Savory Spiced Chickpea Poppers
Unlock the secret to perfectly crunchy, savory garbanzo beans with this simple oven method. A satisfying, high-fiber snack that's ready in under an hour.
Servings 8
Calories 60kcal
Equipment
- Large mixing bowl
- Kitchen towel or paper towels
- 12-inch cast-iron skillet
Ingredients
- 1 19-ounce can no-salt-added chickpeas (garbanzo beans), about 540 g
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ⅓ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ⅛ teaspoon fine sea salt
Instructions
- Prepare the Garbanzos : Position a rack in the center of your oven. Drain the chickpeas in a colander and rinse them thoroughly under cool, running water. Spread the rinsed chickpeas onto a clean kitchen towel, fold the towel over, and gently rub to remove as much moisture as possible. Discard any loose skins that separate.
- Preheat Equipment : Set the oven to 400°F (205°C). Place the empty 12-inch cast-iron skillet on the center rack to heat up along with the oven.
- Season the Chickpeas : While the oven heats, transfer the thoroughly dried chickpeas to a large mixing bowl. Drizzle with the olive oil and sprinkle with the smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and fine sea salt. Toss with a spoon until every chickpea is evenly coated.
- Initial Crisping : Once the oven reaches temperature, carefully remove the hot skillet. Cautiously pour the seasoned chickpeas into the skillet in a single, even layer. Return the skillet to the oven and roast for 20 minutes.
- Final Roasting : After 20 minutes, give the skillet a gentle shake to roll the chickpeas around for even browning. Place it back in the oven to continue roasting for another 10 minutes.
- Cool and Serve : The chickpeas are done when they are a deep golden-brown and rattle when the pan is shaken. Let them cool in the skillet for a few minutes—they will become even crispier as they cool. Serve warm.
Notes
Storage: For maximum crunch, store leftovers in a loosely covered bowl or a paper bag on the counter for up to 3 days. Avoid airtight containers, which can trap steam and make the chickpeas soft.
Spice Variations: This recipe is a great template for other flavors. Try adding a pinch of ground cumin and coriander for a warmer profile, or use a salt-free lemon pepper blend for a zesty twist.
Troubleshooting: If your chickpeas aren't as crispy as you'd like, it's almost always due to moisture. For best results, let the rinsed chickpeas air-dry on the towel for 15–20 minutes before patting them dry. The drier they are before roasting, the crunchier they will be.
🍽️ Nutrition Information (Per Serving, Approx.)
Serving Size: about ¼ cup- Calories: 60
- Total Fat: 2 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.5 g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
- Sodium: 38 mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 8.4 g
- Dietary Fiber: 2.4 g
- Total Sugars: 1.4 g
- Includes Added Sugars: 0 g
- Net Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Protein: 2.5 g
- Vitamin D: 0 mcg
- Calcium: 15 mg
- Iron: 0.7 mg
- Potassium: 103 mg
- Vitamin C: 0.3 mg