Crispy Chili Sesame Chickpea Crunch (Printable Version)
Spicy, crunchy roasted chickpeas tossed with chili, sesame, and garlic—ideal for snacking or salad topping.
# Ingredient List:
→ Chickpeas
01 - 2 cups cooked chickpeas (1 can, 15 oz), drained and rinsed
→ Seasonings
02 - 1 and 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 1 tablespoon sesame oil
04 - 1 and 1/2 teaspoons chili powder
05 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
06 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
07 - 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
08 - 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
09 - 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
→ Crunch & Garnish
10 - 2 tablespoons white sesame seeds
11 - 1 tablespoon black sesame seeds (optional)
12 - 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - Pat chickpeas completely dry with paper towels and remove any loose skins.
03 - Combine chickpeas with olive oil, sesame oil, chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, sea salt, and black pepper in a large mixing bowl. Toss until chickpeas are evenly coated.
04 - Spread the seasoned chickpeas in a single layer onto the prepared baking sheet.
05 - Roast for 25 minutes, stirring once halfway through for even crisping.
06 - Remove from the oven and sprinkle white and black sesame seeds over chickpeas. Toss gently to coat.
07 - Return the chickpeas to the oven and roast for an additional 8 to 10 minutes, or until golden brown and crisp.
08 - If desired, finish with a sprinkle of red pepper flakes while still warm. Allow chickpeas to cool fully for optimal crunch.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The chickpeas turn addictively crisp, and the chili-sesame combo hits that sweet spot between snack and flavor bomb.
- It&39;s one of the easiest ways to impress friends who think healthy snacks have to be boring.
02 -
- If you skip drying the chickpeas, you get chewy instead of crunchy – I learned the hard way.
- Adding sesame seeds before roasting can burn them; toss them in halfway for toasty perfection.
03 -
- If they lose their snap, just pop them back in a low oven for five minutes to revive their crunch.
- A tiny pinch of cumin in the spice mix is my not-so-secret boost for complexity.