Smoky BBQ Chickpeas Toast

Featured in: Quick Weekday Lunches

This dish features smoky BBQ-flavored chickpeas cooked to tender perfection, served on golden toasted bread slices. The chickpeas are seasoned with smoked paprika, cumin, and black pepper, then simmered or baked in a tangy BBQ sauce to enhance depth. Toasted with vegan butter or olive oil, the bread adds crunch and warmth, creating a balanced, protein-rich meal. Optional fresh garnishes like cilantro, red onion, avocado, and lime add brightness and contrast. Quick to prepare and ideal for a light lunch or dinner, it's easy, flavorful, and satisfying.

Updated on Tue, 18 Nov 2025 12:38:00 GMT
Golden, crispy toast piled high with flavorful and tangy BBQ chickpeas, ready to eat! Pin
Golden, crispy toast piled high with flavorful and tangy BBQ chickpeas, ready to eat! | panpatriot.com

A smoky, tangy, and protein-packed vegan dish featuring tender BBQ chickpeas piled onto crisp, golden toast. Perfect for a quick lunch or light dinner.

I first experimented with BBQ chickpeas on toast when I wanted a satisfying lunch without much fuss. It quickly became my go-to for busy days and weekends alike.

Ingredients

  • Chickpeas & Sauce: 2 x 400 g (14 oz) cans chickpeas, drained and rinsed, 1 cup BBQ sauce (vegan, store-bought or homemade), 1 tbsp olive oil, 1 small red onion, finely diced, 2 cloves garlic, minced, 1 tsp smoked paprika, ½ tsp ground cumin, ½ tsp black pepper, salt, to taste
  • Toast: 4 to 8 slices whole grain or sourdough bread, vegan butter or olive oil, for toasting
  • Garnish (optional): fresh cilantro or parsley, chopped, thinly sliced red onion, sliced avocado, lime wedges

Instructions

Prep Chickpeas:
Preheat oven to 200°C (400°F) if baking chickpeas. Drain and rinse chickpeas.
Sauté Base:
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute.
Season Chickpeas:
Add chickpeas, smoked paprika, cumin, black pepper, and a pinch of salt. Toss to coat, then stir in BBQ sauce.
Skillet or Bake:
For skillet version, simmer for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sauce thickens and chickpeas are hot. For baked version, spread BBQ-coated chickpeas on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes, stirring halfway, until slightly caramelized.
Toast Bread:
Meanwhile, toast bread slices in a toaster or on a skillet with a little vegan butter or olive oil until golden.
Serve:
Pile BBQ chickpeas generously onto each toast. Top with optional garnishes such as fresh herbs, red onion, avocado, or a squeeze of lime. Serve immediately.
Close-up of hearty BBQ chickpeas on toast, garnished with fresh cilantro and red onion. Pin
Close-up of hearty BBQ chickpeas on toast, garnished with fresh cilantro and red onion. | panpatriot.com

This recipe is always a hit during family lunch, especially when everyone builds their own toast with their favorite toppings.

Required Tools

Large skillet or frying pan, baking sheet (if baking), toaster or grill pan, chefs knife, cutting board

Allergen Information

Contains wheat (in bread; use gluten-free bread if needed), may contain soy (in BBQ sauce). Always check BBQ sauce and bread labels for hidden allergens.

Nutritional Information

Calories: 340, Total Fat: 7 g, Carbohydrates: 55 g, Protein: 13 g (per serving)

Warm and smoky BBQ chickpeas served on toasted bread, a quick and delicious vegan recipe. Pin
Warm and smoky BBQ chickpeas served on toasted bread, a quick and delicious vegan recipe. | panpatriot.com

Enjoy the robust flavors and make it your own with creative toppings. Satisfying, quick, and totally delicious!

Recipe Questions

Can I bake the chickpeas instead of cooking on the stove?

Yes, spreading the BBQ-coated chickpeas on a baking sheet and baking at 400°F for 15 minutes creates caramelized edges and rich flavor.

What type of bread works best for toasting?

Whole grain or sourdough bread toasted with vegan butter or olive oil works well, providing a crunchy, flavorful base.

How can I add extra heat to this dish?

Incorporate chili flakes or a splash of hot sauce into the chickpea mixture for a spicy kick.

Are there good garnish options to complement the smoky chickpeas?

Fresh cilantro, chopped parsley, sliced red onion, avocado, or a wedge of lime add bright, fresh contrasts.

Can this be prepared ahead of time?

Chickpeas can be made in advance and stored refrigerated for up to 3 days, making it easy to reheat and serve later.

Smoky BBQ Chickpeas Toast

BBQ-spiced chickpeas served warm on toasted whole grain or sourdough bread with fresh toppings.

Prep duration
10 min
Cooking duration
15 min
Total duration
25 min


Difficulty Easy

Origin American

Yield 4 Servings

Dietary requirements Vegan, Dairy-free

Ingredients

Chickpeas & Sauce

01 2 cans (14 oz each) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
02 1 cup vegan BBQ sauce
03 1 tablespoon olive oil
04 1 small red onion, finely diced
05 2 cloves garlic, minced
06 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
07 ½ teaspoon ground cumin
08 ½ teaspoon black pepper
09 Salt, to taste

Toast

01 4 to 8 slices whole grain or sourdough bread
02 Vegan butter or olive oil, for toasting

Garnish (optional)

01 Fresh cilantro or parsley, chopped
02 Thinly sliced red onion
03 Sliced avocado
04 Lime wedges

Directions

Step 01

Preheat oven: Set oven to 400°F if opting to bake chickpeas.

Step 02

Sauté aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook until softened, about 2 to 3 minutes. Add garlic and cook for an additional minute.

Step 03

Combine chickpeas and spices: Incorporate chickpeas, smoked paprika, cumin, black pepper, and salt into the skillet. Toss to evenly coat, then stir in BBQ sauce.

Step 04

Cook on stovetop: Simmer mixture for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sauce thickens and chickpeas are heated through.

Step 05

Or bake chickpeas: Spread BBQ-coated chickpeas on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes, stirring halfway, until slightly caramelized.

Step 06

Toast bread: Toast bread slices using a toaster or skillet with vegan butter or olive oil until golden and crisp.

Step 07

Assemble: Pile the BBQ chickpeas generously onto each slice of toast. Garnish with fresh herbs, sliced red onion, avocado, or a squeeze of lime as desired.

Step 08

Serve: Present immediately for best texture and flavor.

Necessary tools

  • Large skillet
  • Baking sheet
  • Toaster or grill pan
  • Chef's knife
  • Cutting board

Allergy information

Review each ingredient for potential allergens and consult with healthcare providers if you're uncertain.
  • Contains wheat (bread) and potentially soy (in BBQ sauce). Verify labels for allergens.

Nutrition facts (per portion)

These values are estimates only and shouldn't replace professional medical guidance.
  • Calories: 340
  • Fat: 7 g
  • Carbohydrates: 55 g
  • Protein: 13 g