Chickpeas Substitutes

Out of chickpeas? These are the swaps that actually work, with conversion ratios for any recipe size and notes on how each one changes the result.

Need to convert chickpeas between cups, grams, or ounces first? Open the chickpeas converter.

What to use instead of chickpeas

  • Butter Beans

    Ingredient swap

    1 cup chickpeas = 1 cup butter beans (1:1 cooked and drained)

    Butter beans swap 1:1 by volume for cooked chickpeas, trading a firm, nutty bite for a soft, creamy texture. They are a touch heavier per cup (180 g vs 170 g drained), so weigh when the ratio matters. Use them where a smoother, milder bean suits the dish.

    See butter beans substitutes →

  • Kidney Beans

    Ingredient swap

    1 cup chickpeas = 1 cup kidney beans (1:1 cooked and drained)

    Kidney beans swap 1:1 by volume for cooked chickpeas with a softer, meatier texture and a deeper colour. They are heavier per cup (185 g vs 170 g drained), so weigh when the bean ratio matters in a chilli, soup, or salad. The flavour is milder and less nutty.

    See kidney beans substitutes →

  • Black-Eyed Peas

    Ingredient swap

    1 cup chickpeas = 1 cup black-eyed peas (1:1 cooked and drained)

    Black-eyed peas swap 1:1 by volume for cooked chickpeas with an earthier flavour and a softer skin. They are close in weight per cup (175 g vs 170 g drained), so the swap holds by both volume and weight in salads, stews, and grain bowls.

    See black-eyed peas substitutes →

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I substitute for chickpeas?
There are 3 workable substitutes for chickpeas, depending on what you have on hand and which property of chickpeas matters most for your recipe. The closest swap is usually 1 cup chickpeas = 1 cup butter beans (1:1 cooked and drained). Each option below lists the conversion ratio for any recipe size, plus notes on how the swap changes the texture, flavour, rise, or browning.
Will substituting chickpeas change how my recipe turns out?
Yes, every swap trades one property for another: fat content, moisture, acidity, or protein. The notes on each substitute describe what changes in texture, flavour, rise, or browning, so you can choose the swap that matters least for your recipe. Open the chickpeas converter
How do I measure chickpeas accurately?
Weighing in grams is more reliable than scooping cups, especially when a substitute has a different density from what the recipe expects. The chickpeas converter on this site converts between cups, grams, ounces, tablespoons, and teaspoons, so you can scale a recipe up or down without losing the ratio. Open the chickpeas converter

Other ingredient and produce substitutes

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