Air Fryer Chickpeas {7 Seasoning Ideas!}

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These Air Fryer Chickpeas are a healthy snack that can be seasoned any way you like. Plus, they are super easy and can be made in 20 minutes flat!

three bowls of air fried chickpeas next to spice jar and napkin

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Why Make This Recipe
🥗 Ingredients
🥣 Step-by-Step Instructions
🧐 Recipe FAQs
👩‍🍳 Expert Tips
Other Chickpea Recipes
📖 Recipe
More About Molly
Comments

Why Make This Recipe

Good for You: This sugar-free chickpea snack is packed with protein and fiber and is totally vegan and gluten-free. Great way to satisfy a salty chip craving with a snack that’s actually healthy!
Not Just for Snacks: Air fried crispy chickpeas have so many uses! Try them on a salad like this Kale and Brussels Sprouts Salad, or add them to a grain bowl. They would be fantastic as part of this Warm Pearl Barley Grain Bowl.
Inexpensive: Compare these to buying a back of seasoned roasted chickpeas at the grocery store—you can make your own for half the price, and season them however you like.

🥗 Ingredients

bowl of chickpeas next to small bowl of spices and small cup of olive oil

Chickpeas: I personally love Goya Chickpeas, but you can use any brand you like (or soak and cook your own chickpeas starting from dried). I prefer the low-sodium variety so that I can control the salt in the final product.
Olive Oil: Any kind of oil will work for this recipe. If you choose olive oil, use a mild-flavored version.
Smoked Paprika: I love the smoky flavor of this in these chickpeas, but you could replace it with chipotle chile powder or ancho chile powder instead. Or see below for other flavor combinations.
Garlic Powder: You might substitute garlic salt (if so, don’t use as much regular salt in the recipe). Onion powder would also be a possibility (or could be added to the garlic powder for more flavor).

🥣 Step-by-Step Instructions

Rinse a can of chickpeas in a strainer, then drain and tip out over a clean kitchen towel or 2 sheets of paper towels. Pat dry, and put in a medium bowl. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil, 1 teaspoon of kosher salt, ½ teaspoon of smoked paprika, and ½ teaspoon of garlic powder. Stir well.

bowl of chickpeas tossed with seasoning and oil

Pour into air fryer basket, and spread out into a single layer.

chickpeas tossed in seasoning and oil on air fryer rack before roasting

Air fry at 350 degrees for 10 minutes, then open the fryer door and shake the basket. Fry for another 8-10 minutes, until chickpeas are browned and crispy. Remove basket from fryer and let cool before serving.

air fried chickpeas on air fryer rack next to oven mitt

🧐 Recipe FAQs

How should I store air fried chickpeas?

To store roasted chickpeas, make sure they have fully cooled, and then put them into an airtight container. Don’t put in a bowl and cover with plastic wrap (I tried it, and they softened up a bit). If they do become a little soft, you can also crisp them up again with a few minutes in the air fryer.

Can I air fry chickpeas without oil?

Yes, you can. I do like a small amount of oil in there though, as it helps to evenly distribute the spices.

Are chickpeas and garbanzo beans the same?

Yes! There is no difference between chickpeas and garbanzo beans. They are actually also known as the Egyptian pea and the Bengal gram as well.

Are chickpeas gluten-free?

Yes! Chickpeas are part of the legume family, and all legumes are naturally gluten-free.

👩‍🍳 Expert Tips

If you are new to air frying, know that there are many different types of air fryers, and many of them vary in how hot they get, and how quickly. Play with your settings and watch carefully—you may find you need to reduce the temperature in a recipe or reduce the cook time. If the chickpeas start to burn instead of brown, your air fryer is too hot! If you’re hooked on your air fryer and ready for more, don’t miss these air fryer recipes: Air Fryer Eggplant Parmesan and Air Fryer Zucchini Chips.

It may be tempting to pour the air fried chickpeas straight from air fryer basket into a bowl and start munching, but do wait until chickpeas have at least mostly cooled. If you pour them straight into a bowl, they are still hot enough that they will steam together and can soften. Also, if you take out your chickpeas too early, and they aren't crunchy enough after they cool, you can pop them back in for a couple of minutes.

The best thing about this recipe is that once you learn the technique, you can flavor these in any way you like. Here are some of my favorite flavor combinations:

Curry Powder + Cumin Powder + Salt
Cinnamon + Sugar
Chile Powder + Brown Sugar + Salt
Truffle Salt + Cracked Black Pepper

Are you a Trader Joe’s seasoning blend fan? I am! I love these crunchy chickpeas with my favorite Trader Joe’s seasonings: Chile Lime seasoning, Everything But the Bagel seasoning, and Everything But the Elote seasoning.

two small bowls of air fried chickpeas in front of seasoning jar, bowl, and napkin

Other Chickpea Recipes

Of course roasting chickpeas in an air fryer is not the only use for this healthy legume! If you love the humble chickpea as much as I do, you might want to check out some of my other favorite chickpea recipes. How about these Sardines on Toast with Chickpea Salad? Or try these:

If you try this Air Fryer Chickpeas recipe, I would love to hear from you! Leave a comment below—I read them all, and your feedback is invaluable to me. And please follow along on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook or subscribe to my newsletter. I'd love to inspire you with more delicious, healthy, and seasonal recipes!

📖 Recipe

Air Fryer Chickpeas

Yield: Serves 3

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

These Air Fryer Chickpeas are a healthy snack that can be seasoned any way you like. Plus, they are super easy and can be made in 20 minutes flat!

Ingredients

1 15-ounce can chickpeas
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon smoked paprika
½ teaspoon garlic powder

Instructions

Rinse a can of chickpeas in a strainer.
Drain and tip out over a clean kitchen towel or 2 sheets of paper towels, pat dry, and put in a medium bowl.
Add olive oil, salt, paprika, and garlic powder, and stir well.
Pour into air fryer basket, and spread out into a single layer.
Air fry at 350 degrees for 10 minutes, then open the fryer door and shake the basket.
Fry for another 8-10 minutes, until chickpeas are browned and crispy.
Remove basket from fryer and let cool before serving.

Notes

Expert Tips:

To store air fried chickpeas, make sure they have fully cooled, and then put them into an airtight container. Don’t put in a bowl and cover with plastic wrap (I tried it, and they softened up a bit). If they do become a little soft, you can also crisp them up again with a few minutes in the air fryer.

If you are new to air frying, know that there are many different types of air fryers, and many of them vary in how hot they get, and how quickly. Play with your settings and watch carefully—you may find you need to reduce the temperature in a recipe or reduce the cook time. If the chickpeas start to burn instead of brown, your air fryer is too hot!

The best thing about this recipe is that once you learn the technique, you can flavor these in any way you like. Here are some of my favorite flavor combinations:
Curry Powder + Cumin Powder + Salt
Cinnamon + Sugar
Chile Powder + Brown Sugar + Salt
Truffle Salt + Cracked Black Pepper
Trader Joe's Everything But the Bagel, Trader Joe's Everything but the Elote, Trader Joe's Chile Lime Seasoning

More About Molly

Cooking healthy(ish) meals with seasonal ingredients is my passion. Trained as a French pastry chef, I spent over 10 years as a personal chef. Here you'll find well-tested recipes that you and your family will love!

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