These Crispy Air Fryer Chickpeas are my go-to snack. They’re tasty, crunchy, filling, and totally delicious. To make this recipe, you’ll need just 15 minutes.

I’m sure many of you can agree: air fryer recipes are the best. They can totally transform meh foods into something that’s tasty and new. If you’ve been wondering how to air fry healthy little chickpeas, it’s your lucky day. I’ve been wanting to do this for a while, and I’m so glad that I finally gave it a go! This recipe hits the spot and is now one of my favorite snacks.
This air fryer recipe is super simple and only requires three ingredients. You can choose to leave it at that for an easy, salty snack, or you can spice it up with the seasonings of your choice. It’s all up to you!
Reader rating
“Tried this recipe a couple of times with different seasonings. Delicious quick, health, flavorful, and crispy snack. This will also be a go-to recipe for a quick snack when entertaining. The tip about drying out the beans in the air fryer was much appreciated since we are out of paper towels at the moment.” —Keith
If you’re new to the world of air frying and need some pointers on which air fryer to purchase, check out my review of the best air fryers.
Ingredients for Air Fryer Chickpeas
Like many of my air fryer recipes, this one requires very minimal ingredients to achieve a delicious, crunchy result. It only calls for three main ingredients:
- Chickpeas: We will use one can of chickpeas to create this crispy snack. For best results, pat them dry with a paper towel before air frying.
- Olive Oil: Olive oil is used to coat the chickpeas. It helps the seasonings stick, and also helps to make them crispy!
- Salt: Salt is a great, classic seasoning choice that tastes delicious with chickpeas.
- Seasoning of Your Choice: Feel free to mix it up by ditching the salt and using your preferred seasoning. See below for Ranch, Dorito, and coconut curry ideas!
How to Make Crispy Chickpeas
It’s so simple to make air fryer chickpeas. These only require a couple of steps and are ready in as little as 15 minutes.
- Drain and dry: Drain and pat chickpeas dry with a paper towel.
- Toss with seasonings: Coat chickpeas by tossing with olive oil and the seasonings of your choice.
- Arrange in air fryer: Spread in a single layer in your air fryer basket or rack.
- Cook the chickpeas: At 390°F (200°C), cook for 8 to 10 minutes, or until crispy and lightly browned.
Tips for Making Crispy Chickpeas
If you like extra crispy chickpeas, dry them in the air fryer before adding the oil and seasonings. Simply line the tray of the fryer, and let them cook for about 5 minutes. Alternatively, thoroughly dry them by laying them in between two towels and gently rolling back and forth with your hands. It’s ok if you lose some skins in the process.
Chickpea Seasoning Ideas
Finally, let’s talk about the part of this recipe where you can really put on your chef’s hat and get creative. If you like getting fancy with your seasonings, you’ll definitely want to try these ideas (get all of our flavored roasted chickpea ideas here).
- Ranch: ½ tsp dried dill, ½ tsp dried chives, ½ tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp onion powder, ¼ tsp salt, ¼ tsp pepper
- Dorito: 2 Tbsp nutritional yeast, ¼ tsp garlic powder, ¼ tsp onion powder, ¼ tsp cumin, ¼ tsp paprika, ¼ tsp chili powder, ¼ tsp salt
- Coconut Curry: 1 Tbsp unsweetened shredded coconut, ½ tsp curry powder, ¼ tsp salt
You’ll want to try these air fryer recipes too
- Air Fryer Pizza
- Air Fryer Kale Chips
- Crispy Air Fried Tofu
- Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
- Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries
Ingredients
- 1 14-oz can chickpeas 425g
- 1 Tbsp olive oil 15 mL
- ½ tsp salt or seasoning of choice, see notes
Instructions
- Prep: Drain and pat chickpeas dry with a paper towel. Toss together with oil and salt (or your chosen seasoning).
- Cook: Spread in a single layer in your air fryer basket or rack. Cook at 390°F (200°C) for 8 to 10 minutes, or until crispy and lightly browned.
Tips & Tricks
Nutrition Information
Which air fryer is best?
Not sure which air fryer is best? Here are a few of our favorites (complete list of best air fryers here).
Keith says
Tried this recipe a couple of times with different seasonings. Delicious quick, health, flavorful, and crispy snack. This will also be a go-to recipe for a quick snack when entertaining. The tip about drying out the beans in the air fryer was much appreciated since we are out of paper towels at the moment.
Sarah says
So happy to hear it, Keith! Enjoy! 😀
Matt Freund says
These are delicious. I make them all the time.
monica says
Delicious snack!
Vish says
Excellent ideas ,very nutritious and healthy.
Helen Cavallo says
Making those air fried chickpeas as I type. Thanks for the flavor profiles !
Charlie says
Thanks for the recipe. However, they wont go crispy! I put them in for 20mins and they are still soft
Sarah Bond says
Try letting them dry out totally before cooking, either using paper towels or letting them sit out on the counter!
Nancy says
Made these for the first time tonight…loved them! They’ll be my go to for a healthy snack and also for entertaining. One of the toppings I used was Everything Bagel seasoning, nice flavor.
Ashley says
What about dried chickpeas instead of canned? After I soak them, do I need to cook them before air frying?
Sarah Bond says
Yep, you’ll need to boil them to cook them, then they can be air fried!
Jaime says
Made these with your “Doritos” seasoning with intentions of serving them as a garnish atop some soup… but ended up eating most of them straight out of the air fryer. Yum!
Sarah Bond says
So awesome! Enjoy!
zoe says
do i really need to put olive oil before i air fry chickpeas?
Sarah Bond says
You can omit it, but they won’t come out quite as golden brown and crispy!
zoe says
hey sarah! thank you for replying.
i just want to cut calories as much as i can. maybe i’ll try it with very little.
thank you for your recipes!
Heather says
I made these starting with dried chickpeas (soaked overnight and cooked before proceeding with the recipe) rather than the canned chickpeas. I used a Harissa spice blend (PC Moroccan seasoning for you Canadians) that worked really well. The texture is perfect – crunchy with a light interior that I could never achieve in a conventional oven. These are quite addictive but super cheap and healthy. I look forward to trying other seasoning suggestions. Winning snack!
Sarah Bond says
YAY! I’m so happy to hear it, Heather! Enjoy! 😀
Martin says
For Australian residents, a perfect seasoning is Masterfoods Cajun Spice blend which is available in most supermarkets.
I used it for my first attempt at this recipe and the whole family loved it.
Susan Wollman says
I made these in my Ninja Max air fryer and seasoned then with cinnamon and sugar. Yum!
Patricia says
I made this with some garlic salt. Very tasty! Easy recipe and snack.
Elle says
Umm YUMM!
I used a little dry ranch powder, thyme, turmeric and just a few red pepper flakes. Tiniest little bit of olive oil, just to coat lightly and cooked them for just a little bit longer as I wanted to make extra crunch. Probably about 12 minutes, shaking the rack at around six minutes.
Best. TV. Snack. Ever!!😁
Melissa Smit says
Followed the instructions and they turned out hard as rocks.