Despite their ease of preparation, it’s common to forget to soak chickpeas overnight to soften them before cooking. But we’re here to fix that: there’s a clever trick for those busy moments! And the best part is, it only requires one ingredient you most likely already have in your kitchen. Want to know more? We’ll let you in on the secret.

You’ve probably been in situations where you wanted to make a delicious chickpea salad, but oops! You forgot to soak them overnight and time is short. That’s where baking soda comes in, your ally in this pinch. How can you use it?

When it’s time to cook the chickpeas, add a pinch of baking soda to the cooking water. You don’t need to overdo it; a little goes a long way. If you’re working with a standard amount of chickpeas, a single pinch will be more than enough. However, it’s crucial to keep a close eye on them during the cooking process, as chickpeas can soften quickly.

Baking soda raises the pH of the water during cooking. By doing so, it breaks down the fibers and cell membranes of the chickpeas more quickly and effectively than regular water. This process not only softens the chickpeas but also enhances their ability to absorb the flavors of the other ingredients.

It’s essential to keep in mind that after approximately 30 minutes of cooking, the chickpeas may have reached the desired tenderness. At this point, you can remove them from the heat, give them a rinse, and they’re ready to enjoy!
For those cases where we already know our dried chickpeas need to be soaked for at least twelve hours, here’s a trick to help your freshly bought chickpeas soften much faster.

Benefits of Chickpeas