One can, one teaspoon of oil, about 20 minutes — a crunchy, high-fiber snack that fits the healthy-snacking trend without a deep fryer.
Crispy Smoky Chickpeas
21 min (5 prep + 16 cook) 390°F Serves 3
Ingredients
1 can (15 oz) chickpeas (garbanzo beans), drained and rinsed
1 tsp olive oil (or avocado oil)
1/2 tsp smoked paprika
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp fine sea salt, plus more to taste
Optional: pinch of cayenne or 1/2 tsp cumin
How Do You Make Crispy Chickpeas in an Air Fryer?
Dry the chickpeas: Drain and rinse the chickpeas, then pat them very dry with a clean towel. Remove any loose skins that slip off — drier chickpeas get crunchier.
Preheat: Preheat the air fryer to 390°F for about 3 minutes.
Air fry plain first: Spread the chickpeas in a single layer in one basket and air fry for 10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
Season: Transfer the chickpeas to a bowl, toss with the oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and salt until evenly coated.
Finish crisping: Return them to the basket and air fry 4–6 more minutes at 390°F, shaking once, until golden and crunchy. Smaller baskets may need an extra minute or two.
Cool: Let the chickpeas cool in the basket for 5 minutes — they keep crisping as they cool. Taste and add more salt if needed.
Dual basket tip: Make it a meal — chickpeas in basket 1 at 390°F, and lemon garlic salmon in basket 2 at 400°F for 8–10 minutes. Use Sync/Smart Finish and toss the chickpeas over a salad with the salmon.
Great for small batches: Ninja DZ090 6-QtCompact dual basket — one can of chickpeas fits a single 3-Qt basket in an even layer.
Ranch: swap the paprika and garlic for 1 tsp dry ranch seasoning
Cinnamon-sugar: 1/2 tsp cinnamon + 1 tsp sugar, added in the final 2 minutes
Za'atar & lemon: 1 tsp za'atar, finish with lemon zest
Everything bagel: 1 tsp everything bagel seasoning after cooking
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you get chickpeas crispy in the air fryer?
Dry them thoroughly, air fry them plain first, then add oil and seasoning for the last few minutes. Seasoning too early can make the spices scorch before the chickpeas crisp.
Can I use dried chickpeas instead of canned?
Yes — cook dried chickpeas until tender, cool, and dry them well before air frying. Cooking time is similar to canned.
How do I store air fryer chickpeas?
Cool them completely and keep them in an uncovered or loosely covered container at room temperature for 1–2 days. Sealed containers trap moisture and soften them. Re-crisp at 390°F for 2–3 minutes.
Can I make crispy chickpeas in a dual basket air fryer?
Yes. Cook chickpeas in one basket while the other handles your main — for example salmon or chicken — and use Sync/Smart Finish so both are ready together.
