Crispy Honey Roasted Chickpeas

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These outrageously crispy honey roasted chickpeas are so simple to prepare and only requires 5 ingredients. This versatile, crunchy and sweet chickpea snack recipe is perfect on pastas, salads, potatoes and more! Plus, I’ve included pro-tips on how to make your toasted chickpeas truly crispy!

This recipe was originally published in February 2019. I made updates to the post below to include more information about roasting and toasting chickpeas in the oven.

Hi, friends. If you’re looking for a sweet and perfectly crunchy snack recipe, you’ve come to the right place. Because today were are making the most snack-tastic little chickpeas that are equal parts delicious, healthy, and easy! These toasted garbanzos are blissfully crunchy on the outside and perfectly creamy and tender on the inside. Hungry? Let’s go!

About this chickpea snack recipe

This roasted chickpeas recipe may be the healthier choice compared to those indulgent treats typically enjoyed throughout the holiday season, but let me tell you – they’re far from boring!

These sweet roasted chickpeas are slightly creamy and tender inside with a blissfully crunchy exterior. The honey and cinnamon coating adds a caramelization to these little snack-tastic treats that’ll have you returning for more. 

These honey roasted chickpeas with a sprinkling of flaky sea salt are ideal for holiday snacking, parties, or as a delicious crunchy topping to Winter Citrus Salad, Strawberry Spinach Salad, or Broccoli Grape Salad. 

You can even add these little crispy bites of goodness to a cute jar with decorative ribbon as an edible homemade gift to friends and family. 

Why this toasted chickpea recipe works 

These unassuming and easy candied chickpeas are absolutely moreish! Here’s why you’ll love this snack:

• Allergy-free alternative. These sweet chickpeas are the perfect alternative for anyone with nut allergies!
• Only 5 ingredients! These sweetened chickpeas are incredibly easy to make, requiring minimal ingredients. You probably already have most of the ingredients in your pantry!
• Make ahead. Make a batch or two of these roasted chickpea snacks – perfect for snacking on or entertaining over the holidays.
• A delicious gift. Add these honey chickpeas to a clear bag or jar with decorative ribbon and hand them out as cute gifts to friends and family.

Ingredients for honey roasted chickpeas

Are you ready to seriously impress your friends and family with these bite-size crunchy chickpea treats?! Here’s everything you need:

• Canned chickpeas – Rinsed, drained, and dried really well to ensure maximum crispiness! 
• Olive oil – Only coat the chickpeas with oil once they’ve had an initial blast of drying in the oven.  
  • Substitution: You could also use vegetable oil or canola oil.
• Flakey sea salt – Flakey sea salt is a great option for adding flavor to this chickpea snack. The delicate flakes won’t overpower the chickpeas unlike regular table salt.
  • Substitution: Flakey sea salt is great for seasoning these chickpeas since it won’t make them overly salty. You’re welcome to use another favorite salt, such as pink salt or even flavored salts that incorporate other spices. Always be light-handed when using a different salt to avoid overly salty chickpeas. You can always add more if desired. 
• Honey – This adds a delicious sweet flavor and caramelization!
  • Substitution: A thick maple syrup could be used instead of honey if you want a vegan-friendly version of these honey roasted chickpeas.
• Ground cinnamon – Add more to taste. 
  • Substitution: I’ve previously experimented with ground ginger, and it does work if you’d prefer this alternative. 

Recipe variations 

• Savory. This sweet chick pea snack can easily be turned into a savory recipe by replacing the honey and cinnamon with a spice blend (store-bought or homemade). 
• Home cooked chickpeas. I’ve used canned chickpeas for this crunchy honey roasted chickpeas recipe as it’s super convenient. Feel free to cook your chickpeas ahead of time. I’ve got an entire post on easily cooking dried chickpeas!
• Vegan-friendly. Use maple syrup instead of honey if you follow a vegan lifestyle. 
• Seasonings. Swap out the honey and ground ginger and try other combinations of spices and seasonings with this toasted chickpea recipe. Below are a few of my favorite  flavor combinations with garbanzo beans to get your creative juices flowing:
  • Honey + ginger + flaky sea salt (in this recipe)
  • Brown sugar + cayenne Pepper
  • Maple syrup + nutmeg + cinnamon
  • Garlic + rosemary
  • Cumin + coriander + cayenne pepper
  • Chili powder + lime juice + fresh cilantro
  • Roasted garlic + rosemary
  • Garlic powder + onion powder + finely grated parmesan cheese + fresh parsley
  • Smoked paprika + cumin
  • Cinnamon + sugar

