For a quick savoury breakfast, frozen cooked chickpeas are a good choice if you want to take out a portion and heat it up. Tinned chickpeas are ready to use without a trip to the freezer. Dried chickpeas need to be prepared the night before and cooked. Whichever format you choose, compare the amount of chickpeas you can use and check the ingredients and storage instructions.
For a savoury breakfast, the pack weight doesn’t always tell you how many chickpeas will end up on your plate. Check the drained weight on a tin, if it’s shown on the label, and the proportion of chickpeas in any product containing water.
If you’re making breakfast that morning, ready-cooked chickpeas save you having to soak dried ones. The frozen Auchan product described on its product page can be reheated without defrosting first; instructions may vary from one product to another.
If ingredients or allergens influence your choice, read the label on the product you buy. Auchan says the ingredients in its tinned chickpeas may vary depending on the store or online grocery service and the date of purchase.
Choose these if: you want to heat up a portion for a hot breakfast and have a freezer.
Bear in mind: they need to be kept in the freezer and prepared according to the instructions on the pack.
Choose these if: you want to use cooked chickpeas in a spread or a cold dish.
Check: the drained weight and the ingredients of the product you choose.
Choose these if: you can start preparing them the night before.
Bear in mind: they need to be soaked and cooked before you make breakfast.
| Criteria | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Amount you can use | Compare the drained weight, if it’s shown, or the proportion of chickpeas in any product containing water. | If I’m making several portions, I want to know how many chickpeas I’ll actually use; around 40% of consumers put this at the top of their list. |
| Morning preparation | Read the reheating instructions and choose an amount that suits the meal. For dried chickpeas, allow time for soaking and cooking. | If I want to serve a savoury breakfast without starting the night before, I choose a product that’s already cooked. This convenience is the main concern for around 30% of consumers. |
| Ingredients | Check the ingredients list, nutritional information and allergens on the pack you buy. | When ingredients matter to me, I want to be able to spot the salt and any ingredients highlighted on the label; around 30% of consumers put this check first. |
A tin may show its drained weight, while a frozen product may contain water. For example, E.Leclerc states that its 600 g Notre Jardin frozen product contains 40% chickpeas.
Check each pack to see how much of its contents is chickpeas you can use.
Availability may depend on the store or online grocery service you select. This matters if your menu depends on a particular bag.
Check local availability before planning your breakfast around this product.
Auchan says the ingredients in its tinned chickpeas may change depending on the store or online grocery service and the date of purchase.
Check the ingredients list and allergen information on the product you actually buy.
The Ministry of Agriculture advises against refreezing a defrosted product, as this can encourage bacteria to multiply.
Follow the storage instructions on the pack and, where possible, take out only the portion you need.
Auchan offers 600 g of frozen cooked chickpeas and a 530 g tin.
This E.Leclerc brand offers a 600 g pack of frozen cooked chickpeas.
At E.Leclerc, ECO+ offers a 265 g tin of chickpeas, separate from its frozen products.
Carrefour offers a 450 g pack of frozen chickpeas.
Aldi offers 265 g tins of chickpeas under this brand.
These products are suited to making a savoury breakfast with ready-to-use chickpeas, a seasoned dish to heat up, or dried chickpeas to cook in advance.
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A handy choice for a quick savoury recipe, this format means you don’t have to start with dried chickpeas. Check the drained weight if the amount you can use will determine your choice; the product information mentions lupin, so check the label.
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This format is ideal if you want to make a savoury dish without soaking chickpeas the night before. To compare portions, check the drained weight on the pack. Also check the ingredients list and allergen information.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a savoury dish to heat up rather than plain chickpeas. The sauce is part of the recipe, so check the ingredients if you’d like to choose your own seasoning.
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These dried chickpeas are for anyone who likes to prepare their savoury breakfast in advance. Soak and cook them before adding them to your recipe, following the instructions on the pack.
Yes, if the product instructions say you can. For its frozen cooked chickpeas, Auchan recommends microwaving 250 g for 4 minutes at 900 W, stirring halfway through. Follow the instructions on your own pack.
You can add them to a savoury plate with vegetables. Manger Bouger recommends pairing pulses with a grain-based food when they regularly replace meat in a meal.
Check the ingredients, quantity and nutritional information for the tin you choose. The DGCCRF says allergenic ingredients must be highlighted; check this information on the pack you actually buy.
The Ministry of Agriculture advises against refreezing a defrosted product, as this can encourage bacteria to multiply. Follow the storage instructions on the bag and, where possible, take out a portion before leaving the rest to defrost.