This crispy air fryer chickpeas is a perfect salty and crunchy guilt-free, plant-based snack you can whip up in under 15 minutes. It is spiced and flavored with smoked paprika, onion powder, and cayenne pepper. Crispy chickpeas is not only great as a snack, but it is also a guaranteed crowd-pleasing appetizer.
This recipe is
- Quick, easy and can be customised to taste, perfect as a snack or an appetizer, think of it as chickpea popcorn. A real crowd pleaser!
- Budget-friendly
- Vegan
- Gluten-free
- Dairy-free
- Guilt-free snacks
- Healthy (protein-packed and high in fibre)
Crispy air fryer spicy chickpeas recipe
Cooking chickpeas in the air fryer is like a walk in the park, all you need is 5 minutes of active prepping time and that includes opening a can of chickpeas. If you are looking to try a new snack or beginner-friendly air fryer snacks then this recipe is for you. This is a simple and straightforward chickpea recipe, so let’s get on with it
Fun fact: Do you know chickpeas is the same as garbanzo beans?
What you will need to make these crispy and crunchy snacks
Canned chickpeas: super convenient and budget-friendly, but if you fancy, you can cook your own chickpeas in an instant pot. Please note that soaked chickpeas would not work for this recipe, it has to be cooked.
Smoked paprika
Onion powder
Cayenne pepper for a little kick, this is highly recommended. A pinch would do if you do not like heat
Olive oil
Variations
This recipe is effortlessly customizable, think of it as a blank canvas and add whatever spices you want to it. Here are some homemade spices you can try on and with the crispy chickpeas
How to make spicy crispy chickpeas in the air fryer
Preheat the oven at 190C/380F for 3 minutes
Open the can of chickpeas, drain in a colander and rinse under cold running water. Make sure the chickpea is drained completely, alternatively dry it with a kitchen towel or paper.
In a bowl, combine the drained chickpeas, smoked paprika, onion powder, cayenne pepper, salt, olive oil and mix to combine
Pour the seasoned chickpeas in the air fryer basket and spread it out. Cook for 12 to 15 minutes shaking every 5 minutes or so at 190C/390F or until crispy to your liking. Leave to cool for about 5 minutes and serve. Enjoy!
Storage instructions
Crispy air-fried chickpeas are best eaten on the day that it’s made. However, it will keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 24 hours but not longer than 2 days. Make sure it is completely cooled before storing.
Note: the chickpeas will not be as crispy as it will be on the day it was made, but it will still be edible. You can pop it back into the air fryer for a few minutes to crisp it up if you desired.
Tips
- If you like the chickpeas to be soft in the middle then cook it for a lesser time. You can start checking from 10 minutes until the desired texture is achieved.
- If time is not of the essence, then you can marinate the chickpeas in the spices for about 10 to 15 minutes before air frying.
- While it is tempting to cook the chickpeas at 200C/400F, I would advise against it as it would require shaking more often and might even burn easily too.
- Store the chickpea at room temperature
- Chickpeas vary in size and that is due to the type of brands you choose, if your legume is on the big side, then you may need to cook it longer than 13 minutes. Start checking from 10 minutes for optimum results.
FAQs
Do I need to peel the skin of the chickpeas for this recipe
No, this is not a deal-breaker but you can if you want.
Are chickpeas good for you?
Yes, it is healthy, protein-packed, and high in fiber. As with everything in life, moderation is key!
What can I serve it with
Apart from serving it on its own as a snack, you can use it on salad just as you would with croutons for a bit of crunch and texture.
Don’t own an air fryer, can I make crispy chickpeas in the oven
Yes, preheat the oven at 220C/425F, drain and season the chickpeas according to preference. Transfer to a lined baking sheet or a non-stick one and spread it out. Roast in the preheated oven for about 40 minutes or until crispy to your liking. Start checking from 20 minutes and stir the chickpeas if need be so it doesn’t burn.
Watch how to make it
More chickpeas recipe
How to cook chickpeas in an instant pot
Chickpea and sweet potato curry
More beginner friendly air fryer recipes
How to cook frozen chicken breast in the air fryer
Easy Lemon pepper air fryer chicken wings
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Air Fryer Chickpeas Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 14 oz Canned chickpeas
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika or as needed
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon Cayenne pepper
- 1 Tablespoon Olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat the oven at 190C/380F for 3 minutes
- Open the can of chickpeas, drain in a colander and rinse under a cold running water. Make sure the chickpea is drained completely, alternatively dry in with a kitchen towel or paper.
- In a bowl, combine the drained chickpeas, smoked paprika, onion powder, cayenne pepper, salt, olive oil and mix to combine
- Pour the seasoned chickpeas in the air fryer basket and spread it out. Cook for 12 to 15 minutes shaking every 5 minutes or so at 190C/390F or until crispy to your liking. Leave to cool for about 5 minutes and serve. Enjoy!
Notes
- If you like the chickpeas to be soft in the middle then cook it for a lesser time. You can start checking from 10 minutes until the desired texture is achieved.
- If time is not of the essence, then you can marinate the chickpeas in the spices for about 10 to 15 minutes before air frying.
- While it is tempting to cook the chickpeas at 200C/400F, I would advise against it as it would require shaking more often and might even burn easily too.
- Store the chickpea at room temperature
- Chickpeas vary in size and that is due to the type of brands you choose, if your legume is on the big side, then you may need to cook it longer than 13 minutes. Start checking from 10 minutes for optimum results.
- Do not cook more than 1 can of chickpeas at once in the air fryer to allow for even cooking. Cook in batches if need be.
Nutrition
Nutritional data: Please note that the nutrition label provided is an estimate based on an online nutrition calculator. It will vary based on the specific ingredients and brands you use. Under no circumstances will thedinnerbite.com be responsible for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on nutritional information.
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