Air-Fryer Roasted Chickpeas: How Long To Fry Them?

Roasting chickpeas in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to make a delicious, healthy snack. The air fryer cuts the cook time down to around 15 minutes, and they are crispier than oven-roasted chickpeas. To make them, you should first drain and rinse the chickpeas, then dry them with a paper towel or kitchen cloth. Next, toss them with olive oil and your choice of seasoning. Then, spread the chickpeas in the air fryer basket and cook at 380-400°F for 10 to 15 minutes, shaking the basket periodically. After cooking, you can season them further to taste.

The importance of drying chickpeas before roasting

Roasted chickpeas are a popular, healthy snack that can be made in an air fryer or an oven. They are a good source of plant-based protein and offer a delightful crunch. However, it is important to ensure that the chickpeas are dry before roasting, or they won't turn out crispy.

Drying chickpeas before roasting is crucial because any moisture left on the surface of the chickpeas will prevent them from crisping up in the air fryer or oven. This is because the hot air needs to come into direct contact with the chickpeas to make them crispy. Therefore, it is recommended to spread the chickpeas on a clean kitchen or paper towel and gently pat them dry before roasting.

How to Dry Chickpeas for Roasting

The process of drying chickpeas before roasting is straightforward. If using canned chickpeas, simply drain and rinse the chickpeas, spread them out on a towel, and gently pat them dry. It is also a good idea to remove any loose skins from the chickpeas at this stage. If you are using dried chickpeas, they will need to be soaked in water for 8-12 hours before draining, rinsing, and drying.

Benefits of Roasting Chickpeas

Roasted chickpeas are a tasty, healthy snack option that can be seasoned in a variety of ways to suit your taste preferences. They are a good source of plant-based protein and are high in fiber, making them a filling and nutritious snack. Roasting chickpeas is also a cost-effective option, as a can of chickpeas is relatively inexpensive and will make a large batch of roasted chickpeas.

In conclusion, drying chickpeas before roasting is an essential step in the process of making crispy roasted chickpeas. By ensuring that the chickpeas are dry before placing them in the air fryer or oven, you will achieve the desired crispy texture that makes this snack so popular.

How to season chickpeas

Roasted chickpeas are a tasty and healthy snack, and you can make them in an air fryer in about 15 minutes. Here's how to season them:

• Use oil: A good option is extra-virgin olive oil, as it helps the chickpeas brown and crisp up during cooking. Avocado oil is another option due to its high smoke point.
• Add salt: Sea salt or regular salt will do. This brings out the nutty flavour of the chickpeas.
• Spices: You can use any spices you like. Some suggestions include garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cayenne, Cajun seasoning, garlic salt, blackened seasoning, Montreal steak seasoning, zatar, and curry powder. You can also try a ranch seasoning mix (garlic and onion powders, salt, pepper, dried parsley, and dill).
• Avoid sugar: It's best to avoid rubs or mixes with sugar, as it tends to burn easily in the air fryer.

Method:

• Drain and rinse the chickpeas.
• Dry the chickpeas thoroughly with paper towels or kitchen towels. Removing the loose skins is also recommended.
• Transfer the chickpeas to a bowl and drizzle with oil and sprinkle with salt and your desired spices. Toss to coat evenly.
• Preheat the air fryer to between 380-400°F (about 200°C).
• Place the chickpeas in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
• Air fry for 10-15 minutes, shaking the basket every 5 minutes, until the chickpeas are crispy and golden brown.
• If desired, sprinkle with more salt and pepper to taste after cooking.

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

How long to roast chickpeas for

Roasting chickpeas in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to make a delicious, healthy snack. The length of time you roast them for will depend on the type of air fryer you have and how crispy you like your chickpeas.

Drying the Chickpeas

An important step before roasting your chickpeas is to ensure they are dry. You should drain and rinse the chickpeas, and then spread them on a clean kitchen towel or paper towel, patting them dry. This will take around an hour. If you skip this step, your chickpeas won't crisp up in the air fryer.

Roasting the Chickpeas

Once your chickpeas are dry, you can add oil and seasoning. Most recipes suggest olive oil, but other neutral-tasting oils with a high smoke point, like avocado oil, canola oil, or vegetable oil, can also be used. For seasoning, you can keep it simple with just salt, or try spices like garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, or cayenne pepper.

When you're ready to roast your chickpeas, spread them in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they have space around them so the hot air can circulate. Set your air fryer to between 380-400°F and roast for 10-15 minutes, shaking the basket every 5 minutes. You may need to roast for a few minutes longer if they're not quite crispy enough.

Storing Your Chickpeas

Once your chickpeas are roasted, you can store them in a loosely covered container or paper bag at room temperature. They should stay crispy for a couple of days, but if they do start to soften, you can simply pop them back in the air fryer for a few minutes to re-crisp them.

The best oil for roasting chickpeas

Roasted chickpeas are a great, healthy snack. They can be seasoned in a variety of ways and are packed with protein and fibre. They can be made in an air fryer or in an oven.

Oils for Roasting Chickpeas

When roasting chickpeas, it is important to use an oil with a high smoke point. Avocado oil and extra virgin olive oil are good options. Regular olive oil is also recommended for roasting, but extra virgin olive oil is better saved for salads.

Seasoning Ideas

Chickpeas are very versatile and can be seasoned in many ways. Here are some ideas:

• Lemon black pepper
• Lemon zest
• Rosemary
• Paprika
• Parmesan cheese
• Ranch seasoning
• Cayenne
• Cinnamon sugar
• Italian herbs
• Curry powder
• Cumin
• Chili powder
• Garam masala
• Cumin
• Smoked paprika
• Thyme

Tips for Roasting Chickpeas

• It is important to dry the chickpeas as much as possible before roasting.
• Don't skimp on the oil—use enough to ensure the chickpeas crisp up.
• Add spices after cooking to prevent them from burning.
• Store roasted chickpeas in a loosely covered container at room temperature.

How to store roasted chickpeas

Roasted chickpeas are best stored in a glass jar, with the lid left slightly loose to allow the chickpeas to breathe and stay crispy. They can be kept at room temperature for up to a week and will remain crunchy for a couple of days.

If you want to keep them longer, you can also freeze roasted chickpeas, but they will be chewy rather than crispy when they thaw.

Frequently asked questions