Artificial Flavors Free Instant Pot Chickpeas
Dried chickpeas cooked from scratch in the Instant Pot are a revelation — creamy all the way through, with none of that chalky center you sometimes get from a rushed stovetop batch. Smashed garlic, a bay leaf, and a touch of ground cumin do quiet, aromatic work during the pressure cycle, giving the beans a subtle depth that canned versions simply can't match. Every ingredient here is exactly what it says it is: no flavor packets, no mystery additives, just whole foods doing their job. That matters a lot when you're trying to avoid artificial flavoring agents that sneak into so many pantry shortcuts and pre-seasoned products. The natural pressure-release step is worth the patience — it lets the chickpeas finish gently and soak up all that savory cooking liquid. Speaking of which, don't toss that liquid; it's beautifully seasoned and works wonderfully stirred into soups or stews. Once cooled, these chickpeas are endlessly versatile — toss them into salads, blend them into hummus, or roast them crispy for snacking.
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Learn more →Ingredients
6 servings
- 1 lb dried chickpeas
- 5 cups water
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 3 garlic cloves, smashed
- 1 bay leaf
- ½ tsp ground cumin
- 1 tbsp olive oil (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Sort through the dried chickpeas and discard any shriveled ones or small stones. Rinse under cold running water in a colander until the water runs clear.
- 2
Add the rinsed chickpeas, water, kosher salt, smashed garlic, bay leaf, ground cumin, and olive oil, if using, to the Instant Pot insert.
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