Think tender chickpeas marinated in a mixture of garlic, lemon, smoked paprika, and spicy harissa sauce. Just 8 ingredients, 10 minutes, and 1 bowl required! Let us show you how it’s done! The main ingredients for this recipe are (we bet you can guess it!): chickpeas + harissa. For chickpeas, our preferred method is cooking them in the Instant Pot. Here’s why:
Speeds cooking time – compared to cooking beans on the stovetop, the Instant Pot does so in a fraction of the time More flavorful – compared to canned, we like homemade because you can season the chickpeas before cooking (with onion, garlic, herbs, oil, salt, pepper, etc.) Less expensive – in our calculations, canned beans are about double the price of making beans from scratch Minimizes exposure to BPA & other materials in can linings
However, we know beans from scratch aren’t always realistic. So canned, drained chickpeas will also work!
What is Harissa Paste?
Harissa is a hot chili paste that originated in Tunisia, North Africa. It’s commonly used as a dip, marinade, or ingredient to add to dishes like stews to add vibrant red color and heat. Chili peppers were originally imported to Tunisia in the 16th century during the Spanish occupation, and shortly thereafter, harissa quickly became a staple part of Tunisian (and Middle Eastern) cuisine (source). For the harissa paste, you can either make a homemade version like ours or use store-bought. Find a more traditional version here! Just keep in mind that some brands are more concentrated than others. We recommend using a more concentrated one that resembles the consistency of tomato paste rather than sauce. Or, if using a less concentrated harissa sauce, you may need to use more of it. When you’re ready to make the harissa chickpeas, simply add the chickpeas and harissa to a mixing bowl. Add lemon juice and garlic for zing, salt for saltiness and flavor, maple syrup to balance the heat, smoked paprika for smokiness, and olive oil for creaminess and an herbal/pepper flavor. The harissa chickpeas can either be used immediately or, to intensify the flavors, allow them to marinate for 1-2 hours. We hope you LOVE these harissa chickpeas! They’re:SmokySpicyLemonyGarlickyTenderSatisfying& Delicious! They’re perfect for bowl meals, salads, wraps, sandwiches, topping soup, or anywhere you’re looking for some plant-based protein and fiber with a kick! If you try this recipe, let us know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag a photo #minimalistbaker on Instagram. Cheers, friends!
