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.
We have been absolutely loving the air fryer to make Honey Lime Air Fryer Shrimp, and Breaded Air Fryer Chicken, but my favorite thing might just be these air fryer chickpeas!
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!
Reasons you’ll ♡ these air fryer chickpeas
Video tutorial
Wondering how this recipe comes together? Watch the 1-minute video below! You can find more of my recipe videos on my YouTube channel.
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Let's talk ingredients
For this air fryer chickpeas recipe you will need:
- chickpeas- use 1 can drained & rinsed OR cook your own Instant Pot chickpeas
- oil- I like to use avocado oil because it has a high smoke point, but extra virgin olive oil works as well
- spices- I am using an adaptation of my favorite homemade fajita seasoning. I advise against using a rub with sugar as during testing, the sugar burned
That's it! Super duper simple.
These air fryer chickpeas are a great meal prep snack. Here are some tips to help with your prep: Find my kitchen equipment in my shop!Meal prep tips
Can I change the seasoning?
Absolutely! Try one of these 7 dry rub recipes, but do stay away from anything with sugar as in my experience the sugar can burn easily in the air fryer.
How long do these chickpeas last?
You can store them in the cupboard for 1 week or more! Bet they won't last that long 😉
How can I serve air fryer chickpeas?
We enjoy them as a snack but they are yummy as a salad topper, too. They would be great on this Kale Caesar salad!
More Air Fryer Recipes
This post was originally published in 2018. It has been republished in 2020 with new recipes tips + a video.
Did you make this? Tag me on social @sweetpeasandsaffron and be sure to leave a comment and rate the recipe!
ULTRA Crispy Air Fryer Chickpeas
Video
Ingredients
- 19 oz can of chickpeas (drained and rinsed)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne (optional)
Instructions
- Heat air fryer to 390°F / 200°C.
- Drain and rinse chickpeas (no need to dry). 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.
Nutrition Information
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Hi, I'm Annie. With a Bachelor of Science degree, a minor in nutrition and nearly 20 year of both classical training, and self-taught experience, I've spent my career proving that home cooking can be practical, delicious and inspiring. What started in 2013 as one food blog has grown into a full-time business. Today, my husband Clayton and I run five food websites that connect with millions of home cooks every month.
When I'm not in the kitchen or behind the camera, I'm using fueling my love of travel, or chasing down new ideas that keep food fun and fresh.
Elizabeth Ng says
Hi Denise, this did not work for me the first time, but I'll try again. The chickpeas were not crispy, however, the spice mix is lovely.
The next time, I'll air fry the chickpeas at the start to dry them out a bit before coating them with the spices. Also, will probably need a longer cook time for my air fryer.
Really enjoy making all your recipes.
Denise Bustard says
Hi Elizabeth! Thank you so much for the feedback. All air fryers cook slightly differently, so it's possible that cook times will need to be adjusted. Definitely increase the cook time next time, and have a taste tester to see if they are crispy enough for you before pulling out of the air fryer. <3
maia says
Mine took 25 minutes at 400 deg.
Denise Bustard says
Hi Maia! Thanks so much for reporting back! If you don't mind me asking, which air fryer model are you using? This would help me out a lot 🙂
PDR says
Not sure what I am doing wrong but they are “popping” and splattering in the air fryer? Too hot? Beans too moist? Please advise! Thanks!
Laura says
I am having the same problem! What are we doing wrong?
Denise Bustard says
Hey guys! That is so strange, I've never had this issue before. Do you mind sharing which air fryer model do you have, and if you were using 390°F? Thanks!
Trudi McDonald says
I had the same issue…. Sounded like popcorn firing and splattering everywhere…. I had to duck for cover when I opened the drawer to shake them. I have a Phillips XL…. Next time I will lessen the temperature and cook for less time… Great recipe…. Fantastic tossed through a salad too…
Lynda Betabdishoo says
I was about to try the crispy chickpeas but noticed that you said several times in the recipe not to use a rub with sugar. The fajita spice mix recipes link for the rub has sugar. Do I leave that sugar out of the spice mix when I’m making it for the chickpeas or is the amount of sugar in the mix recipe low enough that it does not matter?
