Chickpea burgers are a great alternative if you’re trying to eat more plant-based meals.

Also known as garbanzo beans, chickpeas are a good source of vitamins and minerals, as well as fibre, and have been known to help improve digestion and help with weight management, along with many other health benefits.

Are chickpeas a superfood?

High in protein, chickpeas can make a great alternative to meat, and they can also help promote fullness which can aid in weight loss.

Although a good source of protein, they don’t contain all the essential amino acids as it is missing methionine, and so they’re not a complete source of protein like quinoa. But with a fairly low glycemic index (GI), chickpeas have been shown to help manage blood sugar levels.

Because they’re a good source of fibre, which can slow carb absorption, it helps prevent a spike in blood sugar levels. And maintaining a healthy blood sugar level is important for certain chronic conditions including type 2 diabetes.

If you love chickpeas, why not check out this easy homemade hummus recipe.

What do you serve with chickpea burgers?

It depends on what you’re including in your chickpea burger, but I love to have homemade sweet potato wedges and salad with my chickpea burgers.

Ingredients

Makes 4

• 2 tbsp avocado oil
• x1 onion
• 3 garlic cloves (crushed)
• 1x 400g tin of chickpeas (rinsed and drained)
• 1x carrot (grated)
• 1/2 courgette (grated)
• 1/2 cup fresh coriander
• 1 tbsp tahini
• 120g oats
• Cumin 1 tsp
• Smoked paprika 1-2 tsp
• Turmeric 1-2 tsp
• Juice of half a lime

Directions

• Preheat the oven to 180 degrees (fan).
• Fry the garlic and onion with 1tbsp oil, until soft, and then add everything to a food processor and blend.
• To make four burgers use about two tablespoons worth of the mix. Roll into a ball and then flatten them into burger shapes.
• Cook in the oven for around 20 mins, turning halfway through.
• Once out of the oven heat up 1 tbsp oil in a frying pan.
• Pop the burgers in the frying pan, turning halfway through, to help give them a golden look.