Spicy Chili Lime Roasted Chickpeas

Homemade Spicy Chili Lime Roasted Chickpeas are a terrific high-protein snack. Crispy chickpeas (or garbanzo beans) also great on salads, in soups, or in even in tacos and burritos! This recipe is super easy to make, and you either cook your chickpeas in an air fryer or bake them in the oven. They're vegan and gluten-free.

Chili Lime Roasted Chickpeas

Chickpeas are so versatile that they’re almost magical. Chickpeas can be mashed and mix with mayo and served as a sandwich filling. They can be puréed into a creamy dip. They can added straight from the can to just about any soup or stew. And they can also be tossed in spices and roasted for a crunch snack.

I’ve been making crispy roasted chickpeas since before they were “a thing.” I was surprised several years ago when I coworker brought roasted chickpeas to work and started talking about them as if they were the greatest thing since sliced bread. (They probably are the greatest thing since sliced bread.) I’m not sure how she had discovered them, but she was a little surprised to find out that I had been roasted them for years.

Sure, you can buy roasted chickpeas in just about any flavor now, but they’re so easy to make that it doesn’t make sense to spend the extra money to have someone else do it for you. They're super easy to make – just open a can, add some spices, and cook! When you make them at home, you can control the ingredients and the flavor, too. I love making mine with chili lime seasoning.

If you prefer your chickpeas with a little less heat, check out my garlicky roasted chickpea recipe.

What You Need

• Aquafaba (the liquid from a can of chickpeas)
• Lime juice
• Chili powder
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Sea salt
• Black pepper
• Cumin
• Paprika 
• Cayenne pepper

See the recipe card for exact amounts.

How To Make Chili Lime Roasted Chickpeas

I used to make roasted chickpeas in the oven, but since getting an air fryer, I now cook them in it. They take about half the time in the air fryer as they do in the oven. In mine, they cook up in about 20 minutes, but since air fryer cooking times can vary, they might be ready in just 15 in others. No matter how you cook them, be sure to shake things up a little at about the halfway mark, so they cook evenly.

• If you’re roasting your chickpeas in the oven, preheat it to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• First you place your chickpeas in a bowl and drizzle on the aquafaba and lime juice. Add the spices and mix to coat.
• If you're roasting them in the oven, bake for 20 minutes, and then carefully roll the chickpeas around on the baking sheet. Bake for another 10 to 15 minutes, keeping an eye on them so they don’t burn.
• If you’re roasting them in an air fryer, cook them for about 15-20 minutes at 400°F, or until they're crisp. Be sure to shake the basket at the halfway point.

If you’re sensitive to heat, you can use les chili powder and omit the cayenne. And of course, if you love spicy food, you can use more than I have listed here

What is Aquafaba?

Aquafaba, which is the liquid found in a can of chickpeas, is pretty magical, too. It can whipped up to make meringue, used in baked goods in place eggs, and it can be used in the place of oil in certain recipes, too. (Like this one!)

When draining cans of chickpeas, I pour the liquid into small containers and place it in the freezer so I always have aquafaba on hand if I need it. (I use chickpeas several times a week, though, so I will admit that I sometimes pour the magical liquid down the drain.)

If you prefer to cook chickpeas from scratch rather than use the canned variety, just save the cooking water. (Not the soaking water!)

The Health Benefits of Chickpeas

In addition to be versatile and delicious, chickpeas are also little highly nutritious, too. They are:

• High in fiber
• Rich in protein
• Low in calories
• Loaded with minerals, such as iron, magnesium, and potassium
• Full of vitamins, including folate, vitamin B6, vitamin K, and vitamin C

The nutrients found in chickpeas contribute to their health benefits. They can support blood sugar control, aid digestion, protect against cancer and diabetes, and support heart health. They’re also inexpensive, so there’s no reason not to add them to your diet!

Serving Your Chili Lime Roasted Chickpeas

I like to use roasted chickpeas as croutons in salads. I also like to add them to creamy soups as garnish. These crispy chickpeas are great in taco salads or even tacos themselves! You can use them in just about any dish that could use a bit of crunch and a spicy kick.

Serve Your Roasted Chickpeas With:

• Kale Caesar Salad
• Curried Carrot Soup
• Taco Salad

More Chickpea Recipes Include:

• Smoky Kale and Chickpeas with Miso Peanut Drizzle from Bold Flavored Vegan Cooking by Celine Steen
• Curried Mango Chickpea Wrap from The Plant-Based Diet Meal Plan by Heather Nicholds
• Tahini Kale Salad with Garlicky Chickpeas 
• Curried Coconut Spinach and Chickpeas