How to Get the Best Crispy Chickpeas with an Air Fryer

These crispy air fryer chickpeas are just what you expect from that title - light, airy, and crispy. They’re packed with protein and fiber for a perfect healthy snack or salad topper.

We all love the idea of crispy fried chickpeas, but often the reality is a little disappointing. Instead of light and crispy, we end up with hard and chewy. I knew there had to be a way to get consistently crispy fried chickpeas, so I set out to figure it out.

I found out the best way to get a light and crispy texture was by using an air fryer. And it turns out there is a trick to getting it just right - and the great news is - it’s so easy!

These golden brown nuggets are a favorite salad topper and taste amazing sprinkled on top of hummus. You can find these in my Chopped Salad Recipe with Crispy Chickpeas and Cucumbers . These would be a great accompaniment to a salad bar, and if you make a big bowl of salad greens you can have some really delicious healthy salads all week!

I mentioned they are a great snack on their own. I’ve also got a bunch of healthy snack ideas that are all under 200 calories.

Jump to:

• Here’s the  Secret to Crispy, Crunchy Chickpeas
• Simple Ingredients
• So Many Flavor Choices!
• First You Need an Air Fryer
• Here's What I Recommend
• How to Make Really Crispy Chickpeas
• What’s the Best Way to Store Air Fried Chickpeas?
• How to Get the Best Crispy Chickpeas with an Air Fryer
• Common Questions About Fried Chickpeas
• More Healthy Snacks
• 💬 Comments

Here’s the  Secret to Crispy, Crunchy Chickpeas

1. First, you need to cook the chickpeas in the air fryer for a bit to drive off the moisture.

2. After that’s done, you need to toss them in oil and air fry them again - that’s how they get really crispy, crunchy, and flaky!

Scroll down to see the step by step photos and recipe card.

Simple Ingredients

• Canned chickpeas (also called garbanzo beans) - any kind you prefer
• A little olive oil or avocado oil - 3 tablespoons total will do the trick
• Garlic powder and salt - it seems like no matter what other seasonings you use, garlic powder and salt are (in my family’s opinion) essential. But of course, if you are looking for less sodium, season it the way you prefer.
• Seasoning of choice, and there are SO many choices! Scroll down to see some of our favorites.
• Ground black pepper, optional

👉 Make sure to check out the recipe card for the full recipe info.

First You Need an Air Fryer

I highly recommend a basket style air fryer (the kind with a drawer that slides out) instead of a larger air fryer that looks like a toaster oven. Here's why:

1. It's the safest. The heating element is inside the top where your hand would never go.
2. It gives you easy access to the food because of the drawer. It slides in and out easily and quickly.
3. The food is in one compact area, which makes it cook faster because the air circulates around it evenly. It makes things crisp with less oil because it’s cooking in such a confined space.
4. The ones with the 2 shelves that look like a toaster oven tend to cook unevenly,  because the cooking area is more spread out, like a regular oven. You’d have to move the food around halfway during the cooking time since the food on the bottom level doesn't get as hot as the upper level.

⭐️ One more tip: if your air fryer grate has holes large enough for chickpeas to drop through, consider getting a silicone liner for your air fryer. Otherwise, just plan on fishing the stray chickpeas out of the bottom of the drawer.

Here's What I Recommend

Air Fryer

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air fryer liner

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How to Make Really Crispy Chickpeas

The chickpeas will get more crisp as they cool.

What’s the Best Way to Store Air Fried Chickpeas?

Roasted chickpeas can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for several days.They may lose their crispness a little, but you can refresh them by roasting them for a couple of minutes in an air fryer before serving again.

I wouldn’t recommend storing them in the refrigerator because I think they will pick up too much moisture. But if you plan on reheating them in the air fryer before serving, it might work.

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Common Questions About Fried Chickpeas

More Healthy Snacks