Air Fryer Crunchy Chickpeas: A Quick, Easy Snack

If you're looking for a tasty, healthy snack, air fryer chickpeas are a great option. They're crunchy, crispy, and perfect for those who are time-crunched as they take only 15 minutes to cook. Plus, they're a blank canvas for your favourite spices.

To make crunchy chickpeas in an air fryer, start with dry chickpeas—either canned or cooked yourself. Rinse and drain them, then let them air dry on paper towels for an hour. After drying, toss the chickpeas with olive oil and your choice of seasonings. Spread them in a single layer in your air fryer basket and fry at 380-400°F for 10-15 minutes, shaking the basket every 5 minutes, until they're crunchy and golden brown.

Enjoy your crunchy chickpeas as a snack or sprinkle them over a salad for a tasty, healthy crunch.

How to dry chickpeas before air frying

To make crunchy chickpeas in an air fryer, it is important to start with dry chickpeas. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to dry chickpeas before air frying:

Step 1: Rinse and Drain the Chickpeas

Start by rinsing the desired amount of chickpeas in a colander or strainer. Drain the water and remove any excess liquid from the chickpeas. This step ensures that the chickpeas are clean and removes any impurities or debris.

Step 2: Spread on a Towel or Paper Towel

After rinsing, spread the chickpeas on a clean kitchen towel or paper towel. This step helps to absorb any remaining moisture from the chickpea's surface. You can also use multiple layers of paper towels to absorb more water.

Step 3: Air Dry Completely

Let the chickpeas air dry completely. This step is crucial as any remaining moisture can affect the crispiness of the chickpeas during air frying. Leave them to air dry for at least 45 minutes to an hour. You can also let them sit on the counter for a longer period if time permits.

Step 4: Optional – Remove Loose Skins

While the chickpeas are drying, you can optionally remove any loose skins from their outer surface. This step is not necessary but can improve the final texture and appearance of the air-fried chickpeas.

Step 5: Seasoning (Optional)

Once the chickpeas are completely dry, you can optionally add seasoning to enhance their flavor. However, it is recommended to season the chickpeas after air frying, as seasoning before cooking may result in burnt spices. You can use various seasonings like olive oil, sea salt, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, or any spice combination of your choice.

Step 6: Air Frying

Preheat your air fryer to the desired temperature, typically between 380-400°F (190-200°C). Place the dried chickpeas in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they are not crowded. Air fry for 10-15 minutes, shaking the basket every 5 minutes, until the chickpeas are crunchy and golden brown.

By following these steps, you can ensure that your chickpeas are sufficiently dried before air frying, resulting in a crunchier and more delicious snack.

How to season chickpeas

Seasoning chickpeas is a fun and creative process, as they are a blank canvas for your favourite flavours. You can use any spices you like, but it's important to add them after cooking, as seasoning beforehand can result in burnt spices. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Ranch Seasoning

• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Dried dill
• Dried chives
• Salt and pepper

Grated Parmesan Cheese

A simple option that adds a savoury, umami flavour to the chickpeas.

Montreal Steak Seasoning

A well-loved option that adds a punch of flavour to your chickpeas.

Dorito Seasoning

• Nutritional yeast
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Cumin
• Paprika
• Chilli powder
• Salt

Coconut Curry Seasoning

• Unsweetened shredded coconut
• Curry powder
• Salt

Cheesy Italian Herb Seasoning

• Grated parmesan cheese
• Dried oregano or Italian seasoning

Salt and Vinegar Seasoning

• White vinegar
• Salt

Curry Seasoning

• Coconut oil
• Curry powder

Butter Flavour

Nutritional yeast

Honey Lime

A unique sweet and tangy option.

Fajita Seasoning

A zesty, spicy option, but be careful not to use a rub with sugar, as it may burn in the air fryer.

Cajun Seasoning

A spicy, flavourful option.

Garlic Salt

A simple, savoury choice.

Blackened Seasoning

Adds a bold, smoky flavour to your chickpeas.

Za'atar

A unique, tangy, and herbal option.

How to store crispy chickpeas

Roasted chickpeas are best enjoyed straight out of the air fryer when they are at their crispiest. However, if you have leftovers, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure they stay as crispy as possible.

First, avoid storing them in plastic bags or containers. Instead, opt for a glass jar or container with the lid left slightly ajar. This allows air to circulate, which helps to keep the chickpeas crispy. You can also store them in a parchment or paper bag or in a bowl covered with a paper towel.

Another factor to consider is the temperature. Roasted chickpeas can be stored at room temperature for up to a week. If they start to soften, you can pop them back into the air fryer for 2-3 minutes to re-crisp them.

Finally, moisture is the enemy of crispy chickpeas. Make sure they are completely dry before storing, and avoid using any oily or wet seasonings that could make them soggy.

How to re-crisp chickpeas

To re-crisp chickpeas, you can pop them back into the air fryer for 2 to 3 minutes. Alternatively, you can cook them for a few minutes in a dry skillet over medium heat.

• Start with dry chickpeas. If you're using canned chickpeas, make sure to air dry them on paper towels before cooking.
• Spread the chickpeas out on dry paper towels. Place another towel on top of them, and move the towel across the chickpeas to absorb any remaining moisture.
• If you have time, let the chickpeas sit out on your counter for an hour or so after drying them.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. The hot air needs to be able to contact the chickpeas on all sides for them to get crispy.
• Store the chickpeas in a jar or bowl without a lid to preserve crispiness.

How to choose oil for air frying chickpeas

When making crunchy chickpeas in an air fryer, you'll want to choose an oil with a high smoke point that won't burn at high temperatures. The smoke point of an oil is the temperature at which it begins to break down and emit smoke. If you use an oil with a low smoke point, it will start smoking before you reach the target temperature, affecting the taste of your food.

• Avocado oil: Avocado oil has a smoke point of around 520–570°F (271–300°C). It has a neutral flavour and is rich in heart-healthy unsaturated fats.
• Light olive oil: Refined olive oil, or light/extra light olive oil, has a smoke point of approximately 465–470°F (241–243°C). It has a lighter colour and a neutral flavour compared to extra virgin olive oil.
• Ghee (clarified butter): Ghee is a type of clarified butter commonly used in French and Indian cuisine. It has a smoke point of around 482–485°F (250–252°C).
• Sunflower oil: Sunflower oil has a smoke point of about 450°F (232°C) and is rich in vitamin E and unsaturated fats. It has a light flavour, making it a good all-purpose cooking oil.
• Peanut oil: Peanut oil has a pleasant, nutty flavour and a smoke point of around 450°F (232°C). It is commonly used for stir-frying and deep-frying.
• Grapeseed oil: With a smoke point of around 420–421°F (216°C), grapeseed oil is a byproduct of winemaking. It has a high smoke point and a clean taste, making it suitable for various cooking applications.
• Coconut oil (refined): Refined coconut oil has a smoke point of approximately 400°F (204°C), while unrefined coconut oil has a lower smoke point of 350°F (177°C).

Other oils that can be used in an air fryer include vegetable oil, canola oil, soybean oil, and extra virgin olive oil, but these have slightly lower smoke points.

When choosing an oil for air frying chickpeas, it is also important to consider the flavour of the oil and how it will complement your spices and seasonings. For example, extra virgin olive oil has a stronger taste and may enhance the flavour of milder spices. On the other hand, avocado oil and grapeseed oil are more neutral in flavour and will not alter the taste of your chickpeas.

Frequently asked questions