Spicy roasted chickpeas make an addictive snack, but they're also great for topping salads and grain bowls! Ready in about 30 minutes, this four ingredient recipe will quickly become your favorite way to eat garbanzo beans.
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Roasted chickpeas are one of my favorite things to add to wraps, salads, and grain bowls. But how do we take it up a notch? Add some spice!
Cajun spice, specifically. I find cajun seasoning to be the best blend of flavor and heat. You can buy it pre-mixed in the grocery store, or make your own Cajun seasoning.
These spicy roasted chickpeas take less than 30 minutes to make and only use 4 ingredients (plus salt and pepper, as needed, depending on your seasoning mix).
Chickpeas are naturally vegan and gluten-free, plus they're full of fiber, protein, and polyunsaturated fast, making them a healthy addition to just about any diet!
Ingredients
- Olive oil
- Garbanzo beans (chickpeas)
- Garlic
- Salt and pepper
- Cajun seasoning
How to make spicy roasted chickpeas
- Rinse, drain, and pat chickpeas dry with a clean kitchen towel.
- Heat oil in a large cast iron skillet over medium heat. When hot, add the chickpeas, garlic, and just a pinch of salt and pepper. Shake the pan so everything is well coated in oil and laying in a single layer. Place the skillet in the oven.
- Roast the chickpeas, shaking the pan occasionally, until the chickpeas begin to brown, 15-20 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool slightly.
- Add the cajun seasoning and stir to coat the chickpeas. Serve hot or at room temperature.
Top tips
How to get crunchy roasted chickpeas
There are several ways to make sure your chickpeas are crunchy after roasting. Start by drying them thoroughly before adding to the oil.
Next, measure the oil carefully or consider reducing the amount of oil used to prevent them from soaking up too much. Finally, if your chickpeas don't feel crunchy when the time is up, don't be afraid to leave them in the oven for longer since all oven temperatures may vary.
How to store
Technically you can keep fully roasted chickpeas at room temperature in a parchment bag for up to a week, but since I like mine a little tender rather than crunchy throughout (no broken teeth here!), I prefer to play it safe by keeping them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
The chickpeas will lose their crispness in the refrigerator, so reheat them in the oven or air fryer to make them crispy again.
Tips for customizing cajun roasted chickpeas
- Start with less Cajun seasoning and add more to taste
- Add more of your favorite flavors such as cayenne, garlic powder, etc.
- Skip the garlic, or swap it for shallots
FAQ
Yes, chickpeas are another name for garbanzo beans, and they can be used interchangeably.
If using dried beans, you will need to cook them before following this recipe. Check out this post on how to cook beans for more information.
Cajun seasoning will vary depending on the brand, but generally contains a blend of paprika, garlic powder, black pepper, and cayenne pepper in addition to other spices.
I recommend looking for a Cajun seasoning that does not list salt as the first ingredient, and preferably doesn't contain salt at all. This has become more difficult to find over the years, but I used Spice Islands Cajun seasoning for this recipe and thought it was great.
What is the texture of roasted chickpeas?
Roasted chickpeas should be crisp on the outside but not hard all the way through. They lose their crispiness after the first day, so I recommend enjoying them the same day you cook them.
More Cajun recipes
More easy recipes
- Roasted Chickpeas
- Roasted Garlic
- Instant Pot Apple Butter
- Strawberry Chia Jam
- Honey Simple Syrup
- Cinnamon Honey Butter
If you make this recipe, be sure to rate it, leave a comment, or tag #theliveinkitchen on Instagram!
Recipe
Spicy Roasted Chickpeas
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cups well-drained cooked or canned chickpeas, (One 15 ounce can)
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon cajun seasoning or other spice blend
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400ºF. Dry the chickpeas thoroughly by placing them on a towel or paper towel and rolling them around.
- In a large cast iron skillet or other oven-proof skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. When hot, add the chickpeas, garlic, salt and pepper. Shake the pan so everything is well coated in oil and laying in a single layer. Place the skillet in oven.
- Roast, shaking the pan occasionally, until the chickpeas begin to brown, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool slightly. Transfer to a bowl and stir in cajun seasoning. Serve hot or at room temperature.
olive says
OMG. Thanks for the reminder!!!! Had something similar ages ago and LOVED. You rock. Totally going on my menu soon.