Garlic lovers unite! This creamy, yet light Chickpea Soup is packed with flavours of caramelized garlic and zesty lemon juice. It’s finished with crispy onions and chickpeas that add colour, texture, and even more flavour. Substitute vegetable stock to make this naturally Gluten-free and Dairy-free soup vegan.
As the daylight hours shorten and the air turns crisp and cool, soups and stews begin to appear on our table. There are days when I’ll spend hours making a classic like French Onion Soup from scratch and days when I just want a bowl of quick Thai Red Curry Chicken Soup. The great thing is, no matter how much time I have for cooking, there’s always time for a great bowl of soup.
Disclosure: This post is made possible by Alberta Pulse Growers. All opinions and experiences are my own.
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Lemony Roasted Garlic Chickpea Soup
What I love about this soup is how unassuming it looks. However, appearances are often deceiving. What this soup lacks in colour, it makes up for in flavour. It contains not one, but two whole bulbs of roasted garlic, tahini, sumac, and an entire juiced lemon.
Let’s talk garnish. You can choose to add a whole clove of roasted garlic, or not. However, I highly recommend topping the soup with crispy fried onions and crispy sumac chickpeas. The fried onions support the allium forward flavours of this soup while the air fried chickpeas enhance the lemon flavours. Both garnishes add an interesting textural crunch to the soup.
Suffice it to say, if you love hummus, you will love this soup. It has the same flavours as my favourite roasted garlic hummus but is creamier and accented with a generous amount of lemon juice. This is simple comfort food, hearty and nourishing.
Ingredients For This Chickpea Soup
This chickpea soup recipe is packed full of immunity boosters and healthy ingredients, making it perfect for cold and flu season. It is a hearty, filling soup packed with plant based protein and nutrients.
- Garlic
- Olive Oil
- Sea Salt
- Onion
- Chickpeas
- Tahini
- Stock
- Potatoes
- Lemon
- Sumac
- Fried Onions
- Parsley
Alliums such as onion, garlic, and leeks have a lot of immunity boosting ‘anti’ qualities. These include antioxidants, antiviral, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties. Onions and garlic appear two ways in this recipe. Both are sautéed to start out the soup, while roasted garlic becomes part of the broth and crispy fried onions serve as garnish.
You can use turkey, chicken, or vegetable broth for this recipe. However, the quality of the stock is very important because of how few ingredients there are in this soup recipe. Homemade stock is always best so be sure to purchase a high-quality stock if you are unable to make your own. Be aware of the sodium level in store bought stock and adjust the amount of Sea salt (or kosher salt) accordingly.
Lemon and sumac are very similar in flavour. There is approximately 1/4 cup of juice in one large lemon, which adds a lot of lemon flavour to this soup. The sumac is primarily used as a garnish and coating for the chickpeas. While there are no substitutes for sumac, you can use paprika to spice the chickpeas and garnish the soup. Be aware that using paprika will change the flavour profile of the soup.
Tahini is roasted sesame seeds ground together to make a paste. It brings an enjoyable nutty flavour to the soup but can be omitted altogether.
I highly recommend buying the fried onions, but they can be omitted if necessary. In fact, I keep a container of them in my pantry so I can use them as toppers for soups and casseroles.
Health Benefits of Chickpeas
Chickpeas are a key component in this soup, and they appear in two ways; blended into the stock and as an eye-catching soup topper. They provide a low fat, high fiber vegetable protein that makes this soup hearty and filling.
Chickpeas, also known as garbanzo beans, are a rich source of minerals including Manganese, Copper, Zinc, Iron, and Phosphorous (all over 20% of the recommended daily value in one cup serving). Then, there are the vitamins including a healthy amount of B9 (Folate), among others.
While a 19 oz. (540 ml) can of chickpeas is convenient and contains approximately 2 cups of cooked chickpeas, dried chickpeas are economical and easy to cook. If you have the time to cook them yourself, replace the canned chickpeas with 3/4 cup – 1 cup dried chickpeas.
How to Make Lemony Roasted Garlic Chickpea Soup
This Chickpea Soup comes together quickly. The time in the recipe card is an approximation because several steps can be done simultaneously to save time. Other great ‘time savers’ in this recipe include an Air Fryer and high-speed blender, such as a Vitamix. You can make this recipe without them, though the cooking time will increase accordingly.
Roasting Garlic in An Air Fryer
To prepare the garlic, place one garlic bulb on its side and slice 1/2 inch off the top so the tops of the cloves are exposed. Repeat with second garlic bulb. Cut two squares of aluminum foil.
Next, preheat air fryer to 375 F. Place each garlic bulb in the middle of a square of aluminum foil. Drizzle 1 teaspoon olive oil over each bulb. Season each bulb with sea salt and wrap them tightly in the foil.
