“Fried” often gets a dirty rap, but there’s a difference, of course, between using refined oils like canola and soybean to make deep-fried foods like potato chips and chowing down on healthy fried foods. And yes, these do exist — in fact, these fried chickpeas are one of those healthy fried options.
I love them because they’re made wholly from chickpeas (aka garbanzo beans), coconut oil and seasonings. Nutrition-rich chickpeas are a terrific source of animal-free protein and full of fiber. And if you haven’t tried them, they are delicious when cooked and crispy, like in this recipe.
Slip these fried chickpeas in a sealed plastic bag as an on-the-go snack or enjoy them while watching your favorite TV program. You’ll never go back to those unhealthy chips again.
Key Ingredients
Are fried chickpeas good for you? They certainly can be.
These pan-fried chickpeas balls take the negatives of fried foods out of the equation thanks to healthy ingredients this recipe calls for, starting with the star of the show:
- Chickpeas. Also known as garbanzo beans, chickpeas aren’t only loaded with protein, but also high in manganese, folate, copper, phosphorus, and several other vitamins and minerals. As such, they benefit blood sugar control, weight maintenance, digestion, immunity and more.
- Coconut oil. Coconut oil benefits extend to many aspects of health. This source of healthy fat can help with brain, heart, kidney, liver joint, immune, digestive, bone, skin, oral, hair and hormone health.
- Spices. Cumin aids digestion, immunity, respiratory issues, skin, sleep, bone health and cholesterol, while antioxidant-rich paprika is a spice that can help the entire body. Of course, we already know garlic is one of the healthiest foods on the planet.
How to Make Fried Chickpeas
Wondering how to cook chickpeas? Frying is one method for how to cook garbanzo beans, which is what this fried chickpeas recipe calls for.
Start by heating the benefit-rich coconut oil in a large frying pan over low heat. While that happens, pat the chickpeas dry with a paper towel to blot out any excess moisture.
Next, add the chickpeas and spices to the pan, and turn the heat up higher to medium.
Fry the chickpeas for 10–12 minutes until they’ve reached your desired crispiness level. Personally, I like mine pretty crunchy and toasty. Serve in bowls and eat!
This fried chickpeas snack is an easy-to-make recipe and very customizable. Swapping out the spices can give these crispy chickpeas a whole new tastes, too — make curry-flavored ones or Italian-spiced ones. However you choose to jazz these chickpeas up, they’re going to taste great.
Healthy Fried Chickpeas Recipe
Cook Time: 20 min
Total Time: 20 min
Yield: 4 servings
Diet: Vegan
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Description
These fried chickpeas are one of those healthy fried options. I love them because they’re made from chickpeas, coconut oil and seasonings.
Ingredients
- 2 cans of chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil
- 2 teaspoons of each: cumin, chili powder, garlic, smoked paprika, sea salt, pepper
Instructions
- Dry the chickpeas with a paper towel to remove excess moisture.
- In a large frying pan over medium low heat, melt the coconut oil.
- Add the chickpeas and spices to the pan, and turn the heat to medium. Fry for 10–12 minutes or until desired crispiness.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- You can adjust the spices to customize your fried chickpeas. Try curry-flavored ones or Italian-spiced ones.
- You can swap the coconut oil for the cooking oil of your choice, though it will change the nutrition a bit.
- Category: Snacks
- Method: By hand
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
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Cuisine:Nutrition
- Calories: 137
- Sugar: 0.6g
- Sodium: 1,057mg
- Fat: 8.2g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 13.2g
- Fiber: 3.6g
- Protein: 4.6g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
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