you’re looking to try, or to at least have some options on how you can incorporate either ice cream or gelato into everyday recipes, look no further than below, and scream—or “urlare”—away!

Espresso Gelato

Oksana Mizina/Shutterstock

Espresso? Gelato? Could you get more Italian? This recipe is a great example of make-at-home gelato, which does require an ice cream maker. It’s also a great example of how gelato often gets its intense flavor: not only from the add ins, but the expressive chunks of fruit, cookies, or—as in in this case—espresso beans sprinkled throughout. You’ll need a lot of time to bring this together, but the results mean you get your after-dinner coffee and dessert in one fell swoop. Get our Espresso Gelato recipe.

Toasted Pecan Gelato

b.asia/Shutterstock

Don’t want the caffeine high after dinner from the espresso gelato? Try this toasted pecan for a totally different flavor, and fewer steps to get to the end result. Toasted pecan is also a fantastic flavor to add on top of apple pie or with a few cookies. Get our Toasted Pecan Gelato recipe.

Maple Ice Cream

Chowhound

Super decadent, maple ice cream will go great on its own with just a spoon, or topped onto waffles instead of maple syrup. Have you read this far and gotten frustrated with not having an ice cream maker? The Chowhound community gives some great hacks and workarounds for those without that gadget in the comments section. Get our Maple Ice Cream recipe.

Chocolate-Dipped Cookies-and-Cream Ice Cream Bars

Chowhound

Want a decadent ice cream treat without having to make the ice cream? Check out these fancy ice cream bars, dipped into luscious chocolate for a hand-held snack. Note the request to use premium ice cream: Remember, the higher the quality, the less air getting in the way of your flavor bomb. Or substitute for a delicious gelato which will automatically have lower air content. Get our Chocolate-Dipped Cookies-and-Cream Ice Cream Bars recipe.

Basic Bananas Foster

Chowhound

Even easier than the ice cream bars, but with more of a dramatic effect, wow guests at your next dinner party with Bananas Foster flambé. No Bananas Foster recipe is complete without vanilla ice cream, so grab some premium vanilla bean from the local store or use the link to make your own. Get our Basic Bananas Foster recipe.

Mochi Ice Cream

Chowhound

Mochi are traditional Japanese rice cakes made out of glutinous rice that’s been formed into a paste. It’s commonly filled with ice cream, and this recipe specifically includes my favorite kind, red bean. Don’t be alarmed by the word “bean” here, it’s even more delicious than vanilla bean. If red bean isn’t your thing, you can use green tea ice cream or really any flavor you want. Get our Mochi Ice Cream recipe.

Drunken Affogato

Chowhound

Affogato, which is traditionally ice cream drowned in espresso, gets a grown-up makeover in this recipe by swapping out the espresso with a liqueur. Because the flavor combinations are endless, this is an excellent dish for using an exciting gelato instead of ice cream. Get our Drunken Affogato recipe.

Related Video: How to Make Ice Cream Using Freezer Bags

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