Air Fryer Chickpeas – canned chickpeas tossed in olive oil and seasonings air fried to ultra crispy. Light healthy snack or a must-add to your favorite salads – ready in 10-15 minutes!
This easy, healthy snack starts with a simple can of chickpeas, a little olive oil and your favorite dry spices.
Make a batch in under 20 minutes – they crispy-crunchy, customizable, and totally addictive.
Why this recipe works:
- Simple ingredients
- Quick and mess-free using air fryer
- Endless customizable seasoning combos
- Healthy filling snack – easy way to get crunch without potato chips
- I keep a can of chickpeas (garbanzo beans) in the pantry at all times. They’re too easy and good not to!
Ingredients needed to make crispy chickpeas in the air fryer:
Full details in the printable recipe card below.
chickpeas: canned chickpeas (aka garbanzo beans) – not dry bagged beans.
olive oil: (can use avocado oil or even vegetable oil). The oil keeps the spices stick to the chickpeas and helps crisp them up.
seasonings: I usually stick with the basics – sea salt, black pepper, garlic powder and paprika. This way they go with any kind of salad I’m adding them to. Use any of your favorite seasonings.
air fryer: this recipe works in any kind of air fryer. I have a Ninja – a true workhorse in the kitchen.
How to make Air Fryer Chickpeas:
Drain and rinse canned chickpeas.
Dry them really well on a clean kitchen towel, paper towels or using a salad spinner. Removing moisture gives you the perfect crunch.
Add olive oil and spices to a medium size bowl. Toss in the chickpeas and gently stir to coat evenly.
Preheat your air fryer (this is the Ninja I use) to 400 degrees.
Add chickpeas to the air fryer in a mostly single layer. Air fry for 12-15 minutes, pausing to shake them about halfway through cook time.
Note:
Pause and check the chickpeas before cook time is up to see if they’re to your desired crispiness (I just grab one right from the air fryer and taste it). I like mine extra crispy so I may air fry as long as 18 minutes to get the crispiness I’m looking for. Cook time will vary with air fryers and how dry they are to start with.
How to store crispy chickpeas:
Transfer cooked chickpeas to a cutting board or other large surface. Cool completely.
I store mine in an open bowl or container such as the jar shown in photos. Avoid zip-top bags or other sealed containers because they trap moisture and you’ll lose the crispiness.
What to Do With crispy Air Fryer Chickpeas:
- Snack time: Enjoy as a delicious healthy grab and go snack.
- Salad topper: Skip the croutons – add these to your greens for extra crunch.
- Soup garnish: Add to Tomato Soup or Clam Chowder for texture.
- Bowl builder: Toss them into grain bowls for a savory protein boost.
Subs and variations to this recipe:
How you season your chickpeas is up to you. I keep it simple with sea salt, black pepper, garlic powder and paprika. Here are some other spice ideas:
- cayenne pepper or chili powder for some heat
- Italian seasoning
- lemon pepper seasoning
- old bay (not just for seafood!)
- barbecue seasoning
- honey or maple syrup for a sweet flavor
More recipes with chickpeas:
Tomato Cucumber Chickpea Salad
More popular air fryer recipes:
Enjoy!
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Crispy Air Fryer Chickpeas
Equipment
- Air fryer
Ingredients
- 15 ounce can chickpeas (garbanzo beans) rinsed, drained and dried well
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
Instructions
- Drain and rinse canned chickpeas. Dry them really well on a clean kitchen towel, paper towels or using a salad spinner.
- Add olive oil and spices to a medium size bowl. Toss in the chickpeas and gently stir to coat.
- Preheat air fryer 400 degrees. Add chickpeas in a mostly single layer. Air fry for 12-15 minutes, pausing to shake them about halfway through cook time.
- Pause again near end of cook time to check for desired crispiness (I just grab one right from the air fryer and taste it). I like mine extra crispy so I may air fry as long as 18 minutes to get the crispiness I’m looking for. Cook time will vary with air fryers and how dry they are to start with.
- Transfer chickpeas to a large cutting board to cool completely.
- For best results, store in an open bowl or mason jar. Avoid ziptop bags or other sealed containers because they trap moisture and you’ll lose the crispiness.
Notes
- cayenne pepper
- Italian seasoning
- lemon pepper seasoning
- old bay (not just for seafood!)
- barbecue seasoning
- honey or maple syrup for a sweet flavor