Harissa Chickpea Crunch Snack (Printable version)

Bold spiced chickpeas roasted to crispy perfection with harissa and smoky paprika seasoning.

# What You Need:

→ Chickpeas

01 - 2 cups (about 1 can, 400 g) cooked chickpeas, drained and rinsed

→ Seasoning

02 - 1½ tablespoons olive oil
03 - 1 tablespoon harissa spice blend
04 - ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
05 - ½ teaspoon ground cumin
06 - ½ teaspoon garlic powder
07 - ½ teaspoon sea salt

→ Optional Finishing

08 - ½ teaspoon lemon zest
09 - Fresh chopped cilantro or parsley, for garnish

# How to Make It:

01 - Set the oven temperature to 400°F. Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper.
02 - Pat the chickpeas dry thoroughly with a clean kitchen towel, removing any loose skins to enhance crispiness.
03 - In a large mixing bowl, combine chickpeas with olive oil, harissa blend, smoked paprika, cumin, garlic powder, and sea salt. Toss until evenly coated.
04 - Spread the seasoned chickpeas in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
05 - Roast for 30 to 35 minutes, shaking the pan halfway through roasting to ensure even crispiness, until golden and crunchy.
06 - Remove from oven. While still hot, toss with lemon zest and garnish with fresh cilantro or parsley if desired.
07 - Allow chickpeas to cool slightly before serving to maximize crunch.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • They're so ridiculously easy that you'll make them weekly without thinking twice.
  • That moment when they come out of the oven and shatter between your teeth is pure joy.
  • The harissa brings real personality without needing a complicated spice rack.
  • Vegan, gluten-free, and honest enough that everyone eats them guilt-free.
02 -
  • The drying step isn't optional—moisture is the enemy of crispiness and learning this the hard way means soggy disappointment.
  • Shaking the pan halfway matters more than you'd expect because the ones on the bottom catch the heat differently.
  • If they soften after storing, a few minutes in a hot oven brings them back to life completely.
03 -
  • If you want extra heat, a pinch of cayenne pepper added to the spice mix will give you that lingering kick without overwhelming the harissa flavor.
  • Don't skip the lemon zest finish—it seems small but it's what stops these from tasting one-note and makes people ask for the recipe.
Return