Here’s a detailed recipe for crispy air fryer chickpeas in four different flavors: Chili Lime, BBQ, Ranch, and Cinnamon Sugar.
Ingredients:
- Base Ingredients:
- 2 cans (15 oz each) chickpeas (garbanzo beans)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt to taste
- Chili Lime Seasoning:
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional for extra heat)
- Zest of 1 lime
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- BBQ Seasoning:
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon mustard powder
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Ranch Seasoning:
- 1 teaspoon dried dill
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried chives
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Cinnamon Sugar Seasoning:
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg (optional)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions:
Step 1: Prepare the Chickpeas
- Drain and rinse the chickpeas thoroughly.
- Pat them dry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels. The drier the chickpeas, the crispier they will get.
- Remove any loose skins from the chickpeas.
Step 2: Air Fry the Chickpeas
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
- In a large bowl, toss the dried chickpeas with olive oil and a pinch of salt.
- Spread the chickpeas in a single layer in the air fryer basket. You may need to do this in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
- Air fry the chickpeas for 15-20 minutes, shaking the basket every 5 minutes to ensure even cooking. The chickpeas are done when they are golden brown and crispy.
Step 3: Season the Chickpeas
- Chili Lime:
- In a small bowl, mix chili powder, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, and lime zest.
- Immediately after air frying, toss the hot chickpeas with the seasoning mix and lime juice until evenly coated.
- BBQ:
- In a small bowl, combine smoked paprika, brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, ground cumin, mustard powder, black pepper, and salt.
- Toss the hot chickpeas with the BBQ seasoning mix until well coated.
- Ranch:
- In a small bowl, mix dried dill, dried parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, dried chives, salt, and black pepper.
- Toss the hot chickpeas with the ranch seasoning mix until evenly coated.
- Cinnamon Sugar:
- In a small bowl, combine granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
- Toss the hot chickpeas with the cinnamon sugar mixture until evenly coated.
Serving:
- Let the seasoned chickpeas cool completely before storing them in an airtight container.
- Enjoy them as a crunchy snack on their own or use them as a topping for salads and soups.
Tips:
- Make sure the chickpeas are very dry before air frying for maximum crispiness.
- Adjust the seasonings to taste based on your preference.
- If you don’t have an air fryer, you can also bake the chickpeas in the oven at 400°F (200°C) for about 30-40 minutes, shaking the pan every 10 minutes.