Cinnamon sugar chickpeas are a crunchy, lightly sweet snack made with one can of chickpeas and a few pantry staples. The air fryer crisps them in about 20 minutes, and a warm toss in cinnamon and sugar gives them a flavor that sits somewhere between cereal and cinnamon toast.
The recipe makes four small servings and works as an afternoon snack, a yogurt topper, or a bowl to set out while friends watch a game. It is also an easy way to get more fiber and plant protein into a snack.
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Why This Cinnamon Sugar Chickpeas Recipe Works
Chickpeas become crisp only when they lose their moisture, so this recipe puts drying first. Patting them thoroughly with a clean towel before cooking is the single most important step, and it makes the difference between crunchy and chewy.
The cinnamon and sugar go on after the air frying, not before. Sugar can scorch in a hot basket, but tossed with the warm chickpeas it melts just enough to cling, and the cinnamon keeps its fragrance instead of turning bitter.
The oil is kept to a single tablespoon, which is enough to help the chickpeas brown and crisp without leaving them greasy.
Ingredients for Cinnamon Sugar Chickpeas
- 1 can (15 ounces) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons sugar, adjusted to taste
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- A pinch of salt
Drain and rinse the chickpeas well so they are not coated in canning liquid. Granulated sugar gives the best crunch, though brown sugar or coconut sugar adds a deeper flavor. The pinch of salt sharpens the sweetness.
How to Make Cinnamon Sugar Chickpeas
1. Dry the chickpeas
Spread the drained, rinsed chickpeas on a clean kitchen towel and pat them dry. Let any loose skins fall away. The drier they are, the crunchier they will be.
2. Preheat the air fryer
Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F.
3. Coat with oil
Toss the dry chickpeas in a bowl with the olive oil and the pinch of salt until they are lightly coated.
4. Air fry
Spread the chickpeas in a single layer in the basket. Air fry for 15 to 20 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until they are golden brown and crunchy.
5. Toss in cinnamon sugar
Stir the sugar and cinnamon together in a large bowl. Add the hot chickpeas right away and toss until evenly coated.
6. Cool
Let the chickpeas cool for a few minutes before eating. They crisp up a little more as they cool.
How to Serve Cinnamon Sugar Chickpeas
Eat the chickpeas out of the bowl as a snack, sprinkle them over yogurt or oatmeal, or toss a handful into a trail mix. They are best served the day they are made, while the outsides are at their crunchiest.
If you like crunchy air fryer snacks, you might also enjoy air fryer chickpeas in a classic style, a savory batch of garlic paprika chickpeas, or the spiced air fried chickpeas. For another sweet crunch, try the cinnamon sugar air fryer banana chips.
How to Store and Reheat Cinnamon Sugar Chickpeas
Chickpeas are crispest on the day they are made. Once cool, store them in a loosely covered container at room temperature, since a tight seal traps moisture and softens them.
University of Illinois Extension notes that roasted chickpeas should be refrigerated if you keep them longer than 1 to 2 days. They will lose some crunch in the cold. To bring back crispness, warm them in the air fryer for a few minutes, then let them cool.
Tips and Variations for Cinnamon Sugar Chickpeas
Dry the chickpeas thoroughly, give them room in the basket, and shake them partway through cooking. If the basket is crowded, they steam instead of crisp. For a similar snack, see this crunchy chickpea snacks recipe from Illinois Extension, which stresses patting the chickpeas dry first.
You can adjust the sugar to taste, or swap in a little maple sugar for a deeper flavor. A pinch of nutmeg or cardamom is a nice addition, and a tiny pinch of cayenne gives a sweet and spicy twist. Check them near the end of the cooking time, because air fryers vary and the chickpeas can go from golden to too dark quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cinnamon Sugar Chickpeas
Can I make cinnamon sugar chickpeas ahead of time?
You can, but they are best the same day. If you make them ahead, store them loosely covered and refresh them in the air fryer before serving.
Why are my cinnamon sugar chickpeas soft?
They were probably not dry enough, the basket was crowded, or they were cooked too briefly. Dry them well, use a single layer, and cook until crunchy.
Can I bake cinnamon sugar chickpeas in the oven?
Yes. Spread them on a baking sheet and roast at 400 degrees F until golden and crisp, shaking the pan now and then. Oven roasting takes longer than the air fryer.
Can I use dried chickpeas?
Cook dried chickpeas until tender first, then drain and dry them very well before air frying.
Are these a healthy snack?
They provide fiber and plant protein with a small amount of added sugar. Adjust the sugar to your taste.
Air Fryer Cinnamon Sugar Chickpeas
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas drained and rinsed
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp sugar adjust to taste
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 pinch salt
Instructions
Cooking
- Spread the drained, rinsed chickpeas on a clean towel and pat them very dry.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F.
- Toss the dry chickpeas with the olive oil and salt until lightly coated.
- Air fry in a single layer for 15 to 20 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until golden brown and crunchy.
- Toss the hot chickpeas with the cinnamon and sugar until evenly coated, then let them cool for a few minutes.