Denise Bustard says
Hi Lynda! I would leave it out. Let me know how it goes!
Jaclyn Valero says
Hi! How do you shake the air fryer? Do you turn it off and then shake?
Denise Bustard says
Hi Jaclyn! I leave it on, but pull the basket out and shake it back and forth a few times. I put it back in quickly, so hopefully it retains the same temperature 🙂 Hope this helps!
Leia says
These are amazing!!!! I used Pam spray instead of olive oil because I’m on WW and wanted them to be a 0 point snack. They are sooooo good!! Thank you for this recipe!
Denise says
So happy to hear you enjoyed, Leia! Thanks for reporting back with the spray oil tip 🙂
Jenese Vollman says
Sorry this may be a stupid question, but it says store in an open container. Does that mean no lid? And also, how long do they keep like this?
Denise Bustard says
Hi Jenese! Yes, just leave the lid off! It's weird but works. They keep for a long time...2 weeks, probably longer!
Russell says
Fantastic! I did the drained and rinsed canned chickpeas 5 minutes in the air fryer with nothing on them to dry them a bit, and then mixed all the spices and oil and followed the rest of the recipe. Also used chilli infused olive oil and skipped the cayenne, and it worked great! Also used a little usb fan to cool them quickly to ensure they crisp up even more. A standard baking cooling rack would work too, just get them out of the hot pan.
Denise says
Nice! So happy to hear you enjoyed, Russell! Thanks for leaving a review with such helpful feedback!
Troy says
Are your temps in C or F?
Also, mine started popping. The result was not at all tasty.
Troy
Denise Bustard says
Hi Troy! The temps are in Farenheight. Sorry to hear they popped, I have never had this issue.
Avaleigh says
I have soaked chick peas. Do I need to cook them, then air fryer cook them? Or can i air fry them just from soaked?
Denise says
Hi Avaleigh! Yes, you need cooked chickpeas for this recipe. However, if you are looking for a recipe to use uncooked soaked chickpeas, this crispy baked falafel is my favorite way to use them: https://sweetpeasandsaffron.com/baked-falafel-recipe/
Sekar says
Hi, quite tasty but the chickpeas are not crispy. They are a bit soft . Any suggestion.
Denise Bustard says
Hi Sekar! If they are not crispy, put them back in the air fryer for a few more minutes! All air fryers cook slightly differently and the cook time is just a suggestion 🙂
GouldDaddy says
Used trader joes chili lime seasoning...ill never be tempted by another potato or tortilla chip again...loved these.
Denise says
That's so funny that you mention this as I just picked some up while in the US (we don't have Trader Joe's in Canada). I'm definitely going to try it!
Rebecca says
These were delicious! I even got my picky toddler to try a few.
Denise says
Yay! Happy to hear this! Picky toddlers are the toughest of critics 😉
Kim says
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 says
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 says
do you think canned white navy beans would work, just cook a little longer, because of their size?
Denise says
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 says
Delicious and so simple! This has become my favorite air fryer snack!
Denise says
I'm so happy to hear this! Chickpeas get so crispy in the air fryer, don't they?
Miserable Old Fart says
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 says
That sounds delicious! I hope you give them a try 🙂
Bee says
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 says
I am so happy you've enjoyed! I must try marinating mine next time. Thanks for your review, Bee!
Caellen says
These are yummy. I had to use smoked paprika, so I halved the amount.
Denise says
So glad you enjoyed! I must try with smoked paprika next time!
Ada says
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 says
I "skipped" not "slipped" the oil. ☺
Denise says
Yay! So happy you enjoyed!
Zizi says
OMG! I will never make roasted chickpeas in the oven again. These are INSANE!
Denise says
So happy you enjoyed! Thanks so much for your review!
Derick says
Air fryers are simply much safer to use.
michelle jadaa says
do they stay crispy? ive tried the oven baked ones and they don't.
Denise says
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 says
yay! thank you for replying im off to try them !