Best Crispy Roasted Chickpeas Recipe

Name: Crispy Roasted Chickpeas Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 1 (15-ounce) can chickpeas (or 1 1/2 cups cooked); Drizzle of olive oil (avocado oil, or lemon zest and juice); Salt to taste; Dash of garlic powder; Dash of paprika

5 from 2 votes

This easy recipe guarantees the crispiest chickpeas every time. Follow my 3-step oven or air fryer method for perfectly Crispy Roasted Chickpeas every time.

Published: Oct 15, 2023 by Nisha Melvani, RDN · I earn commissions from purchases via links on this post.

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Follow my 3-step oven or air fryer recipe for the best Crispy Roasted Chickpeas every time. Plus, learn how to store them so they stay crispy! Enjoy them for a protein-rich snack, or pair crispy chickpeas with bowls, salads, or pasta for more plant-based protein.

Crispy roasted chickpeas on a white rimmed baking sheet.

If you're one of those people who thinks, 'Why aren't my chickpeas getting crispy?' you've probably been roasting them wrong. The secret to crispy chickpeas is to dry them well before roasting and season them as soon as they are done, and not before.

This easy recipe works in the air fryer or oven. Pair your crispy chickpeas with my Easy Vegan Sweet Potato Wraps or my Best Paprika Dip for a healthy and satisfying meal.

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👩🏼‍🌾 Ingredients
🧄 Substitutions
📖 Instructions
💡 Expert Tips
🙋🏽‍♀️ Recipe FAQs
🍽 Related Recipes
👩🏽‍🍳 Made This Recipe?
📖 Recipe
💬 Comments

👩🏼‍🌾 Ingredients

Soaked and drained chickpeas in a white colander beside a white bowl of dried chickpeas.

Canned or dry chickpeas (garbanzo beans)
Olive oil or avocado oil (optional)
Seasoning: Salt, garlic powder, and paprika

See the recipe card for quantities.

🧄 Substitutions

Olive oil - use avocado oil, substitute with lemon juice and zest, or omit entirely
Seasonings - use one of more of the following: garlic powder, paprika, smoked paprika, chili powder, chipotle, oregano, onion powder, turmeric, garam masala, coriander, cumin, lemon and zest, maple syrup, cinnamon, cayenne, nutritional yeast, sesame seeds, dried or fresh parsley, thyme, or oregano

Try my grain-free, vegan Chickpea Breadcrumbs! For more ways to use Crispy Roasted Chickpeas, visit my Vegan Chickpea Recipes page.

📖 Instructions

If using canned chickpeas, drain and rinse them beforehand. For dry chickpeas, soak them overnight with water to cover about 2 inches high before cooking.

Or use the quick soak method for dry chickpeas. Place them in a saucepan with water to cover by about 3 inches. Bring the water to a boil before removing them from the heat. Set aside covered for at least 1 hour. Drain the soaked chickpeas and transfer them to a saucepan. Add water and cook them for about one hour or until just tender.

Preheat the oven to 400ºF, or set an air fryer to 390ºF.

Cooked chickpeas drying between layers of a striped kitchen towel.

Step 1. Rub the cooked chickpeas between the layers of a clean dish towel or paper towel. Remove the skins if you have time.

Plain roasted chickpeas on a baking sheet.

Step 2. Place the dry chickpeas onto a large rimmed nonstick baking sheet. Bake them for 10 minutes. Or roast them in an air fryer for 5 minutes.

Crispy chickpeas baked in olive oil on a baking sheet.

Step 3. Toss the plain baked chickpeas with olive oil. Bake them for about 10 minutes more, or until crispy. Or roast them in the air fryer for about 5 more minutes, or until crispy.

Seasoned crispy chickpeas on a baking sheet next to paprika.

Step 4. Toss the crispy chickpeas with salt, garlic powder and paprika.

One of my favorite ways to enjoy Crispy Roasted Chickpeas is with my Paprika Dip and Crispy Quinoa for a delicious and balanced meal.

Crispy roasted chickpeas, crispy quinoa, and paprika dip on a white plate topped with kale micro greens and hemp seeds.

💡 Expert Tips

Roast the chickpeas in a single layer on a large rimmed baking tray with enough space for hot air to pass between them so they crisp up evenly.
Do not add oil until the chickpeas are dry. Then toss them in a light layer of olive oil. Or use a dash of lemon juice and zest for oil-free.
Add the salt and spices at the end while the chickpeas are still hot.
Storage: Make sure the chickpeas have cooled completely before storing. Hot chickpeas release moisture which can make them lose their crispiness. Transfer the to an airtight container. This prevents excess moisture from getting in. Store in a cool, dry place. Do not refrigerate. Consume Crispy Chickpeas within 3 days for the best texture and flavor.

🙋🏽‍♀️ Recipe FAQs

Are chickpeas and garbanzo beans the same thing?

Chickpeas and garbanzo beans are interchangeable terms for the same variety of chickpeas, known as the kabuli chickpea.

Are canned chickpeas cooked or just soaked?

Canned chickpeas have undergone a cooking and canning process during their preparation. As a result, they are fully cooked and can be eaten directly from the can or used in recipes without further cooking. It is preferable to rinse them first to remove any excess salt or brine.

How to re-crisp crispy chickpeas?

If your chickpeas lose their crispiness, try re-crisping them in a toaster oven, oven, or air fryer. Spread them on a baking sheet and cook at a low temperature, around 200ºF, for 10 to 15 minutes.

How do you store crispy chickpeas?

Place them in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. Do not refrigerate. Place a moisture absorber, such as a desiccant packet or a small container of rice, inside the container.