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These Spicy Chickpeas are a light and healthy snack that is the perfect savory topping to add to a salad or serve in a gyro. Crispy, flavorful, and delicious.
This spicy recipe is perfect to use in a delicious batch of Spicy Chickpea Gyros, but if you craving even more chickpea recipes, then be sure to try making some Chickpea 'Tuna' Salad or Curry Hummus.
If you love crispy roasted chickpeas and a good flavorful spice blend, then this recipe is perfect for you!
If you haven't ever tried making chickpeas, they're a round legume that is mild in flavor with a tender meaty center. They can be made from dried chickpeas, but I prefer using canned because they're so convenient. And a great source of fiber and protein that can take on just about any flavor profile.
The best thing about chickpeas is that they're so versatile and can be used in many delicious ways. Add your favorite seasoning and some oil and they roast into something crispy and amazing.
Ingredient Notes
- Chickpeas - Also known as garbanzo beans. Will need one can for this recipe and can be found in the aisle with the beans in the grocery store.
- Olive oil - Allows the spices to stick to the chickpeas as well as makes them crispy as they roast/bake in the oven.
- Chili powder - Adds spicy chili flavor to the chickpeas.
- Smoked paprika - Adds a rich smoky flavor to the chickpeas.
- Cayenne pepper - Adds a moderate hot flavor to the chickpeas. This can be omitted if you prefer.
- Salt - Balances out the flavors and keeps the recipe from tasting flat.
- Ground black pepper - Adds a dry and slightly fruity flavor to the seasoning blend.
Instructions
Begin the recipe by preheating the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside. Drain and dry the chickpeas with a kitchen towel or paper towel and add them to a small bowl.
To the small bowl with the drained and dried chickpeas, add the olive oil, chili powder, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and ground black pepper. Stir until the chickpeas are evenly coated.
Pour the seasoned chickpeas onto the prepared baking sheet and spread them out into a single even layer. Be sure to space them out well on the baking sheet.
Place into the oven and allow them to bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until golden and crispy on the outside. Carefully remove from the oven and pour into a bowl to serve as a snack, on top of a salad, or in a gyro. Enjoy!
Recipe Tips
To achieve perfectly roasted crispy chickpeas, you must do a few things to make sure that happens.
- Drain and rinse canned chickpeas well. I prefer to add them into a fine-mesh strainer and rinse them well under running water from the kitchen sink.
- Dry the chickpeas thoroughly! Use a clean kitchen towel or thick paper towel to dry the chickpeas well. This will remove any excess liquid and ensure the chickpeas crisp up while roasting in the oven.
- Peel and discard any excess skin on the chickpeas that you may notice.
- Use a large sheet pan and be sure to leave plenty of space to allow the chickpeas to roast and not steam.
- Bake in the oven at 400 degrees F. for about 30 minutes and stop to check them after 15 minutes. Feel free to give them a stir during this time to make sure they bake evenly.
Storage
These spicy chickpeas are best served the same day they are prepared but feel free to store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. They may also be placed in a freezer bag and frozen for up to 30 days, but keep in mind they will not be crispy.
Recipe
Spicy Chickpeas
Ingredients
- 15 ounces (1 can) chickpeas, drained
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Begin the recipe by preheating the oven to 400 degrees F. and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside. Drain and dry the 1-15 ounce can of chickpeas with a kitchen towel or paper towel and add them to a small bowl.
- To the small bowl with the drained and dried chickpeas, add 1 tablespoon olive oil, ½ teaspoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper, ¼ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper. Stir until the chickpeas are evenly coated.
- Pour the seasoned chickpeas onto the prepared baking sheet and spread them out into a single even layer. Be sure to space them out well on the baking sheet.
- Place into the oven and allow them to bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until golden and crispy on the outside. Carefully remove from the oven and pour into a bowl to serve as a snack, on top of a salad, or in a gyro. Enjoy!
- These spicy chickpeas are best served the same day they are prepared, but feel free to store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.
Notes
- Drain and rinse canned chickpeas well. I prefer to add them into a fine-mesh strainer and rinse them well under running water from the kitchen sink.
- Dry the chickpeas thoroughly! Use a clean kitchen towel or thick paper towel to dry the chickpeas well. This will remove any excess liquid and ensure the chickpeas crisp up while roasting in the oven.
- Peel and discard any excess skin on the chickpeas that you may notice.
- Use a large sheet pan and be sure to leave plenty of space to allow the chickpeas to roast and not steam.
- Bake in the oven at 400 degrees F. for about 30 minutes and stop to check them after 15 minutes. Feel free to give them a stir during this time to make sure they bake evenly.
Nutrition
*All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods and portion sizes per household.
Original post date 04/20/2016. Updated 04/04/2022.
More Chickpea Recipes
- Spicy Chickpea Gyros
- Chickpea 'Tuna' Salad
- Chickpea Scramble
- Curry Hummus
Have any comments, questions, or more delicious ways to use these Spicy Chickpeas? Please share them in the comments below!
Tamara
People do love to talk, don't they? I've never been vegan at all, but I just know I'd have to hear about it. Silly!
The chickpeas look wonderful and they're one of my favorite foods.
admin
They really do!!! I hear all sorts of things and its always fun. Thank you 🙂
Akaleistar
I'm not much of a salad eater, but your salad looks so good and filling! I need to try the spicy chickpeas 🙂
admin
Thank you! They are really good...give them a try!
Sonya
Substituting roasted chickpeas for croutons is a great idea. Your salad looks yummy.
admin
Thank you! It works out really well 🙂
Marta
I made a double batch of these spicy chickpeas and they have become my latest snacking addiction. They have the perfect amount of heat and crunch on them.
LaKita
Thank you Marta, nothing like a snack with heat and crunch!!
Freya
I love roasted chickpeas but I’ve never tried them with a spicy coating and not was it spicy but sooooo moreish, I could not stop eating them!
LaKita
Thank you Freya! They are definitely hard to resist!
Amanda Mason
This is an excellent recipe! Definitely more crispy the first day. The flavor is fantastic and we put these in a bowl on the counter so the family can grab a handful to munch on throughout the day. Such an amazingly healthy snack! Great recipe!
LaKita
Thank you so much Amanda! Love tossing them in dishes after the first day when they're not as crispy, but I've also reheated them in the air fryer to make them crispy again 😉
Ann
These would be a great snack option! I love chickpeas! I love all of the seasonings you added, sounds like the perfect amount of spice!
LaKita
Thank you Ann! Such a great snack option 🙂
Heather
Perfectly crispy and such a great healthy snack alternative to chips… made a big batch and been enjoying all week!
LaKita
Thank you so much Heather, happy to hear!
Lori | The Kitchen Whisperer
I love chickpeas and these are so scrumptious! So spicy in the best way! Thank you so much for sharing’
LaKita
Thank you so much Lori!
Rebecca Blackwell
I cook with chickpeas often but had never made them quite like this. These are our new favorite snack! I've made them three times already. Thank you for a delicious recipe!
LaKita
Thank you Rebecca!
Jacqueline Debono
I served these spicy chickpeas as a snack with our prelunch aperitif today. Everybody loved them. Will be repeating again very soon!
LaKita
Thank you so much Jacqueline! They really are a great prelunch snack as well.
Loreto and Nicoletta
This us fantastic, love chick peas, andvthe spice blend. A perfect tasty snack!😋🥰👍🙏
LaKita
Thank you so much, it is a great snack!!
Hayley Dhanecha
Love my chickpeas in curries, hummus and as a snack. This spicy coating roasted chickpeas were amazing! Finished one batch in minutes, can't wait to make again!
LaKita
Thank you so much Hayley!!!