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Crispy, crunchy air fried chickpeas with Cajun seasoning are my new favorite snack. They are naturally gluten free, dairy free and perfect for any vegetarian or vegan diet. I’ve tried to make these in the oven, but it seemed to take forever and my chickpeas never really turned out super crispy.
Well, the air fryer changes all that with a lot less fat and turns out perfectly crunchy chickpeas every time!
How Many Calories and WW Points in Air Fryer Crispy Cajun Chickpeas?
According to my calculations, each serving has about 118 calories.
To see your WW Points for this recipe, track it in the WW App!
(You must be logged into WW on a smartphone or tablet.)
These air-fried chickpeas make for a tasty and healthy snack, especially if you’re into the Weight Watchers program. Here’s why they’re a good choice:
- Chickpeas (Garbanzo Beans): These little guys are packed with protein and fiber, which means they’ll keep you feeling full and satisfied. Plus, they bring along some essential nutrients like iron and magnesium.
- Sea Salt: A pinch of sea salt adds flavor without going overboard on the sodium. Sea salt also has some good-for-you minerals.
- Cajun Seasoning: This is where the flavor party happens! Cajun seasoning adds a spicy kick with ingredients like paprika, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper. It’s tasty and adds some antioxidants to the mix.
- Avocado Oil Spray (or Olive Oil Spray): We’re using a spray here instead of drowning the chickpeas in oil. Avocado oil and olive oil bring in those healthy fats that are good for your heart. Spraying keeps the calories in check and helps with portion control.
Cooking these in an air fryer instead of deep-frying keeps things crispy without needing a ton of oil. It’s a healthier way to get that crunch.
If you’re watching your weight with the Weight Watchers program, keep an eye on portion sizes and the Points values for each ingredient. And, as always, it’s a good idea to chat with a pro or a nutritionist for advice tailored to you. Enjoy your snack time!
Recipe Ingredients
- 1 can (15 ounces) chickpeas (garbanzo beans) drained and rinsed
- 1 pinch sea salt
- 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
- Avocado oil spray (or olive oil spray)
How to Make Air Fried Crispy Cajun Chickpeas, Step-by-Step
Step 1: Gather and prepare all ingredients. Preheat air fryer to 385F degrees. (I used my Cosori TurboBlaze™)
Step 2: Place chickpeas on a paper towel and pat dry.
Step 3: In a medium mixing bowl, add the chickpeas, salt, cajun seasoning and give a couple sprays of avocado oil. Stir with a spoon until thoroughly combined.
Step 4: Pour the chickpeas into air fryer basket and smooth into a single layer. (Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to work in batches.)
Step 5: On the Cosori, press “Air Fry” and cook for about 10 minutes – stopping to shake the basket after 5 minutes. Adjust cooking time as necessary, until chickpeas are crunchy and golden brown.
Step 6: Allow to cool and remove to a serving bowl.
Step 7: Store any leftover crispy chickpeas in an airtight container at room temperature.
Recipe Notes, Substitutions and Variations
Not a fan of Cajun Seasoning? Substitute with your favorite savory seasoning, or combination of seasonings:
- garlic powder
- paprika
- cayenne pepper
- chile powder
- zatar seasoning
- Old Bay seasoning
- Italian seasoning
- Garam Masala (affiliate link)
- curry powder
Serving Suggestions
Naturally gluten-free, crunchy air fryer chickpeas can be enjoyed by themselves, as a part of your trail mix, or sprinkled over your favorite salad or soup.
Ways to Use Leftovers
Crispy chickpeas make a great anytime snack and nice crunchy salad topper. Try them sprinkled over this simple shredded romaine salad or this chicken souvlaki salad.
They would also make a great topper for this Chunky Tomato Soup.
Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature.
FAQs
Do I have to preheat my air fryer to make these crispy, crunchy chickpeas?
Generally, preheating your air fryer will help reduce the amount of cooking time required. And for this recipes, it is a super-easy timesaver to preheat your air fryer while you are preparing the chickpeas. If you decide to not preheat your air fryer, you may need to add a few minutes of cooking time to achieve your desired level of crunch.
I made this toasted oat granola in my new basket-style Cosori TurboBlaze™ Air Fryer. Air fryers are not standard, so the recipe instructions may vary based on your type of air fryer—basket (affiliate link), dual-basket (affiliate link) or oven-style (affiliate link).
If you’ve made this Crispy Air Fryer Cajun Chickpeas, please give the recipe a star rating below and leave a comment letting me know how you liked it. And stay in touch on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for the latest updates.
Air Fryer Crispy Cajun Chickpeas
Ingredients
- 1 can (15 ounces) chickpeas (garbanzo beans) drained and rinsed
- 1 pinch sea salt
- 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
- Avocado oil spray (or olive oil spray)
Instructions
- Place chickpeas on a paper towel and pat to dry.
- In a medium mixing bowl, add the chickpeas, salt, cajun seasoning and give a couple sprays of avocado oil. Stir with a spoon until thoroughly combined.
- Pour the chickpeas into air fryer basket and smooth into a single layer. (Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to work in batches.)
- On the Cosori, press "Air Fry" and cook for about 10 minutes – stopping to shake the basket after 5 minutes. Adjust cooking time as necessary, until chickpeas are crunchy and golden brown.
- Allow to cool and remove to a serving bowl.
- Store any leftover crispy chickpeas in an airtight container at room temperature.
Notes
(Must be logged into WW on a smartphone or tablet.) 3 PointsPlus (Old plan) Not a fan of Cajun Seasoning? Substitute with your favorite savory seasoning, or combination of seasonings:
- garlic powder
- paprika
- cayenne pepper
- chile powder
- zatar seasoning
- Old Bay seasoning
- Italian seasoning
- Garam Masala
- curry powder
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
