Crispy Air Fryer Chickpeas Snack Recipe – Easy Lemon Herb Healthy Treat
These crispy air fryer chickpeas are tossed with lemon zest, herbs, and spices for a crunchy, healthy snack that’s ready in under 30 minutes. Perfect for movie nights, salads, or lunchboxes, they’re naturally gluten-free and vegan.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Total Time: 28 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Snack
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 (15 oz) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (or avocado oil)
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano (or Italian seasoning)
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley (or 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt (or kosher salt, to taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice (optional, for finishing)
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh herbs (basil, mint, or dill, optional)
- Pinch of chili flakes (optional, for heat)
Instructions
- Drain and rinse chickpeas. Spread out on paper towels or a clean kitchen towel and pat dry thoroughly. Let air-dry for 10-15 minutes if possible.
- Place dried chickpeas in a mixing bowl. Toss with olive oil until evenly coated.
- Add lemon zest, oregano, parsley, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to coat chickpeas evenly.
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 2-3 minutes.
- Pour seasoned chickpeas into air fryer basket in a single layer. Air fry for 15-18 minutes, shaking the basket every 5 minutes. Chickpeas should be golden and crunchy.
- Transfer cooked chickpeas to a bowl. Toss with fresh lemon juice, chopped herbs, and chili flakes if desired. Adjust seasoning to taste.
- Let chickpeas cool for 5 minutes before serving. For extra crispiness, return any soft chickpeas to the air fryer for 2-3 minutes.
- Serve warm or at room temperature. Store cooled chickpeas in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Notes
Dry chickpeas thoroughly for maximum crispiness. Shake the air fryer basket regularly for even cooking. Add fresh lemon juice and herbs after cooking for best flavor. Store in an airtight container and re-crisp in the air fryer if needed.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1/2 cup (60g)
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 1
- Sodium: 150
- Fat: 3
- Saturated Fat: 0.4
- Carbohydrates: 20
- Fiber: 4
- Protein: 5
Keywords: air fryer chickpeas, crispy chickpeas, lemon herb snack, healthy snack, vegan, gluten-free, Mediterranean snack, plant-based, easy appetizer