Air Fryer Chickpeas

There’s a whole wide world out there for chickpeas beyond hummus — and it can start with something as simple as putting them in your air fryer. Air-fried chickpeas are completely transformed, taking on a crunchy, starchy quality that are as irresistible as they are easy. 

Anything prepared in the air fryer will typically use less oil and fat than a deep fryer. These chickpeas are a great alternative to croutons when you’re looking for something crunchy on salads, and all legumes are a good source of fiber and protein.

Using canned chickpeas (as opposed to soaking dried beans) is a smooth ride on easy street for this quick and clever recipe. There is, however, some important prep required first. The goal when air frying chickpeas is to get them as dry as possible so they don’t pop all over the air fryer basket. Once you’ve rinsed your chickpeas in a strainer, drying them on paper towels or a clean tea towel helps to eliminate any moisture that causes the popping. Don’t skip this step! 

In this recipe, ras el hanout is a Moroccan spice blend whose earthiness lends a great profile to chickpeas. Play around with different spice blends, such as curry powder or chili powder, to give this blank canvas a distinct flavor profile.

• Used as a crunchy topping on any salad.
• Wedged into a pita, wrap, or sandwich.
• Mixed with nuts, pretzels, and corn chips for a unique and flavorful homemade snack mix. 
• Sprinkled on top of a creamy soup for an exciting textural contrast.
• Used as the finishing touch on a sheet pan meat and vegetable dinner.