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Crispy Air Fryer Chickpeas

Crispy air fryer chickpeas are salty, crunchy, and truly addictive. Ready in just 15 minutes, they make the perfect quick and healthy snack.

Air fryer chickpeas in white bowl.
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A Crave-Worthy Healthy Snack

We are big fans of savory snacks in my house! Chips, popcorn, and tortilla chips are some of our go-to options, and I wanted to find some healthier snack ideas to throw into the mix. Enter crispy air fryer chickpeas!

These little babies are seasoned and then air-fried until they are super crisp. To say that I’m head over heels would be an understatement! We get a fix for our salty cravings all while enjoying a healthy high-fiber snack. It’s a win-win!

The great thing about this recipe is that it only takes 15 minutes to prepare and all you need is a handful of ingredients from your pantry. Budget and time-friendly, plus amazingly delicious? Yes, please!

Why You’ll Love Chickpeas As a Snack

  1. Skip the oven! No need to turn on the oven. The air fryer does the work in a fraction of the time and anything used is dishwasher safe.
  2. Great for a late-night snack. We all have them! Having these on hand for a quick and healthy low-carb snack is helpful to curb the less healthy cravings. 
  3. You can customize them to your liking. From savory to sweet, spicy, and herbaceous, you can have an entirely different flavor profile with simple swaps.
Chickpeas in air fryer basket.

What You’ll Need For Air Fryer Roasted Chickpeas

You only need a few simple ingredients to make chickpeas in the air fryer:

  • Canned chickpeas: Otherwise known as garbanzo beans, these are the star of the show. Make sure to rinse and drain the chickpeas. 
  • Olive oil spray: This will help the seasoning to adhere to the chickpeas, but it’s also an important ingredient in helping the chickpeas become nice and crunchy! As with most air fryer recipes you’ll need at least a bit of oil.
  • Seasoning: Salt, chili powder, garlic powder, and ground black pepper. You can customize which seasonings you use based on your preferences. I have provided some other variations below. 

How to Make Air Fryer Chickpeas

It only takes a couple of minutes of prep time and a few simple steps to make this tasty snack. If these weren’t so good for you, I’d perhaps consider them dangerously addicting!

  1. Dry the chickpeas. After you drain and rinse your legumes, lay them in a single layer on a paper towel-lined plate to air dry for at least an hour. The key to crispy chickpeas is making sure there is little moisture in the air fryer as possible.
  2. Season. After the drying time, transfer them to the air fryer basket in a single layer and spray with the olive oil before sprinkling with the seasoning. Make sure all the chickpeas are coated.
  3. Air fry. Cook at 375 degrees for 15 minutes. Make sure you shake the basket every 5 minutes, so the chickpeas fry evenly. They will be done when they are crunchy on the inside and golden on the outside.
  4. Enjoy. Pour the crispy chickpeas into a bowl and let them come to room temperature before serving.

Ways to Enjoy Them

We eat these chickpeas on their own as a snack or sometimes I’ll add them to salads for an added crunchy texture. I really like them in my buddha bowl or my Mediterranean quinoa salad.

Tips for Recipe Success

Here are a couple of tips I’ve learned along the way to make sure I get the best crispy air fryer chickpeas every time.

  • Dry thoroughly. The trick to crispy garbanzo beans (and keeping them crispy) is giving them enough time to dry completely, at least 1 hour before air frying. 
  • Maintain the crispiness. If they start to soften after storing them, pop them back into the air fryer for 2-3 minutes to crisp up again.
  • Storage. Store chickpeas for a couple of days in a jar at room temperature uncovered to retain crispness. If you aren’t eating them right away, you can store them in a jar, covered, at room temperature for up to 1 week. To get back some crunch, pop them back into the air fryer to reheat and crisp up.

Seasoning Variations

You can get as creative as you like when it comes to the seasonings you use for your crispy air fryer chickpeas! An easy shortcut is to use prepared seasoning mixes. Here are some suggestions for simple herbs and spices:

  • Cajun seasoning
  • Jerk seasoning
  • Italian seasoning
  • Garam masala + curry powder
  • Ranch seasoning
  • Greek seasoning
  • Homemade taco seasoning
  • Parmesan cheese
  • Paprika or smoked paprika
  • Garlic and onion powders
  • Chili and lime juice
  • Nutritional yeast
  • Cinnamon sugar. Who says they need to be savory?

See, the sky really is the limit!

FAQs

What are the health benefits of chickpeas?

They make an excellent snack because they are a rich source of vitamins, minerals, potassium, and fiber. Additionally, they are high in protein, gluten-free, vegan, and help to keep you feeling full!

Using the air fryer is also healthier than regular frying because it uses much less oil. Controlling the seasonings will also help to control the amount of sodium, something that is not easily done when searching for store-bought snacks. 

Can I make crispy chickpeas in the oven instead?

Yes, you can make them in the oven. The process takes a bit longer than the air frying method, but the roasting method is tasty as well. Roast air-dried chickpeas, coated in olive oil and sea salt, in a hot (425°F) oven for 20 – 30 minutes before tossing with your favorite spices.

Why did my seasoning burn before my chickpeas were done?

Not all air fryer models are the same. Next time, try adding half the seasoning onto the chickpeas halfway through the cooking time and the remaining seasoning once they’re done.

Why are my chickpeas popping in the air fryer?

Don’t be alarmed if you hear your chickpeas popping in the air fryer! Chickpeas will pop and sizzle as they release moisture. The more moisture they release, the crisper they will be.

Crispy air fryer chickpeas in bowl.

More Ways to Use Them

  • Kale Quinoa Salad – Swap the plain chickpeas for this crispy roasted version.
  • Trail Mix – Add them as a crunchy component to this easy snack mix.
  • Charcuterie Board – Perfect to add with veggies, meats, cheese and other snacks.
  • Homemade Hummus – Sprinkle on top for a crunchy and flavorful addition.

Looking for more air fryer recipes? Try these air fryer potato skins, air fryer meatballs or air fryer sweet potato cubes!

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cooked chickpeas in bowl

Crispy Air Fryer Chickpeas

5 from 2 votes
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Author: Jamielyn Nye
Crispy air fryer chickpeas are salty, crunchy, and truly addictive. Ready in just 15 minutes, they make the perfect quick and healthy snack.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 6

Ingredients 

  • 1 (15-ounce) can chickpeas , rinsed and drained
  • Olive oil spray
  • ¼ teaspoon sea salt
  • ¼ teaspoon chili powder
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
  • Ground black pepper , to taste

Instructions

  • On a paper-towel-lined plate, place rinsed chickpeas in a single layer and let dry completely.
  • Transfer in a single layer to the air fryer basket. Spray with olive oil spray and sprinkle with salt, chili powder, garlic powder, and pepper. Cook at 375°F, shaking the basket every 5 minutes, for 15 minutes, or until crunchy on the inside and not moist or golden on the outside.
  • Pour into a medium bowl and let cool to room temperature before serving.

Notes

Storage: Store in a jar at room temperature up to 1 week. If chickpeas start to get soft, air fry them 2 to 3 minutes, or until crispy again. 
Seasoning variations:
  • Cajun seasoning
  • Jerk seasoning
  • Steak seasoning
  • Garam masala + curry powder
  • Ranch seasoning 

Nutrition

Serving: 0.25cup | Calories: 117kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 103mg | Potassium: 209mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 44IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 35mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.

Course: Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine: American

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