Whether you call them chickpeas or garbanzo beans, the tiny legumes pack quite the nutritional punch. Loaded with protein (39 grams per cup!), fiber, and plenty of vitamins and minerals, chickpeas are an affordable pantry staple that does your health and the planet good. But, what can you do with them?

Just like tofu, chickpeas are incredibly versatile. While you can eat the vegan protein as-is by roasting them for a snack or tossing them into your grain bowls, you can also use them to create everything from fudgy brownies to crispy “chicken” nuggets.

If you’ve never made chickpea recipes before, you might be staring at the can and wondering how to get started. Unlike chicken and beef, you can’t exactly toss beans on the barbecue. Instead, take a look at these recipes for some delicious ways to eat the popular vegan protein.

11 Creative Chickpea Recipes to Try

1. Taco Salad with Chickpea “Beef”

There’s no need for beef when making tacos, which is one of the largest producers of greenhouse gases. Instead, create a “beefy” mixture for your tacos and taco salads with mashed chickpeas, walnuts, and taco seasoning.

2. Israeli-Style Hummus

You can’t have a roundup of chickpea recipes without hummus. This recipe is slightly different than traditional hummus. It uses a secret ingredient—baking soda!—which makes the dip even creamier.

3. Oil-Free Chickpea Salad

This recipe is just like traditional tuna salad, except it uses chickpeas instead of fish. It works well on its own or as a base in a sandwich. Pro tip: It’s also great for meal-prepping!

4. Peanut Butter-Chocolate Chip Cookies

Did you know chickpea flour is a common base for gluten-free cooking? This recipe uses a can of chickpeas instead of traditional flour, but you can’t tell at all. It makes the cookies perfectly soft and chewy, all while using only six ingredients.

5. Curried Chickpea Soup

This recipe is a perfect one-pot meal. The seasoning blend adds a great curry flavor to the soup, and the chickpeas add an important level of protein to make this stew a filling meal.

6. Vegan Chickpea Crab Cakes

How do you make crab cakes without shredded crab? Turns out, when you mash chickpeas, they form a similar texture. You can whip up this tasty recipe in less than 30 minutes.

7. Crispy Chickpea Nuggets

These chicken nuggets don’t contain any animal products. Instead, chickpeas are the star of the show. Rolled in breadcrumbs then baked in the oven, they’re a more planet-friendly alternative that doesn’t disappoint.

8. BBQ Chickpea Pasta Salad

If you’re looking for a great pasta salad recipe, this one can come together in record time. Take your favorite pasta, some summer veggies, and a little barbecue sauce and you’re good to go.

9. Chickpea Tikka Masala

Usually, tikka masala is a curry dish made with chicken, but this recipe uses mushrooms and chickpeas instead. Seasoning is what really makes the dish stand out. Between the cumin, coriander seeds, smoked paprika, and ginger, the amazing smell will practically have you drooling.

10. Chocolate Chickpea Brownies

Chickpeas… in brownies? As you can see by looking at the photo, this brownie recipe is just as delicious and fudgy as the real deal—except your body gets some extra nutrients while devouring them.

11. Beet Falafel

This chickpea recipe adds extra color and texture to the dish by combining beets with chickpeas. The end result is crispy perfection perfect for pita wraps, salads, and beyond.