From The Exclusive Collection of FREE Plant-Based Recipes
By Plant-Based Nutrition Professional Chef Susy • Designed For Effortless Weight Loss & Weight Maintenance
Air Fryer Crispy Chickpeas (Vegan)
Say goodbye to unevenly roasted chickpeas and hello to perfectly crispy bites every time. Whether you're tossing them over salads, adding crunch to soups, or snacking straight from the air fryer, these zesty air-fried chickpeas are packed with flavour and nutrition.
Prep Time: 5 Mins | Cook Time: 13 Mins
Total Time: 18 Mins | Servings: Adjustable
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Hello, my chickpeas (wow, that name sounds perfect for today’s blog post 😜)
Have you ever tried roasted chickpeas? I’ve always loved them… but have often failed to make them right. Some of them would get crispy while the others were still chewy. And yet, some even got burned! Not only that, but I also had to wash and dry the chickpeas, and then roast them for quite a while.
Well, enter the air fryer. GAME CHANGED. Your ultra-crunchy air fryer vegan chickpeas are ready in no time (only 13 minutes). And they’re extremely crunchy—expect yourself to eat a few (erm…half) straight out of the air fryer basket. They’re THAT irresistible.
Table of Contents
Why This Recipe Works
Nutritious
Quite obvious… I guess? But let’s get more specific. Air fryer vegan chickpeas are oil-free, gluten-free, and low-calorie. Rich in protein & fibre (so they’ll keep you full for longer), and free from cholesterol. Each serving offers approximately 8 g of protein and 7 g of fibre, with only 151 calories. Delish without the guilt 😋
Perfect Snack
Eat your crispy chickpeas on their own. Toss them over a salad. Pair them with a bowl of rice. The possibilities are endless. You’re going to love it!
Saves 💰
Chickpeas or garbanzo beans are one of the most budget-friendly snacks I’ve tried (yes… lemon dijon dressing and vegan soya mince base are, too). But they aren’t snacks on their own, unlike these air-fried crispy chickpeas. You barely need a couple of quid!
Recipe Ingredient Notes
Chickpeas (garbanzo beans). Look for raw, hydrated chickpeas (not from a can). They crisp up better and are much more economical. If using a canned version, go for a low-sodium option, but it’s up to you. I haven’t ever tried the recipe with dried chickpeas that come in a bag. Perhaps they would work, too. You can even make your own instant pot chickpeas at home, if you’re feeling too fancy 😉
Nutritional yeast. For a cheesy flavour (with a hint of umami). I like to use fortified nutritional yeast because of the added vitamin B12 content.
Spices. Now there’s a ton of flexibility here. Anything you like, or anything available in the pantry, can be used. For my air fryer chickpeas, I sprinkled in cracked bell pepper, pink Himalayan salt, mango powder (amchoor), garam masala, black salt (kala namak), chilli powder, and onion powder.
Seasonings. Again, there’s room for customisation. I used apple cider vinegar and freshly squeezed lemon juice. They are the secret ingredients that eliminated the need for any type of oil—made the chickpeas so juicy. Bonus points for the delicious zesty flavour these seasonings add!
How to Make Plant-Based Crispy Chickpeas
Set the air fryer to 355 F (180 c).
Pat dry your chickpeas (an important step for crispy end results), then air fry for 3 minutes.
Choose your favourite spice & seasoning combo, and mix it in a bowl. Now add the chickpeas to that bowl and toss them around to fully coat each piece.
Return your seasoned chickpeas to the air fryer. Cook for 10-15 minutes, shaking every 5 minutes, until golden brown and crispy.
That’s it—your healthy vegan snack is ready!
Variations, Ideas & Notes
📑 Substitutions
I wouldn’t recommend replacing the chickpeas. Of course… we’re making crispy CHICKPEAS. But if you’re scrolling through this recipe late at night and you don’t have chickpeas at home, you can swap them out for canned black beans, red kidney beans or even lentils (only at a pinch, though).
For the spices (and seasonings), you can pretty much use anything on hand. If replacing nutritional yeast, I’d suggest using vegan parmesan.
🌱 Optional Add-ons
Smoked paprika
Cumin powder
Tahini drizzle
Coconut flakes
Sesame seeds
Fresh herbs
Pro Tips For Making Crispy Chickpeas
Dry the chickpeas thoroughly. Don’t rush here. Even a bit of moisture will reduce the crispiness. You can use paper towels or a dry kitchen towel to do the job.
Save the nutritional yeast for the end. Sprinkle it only when the chickpeas are done being air-fried. High heat might cause the nutritional yeast to lose some of its flavour. When the chickpeas are removed from the basket, they are still hot (and moist) enough to beautifully incorporate this cheesy ingredient.
Overcrowding the air fryer basket can result in uneven cooking. Your best bet is to fry the chickpeas in batches. Takes a couple of extra minutes, but it’s definitely worth it.
Shake the basket frequently to avoid the problem of “some overcooked, some undercooked, some perfectly cooked.”
Add the seasonings after the first three minutes. The spices might burn otherwise (because of sitting in the air fryer for too long).
Remember, cooking times can vary with the air fryer model. You might have to adjust the timing for the best results.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to serve crispy chickpeas?
An incredibly versatile snack. Toss it over a bowl of tomato soup or mix it into a vegan Buddha bowl. Crispy chickpeas also work as a delicious…
Filling for vegan tacos and bean burritos
Topping for hummus
Addition for falafel pitta
Can I make chickpeas in an oven?
Definitely. Here’s what you need to do.
Preheat the oven to 390 F (200 c).
Line a baking tray with parchment paper.
Coat the chickpeas with spices and seasonings as done for air fryer chickpeas.
Roast for 25-30 mins, shaking every 10 minutes.
Enjoy!
How do you make chickpeas crispy in an air fryer?
Dry chickpeas well, toss with seasoning and a little oil, then air-fry at 200°C (400°F) for 13 minutes, shaking halfway.
Why are my air-fried chickpeas not crispy?
Ensure they are fully dry before air-frying, avoid overcrowding the basket, and let them cool slightly for extra crunch.
Can I make air-fried chickpeas without oil?
Yes! Toss them with spices alone, but expect slightly less crispiness compared to using a light oil coating.
Did You Like This Recipe?
If you like this recipe, you will also like my air fryer sesame edamame—it’s never a bad idea to have a couple of different healthy snacks to rotate between 😉
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