Description

A cheap, healthy, and satisfying snack made by air frying chickpeas with smoked paprika and garlic. These crunchy bites cost under $1 and are ready in about 20 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale

1 can (15 oz / 425g) canned chickpeas (garbanzo beans)
1 tablespoon olive oil (or avocado/vegetable oil)
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
a pinch of black pepper
1 teaspoon lemon juice (optional, for serving)

Instructions

Drain the chickpeas in a colander and rinse thoroughly under cold water to remove the starchy brine.
Pat the chickpeas completely dry using a clean kitchen towel or paper towels. This step is crucial for achieving crunch.
Preheat the air fryer to 390°F (200°C) for 3 minutes.
Place the dried chickpeas in a small bowl and drizzle with oil. Sprinkle with smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
Toss the chickpeas until they are evenly coated with a thin layer of oil and spices.
Spread the chickpeas in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Do not crowd them.
Air fry for 12-15 minutes, shaking the basket every 5 minutes to ensure even cooking.
Remove when golden brown and hollow-sounding. Let cool for 5 minutes to crisp up further.
Squeeze lemon juice over the top if desired and serve immediately.

Notes

Ensure chickpeas are completely dry before cooking to prevent steaming. Shake the basket every 5 minutes for even crisping. If spices burn, lower temperature to 375°F. Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Reheat in air fryer to restore crunch.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Snack
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: Approximately half o
Calories: 180
Sugar: 3
Sodium: 350
Fat: 6
Saturated Fat: 0.5
Carbohydrates: 25
Fiber: 7
Protein: 8

Keywords: air fryer chickpeas, crunchy snack, cheap snacks, healthy snacks, vegan snacks, gluten-free snacks, smoked paprika chickpeas, budget meals