Chickpea microgreens: everything you need to know to grow them

Chickpea microgreens ask for a long pre-soak and restrained watering, and give back a crop in eight to twelve days. They have a mild, slightly nutty flavor with an earthy touch that works wonderfully in salads or as a crunchy, nutritious snack. On top of that, chickpeas are known for their high content of plant based protein and minerals, making them a fantastic option for anyone looking for healthy and energizing additions to their diet. This guide covers their characteristics, the steps from soaking to harvest, and the practical points that decide whether a tray succeeds or molds.

What you’ll need

• Chickpea seeds – preferably organic and specifically for sprouting or microgreens.
• Growing trays – flat and shallow, with or without drainage holes.
• Growing medium – potting soil, coconut coir, or a mix for germination.
• Spray bottle or fine mist watering can.
• Natural sunlight or LED grow lights – chickpeas need good light to grow strong.

Step by Step guide to growing chickpea microgreens

1. Prepare the seeds
Soak the chickpeas for 8–12 hours before sowing. This step is essential to activate germination and achieve uniform sprouts.

2. Prepare the tray
Clean the tray thoroughly before use. Add an even layer of your chosen growing medium and lightly moisten it.

3. Sow the seeds
Spread the chickpeas evenly over the surface. There’s no need to cover them with soil, just make sure they are in good contact with the substrate.

4. Blackout period
Cover the tray with another inverted tray or a piece of cardboard for 3–4 days. This encourages the roots to establish and the stems to grow straight.

5. Careful watering
Spray water once or twice a day. Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged, as chickpeas can develop mold if overwatered.

6. Light and ventilation
Once the sprouts emerge, remove the cover and place the tray in a well lit spot or under LED grow lights. As you know, in our office we use artificial lights, but natural sunlight is also an excellent option. Make sure there’s good air circulation to keep them healthy.

7. Daily care
Continue misting gently every day. In just a few days, the stems will become firm and the leaves bright green.

8. Harvest time
In about 8–12 days, your chickpea microgreens will be ready to harvest. Use clean scissors to cut just above the surface of the substrate.

And that’s it!

Chickpea microgreens are not only rich in protein, they also provide B vitamins, iron, magnesium, and antioxidants. They are perfect for adding to salads, wraps, soups, or for giving a nutritious boost to any recipe.

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The science on chickpea

Studies from our Science Library that concern chickpea microgreens, in plain language with links to the original research. This list updates automatically as new studies are added.

Chickpea in the kitchen

Recipes and kitchen ideas from our cookbook team that use chickpea microgreens.

Growing a different crop next? Every variety has a guide like this one in the Varieties database.