Busy hosts with a freezer
You’re making savoury pancakes tonight and want to heat just the amount of chickpeas you need. The cooked frozen option described by Auchan can be used without defrosting first.
Which option is right for you?
Shoppers keeping an eye on quantities
You want a ready-to-use filling without buying a pack that’s far bigger than you need. For tinned chickpeas, the drained weight helps you work out how much you’ll have to use.
Cooks who like to plan ahead
You’re preparing a large amount of filling and can set aside time to soak and cook dried chickpeas before pancake night.
What should you look for?
Cooked frozen chickpeas
Choose these if: you have a freezer and want to heat a portion for the filling.
Bear in mind: check local availability and follow the storage instructions for keeping them frozen.
Tinned chickpeas
Choose these if: you’re making pancakes and don’t have a suitable frozen option.
Bear in mind: allow for the liquid in the tin and check the ingredients of the one you choose.
Dried chickpeas
Choose these if: you can prepare the filling before pancake night.
Bear in mind: soaking and cooking aren’t practical if you’re preparing everything at the last minute.
| Consideration | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Preparation time | Check whether the chickpeas are already cooked and, if frozen, whether they can be cooked without defrosting. | If I’m making pancakes tonight, I want a filling that doesn’t need soaking or a long cooking time. Around 50% of shoppers would put speed first. |
| How much you need | Check the pack size and, for tinned chickpeas, the drained weight. | If I’m cooking for a few guests, I want to choose the amount of chickpeas I can actually use rather than go by the size of the pack. This would be a priority for around 30% of shoppers. |
| Ingredients and preparation | Read the ingredients, salt content per 100 g and allergen information. If you choose dried chickpeas, allow enough time to prepare them. | If I’m making the filling in advance, I want to choose how to cook it and check what’s in the food I’m serving. Around 20% of shoppers would make this their main consideration. |
Things to bear in mind
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Going by the size of the tin alone
The liquid in the tin is included in the total weight, but it doesn’t count towards the amount of drained chickpeas you’ll use in your pancakes.
Check the drained weight when working out how much you need for the filling. Don’t compare it directly with the weight of dried chickpeas.
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Relying on frozen chickpeas without checking your local shop
A product listing doesn’t necessarily mean the pack will be available where you shop.
Check local availability before finalising your menu, and consider tinned chickpeas if you can’t postpone your plans.
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Assuming every product has the same ingredients
The Auchan frozen product described on its listing contains chickpeas, while its 265 g tin also contains water and salt.
Read the ingredients and nutritional information for the product you buy, paying particular attention to the ‘salt’ value per 100 g.
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Forgetting about keeping food cold or checking allergens before serving
Anses warns that a break in the cold chain or cross-contamination can encourage bacteria to grow. Allergen information is also important for guests who need to avoid certain ingredients.
Follow the transport and storage instructions for frozen food, then check the ingredients and allergen information on the pack before making the filling.
Supermarkets and brands to consider
Auchan
Auchan offers 600 g of cooked frozen chickpeas, listed as enough for 3 to 4 portions, as well as a 265 g tin.
- The frozen product listing says they can be heated without defrosting first.
- The tin contains soaked chickpeas, water and salt. Check the specific product you choose rather than assuming they all have the same ingredients.
Carrefour / Carrefour Classic'
Carrefour offers a tin with a drained weight of 265 g and lists a 450 g bag of Carrefour Classic' frozen chickpeas.
- The drained weight of the tinned chickpeas helps you plan how much to use in your filling.
- Check whether the frozen bag is available at your local shop before relying on it.
Aldi / Fleurs des Champs
Aldi France offers a 265 g tin of chickpeas under the Fleurs des Champs brand.
- The 265 g size could be a handy option if you only need a small amount for the filling.
- Check the label on the tin you choose for the drained weight and ingredients.
Monoprix
Monoprix offers a 530 g tin of ready-to-use chickpeas.
- This size is worth considering if you’re making a larger amount of filling.
- The listing says it contains chickpeas, water and salt. Also check the allergen information on the pack you receive.
Chickpeas available on Joybuy
These two GÜNES VADIS packs are suitable for making a filling with ready-to-use chickpeas. They aren’t a substitute for frozen chickpeas if that’s the format you’re specifically looking for.
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GÜNES VADIS Chickpeas 540 g
These cooked chickpeas in a jar are a handy option when you need to prepare a filling quickly. Check the pack for instructions on whether to rinse them.
The stated pack size is 540 g. The product listing includes sodium metabisulphite in the ingredients, but gives conflicting allergen information. Check the label on the product you receive before serving it to anyone who needs to avoid sulphites.
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GÜNES VADIS Chickpeas 820 g
This tin of ready-to-use chickpeas could be a good choice if you’re making a larger amount of filling.
The stated pack size is 820 g. The product listing says it contains lupin, so check the pack you receive before serving it to anyone who needs to avoid this allergen.
Frequently asked questions
For savoury pancakes tonight, should I choose frozen or tinned chickpeas?
Choose cooked frozen chickpeas if you have a freezer and can find a suitable product. The 600 g Auchan listing says they can be heated without defrosting first. Tinned chickpeas are a good option if you’d rather drain them and add them straight to the filling. Check the ingredients and allergen information.
Can you refreeze chickpeas after defrosting them?
Don’t refreeze the Carrefour Classic' bag after defrosting it: its product listing says not to. Follow the instructions on the pack for any other product, and keep frozen food cold while you’re transporting it.
What should I do with the rest of an opened tin?
Follow the storage instructions on the tin you’ve bought. The Auchan 265 g tin says to use its contents within two days of opening. Don’t assume the same time limit applies to other products.
What should I look for on the label when choosing tinned chickpeas?
Check the drained weight to help plan your filling, then read the ingredients, allergen information and nutritional details for the product you’ve chosen. The DGCCRF highlights the importance of stating the drained weight for foods packed in liquid and clearly identifying allergenic ingredients.