Try cooking chickpeas, or, garbanzo beans, in the Instant Pot or pressure cooker. This no-frills method is quick and easy!
Chances are, if you have an Instant Pot, one of the biggest reasons for picking one up is to allow yourself to make beans from dry, much faster than boiling on the stove.
For me, that was a huge motivator – we make beans often – Pinto, Garbanzo (Chickpeas), White Beans, and more – and normally it would require a soak, then simmering on the stove for what seems like eternity.
And when you live in Arizona, your goal is to keep the house as cool as you can during the summer so your electricity bill is not astronomical. Right?
So the Instant Pot comes to the rescue – in a fraction of the time!
How to Cook Garbanzo Beans (Chickpeas) in the Instant Pot
Some things to remember when making beans in the Instant Pot:
- Beans double in volume & weight after soaking or cooking
- Soaking is not required; but if you do opt to soak, it’ll speed up the cooking process
- Do not fill the Instant Pot over half full with water
- Let the pressure come down naturally after cooking
Cooking time will vary – from Instant Pot to Pressure Cooker. The stove top pressure cooker may cook them slightly faster as it has a higher psi than an Instant Pot.
- 1 C. dry Chickpeas/Garbanzo Beans
- 4 C. Water
- 3-4 cloves Garlic
- 2 Bay Leaves
- Rinse the chickpeas, and add to the Instant Pot.
- Add water, garlic and bay leaves.
- Place the top on the Instant Pot - close the valve, and set the Instant Pot to beans for 35 minutes.
- The pot will take time to come to pressure - once the 35 minutes of cook time is done, the pot will beep.
- Allow the pressure to come down naturally for 10-15 minutes, then open the pot.
- Soaking the beans prior to cooking in the Instant Pot is not required. However, if you do choose to soak ahead of time, set the pot for a cook time of 20 minutes. Cooking time is approximate - and can range from 35-45 minutes.
Checkout more recent Instant Pot Recipes HERE.. and HERE.
See 10 Reasons why we invested in an Instant Pot, and find the BEST Instant Pot Accessories to have for Instant Pot Owners!
Can you suggest using the water the beans cooked in for anything? Like making flavorful rice or soup?
You definitely can!
Aquafaba (bean water) can be used for many things. Google it for more info.
Hi, thanks for the information!
I was wondering if you use the “bean” setting on the instant pot or just use the regular high pressure. Thank you!
Absolutely you can. My IP is about 6/7 years old at this point so it’s not as “new” as the one you probably have! Just make sure you let the pressure release after they are done cooking because the beans / liquid will froth up and if you remove the lid while the froth is still there.. well, then you’ll have a surefire mess on your hands. Ask me how I know! 🙂
Please if you have a timing chart for pressure cooking dried beans that is more accurate, would you send an email to me with the info. I looked at your chart page but the times for the beans are very different than when looking at one of your recipes. Take Black Beans for example. Your chart says 20-25 minutes, your recipe calls for 40 minutes. I made the navy beans using 6 cups of water and 30 minutes– these were hard. So I am starting back over and with 30 additional minutes and see if this works or ruins them. You say 60 minutes in a recipe with the navy beans so I maybe you could clarify the times if you have chart I would really appreciate it. The recipes I am looking at are just plain bean recipes so it seems the wide swing in times being wrong must just some sort of misunderstanding on my part. Thanks! Appreciate your site.
Clara, I would be happy to email you one. I’ll send it to you shortly. ~ Sheryl