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    Home / Recipes / Small Bites

    Air Fried Chickpeas

    Published: Jul 1, 2020 · Modified: Jun 10, 2022 by Kathy Carmichael · This post may contain affiliate links.

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    Air-fried chickpea recipe

    Air fried chickpeas not only make a great healthy snack, but they are perfect as a soup or salad topper. I love chickpeas, and that's why I recently made cream of chickpea soup and topped it with air-fried chickpeas.

    In fact, I used to roast chickpeas in the oven often, but using an air fryer is so easy, I now prefer air frying chickpeas over roasting in the oven. And, who doesn't prefer a quick and easy way to cook? I do for sure. 

    CHICKPEA NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION: WHY I LOVE CHICKPEAS

    According to Healthline, chickpeas have an impressive nutrition profile.

    They contain a moderate amount of calories, providing 46 calories per 1-ounce (28-gram) serving. Approximately 67% of those calories are from carbs, while the rest comes from protein and a small amount of fat (1).

    Chickpeas also provide a variety of vitamins and minerals, as well as a decent amount of fiber and protein.

    A 1-ounce (28-gram) serving provides the following nutrients (1):

    • Calories: 46
    • Carbs: 8 grams
    • Fiber: 2 grams
    • Protein: 3 grams
    • Folate: 12% of the RDI
    • Iron: 4% of the RDI
    • Phosphorus: 5% of the RDI
    • Copper: 5% of the RDI
    • Manganese: 14% of the RDI

    As part of the legume family, chickpeas are high in fiber and protein and low in fat and calories. Did you know you can get your daily allowance of fiber eating 2 cups of chickpeas? Since they are quite inexpensive and can be added into recipes easily, I think chickpeas are phenomenal. Unlike other legumes, chickpeas tend to be less aggressive in terms of digestion when compared to lentils or other beans. 

    air-fried chickpeas close up

    CANNED VS. DRIED CHICKPEAS; WHICH IS BETTER FOR WHAT RECIPE?

    Although many people prefer the canned version of chickpeas, the dry version has its benefits as well as drawbacks. For instance, here is my take on time, texture, and the taste of canned and dried chickpeas:

    DRIED CHICKPEAS

    THE UPSIDE: 
    • More economical
    • Natural flavor more intense
    • Are not soaked in preservatives
    • Works best for Air Fried Falafel
    • Extra chickpeas can be frozen after prepared
    THE DOWNSIDE
    • Takes a long time to soak
    • Lengthly time to prepare
    • Not ideal for quick use 
    • Does not work well with hummus, spreads, or blending
    • Has outer shells that need removing

    CANNED CHICKPEAS

    THE UPSIDE
    • Quick and easy to use
    • Aquafaba (fluid in the can) can be used for other recipes
    • Does not have an outer shell requiring removal
    • Convenient
    • Great for hummus, spreads, soups
    THE DOWNSIDE
    • Packed in preservatives
    • Softer in texture
    • Tastes saltier and less flavorful

    The bottom line, however, is both canned and dried chickpeas have their benefits in terms of cooking. For this air fried chickpea recipe, for instance, I chose canned chickpeas. 

    But, if I was making my Air Fried Falafel recipe, I would definitely use dried chickpeas! 

    Air fried falafel recipe

    HOW TO AIR FRY CHICKPEAS: SIMPLE, QUICK, AND YUMMY!

    seasoned chickpeas

    First, you don't need to use oil! The purpose of an air fryer is to fry without oil, so don't add oil. The aquafaba, the fluid inside the can of chickpeas, provides a sticky surface so the seasoning will stick. With that being said DO NOT RINSE the chickpeas. Instead, simply drain the can, leaving the aquafaba residue on the chickpeas. 

    As a result, any seasoning combination you choose will stick to the chickpeas and air fry perfectly! In order to make this air fried chickpea recipe, I chose a combination of spices I love, but free to use any seasonings for whatever recipe you wish to compliment. 

