Chickpeas vs. Garbanzo Beans—What's the Difference? (2024)

What's the main ingredient in hummus? You might say chickpeas—or you might say garbanzo beans. But are they both actually the same thing? Or are chickpeas actually a different type of bean from garbanzo beans?

Get the scoop on whether garbanzo beans and chickpeas are the same thing—and see how you can use them in some tasty (and really easy) recipes.

What's the Difference Between Chickpeas and Garbanzo Beans?

The honest answer—there's no difference between chickpeas and garbanzo beans. They're just two (of many) different names for the same type of pulse. (Pulses are basically seeds of legume plants.)

The word chickpea doesn't come from chickens at all—it's an evolution of the plant's Latin name, cicer arietinum. And garbanzo likely comes from the Basque name for the plant: garbantzu. There is some regional differences in who uses which name. In the East, chickpea reigns supreme, but they're more likely to be called garbanzo beans in the western parts of the U.S.

There are two main varieties of chickpeas. The first is Kabuli, which is what you likely get in the grocery store and is grown here in the U.S., a round, light-colored chickpea. There's also Desi chickpeas, which are smaller and darker, and grown in the Middle East and India.

But the differences in the varieties have absolutely nothing to do with the names commonly used for them. You can use chickpea and garbanzo bean interchangeably.

Other Names for Chickpeas

While chickpea and garbanzo bean are the most commonly used names for this popular pulse, there are plenty of other names out there. You might hear them called ceci beans, chichi beans, gram, chana, or Egyptian pea.

Delicious Recipes That Use Chickpeas or Garbanzo Beans

There are a ton of great recipes you can use chickpeas or garbanzo beans for—including using the liquid they're stored in, if you're using canned chickpeas. It's called aquafaba, and it can stand in as an egg white substitute and can even whip up into a vegan version of meringue.

Here are just a few of our favorite recipes that call for chickpeas or garbanzo beans, including dessert!

Chickpea Salad Sandwich

Swap chickpeas in for tuna to create this vegetarian-friendly version of the classic tuna salad. And it takes just 10 minutes to create this easy lunch!

Chickpea-Harissa Stew with Meatballs

For a fast dinner that makes minimal mess, you can't beat this Moroccan-influenced stew with lamb meatballs and chickpeas. Harissa paste and Moroccan seasoning (ras el hanout) add plenty of spice, and a dollop of Greek yogurt adds a little tartness.

Chickpea-Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

Warming spices like cinnamon and cumin give a punch of flavor to the chickpea filling for this simple and satisfying dinner. You only need 15 minutes of hands-on time to prep it, too.

Chickpea "Cookie Dough" Bites

Chickpeas for dessert? With the right flavoring, mild chickpeas can give you the vibe of oatmeal-raisin cookie dough, while being safe to eat raw and healthier too.

Chickpea and Chorizo Salad

This picnic-friendly salad features the flavors of Spanish tapas—like smoked paprika, chorizo, and roasted peppers—alongside a lot of chickpeas.

Five-Minute Hummus

Hummus may be the most famous recipe that uses chickpeas. And it's so simple to make that you'll never buy it from a store again. Just blend chickpeas with garlic, lemon juice, and tahini to taste—and add in additional ingredients and spices (like smoked paprika) to spice it up.

Smoky Roasted Chickpeas

If you're looking for a crunchy, spicy snack, this easy roasted chickpea recipe is perfect. Smoked paprika gives it a kick (and a big punch of color too).

Chickpea Veggie Burgers

Meaty chickpeas make a excellent sub for meat in an easy veggie burger recipe. Add plenty of harissa paste to give it a spicy vibe.

Lemon-Pepper Tofu with Apricot-Chickpea Salsa

The apricot-chickpea salsa adds a burst of flavor to this plant-based dish, which is served on a bed of couscous. And most of the ingredients here are pantry staples, so this fast (15 minutes of prep!) and easy meal is perfect for the busiest nights.