How to make recipe for chickpeas snacks</strong></strong>

This sweet roasted chickpea recipe is a snap to prepare. Here’s how:

1. Preheat oven: Arrange baking rack in the middle of the oven and preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
2. Oven dry chickpeas: Spread the chickpeas out on a rimmed baking sheet. Place chickpeas in the oven and bake for 8-10 minutes, or until chickpeas are completely dry.
3. Toss dried chickpeas with oil: Remove chickpeas from oven. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon oil and sprinkle with salt. Use your hands or a large spoon to evenly coat the chickpeas. Spread the chickpeas out in an even layer on the baking sheet.
4. Roast chickpeas: Roast the chickpeas in the oven for 20-25 minutes, stirring or shaking the pan halfway through. Chickpeas are done roasting when they are golden brown and crunchy.
5. While chickpeas are roasting: In a medium bowl, whisk together the remaining teaspoon of oil with honey. Season with a pinch of salt. Set aside.
6. Toss chickpeas with honey: Remove chickpeas from oven and transfer to bowl of oil/honey mixture. Sprinkle with ginger. Stir well to coat completely. Return chickpeas to baking sheet and spread them out in an even layer. Roast again for 5-8 minutes, or until honey is caramelized. OPTIONAL: For truly crispy chickpeas, turn the oven off after roasting and allow the chickpeas to sit in the warm oven for an additional 15-20 minutes before serving.
7. Enjoy: Sprinkle your crispy chickpea snack with more flakey salt and ground ginger. Enjoy now or later.

Tips for the best crispy roasted chickpeas

1. To get truly crispy chickpeas you need to rinse, drain and dry the canned chickpeas really well! I recommend rinsing and draining the chickpeas then transferring them to a dish towel or thick layer of paper towels. Pat the chickpeas dry and then let them air dry. The more moisture you remove from the chickpeas, the crispier they will be. While removing the skin from the chickpeas will ensure crispier roasted chickpeas, you don’t have to painstakingly remove all the skin if you do not want to. Simply remove and discard any excess skin that comes off while you are thoroughly drying the chickpeas.
2. Honey roasted chickpeas will keep in a paper bag or a container on the counter for 4-5 days. Leave the lid on the container cracked open to prevent moisture buildup and to keep the chickpeas crispy.

FAQs: frequently asked questions

How to get roasted chickpeas crunchy?

There are a few tricks and tips to get honey roasted chickpeas truly crunchy and crispy. If you are short on time, you can skip a few of these steps, however each step is important if you want gem-like legumes that are actually crispy with tons of crunch!

1. Rinse, drain and dry.  After rinsing and draining, make sure you dry the garbanzo beans really well. The less moisture on the chickpeas, the crispier they will be!
2. Peel the skins.  Removing the skin from the chickpeas helps a ton! I know it’s a tedious task, but it is worth the effort!
3. Dry the chickpeas in the oven. Spread the chickpeas out on a baking sheet and bake in the oven for 8-10 minutes to completely dry out the chickpeas before tossing with oil and seasoning.
4. Bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Toss the garbanzos with oil and desired seasonings. Bake for 20-25 minutes.
5. Allow the chickpeas to sit in the oven.  For truly crispy chickpeas, turn the oven off after roasting and allow the chickpeas to sit in the warm oven for an additional 15-20 minutes before serving.

How long are roasted chickpeas good for?

