Crispy air fryer chickpeas are the tastiest and crunchiest snack you will find. Using the air fryer cuts the cook time down to 15 minutes, and they are so much crispier than in the oven! Vegan and gluten-free, these crispy roasted chickpeas are an awesome healthier snack.
I have always loved the concept of crispy roasted chickpeas, but I have often failed in execution. It always seems like some of them get crispy while others are still chewy. And still others are burned.
Not only that, but you have to wash and dry the chickpeas before roasting, and you have to roast them for quite awhile.
Well, enter the air fryer. GAME CHANGED.
No need to dry these chickpeas, and they are ready for your snacking pleasure in 15 minutes. Yup. 15 minutes!
Don’t forget to pin this recipe to save it for later!
We purchased our air fryer in December and it has quickly become one of our favorite kitchen appliances.
Why buy an air fryer?
- With very little oil, we can get nice, crispy food
- It pre-heats so much quicker than an oven
- It cooks food quicker, too!
What are the downsides to the air fryer? I will admit to initially being disappointed with the small size of the air fryer. The air fryer itself is not small, but the basket inside is small. Most food you need to cook in batches (ie: chicken breasts, sweet potato tots, salmon patties and anything chip-shaped). However there are some exceptions to this rule; frozen french fries and these air fryer chickpeas being two of them!
How to make crispy air fryer chickpeas
It’s so simple!
- Drain and rinse a can of chickpeas
- Toss with olive oil and seasoning
- Cook at 390°F for 12-18 minutes, shaking them a few times during the cook process
- Enjoy!
How can I use these crispy roasted chickpeas? You could use them as a salad topper (try this Southwestern Kale Chickpea Salad), in tacos (they go awesomely well with cauliflower!), as part of a Buddha bowl, or just enjoy them as is.
How do I store these crispy roasted chickpeas? They keep better stored in a container with the lid off (I found this out by accident!). We store in a jar in the cupboard.
Tips for the absolute BEST crispy air fryer chickpeas
- This is the air fryer model I have
- you can use one of these seven seasoning blends to add different flavors to the chickpeas
- Looking for more air fryer recipes? Check out these Crispy Air Fryer Sweet Potato Tots, these Thai Salmon Patties, or this post on How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Breast
- Looking for more snack recipes? Check out this round up with 36+ Healthy Snack Recipes
Crispy Air Fryer Chickpeas
Ingredients
- 19 oz can of chickpeas (drained and rinsed)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne (optional)
Instructions
- Heat air fryer to 390°F / 200°C.
- Drain and rinse chickpeas. Toss with olive oil and spices.
- Dump the whole batch of chickpeas in the air fryer basket. Cook for 12-15 minutes, shaking a couple of times.
- When chickpeas are cooked to your liking, remove from air fryer, taste and add more salt and pepper to taste.
- Store in an open container.
Notes
Nutrition
Rebecca
These were delicious! I even got my picky toddler to try a few.
Kim
Hi,
Thanks for sharing your recipe – I’ve tried this along with your sweet potato tots recipe and unfortunately in both instances have been disappointed. 🙁
Both the sweet potato tots and the chickpeas do not come out crispy and has taken 3 times as long to get to even remotely crispy. (40mins for the chickpeas!! on 200 degrees!)
What am I doing wrong?
Denise
Hi Kim! My first question is are you using 200°C or °F? If you are using °F then this is likely why you are having issues. If you are using °C then I would point to differences in air fryer models. THere are just so many models out there that it’s impossible to be 100% on the cook time (but the cook times sound way off for you, so maybe your model cooks slower or lower than mine?) I am using the Philips and highly recommend it!
rick
do you think canned white navy beans would work, just cook a little longer, because of their size?
Denise
Hi Rick! That’s a great question. I worry that they are a little too soft to get crispy. If you try, would you let me know how it goes?
Anne
Delicious and so simple! This has become my favorite air fryer snack!
Denise
I’m so happy to hear this! Chickpeas get so crispy in the air fryer, don’t they?
Miserable Old Fart
Ii don’t yet have an air fryer, so I’m still using the oven, and when doing them in the oven, only oil and salt are added before cooking. But after, my favorite concoction is a good curry powder, added cumin and a touch of chipotle for heat and smokiness. Since it takes about 30-35 minutes at 450 degrees int eh oven, I intend to get an air fryer especially for this, which I make several times a week.
Denise
That sounds delicious! I hope you give them a try 🙂
Bee
I have made them three times with different spices – Moroccan with a touch of haberano olive oil and Tandoori. The last two times I “marinated” the chickpeas with the spices for about ten minutes to absorb the spices. They have been a hit. Even introduced this recipe to my coworker. Thank you.
Denise
I am so happy you’ve enjoyed! I must try marinating mine next time. Thanks for your review, Bee!
Caellen
These are yummy. I had to use smoked paprika, so I halved the amount.
Denise
So glad you enjoyed! I must try with smoked paprika next time!
Ada
Fantastic! I’m on Weight Watchers so i slipped the oil and just used the spices and they address a fabulous” free” snack for me. I will need vet use the oven again! Thanks so much!
Ada
I “skipped” not “slipped” the oil. ☺
Denise
Yay! So happy you enjoyed!
Zizi
OMG! I will never make roasted chickpeas in the oven again. These are INSANE!
Denise
So happy you enjoyed! Thanks so much for your review!
Derick
Air fryers are simply much safer to use.
michelle jadaa
do they stay crispy? ive tried the oven baked ones and they don’t.
Denise
Hi Michelle! I have had the same issue with oven-baked chickpeas…but air fryer chickpeas stay crispy for days! I store them in a container without a lid 🙂
michelle jadaa
yay! thank you for replying im off to try them !