Roast garlic in air fryer at 375 F for 20-25 minutes. Allow them to cool to room temperature, then remove the cloves from their skins.
How to Roast Chickpeas in An Air Fryer
While the garlic is roasting, remove half of the can (1 cup) of drained chickpeas and dry them with a paper towel. Place the dry chickpeas in a small bowl and drizzle them with 2 teaspoons of olive oil, 2 teaspoons sumac. Season with sea salt.
Add seasoned chickpeas to the hot air fryer basket and roast at 375 F. for 15-20 minutes, or until golden and crispy.
Making the Chickpea Broth
Processing the chickpeas and roasted garlic together in a high-powered blender creates a creamy broth while diced potatoes and finishing garnishes add texture and visual interest.
While the chickpeas are roasting, peel and finely dice the onion. Drizzle olive oil in a large pot and add the diced onion. Sauté over low heat until it turns translucent and becomes soft. Add the minced garlic and sauté for another minute or two. Remove from heat.
Place the remaining 1/2 can of chickpeas (1 cup), 2 cups stock, all the garlic cloves (leave some out if using for a garnish), lemon juice, 1/2 Tablespoon Sea salt, and sautéed onions into the pitcher of a blender. Blend on high speed until the mixture is creamy and has no remaining lumps.
Putting it All Together
Place the diced potatoes into the soup pot and add 2 cups stock. Bring to a boil, cover, and simmer until potatoes are tender. About 15 minutes.
Next, stir the blended chickpea mixture into the tender potatoes and stock. Warm the soup over medium high heat but do not allow to boil. Taste and adjust with salt and pepper.
Divide the soup into four serving bowls. Garnish with crispy onions, chickpeas, roasted garlic cloves (if using), remaining sumac, and chopped parsley.
Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the fridge and consume within two days.
If you make this Lemony Roasted Garlic Chickpea Soup recipe, please be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Be sure to follow me on Facebook and Pinterest for my latest recipes. Also, if you do make this recipe, please tag me on Instagram, I’d love to see what you guys are making! Thank you so much for reading my blog.
Lemony Roasted Garlic Chickpea Soup
Garlic lovers unite! This creamy, yet light Chickpea Soup is packed with the flavours of caramelized garlic and zesty lemon juice. It's finished with crispy onion and chickpeas that add colour, texture, and even more flavour. Dairy-free with simple substitutions for Gluten-free and vegan options.
Ingredients
- 2 whole bulbs garlic plus two cloves; minced
- 6 teaspoons olive oil; divided
- 2 teaspoons sea salt (plus more for seasoning)
- 1 medium onion; finely diced
- 1 (19 oz. 540 ml) can chickpeas
- 4 cups stock (chicken, turkey, or vegetable)
- 1 lemon; juiced
- 1 Tablespoon tahini
- 2 potatoes; peeled and diced
- 3 teaspoons sumac
- 1/4 cup fried onions
- 1 Tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Place one garlic bulb on its side and slice 1/2 inch off the top so the tops of the cloves are exposed. Repeat with second garlic bulb.
- Preheat air fryer to 375 F. and place each garlic bulb in the middle of a square of aluminum foil. Drizzle 1 teaspoon olive oil over each bulb. Season with sea salt and wrap the bulbs tightly in the foil.
- Roast garlic in air fryer at 375 F for 20-25 minutes. Allow to cool then remove cloves from their skins.
- While the garlic is roasting drain and rinse the can of chickpeas. Set half aside and dry remaining half with a paper towel. Place the dry chickpeas in a small bowl and drizzle them with 2 teaspoons of olive oil, 2 teaspoons sumac, and season with sea salt.
- Add seasoned chickpeas to the air fryer basket and roast at 375 F. for 15-20 minutes, or until golden and crispy.
- While the chickpeas are roasting, peel and finely dice the onion. Place the onion in a large soup pot and add 2 teaspoons olive oil.
- Sauté the onion over low heat until it turns translucent and becomes soft. Add the minced garlic and sauté for another minute or two. Remove from heat.
- Place 1/2 can of chickpeas, 2 cups stock, all the garlic cloves, lemon juice*, 1/2 Tablespoon sea salt**, and sautéed onions into the pitcher of a blender. Blend on high speed until the mixture is creamy and has no remaining lumps.
- Place the diced potatoes into the soup pot and add 2 cups stock. Bring to a boil, cover and simmer until potatoes are tender. About 15 minutes.
- Add the blended chickpea mixture to the tender potatoes and stock. Warm on medium low but do not allow to boil. Taste and adjust with salt and pepper.
- Divide the soup into four serving bowls. Garnish with crispy onions, chickpeas, remaining sumac, and chopped parsley.
Notes
*There is approximately 1/4 cup of juice in one large lemon, which adds a lot of lemon flavour to this soup. Start with half of the recommended amount and add more to your taste.
