Are you ready for one of the easiest, tastiest, most addictive-est snacks ever? Roasted chickpeas, friends, are where it’s at. They are loaded with protein and vitamins, so there’s no room for guilt with these babies. We roast these chickpeas by the bucketful…well, not really, but I should. They get snatched up by big and tiny hands just as soon as I pull then out of the oven. Why are they so addictive, you ask? It’s hard to say. It could be the plethora of seasoning options like rosemary and sea salt, curry, or cinnamon and sugar. Or it might be the delectable way they are slightly crunchy on the outside and creamy in the middle.

Roasted Chickpeas for a Healthy Snack

For a long time we were told to stop snacking and eat three square meals a day. And then came the ubiquitous 100 calorie packs of…empty calories. No, no, no. I don’t get sucked in by that stuff. I am all for real, whole food snacks that help satiate me. That’s why I love roasted chickpeas. A handful is just enough to stave off hunger while satisfying that craving for something a little salty and crunchy. But if I’m craving something sweet? Then I season them with cinnamon and a wee bit of sugar, or honey.

Roasted Chickpea snack with Rosemary and Sea Salt

Tips for Roasting Chickpeas

One thing, be sure to give the chickpeas a good toss with a little olive oil to keep them from drying out as they roast. The temperature is pretty hot and the goal is for a toasty exterior and creamy center. If the papery skins are coming loose, you can remove them. Or not. That can be kind of time consuming. And we don’t want to become too impatient for our afternoon snack. Another tip – use a rimmed baking sheet. The chickpeas roll all around and may “pop” a little in oven, you’ll be glad you aren’t picking them up off the floor of your oven, and instead of popping them into your mouth by the fistful.

Roasted Chickpea recipe on a parchment lined baking sheet

Seasoning Ideas for Roasted Chickpeas

Like I said before when I want a sweet snack I opt for cinnamon and sugar, if I’m looking for savory rosemary and sea salt does the trick. Here are a few other ideas for seasoning your roasted chickpeas:

curry powder
lemon zest
lime zest and chili powder
ras el hanout spice blend
five spice
Italian herb blend
rosemary and sea salt
salt & pepper
taco seasoning
bbq seasoning

Storing Roasted Chickpeas

We find that we enjoy these within an hour or two of roasting or they can go kind of stale. Not inedible stale, just not as good as fresh, stale. If you did not eat all the chickpea snack within an hour or two you can store them in a glass container (or mason jar), or a glass bowl tightly covered with a paper towel for 2-3 days (at room temp). Note that they will not be as crisp as they are right out of the oven. It is not recommended to keep them in a sealable plastic bag, they lose their crisp even faster with this storage method.