Spicy Roasted Chickpeas – Crispy Masala Chole in Air Fryer or Oven

Spicy Roasted Chickpeas with Garam Masala seasoning ! It is the Best healthy, vegan and gluten free snack ever !

Air Fryer is our favorite kitchen gadget to make awesome non fried food. Crispy Fingerling Potatoes, Air Fryer Mushrooms, as well as Air Fryer Sweet Potato Wedges are some of our popular air fryer recipes.

Learn how to make this healthy crispy chickpea snack in this detailed post. This easy recipe includes oven roasting as well as air fryer option to make spicy roasted chickpeas.

This unbelievably delicious and downright addictive snack is easy to customize to your taste. So get ready for guilt free snacking!

Recipe Inspiration

Crispy Masala Chickpeas are one of my family’s favorite healthy snacks. My mom used to make it for us sisters and I make them for my kids.. we LOVE it.

Street food vendors sell these freshly made roasted chickpeas in paper cones. They are called Dry Chole. Full of earthy, spicy flavors and oh so delicious!

Healthy Snack

Protein rich and low oil crispy chickpeas are perfect for healthy mid afternoon snack. I always have a jar full of these healthy munchies along with Rice Krispies Chivada and Pumpkin Seeds Trail Mix. It is my favorite tea time snack along with Masala Chai.

Are crispy chickpeas Healthy?

Chickpeas are a staple diet for vegan foodies. They are high in fiber, high in protein, and low in fat, which makes them the perfect guilt-free energy boosting addition in your staple diet !

Chickpeas are full of plant protein. They are excellent options for meatless protein rich snacks that also keeps you satiated longer.

Once you learn how to make perfectly crispy chickpeas,  you can explore and get creative. So keep this easy “how-to guide” for roasted chickpeas handy.

Are roasted Chickpeas keto / low carb ?

No. Chickpeas or garbanzo beans do not fit under Keto / Low carb diet. Even though they are excellent source of protein and fiber, they are full of carbs.

Can roasted chickpeas be stored ?

I prefer to use these crispy roasted chickpeas freshly made. You can however make a big batch and store them. Make sure they are completely cooled down before storing them in air tight container. They can easily last up to 2 weeks. No refrigeration needed.

Should I remove the skin of chickpeas before roasting?

It is a personal preference. Removing skins helps in drying the chickpeas quicker since there is no moisture trapped inside. Also sometimes, the bits and pieces of skin burns off which is not pleasant to taste.

Can I make Spicy Roasted Chickpeas oil free ?

Yes. Adding a splash of oil helps with retaining the moisture and not turning them super dry. However, if you are following Whole Foods Plant Based ( WFPB) – no oil diet, you can skip adding oil.

Zaatar Seasoning – Middle Eastern Chickpea recipe

Chickpeas are also staple in Middle Eastern Diet. We love Homemade Creamy Hummus so very much! Besides the suggested flavorings, try Zaatar Seasoning to season this recipe. You will love the earthy delicious flavors.

Can I use dry chickpeas ?

Yes. Soak the dry chickpeas / garbanzo beans in ample water overnight. Next day rinse and drain all the water. Dry the soaked beans fully. Use same temperature to roast / air fry them. It will need about 10 minute extra time compared to canned ones.

PRO TIPS

1. To reduce the cooking time, make sure to dry the chickpeas thoroughly.
2. Add the seasoning right after roasting is done. Spices and seasonings burn quickly and taste bitter. So, do not roast with them.
3. Do not over crowd the chickpeas on the air fryer basket or baking sheet. Allow some space for steam to escape.
4. Check halfway through baking and shake the pan so they get evenly dry without burning.
5. Air Fryer and Oven brands vary significantly. The exact cooking time also varies accordingly. So, do check the doneness of your chickpeas after 10-12 minutes.
6. Over roasted chickpeas get super dry and hard on teeth to eat. Try to keep them crisp with little moist center for perfect texture.

Serving Suggestions

This protein packed snack is very versatile in its use. You can munch on it as a snack or use it as salad topper.

Use it in Buddha bowls for delish crunch and filling protein. Use it in soups instead of croutons for healthy munch.

I often pack it in school lunches as a side dish. A book and bowl of these poppers are my favorite pastimes.

Ingredients

Exact details of the ingredients are listed in the recipe card below. Here’s a quick recap.

• Chickpeas : The star ingredient. You can use canned chickpeas for quick and easy recipe. Make sure to rise and drain them well. Dry them on paper towel or kitchen towel to save time on roasting.
• Oil : Use cooking oil of your choice. Olive oil or avocado oil works best. I love using oil spray for easy spritz and even coating. Using oil spray also helps in reducing the calories since you use very little oil.
• Salt : Sea salt, Pink salt , kosher salt or choose you favorite
• Seasoning : I am using garam masala and smoked paprika powder ( or red chili powder ) to enhance the flavors of these crispy chickpeas. Chili lime seasoning is another family favorite. Feel free to experiment with different spices, seasonings and herbs.

Easy to Customize

It is easy to make this Spicy Roasted Chickpeas recipe the way you like it. Use simple or exotic spices and try new combinations of mixtures. It is fun to experiment.

You can make them bold and zesty or cool and crispy. Possibilities are endless but one thing for sure, it is an irresistible great snack for all ages.

Crispy Chickpeas Seasoning Options

 Several different herbs, aromatics and seasonings taste just as delicious. Spicy, sweet, savory or tangy ? Which is your favorite? Do try them all. Let us know which one you like the most in the comments.

• ranch dressing  
• turmeric and curry powder with lime/ lemon juice drizzle.
• parmesan cheese and Italian herbs
• Sugar, Cinnamon and ginger powder
• Kabab Masala
• maple syrup and cayenne pepper
• Taco seasoning

How To Make Roasted Chickpeas in Air Fryer or Oven?

1. Drain the can of chickpeas in the colander. Rinse them well under running water.  Arrange them on kitchen towel or thick paper towels and allow to dry completely.
2. You can also remove the skin if you prefer. It helps getting them crisp quicker.
3. Spread the dried chickpeas onto a baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle salt. Stir to evenly coat. Make sure they are not overcrowd on the sheet.
4. Bake (375 F ) or Air Fry (350 F) for 12-15 minutes. Check the doneness after about 10 minutes.
5. The chickpeas are done when golden brown in color and crispy crunchy on the outside.
6. Remove from the oven. Sprinkle the spices / herbs / seasoning over the warm roasted chickpeas and stir to coat. Enjoy !

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More Air Fryer Recipes

• Stuffed Sweet Peppers
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• Veg Manchurian
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• Crispy Aloo Tikki
• Stuffed Okra

If you make this Spicy Roasted Chickpeas – Crispy Masala Chole Recipe do let us know how you like it by ★ star rating it and leaving a comment below.

This recipe was originally published on June 22, 2018. It has been revised on February 10, 2021 with process step photos, air fryer instructions and FAQ s.

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