How do you tell if cooked chickpeas have gone bad?

If you're anything like me, you love using chickpeas as vegetarian protein source in your meals. Here's how to store chickpeas, whether they're dried, soaked, canned, baked, boiled or air fried.

Fast Facts

So, what’s the best way to store chickpeas?

• Dried chickpeas can last for up to a year when stored in a cool, dry place.
• Leftover chickpeas will last roughly 3 days in the fridge and 6 months in the freezer.
• Chickpeas should be completely dry before storing to avoid mushy leftovers.
• Roasted or air fried chickpeas should be stored at room temperature to maintain crunch.
• Acquafaba can be used as a substitute for eggs in vegan cooking and can also be stored in the fridge and freezer.

While that sounds straightforward, there are a few things you should know about each of the methods listed above. Read on for all the details you need on how to store chickpeas

How to store canned chickpeas

Storing canned chickpeas is easy. As long as the seal isn't broken on the can, then you can store them as is in your pantry.

If you opened the canned chickpeas and didn't use the whole amount, then there are a few more steps involved in storing the leftovers.

Here's what you'll need:

• An airtight container
• Olive oil (that can easily coat the chickpeas using an oil sprayer)

Instructions: 

1. Remove the remaining chickpeas from the can.
2. Rinse and drain them.
3. Put them in an airtight container and drizzle with a small amount of olive oil. This will keep the chickpeas moist.
4. Store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
5. If storing in the freezer, add a little bit of water to prevent freezer burn. Then transfer to the freezer for up to 3 months.

How to store dried chickpeas

Properly stored dried chickpeas can last for up to a year when stored in a cool, dry place. After this time, they start to become stale, which affects their taste and texture once cooked.

Here's what you'll need:

• Airtight container

Instructions: 

1. Once the package of dried chickpeas is open, transfer them to an airtight container.
2. Place in a cool, dry place like a pantry.

Tip: Don't store dried chickpeas in the refrigerator or freezer. They can absorb moisture and grow mold.

How to store soaked chickpeas

If you buy dried chickpeas, you often need to soak them before use to make them more digestible. But, what if you soaked them and aren't ready to use them in your cooking just yet?

That's easy. To store soaked chickpeas, simply drain the water, let the chickpeas dry, and store in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the fridge.

Here's what you'll need:

• An airtight container

Instructions: 

1. Drain the water that the chickpeas are soaking in.
2. Rinse the remaining chickpeas and lay them flat to dry.
3. Transfer them to an airtight container.
4. Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freezer for up to 3 months.

How to store roasted chickpeas

Chickpeas are not naturally crispy, so you need to store the roasted version properly to maintain as much of the delicious crunch as possible. You'll want to store them in a way that allows air to circulate and prevent the chickpeas from going soft. For that reason, you'll also want to avoid refrigerating your baked chickpeas.

Here's what you'll need:

• A glass container with a lid

Instructions: 

1. Place roasted chickpeas in a glass container with the lid ajar.
2. If you do not have a glass container, they can also be stored in a paper bag or in a bowl with a paper towel placed on top. These methods also allow air circulation.
3. Store the roasted chickpeas at room temperature for up to 3 days.

How to store air fried chickpeas

Much like roasted chickpeas, you want to store air fried chickpeas in a way that keeps them crispy. Please refer to the for instructions on proper storage.

Bonus tip: If your leftover chickpeas get soft, you can put them back into the air fryer at 400°F for up to 3 minutes to crisp them up.

How to store boiled chickpeas

How to store cooked chickpeas? Easy. The same way you store soaked chickpeas. You simply drain the water, let the chickpeas dry, and refrigerate them in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

Here's what you'll need:

• An airtight container

Instructions: 

1. Drain the water that the chickpeas are soaking in.
2. Rinse the remaining chickpeas and lay them flat to dry.
3. Transfer them to an airtight container.
4. Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freezer for up to 3 months.

Can you freeze chickpeas?

Yes, you can freeze chickpeas. To prevent them from getting mushy, it's best to freeze them slightly undercooked or just after they have been soaked. If stored properly, the chickpeas will last up to 6 months in your freezer.

Here's what you'll need:

• A cookie sheet
• An airtight container

How to freeze chickpeas

1. Place the chickpeas in a single layer on a baking tray.
2. Transfer the tray to the freezer and freeze for 1 hour.
3. Move the partially frozen chickpeas into an airtight container. Now, there is no risk of the chickpeas freezing stuck together.

Storage tips:

• Make sure chickpeas are as dry as possible before you put them in the freezer. Moisture on the legume will freeze into ice crystals, causing the chickpeas to become soggy.
• You can freeze chickpeas in the acquafaba (liquid in canned chickpeas). However, it will result in soggy chickpeas when they defrost. This doesn't matter much if you're making a stew or soup. But, if you plan to use the chickpeas in a bowl or sandwich, it's best to freeze them without moisture.

How to store acquafaba

Aquabafa is the liquid you find in canned chickpeas. You can also make it yourself at home by soaking and the cooking dried chickpeas. The cooking water turns into aquabafa. It’s full of proteins and if often used as a substitute for eggs in vegan cooking.

You can store aquabafa in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 days. It also freezes well.

Before you freeze it, be sure to portion it, since you can’t freeze it again after it's been thawed. Using an ice cube tray is the easiest way to portion it. One ice cube is equal to roughly 1 tablespoon of aquabafa, which is equivalent to ½ an egg white. Once the acquafaba cubes are frozen, you can transfer them into a freezer bag for easier storage.

Here's what you'll need:

• Airtight container
• Ice cube tray
• Freezer bags (I love my silicon reusable freezer bags)

Cooking with chickpeas

Now that you know everything about storing chickpeas, it's time to start cooking with them.

What are chickpeas used for?

I’ll share some of my favourite recipes using chickpeas below. But to make you the master of your own kitchen, I want to share a few ideas on how you can consider using this delicious legume in your own cooking.

How long do cooked chickpeas last for?

How long are cooked chickpeas OK in the fridge?

What do spoiled chickpeas look like?

Do boiled chickpeas go bad?