The versatile chickpea continues to drive natural products industry innovation. With a mild, slightly nutty taste, creamy texture and rich nutrition profile, the legume continue to show up in a variety of products ranging from spreads to sauces, sweets, alternative dairy products, snacks and more.

Here are a few of the newest chickpea innovations to hit store shelves in early 2020.

Everyday chickpea snacks

Whether products emphasize plant-based eating, extra protein or whole-food ingredients, chickpeas serve as the perfect snack add-in.

To satisfy a midday craving for a bit of crunch, consumers can turn to the new line of gluten-free Tortilla Chips from HIPPEAS or the Chickpea Chips from Kibo Foods. Chickpea lovers will also delight in these Snaps Baked Chickpea Thins from 34 Degrees. These crispy thins are made using chickpea flour that has been steamed, a process that removes the sometimes-prevalent iron taste of chickpeas, leaving a delicious buttery finish.

And for a sweeter, chickpea-based snack, the three varieties of chocolate-covered chickpeas from The Good Bean (Dark Chocolate, Milk Chocolate and Mocha Chocolate) marry indulgence and nutrition in every bite. The company also is launching a new and reimagined Protein Snack Mix that is available in two varieties: Sea Salt and Balsamic Herb.

Chickpeas at mealtime

Chickpeas are also showing up in more and more ready-to-eat (or ready-to-prepare) dishes like Banza’s Plant-Based Mac & Cheese, a plant-based take on a classic comfort food made with chickpeas and roasted sweet potatoes.

Other dishes include the new vegan, shelf-stable Chickpea Masala meal pouch from classic chickpea-forward brand Saffron Road, the Coconut Lime Green Chickpea Superfood Bowl from Vana, or the version of Chickpea Masala from Deep Indian Kitchen. Or, for a different way to enjoy chickpeas in a meal, Burma Love has a Fermented Tea Leaf Salad with baby spinach, yuba noodles, chickpeas, crunchy green beans and Fermented Tea Leaf Dressing.

Chickpeas and dairy alternatives

The plant-based dairy alternative category is another area where we may start to see chickpeas gain traction in the future. For now, dip into this new line of chickpea-based vegan cheese spreads from Melt Organic.