Vegan Sticky Sesame Chickpeas Recipe

Introduction

This Vegan Sticky Sesame Chickpeas recipe is a flavorful and easy plant-based dish perfect for quick dinners. With a sticky, savory sauce that clings to tender chickpeas, it’s sure to satisfy both vegans and omnivores alike. Enjoy it over rice, quinoa, or alongside steamed veggies.

Ingredients

• 2 15-ounce cans chickpeas
• 3-4 large cloves garlic
• 1 tablespoon avocado oil or olive oil
• 1.5 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
• 1/3 cup low sodium tamari or soy sauce
• 3 tablespoons maple syrup
• 2 teaspoons rice vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 tablespoon tapioca starch
• 1/4 cup low sodium vegetable broth or water (divided)
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional for spice)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Drain and rinse the chickpeas thoroughly, then set them aside.
2. Step 2: Mince the garlic cloves and heat the avocado or olive oil in a sauté pan over medium heat.
3. Step 3: Add the minced garlic to the pan and sauté for a few minutes until it becomes very fragrant.
4. Step 4: In a small bowl, mix the tapioca starch with half of the vegetable broth until smooth and free of lumps. Set aside.
5. Step 5: To the sauté pan, add tamari or soy sauce, toasted sesame oil, maple syrup, rice vinegar, ground ginger, the remaining 2 tablespoons of vegetable broth, and red pepper flakes if using. Whisk everything together.
6. Step 6: Stir in the tapioca starch mixture, and cook until sauce bubbles start to appear.
7. Step 7: Add the drained chickpeas to the pan and stir well to coat them evenly with the sauce.
8. Step 8: Reduce heat to low and simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and becomes sticky.
9. Step 9: Remove the pan from heat and let the chickpeas sit for a few minutes to absorb the flavors fully.
10. Step 10: Serve the sticky sesame chickpeas over steamed broccoli, quinoa, or rice for a complete meal.

Tips & Variations

• For extra crunch, sprinkle toasted sesame seeds over the finished dish before serving.
• Swap maple syrup for agave or brown rice syrup if preferred.
• Add chopped scallions or fresh cilantro for a fresh herbal note.
• Use chickpeas straight from the can or cook dried chickpeas ahead for an even better texture.

Storage

Store leftover sticky sesame chickpeas in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water if the sauce has thickened too much. This dish also freezes well for up to 2 months; thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different thickener instead of tapioca starch?

Yes, cornstarch can be used as an alternative. Mix it with cold water in the same ratio to avoid lumps and add it to the sauce in the same step.

Is this recipe gluten-free?

It can be gluten-free if you use tamari or a gluten-free soy sauce. Always check your labels to ensure all ingredients are gluten-free.

Vegan Sticky Sesame Chickpeas Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 83 reviews

This Vegan Sticky Sesame Chickpeas recipe offers a deliciously savory and sweet dish perfect as a protein-packed vegan meal. With tender chickpeas coated in a rich, sticky sauce made from toasted sesame oil, tamari, maple syrup, and garlic, this skillet-cooked dish is quick to prepare and pairs beautifully with steamed vegetables or grains.

• Author: Rico
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Vegan, Asian-inspired
• Diet: Vegan

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Chickpeas

• 2 15-ounce cans chickpeas

Sauce & Seasonings

• 3–4 large cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon avocado oil or olive oil
• 1.5 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
• 1/3 cup low sodium tamari or soy sauce
• 3 tablespoons maple syrup
• 2 teaspoons rice vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 tablespoon tapioca starch
• 1/4 cup low sodium vegetable broth or water (divided)
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional for spice)

Instructions

1. Rinse Chickpeas: Drain and rinse the canned chickpeas thoroughly under cold water and set them aside to drain well.
2. Sauté Garlic: Mince the garlic cloves finely and add them to a sauté pan along with the avocado or olive oil.
3. Cook Garlic: Sauté the garlic over medium heat for a few minutes until it becomes very fragrant but not browned, stirring to prevent burning.
4. Prepare Sauce Mixture: In a small bowl, combine the tapioca starch with half of the vegetable broth (2 tablespoons) and whisk until smooth and clump-free. Set this mixture aside.
5. Add Sauce Ingredients to Pan: Pour the low sodium soy sauce, toasted sesame oil, maple syrup, rice vinegar, ground ginger, red pepper flakes (if using), and the remaining 2 tablespoons of vegetable broth into the sauté pan with the garlic. Whisk everything together until combined.
6. Thicken Sauce: Stir in the tapioca starch mixture to the pan and mix well to incorporate it evenly into the sauce.
7. Add Chickpeas: Once the sauce begins to bubble, add the drained chickpeas and stir to coat them fully with the sticky sauce.
8. Simmer: Reduce the heat to low and simmer the chickpeas in the sauce for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy and sticky.
9. Rest: Remove the pan from the heat and allow the chickpeas to sit for a few minutes so they can absorb the flavorful sauce thoroughly.
10. Serve: Serve the sticky sesame chickpeas warm alongside steamed broccoli, quinoa, or rice for a complete meal.

Notes

• Use low sodium tamari or soy sauce to control the salt level in the dish.
• If you prefer a spicier dish, increase the amount of red pepper flakes.
• Maple syrup balances the saltiness with natural sweetness, but you can substitute with agave nectar or brown rice syrup if preferred.
• Tapioca starch acts as a gluten-free thickener; cornstarch can be used as an alternative.
• For extra texture, toast the chickpeas in the pan before adding the sauce.
• This dish is great served with steamed vegetables or grains like quinoa or rice to make a filling meal.

Keywords: vegan chickpeas, sticky sesame chickpeas, vegan main dish, easy vegan recipe, plant-based protein, sesame chickpeas, gluten-free vegan