**do not add all of the sea salt at once. Add half and adjust according to your tastes.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 363Total Fat: 15gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 7mgSodium: 1519mgCarbohydrates: 47gFiber: 7gSugar: 9gProtein: 14g
Nutritional calculation was provided by Nutritionix and is an estimation only. For special diets or medical issues please use your preferred calculator.
I love a good chicken soup, this soup looks so healthy and comforting! Thank you for sharing this recipe, I cant wait to make it this week!
I think you will love this vegetarian soup Ramona.
I am a garlic and chickpea lover so this is the PERFECT soup for me! And we recently found out my daughter is lactose intolerant so the vegan option is welcome!
Oh wow, that will take some adjusting to. Thanks for stopping by Terri.
This soup is definitely a must make! So luscious and creamy with that bright lemony note. Seriously so amazing!
It certainly has a lot of flavour! Thank you for stopping by Lori.
Such a flavorful soup. This was my first time making chickpea soup and I hooked. Will make this roasted garlic chickpea soup again for sure
So great to hear Dani. I like this recipe because it covers a wide range of diets without sacrificing flavour.
If there’s one thing better than garlic, it’s roasted garlic. You have indeed united the garlic lovers with this one – what a fantastic soup, full of big flavours, and perfect for all kinds of diners (GF, DF, and vegan-optional? Hooray!). And I’m so glad you factored in the crispy textural bits for the top too. That really, REALLY makes a soup pop, in my opinion!
Thank you Sean! It’s always great to unite the garlic lovers.
Great hearty soup that was full of flavor! The air fryer chickpeas were the icing on the cake and added great texture.
So glad you liked this soup Tristin. Thank you for letting me know.
This soup is fantastic. I would never have thought to put something like this altogether but the flavours are incredible and the chickpeas add such a great texture. This is definitely becoming a part of our winter soup rotation. Thanks for sharing.
This is pure soup for the soul. Love the layering of texture with the potatoes and chickpeas. The nice backdrop of sumac. Just the kind of soup bowl you want to wrap your hands around!
Thank you!
So comforting! Always great to hear from you two.
I am still a little new to cooking with chickpeas. This soup was very tasty, so I think I need to start making chickpeas a regular!
So glad you liked the soup Ann…and now you have at least one chickpea recipe under your belt.
This recipe came out amazing! Was very easy to prep and I loved the addition of the chickpea on top 😉
Thank you. I thought it was a fun way to keep on theme and add a little interest to the soup.
A soup version of hummus – genius! This is perfect for soup season – can’t wait to add it to the rotation!
Exactly! I hope you love it as much as I did Vanessa.
Just made this soup, and it is perfect! Thanks for the recipe. It is going in my recipe keeper!!
Excellent Erin, so glad you enjoyed this chickpea soup. Thanks for trying out a recipe.
This garlicy soup definitely makes up in flavor for what it lacks in colour. It’s cozy, hearty and delicious. Thanks for this recipe!
Appearances are very deceiving in this case!! Thanks for stopping by Colleen.
I am a huge fan of garlic hummus and this garlic chickpea soup certainly did not disappoint! So creamy, flavorful, and delicious.
That was definitely my inspiration. Glad you enjoyed the soup version, LaKita.
Chickpea soup is unusual to me! I’m gonna have to try and love the sumac air fried chickpeas on top, plus I bet they make a good snack also on the side. I must say I’m not familiar with Sumac but I’ ll thing it time to explore it a bit. Thanks for the recipe!
It is a bit of a strange combination but it works so well. Sumac is very popular in Mediterranean cuisine and it has a sour, almost citrusy flavour. Definitely worth exploring.
Soup season is the best season. This is such a unique recipe. I LOVE chickpeas and the addition of lemon. I have a feeling this is going to be on rotation alllll winter!
It’s a very unique flavour…very in your face with the garlic and lemon but I love it. I hope you do too.
this soup turned out so cozy and so delicious! love it!
Wow, I’m so glad you enjoyed it Andrea. I love how light it is, yet it’s quite filling.
I always have canned chickpeas on the house. Roasting them is such a great way to serve them. This soup sounds so comforting.
I use my air fryer for everything. Roasted chickpeas make for a great high protein, low fat snack.
Soup is the number one requested dish in our house, especially during the cold season.
I can’t wait to make this for everyone for dinner.
This soup is great for chilly weather and has many cold and flu season benefits too. I’m a true believer in the power of garlic.
I love the flavors of the soup! So tasty. Thanks for the recipe
So glad you enjoyed it Lilly, thanks for letting me know!
We are garlic lovers and this creamy soup is so easy to make, and I actually have sumac which I rarely use. Love this soup.
The more I use sumac, the more I want to use it. It just adds such a nice zesty flavour to everything.