If you are searching for a crunchy and satisfying snack that won’t derail your healthy eating goals, crispy air fryer chickpeas are the answer! Bursting with flavor and packed with fiber and protein, they are about to become your new favorite snack.
Plus, they are incredibly easy to make. Just rinse off a can of chickpeas, add some oil and your favorite seasoning, and you are good to go. One of my favorite things about them is how easy it is to customize them.
Ranch seasoning, which these photos show, is one of my favorite ways to make them, but sometimes I want a little heat and go for Cajun spices. My kids like using curry powder on them, and they are good with just salt and pepper, too.
In this post, I’ll cover everything from the simple ingredients to the step-by-step process of making this healthy snack.
Want more healthy air fryer snacks? Try air fryer sweet potato chips, zucchini fritters, or zucchini chips.
🥘Ingredient Notes
For exact amounts needed see the recipe card below
- Chickpeas: Also known as garbanzo beans. You need a can of chickpeas, not dried ones.
- Oil: Avocado oil is my preference.
- Seasoning: The possibilities are endless here, from spicy chickpeas to ranch flavor. See below for all my best seasoning ideas.
🥣How to Make Air Fryer Chickpeas
No matter your seasoning, making the air fryer chickpeas is the same.
- Drain and rinse your canned chickpeas. Then, pat them dry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels. And when I say dry, I mean really dry. You don’t want any moisture sabotaging their crunchiness.
- Toss them in a bowl with the olive oil and spices. Mix to ensure each chickpea is coated in spices.
- Put a piece of parchment paper in the air fryer. Spread the chickpeas in the air fryer basket, keeping them in a single layer. Set the air fryer to 390°F and let them roast for about 15-20 minutes. Give the basket a little shake at the halfway mark to ensure they’re evenly crisped.
- When they come out, they should be golden brown and irresistibly crunchy. Let them cool for just a bit before enjoying.
🧂Seasoning Ideas for Air Fryer Chickpeas
The beauty of air fryer chickpeas is that they’re the ultimate blank canvas for various seasonings. Whatever you are in the mood for, there’s a seasoning mix out there that’ll make your chickpeas pop.
- Ranch seasoning: The photos in this post are of ranch chickpeas.
- Montreal Steak seasoning
- BBQ Seasoning: Use your favorite spice rub.
- Curry powder
- Lemon pepper seasoning
- Italian seasoning
- Cajun seasoning
Almost any spice will work. Just don’t use a blend with a lot of sugar, since that might burn in the air fryer.
🍴Serving Ideas
There are many ways to enjoy roasted chickpeas. Pop them in a bowl for a movie-night snack. Sprinkle them over a salad, and you’ve just added a salad topper that’ll make you forget all about those croutons.
Toss them onto a soup as a garnish that’s both pretty and practical. Or why not add them to a charcuterie board? That’s right, nestled among the cheeses and meats, these chickpeas will add some crunch.
💭How to Store
Before you store leftover chickpeas, make sure they are completely cool. Steam will turn your crunchy chickpeas into mushy peas. Once they’re cool, put them in an airtight container.
Keep them at room temperature, not in the refrigerator. The fridge will introduce moisture. They’ll stay good for a few days, ready for you to grab whenever the craving hits.
If they start to lose their crunch, you can always give them a quick blast in the air fryer to revive that crispiness.
⭐Tips
Be sure to check out the step by step instructions
- After rinsing, make sure your chickpeas are patted dry. Any excess moisture will steam them in the air fryer instead of crisping them up.
- Be bold with the seasoning. Coat those chickpeas well because some of the spices will inevitably fall off during the cooking process.
- Shake the basket once or twice during cooking. This helps the chickpeas cook evenly.
📝Reader Questions
Theoretically, yes, you can. But you’d have to soak the chickpeas overnight, boil them until tender, dry them, and air fry them. So, it would be quite a process, and I recommend just buying canned chickpeas.
They could have been too wet when they went in, or they might need a little longer in the air fryer. Also, make sure they’re in a single layer with space between them for the air to circulate.
Yes, but a little oil helps the seasoning stick and improves the overall texture. So if you’re oil-free, just be prepared for a slightly different end result.
They’re packed with protein and fiber; because they’re air-fried, they have less fat than their deep-fried counterparts. It’s a snack you can feel good about munching on.
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Air Fryer Chickpeas Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 can chickpeas drained and rinsed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1-2 teaspoons seasoning see notes
Instructions
- Drain and rinse the chickpeas.1 can chickpeas
- Pat them dry with paper towels to remove any excess moisture. Make sure they are very dry so they fry, not steam.
- Combine chickpeas, olive oil, and seasoning in a medium bowl. Toss well to evenly coat the chickpeas with the spices.1 tablespoon olive oil, 1-2 teaspoons seasoning
- Transfer the seasoned chickpeas to the air fryer basket, spreading them out in a single layer. If needed, cook them in batches to ensure they cook evenly and get crispy.
- Cook the chickpeas in the air fryer at 390 degrees F for 15-20 minutes, shaking the basket once or twice during cooking to ensure even browning.
- After the cooking time is up, check the chickpeas for desired crispness. If they need more time, cook them for an additional 5 minutes.
- Once the chickpeas are crispy and golden brown, remove them from the air fryer and let them cool completely before storing them in an airtight container at room temperature.
Notes
- Ranch seasoning
- Montreal Steak seasoning
- BBQ Seasoning
- Curry powder
- Lemon pepper seasoning
- Italian seasoning
- Cajun seasoning
- After rinsing, make sure your chickpeas are patted dry. Any excess moisture will steam them in the air fryer instead of crisping them up.
- Be bold with the seasoning. Coat those chickpeas well because some of the spices will inevitably fall off during the cooking process.
- Shake the basket once or twice during cooking. This helps the chickpeas cook evenly.
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Nutrition Information
Nutrition facts are estimates.