This toasted chickpea recipe will last for up to a week when stored in an airtight container at room temperature. Do not store these chickpeas in the fridge as the condensation will result in a loss of crispness at a much faster rate. 

How many chickpeas are in a serving?

This honey roasted chickpeas recipe serves 4 people. The exact number of chickpeas per serving may vary since some chickpeas may be smaller or bigger than others. This recipe goes by weight in ounces instead of number of chickpeas.  

What to do with toasted chickpeas?

These roast chickpeas are the perfect holiday snack – great for enjoying while watching Christmas movies with the family. You can also serve them as party snacks or give them to friends and family. 

What does chickpeas toasted taste like?

Chickpeas have a naturally mild nutty flavor. With the addition of honey and ground cinnamon, this chickpea snack recipe is very similar in taste to cinnamon roasted almonds!

<b>Why aren’t my sweet roasted chickpeas crunchy?

It’s very important to reduce as much moisture in the chickpeas as possible so that they are ultra crispy after roasting in the oven. Rinse and drain the chickpeas well, and then transfer them to a tray lined with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels. 

Gently pat the chickpeas dry and allow them to air dry for about an hour for best results. You can then roast the chickpeas in the oven and follow the recipe for ultra-crispy toasted chickpea recipe! 

Are roasted chickpeas healthy?

Oven roasted chickpeas are a healthy snack choice or a great addition to various dishes!

Garbanzo beans are a great source of dietary fiber which can help you feel fuller for longer.

As well, the chickpea with protein. One cup of roasted chickpeas equals a single serving of protein.

On top of all that healthy jazz, chickpeas are also an excellent source of antioxidants, calcium, folate and vitamin B.

If you are looking for a quick and easy, healthy snack that isn’t loaded with sugar and artificial additives, this crispy chickpeas snack are a wonderful option!

What to serve with roasted chickpeas?

Roasted chickpeas are a great way to add protein and crunch to various dishes! When it comes to serving toasted chickpeas, the sky really is the limit. Below are a few different things you can do with this homemade roasted chickpea snack recipe:

• Enjoy sweet roasted chickpeas plain as a protein packed snack.
• Swap out the homemade croutons for honey garbanzos and add them to salads for added crunch (try them on chopped italian salads, blt salads, and citrus salads).
• Toss this chickpea snack recipe with buttery pasta noodles for an easy meal.
• Add toasted garbanzos as a garnish to the top of all your favorite curries. 
• Use crisp chick peas as a filling in pita sandwiches or tacos.
• Add them to the top of soups right before serving (they’re perfect on this chickpeas soup recipe!)
• Scatter them atop pizzas for a punch of crunch and protein.
• Use them as a topping for baked potatoes.
• Load them into Buddha bowls, harvest bowls, or roasted vegetable grain bowls.
• Use them as a topper for dips and hummus recipes, like this hummus dinner, taco spiced hummus, sweet potato hummus, avocado hummus, spinach hummus or carrots dips.

How to store oven roasted chickpeas?

After roasting this chickpea snack recipe, make sure to let them cool completely before storing!

The best way to store this toasted chickpea recipe is in a parchment paper, or brown, bag. However, you can store leftover roasted chickpeas in a container or jar, just make sure to leave the lid cracked open so the chickpeas can breathe and moisture doesn’t build up!

Roasted chickpeas do not need to be refrigerated, and they should be stored at room temperature.

How long do they keep?

Properly stored, this crispy chickpeas snack does taste best if consumed on the first day. However, they will stay crispy and keep for 4-5 days at room temperature.

Can I freeze crispy chickpeas?

Sweet roasted chickpeas can be stored in a freezer safe, zip-closure bag and frozen for up to 1 month.

Perfect for snacking or adding a boost of protein and flavor to boring meals, this sweet roasted chickpea snack recipe is satisfyingly crunchy and delightfully delicious!

Grab a can of chickpeas from your pantry and get ready to transform them into something magical!!

Until next week friends, cheers – to the humble little chickpea.

Cheyanne

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More easy chickpea recipes!

