BBQ Chickpeas

My homemade barbecue sauce recipe is quick, easy, made with ingredients you already have to hand — and ready in thirty minutes.

It is so easy to pick up a bottle of barbecue sauce at the shop, but I find many bought sauces too sweet, and full of things like high-fructose corn syrup and preservatives. Mine has few ingredients, it costs far less, and it is entirely vegan.

It all comes together in one saucepan: combine the ingredients and let them simmer, for a tangy, smoky, sweet result. You can add liquid smoke for even more smokiness, swap the maple syrup for brown sugar, or the soy sauce for tamarind.

The chickpeas are not simply coated: they cook in the sauce until it turns sticky and really clings to them. And this sauce is not just for chickpeas — it is perfect for ribs, sandwiches, salads, breaded chicken drumsticks, in place of pizza sauce, or for chips.

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What you need to make these BBQ chickpeas:

Ketchup — the base of the sauce, it brings the sticky texture and tomato tang.
White vinegar — it adds a touch of acidity that balances the sweetness of the maple syrup.
Maple syrup — it sweetens the sauce naturally; can be swapped for brown sugar.
Soy sauce — it brings salty, umami depth; can be swapped for tamarind.
Spices — chilli powder, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika and cayenne pepper give the smoky, punchy character of a proper barbecue sauce.
Chickpeas — cooked right in the sauce until it thickens and coats them completely.

Photo coming soon

Why these BBQ chickpeas must be on your menu!

Ready in thirty-five minutes: Everything happens in one saucepan then one pan — no oven, no waiting around.
Perfect for a rushed weeknight.
Entirely vegan: No animal products at all, unlike many bottled barbecue sauces.
Everyone at the table can dig in.
Budget-friendly: It costs far less than a bottled sauce, using ingredients already in the pantry.
A simple way to trim the grocery bill.
Versatile: It is not just for chickpeas — ribs, sandwiches, salads, breaded chicken drumsticks, pizza sauce, chips.
A base worth keeping on hand to rescue any meal.

Photo coming soon

BBQ Chickpeas

Chickpeas simmered in a homemade barbecue sauce of ketchup, maple syrup, white vinegar and spices, until fully coated.

Prep 5 min

Cook 30 min

Total time 35 min

Course: Sides Cuisine: American Keyword: BBQ chickpeas Calories:

Ingredients

Servings: 4 servings

Instructions

The sauce — Put all the sauce ingredients into a saucepan.
The sauce — Bring to the boil, whisking constantly.
The sauce — Lower the heat and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring now and then, until slightly thickened.
The chickpeas — Put the chickpeas and the barbecue sauce into a large pan.
The chickpeas — Cook over medium heat until the sauce turns sticky and glossy, about 8 to 10 minutes. Stir every 1 to 2 minutes while it cooks.

Nutrition (per serving)

Tips

Whisk constantly until it boils: ketchup catches on the bottom the moment you look away.
Stop when the sauce is sticky, not dry: the chickpeas should glisten.
Liquid smoke in the sauce pushes the smokiness further still.
The sauce can be made ahead and does far more besides: ribs, sandwiches, chips.

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