With a sumptuous bowl of chickpea butter in your fridge, you never need to wonder what to use for a lunchtime sandwich topping. However, this delectable butter is far more versatile than that. Get ready to learn all of the ins and outs of this beany treat.
The history of chickpea butter
Chickpea butter is a fairly recent trend that popped up in the last ten years as veganism and vegetarianism became more popular. Although it’s unclear who came up with the original concept, it quickly became one of the decade’s most popular food trends. It evolved as chefs and home cooks alike began experimenting with their nut butter ingredients. Traditionally, peanuts are used for such spreads, but as awareness of nut allergies grew it became clear that it was necessary to make use of different ingredients to create spreads that substitute the taste and texture of nut butter without any of the risks. It quickly became apparent that chickpea butter is the perfect alternative to peanut butter. The texture of the beans is similar to that of peanuts, and is great when spread on a piece of fresh white bread. However, a few key differences make nut butter made from chickpeas a better option for an everyday sandwich spread. The most important being the fat content. Chickpeas are far lower in fat, so you can enjoy more of it while staying guilt-free
How to make it for yourself
When you get ready to make your own chickpea butter, be sure to have a food processor close at hand. Not only does it make the task that much easier, but it also helps you achieve that perfect consistency you’re looking for. Next, you’ll need to drain and rinse at least two cans of chickpeas before spreading them in an equal layer on a large baking tray. You need to roast your chickpeas until golden as this is an essential step for adding depth of flavour to your nut butter. After your chickpeas have cooled, pop them into your food processor and blitz them. If you were making hummus, you would add a couple of spoonfuls of tahini at this stage, but when making a nut butter you should use coconut oil instead. Blend your mixture until it’s creamy before adding a spoon of honey and a pinch of cinnamon.
Tips for using this spread
Once you have a bowl or jar of this spread waiting for you, your options are plentiful. Add your butter to a steaming bowl of oats or a smoothie. Alternatively, you can keep things simple and slather it over a warm piece of toast.
Grab yours
Although chickpea butter is not as commonly available as other types of nut butter, it is quick and easy to make at home with ingredients from your grocery store. Another great option is to visit your favourite health food restaurant and ask them to whip up a batch for you.
