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
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.
Video
Nutrition Information
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Denise Bustard is the creator of Sweet Peas and Saffron, a meal prep-focussed food blog. With a PhD in biochemistry, Denise takes a scientific approach to perfecting her recipes. You can find Denise's work featured on Huffington Post, MSN, Self and more.
Lina says
They turned out really good. Thank you so much and nice and crispy. Only thing is I had to do that for 20 minutes at about 360 when I kept them at 390 like the recipe they were popping all over the oven or the air fryer and they were like popping open and sticking all over the air fryer. So halfway through I turned the temperature down and then they turned out much better. I suppose it depends on the brand of air fryer possibly because I don’t have the basket I have like the flat shelf.
Mary says
I Had to air fry them about 4 minutes longer to get them crispy. I used a homemade greek seasoning. I could have used more seasoning but they turned out pretty good
Sharon says
Perfect! So easy and such a good snack or on a salad!
Laura says
I am a teacher and I have these in baggies on my desk to snack on during the course of my day. Perfect for a work snack which is packed full of flavor and protein.
Tiffany says
These were delicious and soooo crunchy! I loved them! Thanks for the recipe!
BJ says
Very easy and tastes like other dried natural snack foods! Good that you can add any spices you like.
Keren says
So crispy and flavorful. Thank you for sharing.
Marlene says
Used smoked paprika in the recipe, they were delicious!
Tracy says
These came out soooo yum! Followed recipe exactly and wouldn't change a thing (other than to experiment with different seasonings). They were crunchy and flavorful!
Patrick says
Awesome snack ate the entire batch
Suzy says
AMAZING
My hubby is such a snacker and we wanted to wean him off sugary things. I made a batch of these chickpeas and he just loved them. Wish I’d made a double batch.
Elisabetta Renwick says
I love the result this recipe gives. These air fryer chickpeas are so quick and easy to make. I did them on 200 degrees celcius for 15 minutes. This recipe and timing gave a deliciously crunchy roasted chickpeas that were dry - the result was perfection to our taste. We especially loved the dry texture it created too. I highly recommend this recipe. I make a Vegan Aioli using acquafabar so this recipe is a great way of using the chickpeas up (I often use them to make Hummus but it is great having this quick, easy recipe to create a delicious, tasty snack. Thank you for sharing it.
Pinky says
OMGosh! super easy and super yummy! I watched them from 12 minutes on in my Ninja Foodi. Took 15 minutes to get them perfect. Thank you so much for posting this recipe!
Denise Bustard says
Hi PInky! Oh, that's so great to hear! THanks so much for taking the time to come back and leave a review <3
Chase says
Good flavor but way too dry
pika says
they're supposed to be dry. would you complain if pretzels were dry?
Betty Goodwin says
In addition to drain & rinse, I rubbed the chickpeas together and removed most of the skins. Super easy & delicious recipe.
Ben | Sweet Peas & Saffron says
Hi Betty, We are happy to hear you enjoyed this recipe. Thank you for sharing.
Dennis says
Oh yeah so good, throw in a bag of mixed nuts for the last 5 minutes. I use a curry dry mix heated in a sauce pan add table spoon of oil then mix in the chick peas before placing in the air fryer.
Best snack ever.
Ben | Sweet Peas & Saffron says
Nice tips Dennis, sounds delicious.
connieLucas says
Used my Hamilton Beach AF, rotating basket. Cooked until I liked the color. Crunchy, delicious. Used canned this time but have order dried chick peas and can't wait to cook my own and use your recipe again. Thx
Denise Bustard says
Hi Connie, we're so glad you enjoyed. Thanks for reporting back with your specific details, that's so helpful for others!
Peter says
Amazing very very easy and sooooo tasty
Ben | Sweet Peas & Saffron says
So glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for the feedback, Peter!
Robert says
Excellent! Simple and delicious.
Ben says
So happy to hear you enjoyed them, Robert! Thank you for sharing
madison says
these are delicious! however my chickpeas keep splitting/exploding in the air fryer.. and it makes a bit of a mess. is there any way to prevent this?
Denise Bustard says
Hi Madison! This is strange, as I've seen other comments reporting the same thing, yet I cannot replicate the problem. It is possible that drying them first might help.
Terri Odell says
Love these! I actually make the chickpeas in my instant pot then air fry the next day. Kept them in open container and they got better and better. Thanks!
Jasmine @ Sweet Peas & Saffron says
Hi Terri, so glad to hear that you enjoyed this recipe! Thanks so much for taking the time to come back and leave a rating and review!