Air Fryer Crispy Chickpeas are the snack you will make on repeat: humble canned chickpeas transformed into golden, crunchy, spice-coated bites with almost no oil and very little effort. They are high in fiber and plant protein, endlessly customizable with your favorite seasonings, and perfect for snacking straight from the bowl, scattering over salads and soups, or packing for lunch. Once you hear that first crunch, plain chickpeas will never seem boring again.
Ingredients
- 2 cans (15 oz each) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)
Instructions
- Dry the chickpeas: Spread the drained chickpeas on a clean kitchen towel or paper towels and pat them as dry as possible, removing any loose skins.
- Season: Toss the chickpeas in a bowl with the olive oil, garlic powder, smoked paprika, cumin, salt, black pepper, and cayenne if using, until evenly coated.
- Preheat the air fryer: Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
- Air fry until crisp: Spread the chickpeas in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook for 15 to 18 minutes, shaking the basket every 5 minutes, until deeply golden and crunchy.
- Cool and serve: Let the chickpeas cool for 5 minutes — they crisp up even more as they cool — then taste and adjust salt before serving.
Pro tip: Dry chickpeas are the whole secret: the drier they go in, the crunchier they come out. Work in batches rather than crowding the basket if needed.
Advertisement
Estimated nutrition per serving: 210 calories, 9g protein, 28g carbohydrates, 7g fat.
