Sticky Sesame Chickpeas

Enjoy a delicious and unique dish with this 15-minute sticky sesame chickpeas recipe. These sesame-coated chickpeas are perfect served with noodles, rice, or even a salad. Try them today to add some extra flavor to your dinner!

Enjoy some delicious sticky sesame chickpeas in around 15 minutes. Our recipe delivers the perfect balance of sweet and savory, and you can easily customize it to your own taste preferences. This easy and nutritious meal is sure to be a hit – try it today!

Key Ingredients

• Lemon — We’ll use both the zest and the juice of the lemon.
• Oats — I used rolled oats for this recipe, but you can substitute instant oats.
• Chia — We’ll add some ground chia seeds to create a thicker texture. You can use whole chia seeds; I just prefer ground because it creates a smoother finished texture.
• Syrup — I used maple syrup, but you can substitute agave nectar.
• Milk — We’ll use almond milk for the best overnight oats! Substitute your favorite plant-based milk.
• Yogurt — I love adding some plant-based yogurt (plain, unsweetened) for an even more tangy flavor.
• Protein Powder — I add some vanilla protein powder for increased flavor and nutrients. If your protein powder is not sweetened, you may want to add an extra teaspoon or two of sweetener.
• Cornstarch — We’ll use cornstarch to thicken the lemon curd topping.
• Turmeric — A pinch of turmeric makes that lemon curd sunny yellow.

• Chickpeas — You’ll need either two 15-ounce cans or 3 cups of freshly cooked chickpeas.
• Soy Sauce — We’ll use around two tablespoons of soy sauce, or you can substitute tamari or Braggs Amino Acids for a gluten-free option.
• Syrup — These chickpeas have a sweet and sour vibe, so we’ll be adding some syrup for sweetness. You can use maple syrup or agave nectar.
• Vegetable oil — I like using toasted sesame oil to add the sesame flavor we’re looking for.
• Garlic — We’ll be adding minced garlic from 3 to 4 cloves. Add more or less based on your preference for garlic.
• Ketchup — We’ll use ketchup to add sweetness, color, and a slightly tangy flavor.
• Vinegar — You can add some rice vinegar to the sauce for an even more tangy flavor. Feel free to substitute apple cider vinegar.
• Ginger —  You can use fresh ginger, but I like adding ground ginger. This keeps it easy while still adding hints of ginger flavor.
• Cornstarch — To make a thick sauce, we’ll use a cornstarch slurry, combining a bit of cornstarch with water.

How to Make Sticky Sesame Chickpeas

You can find the full printable recipe, including ingredient quantities, below. But first, here are some explanations of ingredients and steps to help you make this recipe perfect every time.

1. If you’re using canned chickpeas, drain them and set them aside.
2. Cook garlic for one minute in a heated oiled skillet.
3. Add sauce ingredients to the skillet and stir to combine. 
4. Stir cornstarch with one tablespoon of water and pour it into a skillet.
5. Add the chickpeas and stir to coat. Cook until the sauce thickens. 

Orange Chickpeas

Looking to change up the flavors a bit? All you need is an orange to transform this simple dish into sticky orange chickpeas.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Zest an orange and add the zest to the skillet with the chickpeas
2. Cut the zested orange in half and juice both halves. Add the orange zest to the skillet as well.
3. Follow the rest of the recipe as directed, adding the cornstarch slurry and cook until the sauce is thickened.

This version reminds me of my sweet and sour orange tofu, which we love serving over homemade brown rice or this sticky brown rice recipe.

Serving Suggestions

Serve this with your favorite side dishes such as:

• Some microwave-steamed broccoli.
• Serve over cooked brown rice, noodles, or zucchini noodles.
• Top with sesame seeds.
• Add chopped green onions for color and flavor.

Chickpea Recipes

If you love this vegan sticky sesame chickpeas recipe, here are more savory chickpea recipes to try:

Air Fryer Chickpeas

30 mins total

Green Hummus

15 mins total

Vegan Spaghetti Squash with Chickpea Meatballs

30 mins total

Vegan Chickpea Curry

30 mins total