Best Balila Recipe (Easy Lebanese Chickpeas)

Balila is hands-down one of the most comforting and satisfying Lebanese dishes you'll ever make in your kitchen. This traditional Lebanese chickpea dish transforms simple pantry ingredients into a warm, creamy, and absolutely delicious meal that's perfect for breakfast, lunch, or a light dinner. My family can take down an entire bowl of this stuff in minutes – it's that good!

This authentic balila recipe delivers all the flavors of your favorite Lebanese restaurant right at home. With tender chickpeas mashed into a chunky, garlicky base and finished with bright lemon juice and fruity olive oil, every bite is pure comfort food magic. Don't hesitate to make this recipe your own – it's incredibly forgiving and always delivers incredible results.

Jump To Recipe

• Why You Will Like This Balila Recipe
• Ingredients for Authentic Lebanese Balila
• How to Make Perfect Balila (Step-by-Step)
• Storage & Reheating Your Lebanese Balila
• Balila Recipe Variations and Serving Ideas
• Frequently Asked Questions About Balila
• Recommended Recipes
• Conclusion
• Best Balila Recipe (Easy Lebanese Chickpeas)

Why You Will Like This Balila Recipe

Quick and Easy - Ready in just 25 minutes using canned chickpeas, making it perfect for busy weeknight meals or lazy weekend brunches.

Authentic Flavors - This traditional Lebanese recipe uses simple ingredients like garlic, cumin, and lemon juice to create the genuine taste you'd find in Beirut.

Incredibly Nutritious - Packed with plant-based protein and fiber, balila makes a healthy and filling meal that keeps you satisfied for hours.

Budget-Friendly - Uses affordable pantry staples like chickpeas and basic seasonings to create a restaurant-quality dish at home.

Versatile Serving Options - Perfect as a warm breakfast with flatbread recipe yoghurt, light lunch, or hearty dinner alongside other lebanese food recipes.

Make-Ahead Friendly - Tastes even better the next day and reheats beautifully for meal prep success.

Ingredients for Authentic Lebanese Balila

This balila recipe requires just a handful of simple ingredients that come together to create something truly special. The beauty of this Lebanese chickpea dish lies in its simplicity – each ingredient plays an important role in building the complex, satisfying flavors.

For the Base:

• 3 cups cooked chickpeas, or two 15 oz cans
• 4 garlic cloves
• 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt, more to taste
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin, more for garnish
• ¼ cup chickpea liquid (aquafaba), or water
• ¼ cup fresh lemon juice, about two lemons
• ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil, more for drizzling on top

For Garnish:

• Fresh parsley, chopped
• Aleppo pepper, optional
• Pita bread, for serving

Chickpeas form the heart of this dish. You can use canned chickpeas for convenience or cook dried chickpeas from scratch. Save that chickpea liquid – it adds incredible creaminess to the final dish.

Fresh garlic provides the signature pungent flavor that makes balila so addictive. Don't skimp on this ingredient – it's what transforms simple chickpeas into something extraordinary.

Ground cumin adds warm, earthy notes that are essential to authentic Lebanese cuisine. Try adding extra cumin on top for even more flavor depth.

Fresh lemon juice brightens the entire dish and balances the richness of the olive oil. Always use fresh lemons rather than bottled juice for the best results.

You can easily substitute ingredients based on what you have available. Try using homemade alfredo sauce instead of olive oil for a creamy variation, or add some mexican black beans recipe for a fusion twist.

How to Make Perfect Balila (Step-by-Step)

Making authentic balila is surprisingly simple once you understand the technique. The key is creating the right texture – not too smooth like hummus, but not too chunky either. This step-by-step process ensures perfect results every time.

