Whether you eat these crispy, spicy, baked chickpeas as a snack or use them as a topping for a bowl, they are always a treat and a delicious source of protein.
Dried or Canned Chickpeas?
In my recipe, you'll see that I use dried chickpeas. These need to be soaked overnight and then cooked for half an hour before use. Buying canned chickpeas and using them right away will save you a lot of time and effort!
On the other hand, I find that home-cooked chickpeas taste better. Even if you rinse canned chickpeas thoroughly, they still have a slightly different flavor. However, there are also a few health concerns. The chemicals in the inner lining of cans can leach into food, including chemicals like bisphenol A. It's classified as a reproductive harm because of its hormone-disrupting properties.
Another advantage of dried chickpeas for me, is that they're so easy to store for a long time, and I can soak and cook only as many as I need for my recipe. So I don't have to worry about what to do with the rest of the opened can... You can make up your own mind, but I'm definitely going with dried chickpeas!
Baking Chickpeas in the Oven or in the Air Fryer?
You can bake this recipe in your oven or in the air fryer. You can find instructions on how to bake the chickpeas in the oven until they're nice and crispy in this recipe from the recipe blog “joy food sunshine". I can also recommend leaving the oven door slightly ajar while baking after adding oil and spices, so that the moist air can escape and the chickpeas turn out really crispy.
I've now adapted this recipe for the air fryer. This will save you a bit of time, power usage, and probably some cleaning. When baking chickpeas, they can sometimes "pop", similar to popcorn. They tend to bounce all over the oven and can leave small crumbs behind. The air fryer is much smaller and quicker to clean, which is another clear advantage! Feel free to try both and let me know in the comments whether you prefer roasting chickpeas in the oven or the air fryer!
Chickpeas for your Menstrual Cycle
Chickpeas are not only rich in protein and fiber, but also contain plenty of folate, complex carbohydrates, B vitamins, and minerals such as iron, zinc, magnesium, calcium, and selenium. Their high protein and iron content makes them ideal for a vegetarian or vegan diet!
Chickpeas are recommended for almost every phase of your cycle: follicular, ovulation, and luteal. While the protein and fiber content of chickpeas is particularly beneficial during the follicular and ovulation phases, they can boost your mood during the luteal phase thanks to their B vitamins. B vitamins support the production of serotonin and dopamine. Furthermore, the magnesium they contain can help prepare you for the upcoming menstrual phase.
If you are now in the mood for even more chickpea recipes, you can also check out my Healthified Deep Dish Cookie Pie or try this Cheesy Bolognese Pasta Bake, for which I use pasta that is made 100% of chickpeas.
Crispy Air-Fried Chickpeas
Craving a healthy snack? These roasted chickpeas are crispy, full of flavor, and ready in minutes! Whether for a quick snack or as a crunchy highlight on salads and bowls – they're easy to make and a great alternative to chips or croutons.
Ingredients:
Instructions:
Soak and Cook Chickpeas
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If you bought chickpeas in a jar or can, you can skip these first steps and jump straight to the section "Bake Crispy Chickpeas."
Weigh the dried chickpeas, place them in a large bowl, and fill with water. Let the chickpeas soak overnight, or for at least 8 hours.
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The next day, drain the chickpea water, collecting the chickpeas in a sieve. Rinse them thoroughly with fresh water. Fill a pot with fresh water put it on the stove and add the chickpeas. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low-medium (I used level 3 out of 14) and let it simmer with the lid on. After 30 minutes, drain the water again and collect the chickpeas in a sieve. You can now let them dry for a little bit.
Bake Crispy Chickpeas
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First, add the chickpeas "naked", meaning without any oil or spices, to your air fryer and bake them for 6 minutes at 370 °F (190 °C). Meanwhile, mix together the spice mix.
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Now place the chickpeas in a bowl and mix them well with the oil and seasoning. Then, bake the chickpeas again in the air fryer at 370 °F (190 °C) for 9 minutes, pausing once to give the chickpeas a good shake.
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Feel free to try one or two crispy chickpeas. You can bake them for a few more minutes or serve them right away.
Nutritional Information
servings 3
- Amount per Serving
- Calories 169.33kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 6.17g10%
- Potassium 67.53mg2%
- Total Carbohydrate 20.43g7%
- Dietary Fiber 4.97g20%
- Sugars 0.83g
- Protein 7.5g15%
** The daily percentages are based on a 2000 kcal diet. Your daily figures might be higher or lower according to your caloric need.
Remark
*Advertisement (Affiliate): If you want to get the same air fryer as me, you can find it here. I'm completely satisfied so far and find it very handy that all parts of the cooking basket can be washed in the dishwasher.