Air-Fryer Crunchy Chickpeas: A Quick, Easy Snack

Air fryers are a great way to make crunchy chickpeas, a healthy, high-fibre snack. They are also a great, crunchy addition to a salad. You can use any spice combination you like – the possibilities are endless. It is important to start with dry chickpeas, and then it is up to you how you season them. They are best eaten right away but can be popped back in the air fryer for 2-3 minutes to crisp them back up if they get soft.

How to make crunchy chickpeas in an air fryer without drying them first

Ingredients

• 1 x 15.5-ounce can of chickpeas (garbanzo beans)
• Oil (such as avocado, olive, or vegetable oil)
• Seasoning of your choice (e.g. salt, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cayenne)

Utensils

• Air fryer
• Colander
• Paper towels or kitchen towel
• Medium-sized bowl

Method

• Open and drain the can of chickpeas in a colander.
• (Optional) Rinse the chickpeas.
• Add the drained chickpeas to the air fryer basket, spreading them out across the bottom.
• Close the air fryer basket and set the temperature to between 380-400 degrees Fahrenheit. Set the timer for 12-17 minutes.
• After 5 minutes, open the air fryer basket. At this point, your chickpeas should be dry and ready for you to spray or toss them with oil.
• Continue the cooking cycle and shake the basket every 5 minutes.
• When there are about 2 minutes left, add your chosen seasoning. This allows the chickpeas to roast without the seasoning burning or falling off.
• Continue to cook for the last 2 minutes, and then remove the chickpeas. If you need them a little crispier, put them in for a few more minutes.
• After cooking the chickpeas, place them in a large bowl and pour on the remaining seasoning. Stir to coat the seasoning on all the chickpeas. Allow them to cool and enjoy!

Tips

• You can use any type of oil, but for the crunchiest chickpeas, it is best to use a light oil with a high smoke point, such as avocado oil.
• You can use any seasoning you like, but be careful when using rubs or seasoning blends that have a high amount of sugar, as these can burn easily in the air fryer.
• If you want your chickpeas to be extra crispy, you can dry them with paper towels or a kitchen towel before putting them in the air fryer. However, this step is not essential.

How to make crunchy chickpeas in an air fryer with dried chickpeas

Ingredients

• Dried chickpeas
• Oil (olive, avocado, or cooking oil)
• Salt
• Seasoning of your choice (e.g. garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cayenne, ranch seasoning, Parmesan cheese, etc.)

Instructions

• Soak the dried chickpeas in double the amount of water and leave them in the refrigerator overnight. Alternatively, you can use a pressure cooker or boil them in a pot of salted water for 40-60 minutes.
• Drain and rinse the chickpeas.
• Dry the chickpeas with paper towels or a clean kitchen towel.
• Preheat the air fryer to 380-400°F (190-200°C).
• In a bowl, mix the chickpeas with oil and salt. You can also add your desired seasoning at this step, but it is recommended to add it after cooking to prevent burning.
• Spread the chickpeas in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
• Air fry for 8-15 minutes, shaking the basket every 5 minutes, until crispy and golden brown.
• If you haven't already added seasoning, now is the time! Toss the hot chickpeas with your chosen seasoning and stir well.
• Enjoy as a snack or add them to your favourite salad or bowl.

Tips:

• If you want extra crispy chickpeas, you can pat them dry with paper towels or a lint-free kitchen towel before adding oil and seasoning.
• You can store the crunchy chickpeas in a paper bag or a loosely sealed plastic bag lined with a paper towel. They will stay crispy for up to a week.

How long to cook crunchy chickpeas in an air fryer

Cooking crunchy chickpeas in an air fryer is a quick and easy process. The length of time you should cook your chickpeas for depends on the texture you want to achieve, the type of air fryer you are using, and your personal preference.

Drying the Chickpeas

Before cooking, you should drain and rinse your chickpeas. Some recipes recommend drying your chickpeas with a paper towel or kitchen towel before cooking. This can help your chickpeas become extra crispy, but it is not essential.

Cooking Time

Most recipes recommend cooking your chickpeas for 12-15 minutes in the air fryer. However, it is important to note that air fryers can vary, so it is recommended that you check on your chickpeas regularly during cooking and adjust the cooking time as needed. One recipe suggests cooking the chickpeas for 10 minutes, shaking the basket, and then checking the chickpeas for doneness, adding 2-3 minutes of cooking time until they reach your desired level of crispness. Another recipe recommends cooking the chickpeas for 5 minutes, shaking the basket, and then cooking for an additional 5 minutes before checking for doneness.

Cooking Temperature

The optimal temperature for cooking crunchy chickpeas in an air fryer is around 380-400°F.

Shaking the Basket

It is important to shake the air fryer basket a few times during cooking to help evenly cook the chickpeas.

How to season crunchy chickpeas

Seasoning your crunchy chickpeas is a chance to get creative! You can use any spices you like, but it's recommended that you season the chickpeas after cooking, as seasoning them beforehand may cause the spices to burn.

• Salt and pepper
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Cayenne pepper
• Paprika
• Parmesan cheese
• Ranch seasoning
• Montreal steak seasoning
• Dill pickle
• Pizza seasoning
• Coconut curry
• Dorito seasoning
• Maple syrup, salt, and cinnamon

How to store crunchy chickpeas

To keep your crunchy chickpeas crispy, it's best to store them at room temperature in an unsealed container. Cover the container with a paper towel or dish towel to allow air to circulate and any remaining moisture to evaporate. You can also use a glass jar, but be sure to leave the lid cracked open.

Plastic bags are not ideal, as the chickpeas will lose their crunch.

If you're storing your chickpeas in a glass jar, be sure to leave some headroom. This will ensure the chickpeas retain their crunch.

If you're storing your chickpeas in a bowl, cover it with a paper towel to keep out random particles and critters.

Your chickpeas should last up to five days, but they are best eaten within the first two days.

If your chickpeas do lose their crispness, you can pop them back into the air fryer for 2-3 minutes to crisp them back up.

Frequently asked questions