1. Warm the chickpeas in a small saucepan over medium heat. If using canned chickpeas, transfer them with their liquid into a saucepan and simmer for 20 minutes or until very tender and creamy. This extra cooking time is crucial for achieving the perfect texture.
2. Prepare the garlic base by crushing the garlic cloves in a mortar and pestle with a pinch of salt, or use a garlic press. Place the crushed garlic in a medium bowl with the remaining salt, ground cumin, and aquafaba. This creates the flavor foundation for your balila.
3. Create the chunky paste by adding one cup of the warm, drained chickpeas to the garlic mixture. Mash with a pestle or potato masher until you achieve a chunky paste consistency. Don't over-mash – you want some texture remaining.
4. Finish the balila by stirring in the fresh lemon juice, olive oil, and remaining drained chickpeas. Mix well until fully combined. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt, cumin, or lemon juice as needed.
5. Serve immediately by transferring the balila to a shallow bowl and creating a well in the center. Drizzle generously with olive oil and top with chopped fresh parsley, extra ground cumin, and Aleppo pepper if desired. Serve warm with pita bread and fresh vegetables like easy cucumber salad.

The beauty of this lebanese food recipes technique is its flexibility. If your mixture seems too thick, add more aquafaba or warm water. Too thin? Mash a few more chickpeas to thicken it up.

Storage & Reheating Your Lebanese Balila

Expect this Lebanese chickpea dish to last 3-4 days in the refrigerator when stored in an airtight container. The flavors actually develop and improve overnight, making leftover balila even more delicious than when freshly made.

For best results when reheating, add a splash of water or chickpea liquid to loosen the mixture, then warm gently in a saucepan over low heat. You can also microwave individual portions for 30-60 seconds, stirring halfway through.

This balila recipe freezes well for up to 3 months. Thaw completely in the refrigerator overnight before reheating. You may need to adjust the seasoning after freezing, as flavors can become muted.

Always taste and refresh with fresh lemon juice, olive oil, and herbs when reheating. The bright flavors are what make this dish so special, so don't skip this important step.

Balila Recipe Variations and Serving Ideas

Add Protein - Stir in some flaked grilled chicken legs or crispy honey garlic chicken breasts for a heartier meal.

Spice It Up - Include a pinch of red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper along with the cumin for extra heat.

Fresh Herb Boost - Mix in chopped mint, cilantro, or dill along with the parsley for more complex flavors.

Tahini Version - Swirl in a tablespoon of tahini for added richness and nutty flavor.

Vegetable Additions - Fold in diced tomatoes, cucumber, or roasted bell peppers for extra freshness and crunch.

This versatile dish pairs beautifully with other traditional lebanese meal components. Serve alongside turkish eggs cilbir recipe for an impressive Middle Eastern brunch, or pair with fattoush salad recipe for a complete Lebanese feast.

Try serving balila as part of a mezze spread with homemade churros recipe and lebanese garlic sauce toum recipe for an authentic Middle Eastern experience.

Frequently Asked Questions About Balila

Recommended Recipes

• Lebanese Eggplant Moussaka Maghmour Recipe
• Fattoush Salad Recipe
• Lebanese Garlic Sauce Toum Recipe
• Turkish Eggs Cilbir Recipe
• How to Cook Chickpeas Dried or Canned Perfect Every Time
• Mexican Black Beans Recipe

Conclusion

This authentic balila recipe brings the warm, comforting flavors of Lebanon straight to your kitchen with minimal effort and maximum flavor payoff. The combination of tender chickpeas, aromatic garlic, bright lemon juice, and fruity olive oil creates a dish that's both satisfying and nourishing – perfect for any time of day.

What I love most about this Lebanese chickpea dish is how it transforms simple pantry ingredients into something truly special. My family requests this recipe weekly because it's so versatile and delicious. Whether you're looking for a healthy breakfast, light lunch, or satisfying dinner, balila delivers every single time.

Don't hesitate to make this recipe your own by experimenting with different garnishes and accompaniments. The beauty of traditional Lebanese cuisine lies in its simplicity and flexibility. Try this balila recipe today and discover why it's been a beloved comfort food for generations!

Save this recipe to Pinterest for easy access, and let me know in the comments how your balila turns out. I'd love to hear about any creative variations you discover along the way.

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