Crispy Air Fryer Chickpeas (Snacking or Topping Salads!)

Crispy air fryer chickpeas make a healthy, crunchy snack and are a fantastic salad topper, adding protein and a satisfying texture to any meal. Using canned chickpeas (garbanzo beans) and just a little oil, this recipe is quick and easy, with minimal cleanup. Season them any way you like, or enjoy them plain for a delicious snack that’s high in plant-based protein, complex carbohydrates, and healthy fats.

My daughter Annette, who’s 9, absolutely loves crispy chickpeas! Air frying them is so easy that she can make them on her own. She’s even started offering them to her friends when they come over, treating them like buttered popcorn or potato chips. She also packs them for a school snack. Tom and I enjoy them over a salad at least once (if not several) nights a week. They’re delicious simply with olive oil and salt, but you can customize them in so many ways. The recipe below is for the basic version, with a few additional seasoning mix combinations to try.

Ingredient Notes

To make crispy air fryer chickpeas, you’ll only need a few simple ingredients:

• Chickpeas: Canned chickpeas (garbanzo beans) work perfectly. Just drain, rinse, and dry them with paper towels or a clean kitchen towel. Drying helps remove excess water for extra crunchy chickpeas.
• Olive Oil: Just 1 tablespoon of olive oil is enough to coat the chickpeas lightly, creating a crispy texture without excess oil.
• Salt: A touch of sea salt enhances the flavor, but you can easily add other seasonings for different flavors (see flavor suggestions below).

Instructions

Begin by preheating your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). While it heats, drain and rinse 1 can of chickpeas (15 oz / 400 g), then pat them dry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels. Removing as much moisture as possible is an important tip to help the chickpeas become crispy.

In a medium bowl, toss the dry chickpeas with 1 tablespoon olive oil (15 ml) and ½ teaspoon salt (2.5 ml) until they’re evenly coated. If you’d like to add more flavor, try adding seasonings from the flavor combinations list below.

Spread the seasoned chickpeas in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook the chickpeas for 18-20 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure they cook evenly. At the 18-minute mark, check for crispiness; if they aren’t golden brown and crunchy, give them a few extra minutes of cooking time.

Once the chickpeas are ready, transfer them to a plate and let them cool slightly — they’ll continue to crisp up as they cool.

How to Serve

• As a delicious snack on their own
• As a crunchy salad topper in place of croutons
• On grain bowls for extra plant-based protein
• In wraps or pitas for added texture

Tips, Tricks, and Alterations

• Flavor Combos: Try adding seasonings for unique flavors. Options like smoky paprika, zesty lemon herb, spicy maple sriracha, or za'atar spice make these crispy chickpeas even better.
• Air Fryer Temperature: Different air fryer models vary, so check chickpeas around the 15-minute mark for your desired crispiness.
• Storage Tips: Store leftover chickpeas in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Note that they may lose some crispiness but are still delicious.
• Double Batch: For a larger amount, cook chickpeas in batches, so they have enough room in the air fryer basket to crisp evenly.

If you’ve tried this Air Fryer Chickpeas recipe or any other recipe on BalancingBowls, please let me know how it turned out in the comments below! You can also follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest to see more tasty meals and anything else I’m up to.

Recipe

Air Fryer Chickpeas

These air fryer chickpeas are crispy, protein-packed, and make a great snack or topping for salads and bowls. Customize with your favorite seasonings — see the notes section below for flavor combination ideas!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Total Time 20 minutes mins

Course Snack

Cuisine American

Ingredients

  

• 1 can chickpeas 15 oz / 400 g, drained, rinsed, and patted dry
• 1 tablespoon olive oil 15 ml
• ½ teaspoon salt 2.5 ml
• Optional: Seasonings – see notes below for flavor combination suggestions
• Instructions

Instructions

 

• Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). In a medium bowl, toss the chickpeas with olive oil (1 tablespoon / 15 ml) and salt (½ teaspoon / 2.5 ml) until evenly coated.
• Add any seasonings if using (see notes below for ideas).
• Spread the chickpeas in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook for 18-20 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until chickpeas are golden and crispy.
• Let cool slightly — they’ll get even crispier as they cool.

Notes

Flavor Combination Suggestions
Smoky Paprika and Garlic: 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (5 ml), ½ teaspoon garlic powder (2.5 ml), and ¼ teaspoon black pepper (1.25 ml).
Zesty Lemon and Herb: Zest of 1 lemon, ½ teaspoon dried thyme (2.5 ml), ½ teaspoon dried rosemary (2.5 ml), and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
Spicy Maple Sriracha: 1 tablespoon maple syrup (15 ml), 1 teaspoon sriracha sauce (5 ml), ½ teaspoon ground cumin (2.5 ml), and ¼ teaspoon garlic powder (1.25 ml).
Za'atar Spice: 1 teaspoon za'atar (5 ml), ½ teaspoon ground coriander (2.5 ml), and ¼ teaspoon garlic powder (1.25 ml).