Soak the dry chickpeas for at least 6 hours, or overnight. If you don’t have time, use one of the quick soak methods described in the post above.
Drain off the soaking water and rinse the beans three times with cold water. Rinsing helps to remove the water-soluble gas-producing sugars stored in the beans, making the beans more digestible.
Use one of the following three methods to cook the beans. The first method uses a saucepan. The second method uses a stovetop (jiggle top) pressure cooker. The third method is the INSTANT POT.
The amount of water depends of whether you soaked or not, and the cooking method. There is more evaporation using the saucepan and stovetop pressure cooker method, so use 3 cups water. If you didn't soak, use 3 cups in the Instant Pot and 4 cups in the other method. When unsoaked you will need extra cooking time. For the stovetop, go 25 minutes under high pressure. For Instant Pot, go 60 minutes under high pressure.
1. Saucepan method for cooking chickpeas (cook time: 2 hours)
Place the soaked and drained chickpeas into a saucepan along with 3 cups of cold water and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, half covered, for 2 hours, or until the beans are fully cooked. Add more water if necessary to keep the beans covered with water. Check for doneness by slicing a chickpea in half. The center should be soft, and the same color throughout.
Place the drained chickpeas into a pressure cooker along with 2 cups of cold water and a pinch of salt. Cover, and turn the heat to high. Once the pressure cooker reaches high pressure, adjust the heat down and cook under high pressure for 20 minutes. Turn off the heat, and allow the pressure to come down naturally, or for at least 15 minutes.
Jiggle the pressure regulator to release any residual pressure and remove the lid safely. Check for doneness by slicing a chickpea in half. The center should be soft, and the same color throughout.
If the chickpeas are not done, replace the lid, turn up the heat, and bring the pressure cooker to high pressure. Cook for a few minutes, and then turn off the heat and allow the pressure to come down naturally again.
3. INSTANT POT pressure cooker method (cook time 70 minutes)
Place the drained chickpeas into the INSTANT POT along with 2 cups of cold water and a pinch of salt. Cover with lid, ensure the vent is set to "Sealing," and set the timer to 45 minutes on "High" pressure. Allow the pressure to come down naturally for at least 15 minutes, check for residual steam, and open the lid safely.