Banza rice is a rice product made from chickpeas. The Banza brand is popular for launching chickpea pasta in 2018. Since then they have been introducing other chickpea-based products to the market. Banza sets itself apart from other rice because of its higher protein and fiber and lower net carbs per serving. Besides the plain rice, they have garlic olive oil and chipotle tomato flavors.
Why Did We Try Banza Rice?
Since so many dishes include rice, why not find a way to pack more nutrition into this delicious staple? Using Banza rice instead of traditional rice is a great way to add extra protein and fiber to something you’re already eating. It’s great to have a healthy pantry staple on hand to make a quick meal. The rice is easy for meal prep, versatile, and only took 5 minutes to make.
We tried the Garlic Olive Oil flavor. Here’s what we thought!
Flavor: 4 / 5
While we could definitely find the garlic and olive oil flavors, they fell a little flat. If you like your rice really flavorful, add a little extra seasoning to enhance the flavor.
The rice was a little starchier than expected and clumped together when cooking. Adding it to a dish might help it to have a more traditional texture.
Satiety: 5 / 5
The rice alone would make a great snack – especially if you like eating plain rice! We added mushrooms, spinach, bell peppers, and chicken and were satisfied for hours. Don’t hesitate to get creative with these!
Nutrient density: 5 / 5
One serving provides 170 calories, 5 grams of fiber, 240 mg of sodium, 29 grams of carbohydrates, and 11 grams of protein. Plus, they have less sodium than other flavored rice sides on the shelves. This extra nutrition packs a punch and is a great alternative to other, more traditional rice sides.
Value: 4 / 5
Banza Rice packets cost $3.49. The price is higher compared to other flavored rice, which runs around $1.99. But, the extra nutrition makes this a better choice despite the slightly higher price point.
Overall Rating: 4.5/5
Product Comparison:
Where Can You Buy It?
Banza Rice can be found at Target, Schnucks, and Walmart in the same section as other rice sides. To find a Banza product near you, you can also use this locator.
Five Ways to Make Quick and Balanced Meals with Banza Rice Sides
Deconstructed Stuffed Bell Pepper:
1 packet of garlic olive oil Banza rice, 1 bell pepper, ½ cup of ground beef, ¼ cup of low-fat shredded cheese
Fried Rice:
1 packet of plain Banza rice, ¼ cup coconut amino, 1 teaspoon ginger, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 cup frozen stir-fry vegetables, ⅓ cup firm tofu
Jambalaya:
1 packet of garlic olive oil Banza rice, ¼ onion, ¼ of bell pepper, ½ stalk celery, 2 cloves garlic, 1 cup crushed tomatoes, 1 cup of low sodium chicken broth, 1 chicken sausage
Rice Salad:
1 packet of garlic olive oil Banza rice, ¼ cup of mozzarella balls, ½ cucumber, ¼ cup cherry tomatoes, 4 oz of turkey pepperoni, ¼ cup of low fat Italian dressing
Chipotle Bowl:
1 packet of chipotle tomato Banza rice, 1 tablespoon salsa, ⅛ cup black beans, 1 cup fajita mix, 6 oz grilled chicken