If you love these baked garbanzo beans, try one of these delicious recipes next:

• Mediterranean Chickpea Salad (Upgrade your boring brown bag lunch!)
• Italian Soup with Chickpeas (10 minutes prep + one pot!)
• Chickpea Piccata (A luscious vegetarian meal!)
• Healthy Falafels (Super easy and super tasty!)

The best Crispy Oven Roasted Chickpeas recipe👇

Roasted Chickpea Snack Recipe

5 from 3 votes

Author: Cheyanne Holzworth

Total Time: 55 minutes mins

Prep Time: 15 minutes mins

Cook Time: 40 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

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These outrageously crispy Honey Roasted Chickpeas only require 5 ingredients! Simple to make and packed with flavor, this chickpea snack recipe is truly versatile - sprinkle them on pastas, salads, potatoes, and so much more!

Equipment

• 1 Large Rimmed Baking Sheet

Ingredients 

• 1 (15 ounce) Can Chickpeas – rinsed, drained well and thoroughly dried (SEE NOTES)
• 1 TBS + 1 tsp Olive Oil - DIVIDED
• ½ tsp Flaky Sea Salt - or more to taste
• 2 TBS Honey
• ¼ tsp Ground Ginger - or more to taste

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Instructions

• Preheat Oven: Arrange baking rack in the middle of the oven and preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
• Oven Dry Chickpeas: Spread the chickpeas out on a rimmed baking sheet. Place chickpeas in the oven and bake for 8-10 minutes, or until chickpeas are completely dry.
• Toss Dried Chickpeas with Oil and Salt: Remove chickpeas from oven. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon oil and sprinkle with salt. Use your hands or a large spoon to evenly coat the chickpeas. Spread the chickpeas out in an even layer on the baking sheet.
• Roast Chickpeas in Oven: Roast the chickpeas in the oven for 20-25 minutes, stirring or shaking the pan halfway through. Chickpeas are done roasting when they are golden brown and crunchy.
• While Chickpeas are Roasting, Make Honey Glaze: In a medium bowl, whisk together the remaining teaspoon of oil with honey. Season with a pinch of salt. Set aside.
• Toss Toasted Chickpeas with Honey: Remove chickpeas from oven and transfer to bowl of oil/honey mixture. Sprinkle with ginger. Stir well to coat completely. Return chickpeas to baking sheet and spread them out in an even layer. Roast again for 5-8 minutes, or until honey is caramelized. OPTIONAL: For truly crispy chickpeas, turn the oven off after roasting and allow the chickpeas to sit in the warm oven for an additional 15-20 minutes before serving.
• Enjoy Chickpea Snack Recipe: Sprinkle with more flakey salt and ground ginger. Enjoy now or store your snack for later.

Notes

1. Drying Garbanzo Beans: To get truly crispy chickpeas you need to rinse, drain and dry the canned chickpeas really well! I recommend rinsing and draining the chickpeas then transferring them to a dish towel or thick layer of paper towels. Pat the chickpeas dry and then let them air dry. The more moisture you remove from the chickpeas, the crispier they will be. While removing the skin from the chickpeas will ensure crispier roasted chickpeas, you don’t have to painstakingly remove all the skin if you do not want to. Simply remove and discard any excess skin that comes off while you are thoroughly drying the chickpeas.
2. Storage: Crispy chickpeas will keep in a paper bag or a container on the counter for 4-5 days. Leave the lid on the container cracked open to prevent moisture buildup and to keep the chickpeas crispy.
3. Yield: About 1 cup

Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and the nutrition facts are an estimate based upon 4 servings. Exact information will depend upon the brands of ingredients and precise measurements used.

Nutrition

Calories: 169kcal    Carbohydrates: 37g    Protein: 9g    Fat: 6g    Sodium: 7mg    Potassium: 309mg    Fiber: 8g    Sugar: 13g    Vitamin A: 30IU    Vitamin C: 1.4mg    Calcium: 52mg    Iron: 3.1mg

Course: Snack

Cuisine: American, Mediterranean

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