We’ve recently been having cocktail hour every Friday night at our place. And, while I’m very good at eating, honestly I’m not the best at drinking. My stomach needs a little snack if cocktails are involved. So, I figured why not try and make some crispy chickpeas? I wanted something sweet, spicy, not too filling and these seemed to work just fine.
This whole recipe is just getting some chickpeas super crispy in the oven and tossing them with this sweet and spicy mix. You can honestly use just salt if you like or go wild and improvise with the spice blend, it’s all up to you. But, like always, if you come up with any really good combos let me know about it in the comments!
And in case you were wondering, my cocktail of choice was of course a Negroni (more on that soon to come) and Ry opted for Manhattan. These are the benefits of living with a former bartender.
And, while I’m very good at eating, honestly I’m not the best at drinking. My stomach needs a little snack if cocktails are involved.
Perfectly Crispy Roasted Chickpeas with Cumin and Thyme
These crispy roasted chickpeas deliver all the satisfying crunch you’re craving, plus they’re packed with protein and fiber. This recipe transforms ordinary canned chickpeas into a crave-worthy sweet and spicy snack that’s perfectly seasoned with aromatic cumin, fresh thyme, and a hint of cayenne for heat.
Whether you’re meal prepping healthy snacks or need a crowd-pleasing appetizer, these crispy chickpeas are sure to become your new go-to recipe.
Jump to:
- Ingredients
- Instructions
- Expert Tips
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Storage Instructions
- Serving Ideas & Variations
Ingredients to Make Crispy Roasted Chickpeas
- Chickpeas – The star ingredient, providing a perfect canvas for crispy texture and flavor absorption
- Olive Oil – Creates the crucial crispy exterior and helps seasonings adhere
The Spice Mix:
- Brown Sugar – Adds subtle sweetness and helps with caramelization
- Cayenne Pepper – Provides a gentle heat that balances the sweetness
- Ground Cumin – Contributes earthy, warm notes essential to the flavor profile
- Fresh Thyme – Adds aromatic, herbal complexity
- Garlic – Delivers savory depth and classic flavor
How to Make Oven Roasted Chickpeas
- Preheat oven – 450°F (225°C)
- Dry Chickpeas – Thoroughly drain and pat chickpeas dry with paper towels, removing any loose skins.
- Roast Chickpeas – Toss dried chickpeas generously with olive oil. Spread chickpeas on baking sheet in single layer and roast in the oven, tossing on pan every 10 minutes for even browning.
- Spice ‘em – Toss the hot chickpeas with your spice mixture while still hot and eat!
Some Expert Tips for Maximum Chickpea Crispiness
Dry, Dry, Dry
The secret to ultra-crispy chickpeas lies in removing as much moisture as possible. Take the extra few seconds to thoroughly dry them.
Hot, Hot, Hot
Starting with a hot oven (450°F) creates that perfect crispy exterior while maintaining a pleasant interior for your roasted chickpeas.
Keep Everything in a Single Layer
Avoid overcrowding the baking sheet. The chickpeas should be in a single layer with space between them for proper air circulation.
Don’t skimp on the oil
The oil is what gets them really crispy. Make sure to use enough and really coat the chickpeas evenly.
Season while hot
Toss them with that spice mix when they are just out of the oven. All that flavor will cling to the chickpeas, the sugar will melt a bit and everything will be super aromatic.
Some Common Questions when Making Roasted Chickpeas
Why aren’t my chickpeas getting crispy?
Common culprits include:
- Insufficient drying before roasting
- Overcrowded baking sheet
- Too low oven temperature
- Not enough oil
Are crunchy chickpeas good for you?
Yes! Roasted chickpeas are high in fiber and plant-based protein as well as being rich in vitamins and minerals.
Are roasted chickpeas better than chips?
From a nutritional standpoint, yeah. Roasted chickpeas offer:
- More protein
- Higher fiber content
- Complex carbohydrates
- Better satiety
How to Store your Crispy Oven Roasted Chickpeas
To maintain maximum crispiness cool completely before storing. Stash them in a paper bag or container with a loose fitting it. You want to let any excess moisture escape to keep them crisp.
If you need to re-crispy the chickpeas you can roast them in the over for 5 minutes at 400F.
Some Serving Ideas & Variations on Roasted Chickpeas
Crunchy salad topper
I love putting these on salads.
Soup Garnish
Perfect to add some extra crunch to any soup. Goes especially well with creamy soups to add some extra texture.
Trail Mix
Make a sweet and savory trail mix with nuts, roasted chickpeas, dried cherries and dark chocolate chunks.
In place of standard croutons in a caesar Salad. This is once of my favorites!
Some Flavor Variations on oven roasted chickpeas:
Want to try some other flavor combos? I’ve got you covered. Roast the chickpeas as you normally would, but swap in a different spice blend for a whole new snack:
- Mediterranean Style Roasted Chickpeas – Oregano, Lemon Zest, Black Pepper
- Masala Spiced Crispy Chickpeas – Garam masala, Turmeric, Dark Brown Sugar
- Spicy Ranch Roasted Chickpeas – Dried dill, Garlic powder, Onion powder, Extra cayenne, MSG
- Crispy Sweet and Spicy Chickpeas – Dark Brown Sugar, Smoked Hot Paprika, Cinnamon
- Garlic Parmesan Crunchy Chickpeas – Grated parmesan, Garlic powder, Dried Parsley
Whether you’re looking for a healthy snack alternative or a creative salad topping, these crispy roasted chickpeas deliver satisfaction in every bite. The key to success lies in proper preparation and patience during the roasting process. Once you master the basic technique, the flavor variations are endless!
Remember, while they’re best enjoyed fresh, proper storage can help maintain their crispy texture for several days. Make a big batch at the beginning of the week for easy, healthy snacking whenever cravings strike.
Crispy Roasted Chickpeas
Ingredients
The Chickpeas
- 15 oz chickpeas 1 can, drained and blot off excess moisture
- 2 tbsp olive oil
The Spice Mix
- 2 tsp brown sugar
- 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1/8 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp fresh thyme or 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 1/2 clove garlic crushed
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 450°F (~225°C).
- The first thing you want to do is get those chickpeas crispy. Make sure to dry off any residual liquid on the chickpeas with a paper towel, the drier the better, and then toss with a good bit of oil. Use as much as you want just keep in mind the more oil you use the crisper they’ll be, think “oven fried” if you like.
- You want to roast them till they’re crispy and browned around 20-30 minutes. I would recommend checking them every 10 minutes and tossing them around on your tray to make sure they’re cooking evenly and not burning. You’ll know they’re done when you hear them make a clattering sound on the baking tray.
- Once those chickpeas are all crisped up, you want to toss them with the seasoning mix while they’re still hot. Add everything to a large metal bowl, toss and plate up right away. That’s it, eat up!
Notes
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