    MY SPICE COMBINATION FOR AIR FRIED CHICKPEAS

    • Cumin
    • Smoke paprika
    • Garlic powder
    • Turmeric
    • Sea salt
    • Coriander

    OTHER SPICE COMBINATIONS I LIKE:

    • Garlic powder, dill, and lemon
    • Cayenne, seas salt and garlic powder
    • Jamaican jerk seasoning
    • Lemon pepper
    • Trader Joe's Everything Seasoning

    Once the chickpeas are drained and seasoned, air frying is simple. The one thing I love about air frying chickpeas is it can be done in one cooking session. When I air fry, I always like to cook a single layer of whatever food I am cooking. A single can of chickpeas, for example, is one single layer! 

    GREAT RECIPES FOR AIR FRIED CHICKPEAS

    Air fried chickpeas, although a wonderful snack, are also great to add to other recipes. For example, I like adding air-fried chickpeas to my cream of chickpea soup recipe. 

    cream of chickpea soup recipe

    (CREAM OF CHICKPEA SOUP RECIPE)

    Another great way to serve air-fried chickpeas is on Vegan Layered Greek Dip! 

    (VEGAN GREEK LAYERED DIP)

    Or, I love air-fried chickpeas on top of a Vegan Stuffed Sweet Potato! 

    Vegan Stuffed Sweet Potato Recipe

    Regardless of how to use chickpeas, air-frying gives them an added crunch and absorbs your favorite spices! 

    📖 Recipe

    air-fried chickpeas

    Air Fried Chickpeas

    Kathy Carmichael
    Air fried chickpeas are a crunchy snack, salad topper, or great in soups or on potatoes. Season air-fried chickpeas with your favorite flavors for a crunchy, satisfying taste!
    5 from 6 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 3 minutes mins
    Cook Time 12 minutes mins
    Total Time 15 minutes mins
    Course Side Dish
    Cuisine Mediterranean
    Servings 6 servings
    Calories 121 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 15 ounces chickpeas drained NOT RINSED
    • 1 teaspoon cumin
    • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 1 teaspoon turmeric
    • 1 teaspoon sea salt
    • 1 teaspoon coriander

    Instructions
     

    • Drain a can of chickpeas without rinsing them
    • Add chickpeas to a bowl
    • Sprinkle with seasoning suggested or choose your own blend
    • Toss the chickpeas in the seasoning to coat
    • Set air-fryer to 400 degrees
    • Place seasoned chickpeas in the base of the air-fryer in a single layer
    • Cook for 12 minutes, stopping the air-fryer to shake 3 times (every 4 minutes)
    • Store in an open container (if you serve in a covered container, moisture will ruin the texture of the air-fried chickpeas.
    • If using for salad, use after applying a dressing

    Notes

    The purpose of an air fryer is to fry without oil, so don't add oil. The aquafaba, the fluid inside the can of chickpeas, provides a sticky surface so the seasoning will stick. With that being said DO NOT RINSE the chickpeas. Instead, simply drain the can, leaving the aquafaba residue on the chickpeas. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 121kcalCarbohydrates: 20gProtein: 6gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 0.2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.5gSodium: 394mgPotassium: 234mgFiber: 6gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 189IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 40mgIron: 3mg
    Tried our recipe?Let us know how it was!
    Kathy Carmichael

    Hi! My name is Kathy, I am a retired high school English teacher & vegan enthusiast and blogger. My entire blog is fully plant-based vegan. I truly believe what we eat & how we live determines our health & the preservation of our planet! 🙂

    www.kathysvegankitchen.com/about-me/

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      5 from 6 votes (5 ratings without comment)

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Christi

      February 09, 2025 at 8:46 am

      5 stars
      These came out perfect!!! I made my own seasoning concoction. They were a perfect addition to my charcuterie board. Thank you!!!

      Reply
      • Kathy Carmichael

        February 10, 2025 at 7:37 am

        Hi Christi, I'm so glad you liked them. You can mix up any seasoning combination you like. I made a bunch for the Super Bowl yesterday, and they disappeared. Thanks for the feedback.

        Reply
    2. Nunya

      February 20, 2021 at 9:38 pm

      Actually, the instructions that come with the air fryer say that you can add oil to the recipes.

      Reply
      • Kathy Carmichael

        February 21, 2021 at 8:14 am

        Hi Nunya; yes, you are right. But for oil-free cooking, it isn't necessary to add any oil.

        Reply

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