Crunchy roasted chickpeas (oil-free) cheesy and spicy

As a vegan, I am often asked what I eat daily to ensure I get enough protein. There are many ways to increase the protein intake as a vegan and one of them is substituting less healthy snacks for higher protein content alternatives like these vegan (oil-free) crunchy roasted chickpeas made in the air fryer. Whenever I am craving some salty snacks like chips or bretzels I make sure I have close these crunchy, cheesy, spicy roasted chickpeas. In addition to being a great snack alternative these crunchy chickpeas are also a perfect alternative to croutons to be added to soups and salads for a crunchy topping with protein boost.

If you are looking for high protein, oil-free vegan snacks ideas then I am sure you will love this recipe.

List of ingredients for these crunchy (oil-free) roasted chickpeas

• 1 cup Cooked chickpeas (garbanzo beans)
• 1 tbsp Nutritional yeast
• ½ tsp Salt
• ¼ tsp chili powder

Step-by-step instructions for this protein crunchy snack

1. Start by rinsing the cooked chickpeas (from a jar or can) under cold water in a colander and drain well.
2. Pat the chickpeas dry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towel. Make sure they are as dry as possible to achieve maximum crispiness.
3. In a small mixing bowl mix the spices: nutritional yeast, chili powder, and salt.
4. In a larger mixing bowl, toss the chickpeas with the spices and mix until evenly coated.
5. Add a piece of parchment paper to the air fryer basket and transfer the seasoned chickpeas. Make sure you spread them out in a single layer for even cooking.
6. Air fry the chickpeas at 200 °C (392 °F) for 20 minutes shaking the basket after every 5 minutes of cooking to ensure even crisping. Keep an eye on them towards the end to prevent burning.
7. Once the cooking time is up, check the chickpeas' crispiness. They should be golden brown and crunchy.
8. Remove the chickpeas from the air fryer and let them cool for a few minutes before serving. They will continue to crisp up slightly as they cool.
9. Serve the oil-free vegan air fryer roasted chickpeas as such as a delicious high-protein snack, or use them as a crunchy topping for salads, soups, or bowls.

Enjoy!

Note

This is my go-to high-protein vegan snack, especially on busy working days. Perfect also when traveling or hiking.

Mix the roasted chickpeas with other crunchy snacks like roasted edamame for a perfect party snack mix that for sure will please every crunchy lover.

Feel free to adjust the seasoning to your taste preferences, and experiment with different spices and herbs for variety. 

Questions you might have

If you love this crunchy, cheesy, spicy (oil-free) roasted chickpeas give it a rating and review below! And of course, tag me for the remake on Instagram

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