Rice Made Out of Chickpeas Is Oddly Better than It Sounds (2024)

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Rice Made Out of Chickpeas Is Oddly Better than It Sounds (1)

We are in the midst of a chickpea revolution. These days, you’ll find the legumes snuck into rigatoni, linguini, and elbow macaroni; transformed into dessert hummus; cooked into Cheese Doodle-like puffs; crisped and dusted with ranch powder; and enrobed in Thin Mint chocolate (yes, from the Girl Scouts). No food group is safe.

And the masterminds at Banza are leading this charge; they’ve unequivocally had dibs on the chickpea pasta market since 2014. With twice the protein and four times the fiber as wheat pasta, Banza boasts a significantly higher nutritional profile, earning a coveted spot in pantries across the country— specifically millennial pantries. The latest chickpea breakthrough from Banza, announced this week, seems like a no-brainer: rice.

Banza co-founder Brian Rudolph explained that they knew it was time to expand into the rice category when their customers started getting more and more creative: “People were using our pasta in stir-fries and grain bowls, so we knew that we had to get this out there.”

Last night I was lucky enough to be part of a dinner to try the new rice. To be honest, I didn’t know what to expect — the brand certainly nails their pasta selection and have hoards of devotees who clamor for their signature orange boxes, but would it be able to mimic everything the masses love about rice?

But as soon as I saw the menu, I knew I was in for a treat — a family-style dinner prepared by Michelin-starred chef Brad Farmerie including chickpea rice arancini, chickpea rice mushroom risotto, chickpea rice side salad, and, get this, chickpea rice pudding.

Overall the chickpea rice is the same shape as regular rice, but has more of the consistency of orzo. (Not complaining; I love orzo!) It tastes a little bit nuttier than rice, and does a better job of absorbing sauces. FYI: The creamy risotto was to die for. I know that not every chickpea rice dish that I will eat going forward will be prepared by a Michelin-starred chef, but it was certainly a welcome introduction.

The biggest takeaway was how versatile chickpea rice can be, all while sneaking extra protein and fiber into your meal. Oh, and lest I forget, it cooks in five minutes — a fraction of the time that regular rice takes to cook.

As of this week, you can find Banza Chickpea Rice in Whole Foods nationwide for $3.99 per 8-ounce pouch, right next to — you guessed it — the rice.

Rice Made Out of Chickpeas Is Oddly Better than It Sounds (2024)

FAQs

Is rice made from chickpeas healthy? ›

Rice is naturally gluten-free, and pretty healthy to begin with if you're opting for brown rice. We quickly learned that while not as common as gluten, rice is also a common food allergy, and by making it with chickpeas, you're getting more fiber, more protein and less carbs—allergy or not.

Are chickpeas a good replacement for rice? ›

"Chickpeas are especially rich in calcium, iron, folic acid, phosphorus, and fiber," she says, adding that the legume is also higher in fiber and lower in carbohydrates than traditional rice.

Does banza rice taste like rice? ›

Does Banza's chickpea rice actually taste like rice? To be honest, I think it tastes more like orzo than rice. The texture isn't quite as chewy as rice and the grains are much larger than rice. But the flavor is very neutral, similar to rice or pasta.

Do you need to rinse banza rice? ›

Rinsing Banza after cooking removes the chickpea starch that forms during the cooking process. Some tips to decrease the foam: fill your pot with more water, turn the burner down to a lower heat, add a splash of olive oil to the water, and/or scrape some foam off the top with a spoon.

Is there anything unhealthy about chickpeas? ›

Risks. People should not eat raw chickpeas or other raw pulses, as they can contain toxins and substances that are difficult to digest. Even cooked chickpeas have complex sugars that can be difficult to digest and lead to intestinal gas and discomfort.

Are chickpeas with rice a complete protein? ›

Combining incomplete proteins

For example, brown rice has several of the essential amino acids, but not all nine. Beans, lentils and chickpeas have essential amino acids that brown rice lacks. Simply pairing rice and beans will give you a vegan-friendly meal with complete proteins.

Can you eat too much chickpeas? ›

You can eat at least one serving (28 grams) of chickpeas per day. However, don't eat more than 70 grams a day since that can cause adverse side effects. If you consume too many chickpeas, some side effects you may get include bloating, nausea, and gas. It's important to remember that chickpeas should not be eaten raw.

What is the best food to replace rice? ›

Healthy Rice Alternative Recommendations
  • Oats. Oats are a popular and healthy rice substitute known for their high fiber content. ...
  • Brown rice. Compared to white rice, brown rice is a healthier alternative due to its higher nutritional value. ...
  • Shirataki rice. ...
  • Cassava. ...
  • Corn. ...
  • Sweet potatoes. ...
  • Quinoa. ...
  • Potatoes.

Which is healthier, chickpeas or garbanzo beans? ›

Are there differences in nutrients between chickpeas and garbanzo beans? No, chickpeas and garbanzo beans do not have a nutritional difference, as they are the same type of legume.

What rice has the best protein? ›

Share on Pinterest Brown rice contains more protein, fiber, and carbohydrates than white rice. According to the United States Department of Agriculture National, a cup of medium grain, cooked, enriched white rice weighing 186 grams (g) provides: 242 kilocalories (kcal) 4.43 g of protein.

What rice tastes like popcorn? ›

The 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline (2-AP) is the most important volatile compound in aromatic rice, contributing the popcorn-like aroma.

What is the best rice for fluffy rice? ›

Long grain rice tends to cook up light, fluffy and separate when cooked rather than clumping together. Medium grain rice tends to cook up moist and tender while short grain rice tends to clump together when cooked and forms what is called glutinous rice.

Is chickpea rice healthier than white rice? ›

It has fewer calories, sodium, and carbs than white rice, as well as more fiber and more protein. It has three-times the protein, two-times the fiber, and nearly 30% fewer net carbs than brown rice, according to the company.

Can you eat chickpeas without rinsing? ›

You can eat canned chickpeas straight out of the can! (Just be sure to rinse them off before chowing down to wash out excess sodium) Otherwise, you can roast them or turn them into any number of delicious dishes, like these here.

Why does banza pasta foam so much? ›

As a legume, chickpeas are coated in an organic, soapy substance known as saponins that get released as they cook. When mixed with the bean's proteins and carbs, this substance thickens even more, creating a layer of foam that will quickly overflow if the right precautions aren't taken (via Veg FAQs).

Are chickpeas good or bad carbs? ›

Beans and Legumes

Packed with protein and fiber, beans are a nutritious choice for people on most kinds of diets. However, they and other legumes such as chickpeas and lentils are also high in carbohydrates. Eat them in moderation when on a low carb diet.

Are chickpeas healthy or fattening? ›

Naturally low in saturated fat, loaded with nutrients

While naturally low in saturated fat, chickpeas are nutrient-dense. They provide nearly 20 grams of protein in a ½-cup serving and 5 grams of dietary fiber. Chickpeas also are a source of folate, iron, vitamin C and phosphorus.

Is chickpea rice low in carbs? ›

Banza Chickpea Rice

Rice made from legume flour contains more carbohydrates (usually between 20 to 30 grams per serving) than other low carb rice substitutes, but we found it most closely resembles the taste and texture of regular rice.

Is pasta made from chickpeas healthier? ›

Chickpeas are an incredibly nutritious legume, offering protein, carbs, fiber, antioxidants, and numerous vitamins and minerals ( 5 ). As such, chickpea pasta provides more protein, fiber, and iron than white or whole wheat pasta (6).

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