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!
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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
- 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.
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.
🧐 Recipe FAQs
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.
Yes, you can. I do like a small amount of oil in there though, as it helps to evenly distribute the spices.
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.
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.
Want another healthy snack idea? Try this Roasted Edamame for another high-protein, high-fiber boost!
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
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Air Fryer Chickpeas
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
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
Nutrition
Instagram Users: Now that you've made this recipe, tag me @vanillabeancuisine or #vanillabeancuisine because I'd love to see your results!
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!
Aimee says
Never thought of Everything seasoning! Nor the idea of sweet ones. Sounds very yummy, so I will try them very soon.
I love using the following concoctions:
- low sodium taco seasoning
- parmesan, garlic powder, & oregano (or basil)
- Old Bay seasoning
- chili powder & cayenne, then once out of the fryer, squeeze fresh lime over top.
My sister's fave is popcorn seasoning that's pickle flavored. Not my cup of tea, but pickle lovers are hooked!
Chef Molly says
Popcorn seasoning that is pickle flavored! I am intrigued! Love your other suggestions as well--thanks so much for posting. Can't believe I didn't include Old Bay on my list! As an MD-native, I'm ashamed of myself. 🙂
Chef Mimi says
I recently gave in and purchased an air fryer. All I’ve done so far is cook vegetables! Today I’m going to try fish for a specific recipe, but I really love this idea! And I always have chick peas on hand!
Chef Molly says
Yes, I'm so glad I tried this. I was buying roasted chickpeas at the store for a snack, but these are better and so easy!