Crispy Roasted Chickpeas (Garbanzo Beans)

Before I even get into this addictive little snackity snack, I just want to say thank you for all the wonderful birthday wishes yesterday on Twitter and Facebook. You all are so thoughtful to send a little message of good wishes. I was sitting at the airport waiting for my flight home and everytime a new message came in, my phone would sound a happy little *ping!* They came so fast and furious, it just about sounded like I was having my own little Vegas jackpot moment on my phone!

I’ve been traveling nonstop for the past 2 weeks and my body sorta feels a little tired and laggy, so I thought I’d share with you a snack that’s healthy (they’re roasted, not fried), easy (5 minutes hands on time), easy (using canned garbanzo beans), addictive (you might as well double the recipe when you’re making it).

The texture of Roasted Chickpeas is surprisingly crispy/crunchy – they make that lovely, loud crunch in your mouth like potato chips. And when you tell people that this recipe starts with 1 can of garbanzo beans, they won’t believe you. Chickpeas and garbanzo beans are the same thing.

Just one warning. as I ate the entire batch by myself in one sitting: These Roasted Chickpeas are really are perfect as a little bar snack to nibble on with beer. And I emphasize nibble and little. As addictive as they are, they’re still beans. And if you eat the entire batch…which is 1 can of garbanzo beans…well, let’s just say I spent a lot of time saying ‘xcuse me.

How to make Roasted Chickpeas/Garbanzo Beans

Four ingredients – salt, seasoning blend of your choice, garbanzo beans and olive oil

First drain the can of garbanzo beans.

You’ll want to rinse the beans for a few seconds to rid the surface of the cloudy, starchy, slippery water it was packaged in.

Lay them out on a baking sheet lined with paper towel.

Pat dry with another paper towel.

You’ll see that some of the beans have a thin skin on them…you can leave them on, or use the paper towel to rub them off.

Discard the skin.

Now they should be completely dry.

Remove the paper towels and now drizzle just a bit of olive oil.

Toss them about to distribute the oil.

Ready for the oven!

400F for 30-40 minutes (I’m on a convection and I used 325F) – until golden brown, crunchy (not soft).

Beautiful.

Season with salt.

Whatever spice blend you want.

That’s it!







