Crispy and nutritious, air fryer chickpeas are very low in calories, making them a good replacement for calorie-laden chips or nuts. So good on salads, too!

Recipe Overview

Why you’ll love it: An air fryer does an amazing job of crisping up the chickpeas. You’ll love it!

How long it takes: just over 15 minutes; allow an extra hour for drying the chickpeas
Equipment you’ll need: air fryer
Servings: 4

Crispy chickpeas in a white bowl, overhead view.
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Why You’ll Love Air Fryer Chickpeas

Have you tried crispy chickpeas yet? Roly-poly spheres, about the size of a small blueberry, flavorful, sort of chewy and sort of crisp, they are a bit addicting. They make a great snacking companion for your favorite beer or a G & T.

  • Totally customizable. There are lots of ways to add flavors to the chickpeas so you never grow tired of these crispy little delights. You buy potato chips in lots of different flavors: barbecue, cool ranch, salt and vinegar, sour cream and onion, and so on. Like chips, you can have crispy chickpeas in pretty much any flavor you dream up.
  • Healthy snack. And at only 32 calories per half cup serving, they’re a guilt-free snack. Add to that the nutritional value of chickpeas. They’re a good source of protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals.
  • Compact. Chickpeas are inexpensive, convenient, and don’t take up a lot of room in your pantry (I’m thinking of you, bulky bags of chips!).
  • Air fryer vs. oven. I’ve been roasting crispy chickpeas in my oven for awhile now. I especially like these cinnamon roasted chickpeas. The oven roasting method is great but it takes a little longer (20 to 30 minutes) and I’d have to say, the chickpeas don’t get quite as crispy as they do in my air fryer. Air fryers have the heat and air circulation necessary to do the best crisping job.
  • Salad Toppers. Crisp chickpeas can take the place of nuts or croutons on a salad. I especially love them on this Brussels sprouts salad. Kids love them, too!

Chickpeas or Garbanzo Beans

They are one and the same. I don’t know why they can have such different names but they are exactly the same product.
Overhead view of crispy chickpeas in a black air fryer basket.

How To Make air fryer chickpeas

The most important tip I can give you is to dry the chickpeas as much as possible. Dry = crisp! Allow an extra hour to spread the chickpeas on a clean kitchen towel in a single layer to let them air dry before you season and air fry them.

Add seasoning. After the drying time, season the chickpeas with olive oil and your favorite seasoning mix. I have a great one in the recipe below for you to get started with.

Air fry. Toss the chickpeas in your air fryer, and “fry” for twelve minutes, shaking the basket a few times to ensure even cooking. 

Serve. Crispy chickpeas are yummy served warm, right out of the air fryer, or at room temperature. 

Overhead view of a white bowl filled to the brim with golden-brown fried chickpeas.

What’s in air fryer chickpeas?

  • Chickpeas (Garbanzo Beans) – Make sure they’re rinsed and drained well! It’s important to dry them well, just let them sit on a lint-free towel for an hour or two. It’s not important to peel them, but you can if you’d like. You could make a double batch, but you’d want to air fry one can at a time. We like them best fresh.
  • Olive Oil – Only one tablespoon is needed!
  • Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, and Smoked Paprika – We love this basic but flavorful spice mix, but you’ll see lots of ideas for variations in the recipe card (keep scrolling!).
  • Salt and Pepper – Of course!

Flavor Variations

The seasoning mix in the recipe card below is just a beginning point. Chickpeas can be customized in a variety of ways. Here are a few suggestions to get your creative juices flowing.

  • Cheesy Italian herb chickpeas: Omit smoked paprika. Instead mix in a tablespoon or two of grated Parmesan cheese (don’t be afraid to use the green can Parmesan, the crumbly texture adheres well to the chickpeas). Add a half teaspoon of dried oregano or Italian seasoning, too. Fry as directed.
  • Ranch chickpeas: Omit all the seasoning and add 2 tablespoons of ranch seasoning to the chickpeas. Fry as directed.
  • Salt and vinegar chickpeas: Omit the seasoning, and instead stir the chickpeas with a tablespoon of white vinegar and 1 teaspoon salt. Fry as directed.
  • Curry chickpeas: Use melted coconut oil instead of olive oil, and add 1 teaspoon curry powder to the seasoning mix, omitting the smoked paprika.
  • Butter flavor: Adding a couple teaspoons of nutritional yeast to any of the recipes will yield a somewhat buttery flavor.
  • I’m sure you’re thinking of all sorts of ways now to make your own special flavor!

