If you've never tried Crispy chickpeas you're in for a treat! They're such a satisfying snack with a crunchy texture and a great pop of flavor. This recipe calls for a specific trader Joes spice, but fear not - if you don’t have that spice, I’ll also offer other seasoning combos you can try.
Are Crispy Chickpeas Healthy?
They certainly can be, but the store bought kind is often cooked with a lot of cheap oils (like soybean or canola), which really takes away from their amazing health value. This recipe calls for zero oil, keeping the calories down and the crisp factor high.
The Secret to Crispy Chickpeas
If you’ve tried roasting chickpeas in the past and they didn’t get crispy enough, you may have forgotten one vital step -- they have to be super dry before you cook them!
After you take your chickpeas out of the can, rince them really well, then let them sit on a paper towel-lined plate. Pat them dry and then let them sit and air dry for about 30 minutes or so. You don’t have to wait that long, but the drier they are before you cook them, the crispier they will be.
Seasoning your Crispy Chickpeas Like a Pro
Always season before cooking! This will help the seasoning to stick. This recipe calls for Trader Joe's Chili Lime Seasoning, but if you don’t have that, no sweat. Here’s a few more options to try:
- Oregano, garlic powder & onion powder
- Oregano, cumin and paprika
- Basil, oregano and garlic powder
You could also use pre-mixed seasoning like Ms Dash, Flavor Gods or Fit Men Cook’s blends. If you have popcorn seasoning laying around, that would be perfect, too!
Just go with whatever flavorings inspire you. Personally, I love chili lime seasoning.
The one other ingredient that’s a constant is salt. I like to use Maldon salt as it brings out the flavor of everything it touches, but use what you have (preferably sea salt).
Won’t Chickpeas make me gain weight?
No! While not traditionally low carb, beans are filled with fiber and protein, making them the perfect healthy food. The key is to not over eat them.
A ¼ cup serving of chickpeas is about 70 calories, 3 grams of protein and only 11 net carbs. So as long as you don’t go overboard, you shouldn’t worry about gaining weight from eating chickpeas.
Roasting vs Air Frying
Oh, hands down, air frying your chickpeas is going to give you the best results. Air Fryers were designed to make food crispy without oil, and they do not disappoint when you’re making chickpeas. However, I know not everyone has an airfryer yet (what are you waiting for?), so I’ll include roasting instructions as well.
How to roast crispy chickpeas in the oven
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees and place your seasoned chickpeas on a cookie sheet. Roast for 25 minutes, but be sure to periodically move the pan around so the beans get cooked evenly.
How to air fry crispy chickpeas
Set the airfryer to 375 and cook for 10 minutes. Then give the peas a shake and cook for another 5 to 7 minutes until you’ve reached the desired level of crunch. Don’t go too far or they’ll turn out like little rocks.
Want more bean-inspired recipes?
Try this chickpea + kale stew and perhaps some slow carb blondies for dessert (<-so good).
Are you on the 21 Day Fix or Ultimate Portion Fix Meal Plan?
One serving of chickpeas (approximately 1/4 cup) is .5 a yellow container.
Curious what the Ultimate Portion Fix (a.k.a. the 21 Day Fix Meal Plan) is? Click here to learn more.
Counting Macros?
One 1/4 cup portion of crispy chickpeas is 70 calories, 13g carbs, 2.6g fiber, 3g protein & .7g fat.
3 Ingredient Crispy Chickpeas (Oven or Air Fryer)
A truly satisfying treat that's as healthy as it is delicious.
Ingredients
- 1, 15 ounce can of chickpeas
- 1 tsp of Trader Joes Chili Lime Seasoning
- dash of salt
Instructions
Air Fryer
- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees and place your seasoned chickpeas on a cookie sheet.
- Roast for 25 minutes, but be sure to periodically move the pan around so the beans get cooked evenly.
How to air fry crispy chickpeas
- Set the air fryer to 375 and cook for 10 minutes.
- Then give the peas a shake and cook for another 5 to 7 minutes until you’ve reached the desired level of crunch.
Notes
Additional Seasoning Blends To Try:
- Oregano, garlic powder & onion powder
- Oregano, cumin and paprika
- Basil, oregano and garlic powder
You could also use pre-mixed seasoning like Ms Dash, Flavor Gods or Fit Men Cook’s blends. If you have popcorn seasoning laying around, that would be perfect, too!
Nutrition Information
Yield 8 Serving Size 1/4 cupAmount Per Serving Calories 70Total Fat .7gCarbohydrates 13gNet Carbohydrates 10.4gFiber 2.6gProtein 3g
Caren is a certified yoga teacher, fitness instructor and ADHD Coach. As the founder of The Fit Habit, she shares ADHD-friendly self-care, food & fitness inspiration, along with practical ways to foster mind + body wellness.
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