Air-Fryer Chickpeas: A Healthy, Quick Snack?

Air fryer chickpeas are a quick, easy, and healthy snack that can be made in under 20 minutes. They are crispy, crunchy, and packed with flavour. You can season them with any spice combination of your choice, such as ranch seasoning, garlic powder, paprika, or Parmesan cheese. They are also perfect as a salad topper or in a grain bowl.

How to make chickpeas in an air fryer

Ingredients:

• 1 x 15-ounce can of chickpeas
• 1 tablespoon of oil (extra virgin olive oil, avocado oil or vegetable oil)
• 1/2 tablespoon of seasoning of your choice (e.g. za'atar, everything bagel seasoning, ranch seasoning, Parmesan cheese)
• Salt to taste

Method:

Preheat your air fryer to 380-400°F.

Drain and rinse the chickpeas. For extra crispy chickpeas, dry them thoroughly with paper towels or a kitchen towel. You can also use a salad spinner, but some chickpeas may escape through the holes. Removing their skins is optional.

Add the chickpeas to a bowl and drizzle with 2 teaspoons of oil. Stir well until they are evenly coated.

Place the chickpeas in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving space for hot air to contact them on all sides. Air fry for 10-15 minutes, shaking the basket every 5 minutes.

Once the chickpeas are golden brown and crunchy, transfer them to a bowl. Spritz with oil and season while they are still hot.

Enjoy your crispy, healthy snack!

Tips:

• You can use any spice combination you like.
• If your chickpeas get soft, you can crisp them up again by placing them back in the air fryer for 2-3 minutes.
• Store in a loosely covered container at room temperature for up to 2 days.

The best type of oil to use

The type of oil you use for air-frying chickpeas is important. You want an oil with a high smoke point that will coat the chickpeas well without weighing them down or burning them at high temperatures.

Avocado oil is a good choice as it has a high smoke point and is light. Olive oil is also a popular choice and will help the chickpeas to brown and crisp up as they cook. Other oils that work well include vegetable oil, canola oil, and grapeseed oil.

If you are using oil in a spray bottle, any of the above oils will work fine.

How to make chickpeas crunchy

How to Make Crunchy Chickpeas in an Air Fryer

Ingredients:

• 1 x 15oz can of chickpeas (drained and rinsed)
• 1-3 tbsp of oil (extra virgin) olive oil, avocado oil or vegetable oil)
• Seasoning of your choice (e.g. sea salt, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cayenne, Parmesan cheese, ranch seasoning)

Method:

• Dry the chickpeas: Place the chickpeas on paper towels or a kitchen towel and leave to air dry for an hour. Alternatively, use a salad spinner to dry them and then transfer to paper towels to absorb excess moisture.
• Season the chickpeas: Transfer the chickpeas to a bowl and drizzle with 2 tsp of oil. Add your chosen seasoning and stir well until the chickpeas are evenly coated.
• Air fry: Preheat the air fryer to between 380-400°F. Place the chickpeas in the air fryer basket in a single layer and cook for 10-15 minutes, shaking the basket every 5 minutes.
• Serve: Once the chickpeas are golden brown and crunchy, transfer to a bowl and enjoy as a snack or salad topper.

Tips:

• For extra crispy chickpeas, dry them with paper towels or a kitchen towel before adding oil and seasoning.
• If you are making a large batch, work in batches to ensure the hot air can circulate and crisp up the chickpeas.
• You can re-crisp leftover chickpeas by placing them back in the air fryer for 2-3 minutes.
• Avoid using sugar or sugar-based seasoning as this can burn easily in the air fryer.

How to season chickpeas

To season chickpeas, it is important to start with dry chickpeas. Rinse and drain the chickpeas and let them dry on paper towels. You can also use a colander to drain the chickpeas.

Once dry, transfer the chickpeas to a bowl and drizzle with oil. You can use extra virgin olive oil, avocado oil, or any other oil with a high smoke point. Stir the chickpeas well until they are evenly coated.

Next, preheat your air fryer to 380-400°F. Add the chickpeas to the air fryer basket in a single layer and air fry for 12-15 minutes, shaking the basket every 5 minutes.

When the chickpeas are crunchy and golden brown, transfer them to a bowl and spritz with more oil. Then, add your choice of seasonings and stir to coat.

You can use any combination of spices you like. Some popular options include Montreal steak seasoning, grated Parmesan cheese, ranch seasoning, garlic herb seasoning, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne.

Enjoy your crispy, seasoned chickpeas as a snack or salad topper!

How to store leftover chickpeas

If you have leftover crispy chickpeas, you can store them in an open container or jar at room temperature for up to a week. If they lose their crispness, you can pop them back in the air fryer for 2 to 3 minutes to make them crispy again.

For longer storage, it is recommended to freeze chickpeas. To do this, first, rinse the chickpeas thoroughly, then place them in an airtight container and cover them with water. Frozen chickpeas will last for about 2 months, but will remain safe to eat beyond this time. However, the texture of the chickpeas will be softer after freezing and thawing, so they are best suited for use in cooked dishes such as sauces, soups, and casseroles.

Frequently asked questions