Storage Tips

Store uncovered! After completely cooling, store crispy chickpeas in a jar or bowl, without a lid, to preserve the crispiness. They need a little air circulation but you can lightly cover the top with a paper towel to keep them clean. The chickpeas will keep a day or two. Keep in mind that they won’t be as crispy as when freshly made.

A bowl of chickpeas that have been air fried, black and white linen in background.

More Air Fryer Recipes

Recipe

Air Fryer Chickpeas

4.68 from 25 votes
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Drying Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 17 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Crispy and nutritious, air fryer chickpeas are very low in calories, making them a good replacement for calorie-laden chips or nuts. So good on salads, too!
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Ingredients 

Instructions 

  • Heat air fryer to 400ºF. In medium sized bowl, toss chickpeas with oil, salt, garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, and black pepper. 
  • Pour chickpeas into air fryer basket, spreading them out as much as possible.
  • Cook for 12 minutes, shaking 2 or 3 times during cooking time to ensure even cooking.

Notes

  • For best results: Before frying, air dry chickpeas on a lint free towel for at least an hour. Or quick dry them in the air fryer for 5 minutes, pour into a bowl with oil and seasonings, mix well, and continue to fry as directed.

Flavor Variations

  • Cheesy Italian chickpeas: Omit the smoked paprika. Instead mix in a tablespoon or two of grated Parmesan cheese (don’t be afraid to use the green can Parmesan, the crumbly texture adheres well to the chickpeas). Add a ½  teaspoon of dried oregano or Italian seasoning, too. Air fry as directed.
  • Ranch chickpeas: Omit all the seasonings and add 2 tablespoons of ranch seasoning to the chickpeas and olive oil. Air fry as directed.
  • Salt and vinegar chickpeas: Omit the seasoning, instead stir the chickpeas and oil with a tablespoon of white vinegar and 1 teaspoon salt. Air fry as directed.
  • Curry chickpeas: Use melted coconut oil instead of olive oil, and add 1 teaspoon curry powder to the seasoning mix, omitting the smoked paprika.
  • Buttery chickpeas:A dding a couple teaspoons of nutritional yeast to any of the recipes will yield a somewhat buttery or cheesy flavor.

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 0.5cup, Calories: 132kcal, Carbohydrates: 16g, Protein: 6g, Fat: 6g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 3g, Sodium: 606mg, Potassium: 170mg, Fiber: 5g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 79IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 41mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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4.68 from 25 votes (16 ratings without comment)

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30 Comments

  1. diana says:

    I have a very small kitchen and NO counter space. “Drying” the chickpeas in the air fryer for 5 minutes works just fine!

    1. Rachel Gurk says:

      Glad you found a method that works well for you!

  2. Jen says:

    3 stars
    I’ve tried this recipe 4 times now and each time the chickpeas arent’ crunchy at all. They’re mushy. I’m rinsing them, letting them dry for more than 2 hours before going into the air fryer, adding time to the fryer, but still they’re mushy. What’s happening??

    1. Rachel Gurk says:

      They’re kind of going to be crisp but still slightly chewy. That’s just how homemade crispy chickpeas are. But they should have some crunch to them! Maybe try a different brand of chickpea?

  3. Kate says:

    5 stars
    Just cooked up a batch in my air fryer. So yummy

    1. Rachel Gurk says:

      Glad you liked them!

  4. Marcie says:

    5 stars
    Absolutely loved these!!! I added ranch seasoning ,steak seasoning, and some parmesan the flavor was great! Thankyou

    1. Rachel Gurk says:

      So glad you enjoyed them!

  5. DIANE says:

    I JUST LOVE CHICKPEAS, BEEN BAKING THEM FOR SOME TIME AND ADD TO SALADS. THIS RECIPE I’M SHARING WITH MY DAUGHTER ALSO AND I WILL MAKE THESE REAL SOON. THANKYOU

    1. Rachel Gurk says:

      I hope you love them!