Air-Fried Chickpeas: A Quick, Healthy Snack

Air fryer chickpeas are a quick, easy, and healthy snack that can be made in under 20 minutes. They are a great alternative to calorie-laden chips or nuts and can be seasoned in a variety of ways, such as with salt and pepper, cinnamon sugar, or Parmesan cheese. The air fryer ensures that every chickpea is crispy and crunchy, without the need for drying them before cooking. They can also be used as a salad topper, adding a nice crunch to your bowl.

How to make chickpeas in the air fryer

Ingredients

• 1 can (15-19 oz) of chickpeas (drained and rinsed)
• 1 tablespoon of olive oil
• Seasoning of your choice (e.g. garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cayenne, salt, pepper, etc.)

Method

• Heat your air fryer to 380-400°F.
• Drain and rinse the chickpeas.
• Dry the chickpeas using paper towels or a kitchen towel. Removing any loose skins is optional.
• Place the chickpeas in a bowl and toss with olive oil and your chosen seasoning.
• Spread the chickpeas in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
• Air fry for 10-15 minutes, shaking the basket every 5 minutes to ensure even cooking.
• If you want crispier chickpeas, continue cooking for a few more minutes.
• Enjoy your crispy chickpeas as a snack or salad topper!

Tips:

• It is important to dry the chickpeas thoroughly before cooking to ensure they become crispy.
• You can store leftover chickpeas in a jar or bowl without a lid to preserve crispiness.
• If your chickpeas lose their crispness, you can pop them back in the air fryer for 2-3 minutes to re-crisp them.

How to dry chickpeas before air frying

To make chickpeas in an air fryer, you'll first want to make sure they're dry. Here's how to do it:

The first step to making chickpeas in an air fryer is to ensure that your chickpeas are dry. This is important because if they're not, they won't get crispy, and if they do, they won't stay that way. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to dry chickpeas before air frying:

• Rinse and Drain the Chickpeas: Start by rinsing and draining your chickpeas. You can use canned or cooked-from-dry chickpeas. If using canned chickpeas, simply drain and rinse them. If using dry chickpeas, soak them overnight, then drain.
• Pat Dry with a Towel: Spread the chickpeas on a towel-lined sheet pan or plate and use another towel to gently pat them dry. Remove as much moisture as possible, as this will help ensure even crispiness when air frying.
• Air Dry: If you have the time, let the chickpeas air dry completely before placing them in the air fryer. Spread them out on a sheet pan or plate and let them sit for about 45 minutes to an hour.
• Remove Chickpea Skins (Optional): As you pat the chickpeas dry, you may notice that the thin layers of skin come off easily. You can choose to remove these skins before air frying, especially if you want a crispier texture. However, removing the skins is not necessary, and you can leave them on if you prefer.
• Check for Dryness: Before placing the chickpeas in the air fryer, check to make sure they are completely dry. If there is still moisture on the surface, they may not crisp up evenly.
• Preheat the Air Fryer: While the chickpeas are drying, preheat your air fryer to the desired temperature. Most recipes recommend air frying chickpeas between 380-400°F (190-200°C).
• Add Oil and Seasonings: Once the chickpeas are dry, you can add oil and your desired seasonings. Toss the chickpeas with a light coating of oil, such as avocado oil, olive oil, or canola oil. Then, add your favourite spices or seasonings. You can experiment with different combinations, such as garlic powder, chili powder, cayenne pepper, curry powder, or even cinnamon and sugar for a sweet version.
• Air Fry: Place the seasoned chickpeas in the air fryer basket in a single layer and air fry for 12-15 minutes at the preheated temperature. Shake the basket every 5 minutes to ensure even cooking. The chickpeas are done when they are golden brown and crunchy.
• Cool and Enjoy: Remove the chickpeas from the air fryer and let them cool. Enjoy them as a snack or use them as a crunchy topping for salads or other dishes.

By following these steps, you'll ensure that your chickpeas are dry and ready for air frying. This will help you achieve the desired crispiness and texture when cooking them in the air fryer.

How to season chickpeas for the air fryer

There are many ways to season chickpeas for the air fryer. Here are some ideas:

Ranch Seasoning

For a ranch flavour, you can use a store-bought ranch seasoning mix, or make your own by combining garlic powder, onion powder, dried dill, dried chives, salt, and pepper.

Dorito Seasoning

For a Dorito flavour, mix together nutritional yeast, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, paprika, chili powder, and salt.

Coconut Curry Seasoning

For a coconut curry flavour, use unsweetened shredded coconut, curry powder, and salt.

Cheesy Italian Herb Seasoning

For a cheesy Italian herb flavour, combine grated Parmesan cheese, dried oregano or Italian seasoning, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika.

Salt and Vinegar Seasoning

For a salt and vinegar flavour, stir the chickpeas with white vinegar, salt, olive oil, and garlic powder.

Curry Seasoning

For a curry flavour, use melted coconut oil instead of olive oil, and add curry powder to the seasoning mix, omitting the smoked paprika.

Basic Seasoning

For a basic seasoning, you can simply use olive oil and salt, or olive oil, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika.

Butter Flavour

Adding a couple of teaspoons of nutritional yeast to any of the above recipes will yield a somewhat buttery flavour.

Other Seasoning Ideas

Other spices and seasonings you can use include Montreal steak seasoning, grated Parmesan cheese, Cajun seasoning, garlic salt, blackened seasoning, zatar, cinnamon, sugar, chili powder, celery salt, dry mustard, black pepper, and true lime.

How to store air-fried chickpeas

To store air-fried chickpeas, it is recommended to keep them in an open container, such as a bowl or a jar, at room temperature. They can last for up to a week or more, although they are not likely to last that long due to how tasty they are! If they do go soft, you can pop them back into the air fryer for 2-3 minutes to crisp them back up.

One source suggests storing them in a paper bag to keep them crispy, while another suggests storing them in a loosely sealed plastic bag lined with a paper towel.

How to re-crisp air-fried chickpeas

To re-crisp air-fried chickpeas, simply pop them back into the air fryer for 2 to 3 minutes. This will help to restore their crunchy texture.

It is important to note that the chickpeas should be completely dry before cooking. If you are using canned chickpeas, spread them out on paper towels and let them air dry for an hour. This will help ensure that they get crispy and stay crispy.

Additionally, when seasoning the chickpeas, it is best to do so after cooking, as seasoning them beforehand can cause the spices to burn.

Frequently asked questions