Moroccan spice roasted chickpeas. Perfect savory snack; crunchy, full of flavor and high in fiber and protein to get you full and keep you full. They are great by themselves or sprinkled over a salad or in soup!
It’s no surprise I am a snacker. I love to eat huge salads at lunch, that fill me up for a few hours! But, I get some hunger pains around 3-4pm, especially if I taught spin or ran early that morning. I have found that fighting the hunger never turns out well. (Hangry SAM is not friendly.)
So I have an arsenal of snacking options. Craving something sweet? I love to make maple vanilla mixed nuts or honey sunbutter on apple slices. Omg yum!
Roasted chickpeas, have you tried them? They get super crispy and you can spice them with anything. At first, I was very skeptical of the chickpeas transformation, assuming they would be gritty or soggy. But nope, these babies get just as crispy as your favorite potato chip and are packed with fiber and protein – take that potato chips! However, I’ve found that roasted chickpeas are best with some flavor is added to them, insert Moroccan spices.
I was first introduced to the spices of Moroccan cooking when I made my Moroccan polenta casserole. If you haven’t tried it, you should. So yummy and easy! I was surprised to find that my favorite flavors are also predominate in Moroccan seasoning too. Cumin, smoked paprika, ginger, cinnamon. Yeah it’s seriously such a unique flavor combination, I quickly became obsessed.
These chickpeas are not only great snack food but they are greats soup and salad toppers too. These Morocaan Spiced Chickpeas were the perfect topper to my carrot soup, recipe coming soon!
Chickpeas!
Chickpeas are full of fiber! The fiber in chickpeas helps you feel full longer! Most of the fiber in chickpeas is insoluble fiber, meaning it doesn’t break down until it reaches the lower intestine, where it’s used to help promote healthy bacteria aiding in digestion.
Folate, copper, iron, and zinc are a few of the vitamins/minerals that you can get from chickpeas.
Great snacking option! 1/4 cup of chickpeas contains about 60 calories, 11 carbs (3 are fiber) and 3 grams of protein. Another of my favorite snacks, peanuts, have 207 calories, 6 carbs and 9.2 grams protein for the same 1/4 cup serving. So, if you are trying to reduce your calorie intake, chickpeas may be the way to go! You can gave double the chickpeas and still be down on your overall calories for the day.
Chickpeas, when canned, often have a thin outer shell, some refer to as “skin”. Some people recommend peeling the skin off, but this is really time consuming. I read that you can soak canned chickpeas in very hot water and the skins will just fall off. I’m going to try this and will let you know. I normally don’t bother with this step because I’m impatient, and I think they are great just out of the can. However, I’ve noticed that the chickpeas without the skin do get a bit crispier. So, if you have the time or small children you need to distract for a bit, feel free to peel off this outer layer.
Use good spices, make sure your spices are fresh. If you bought that cumin (affiliate link) 4 years ago, it’s time to replace! The best option is to roast whole seeds and break them down yourself, but again, I’m impatient, so buy quality spices and make sure they are fresh!
Use parchment paper – it’s your friend! Get yourself some snacking bowls (affiliate link) and make this dish for a healthy party option!
These chickpeas would also pair great with dried apricots or raisins,which are common in Moroccan cooking.
- 1 can drained and rinsed chickpeas
- 2 tsp. ground cumin
- 1 tsp. smoked paprika
- 1 tsp. tumeric
- 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp. ground ginger
- ¼ tsp. cayenne pepper (optional)
- ¼-1/2 tsp. salt
- Preheat oven to 400.
- Drain chickpeas and rinse them with hot water.
- Add chickpeas to a bowl and cover with spices and ¼ tsp. salt. Stir well to cover the chickpeas.
- Place parchment paper over cookie sheet. Add chickpeas and bake for 20-25 minutes at 400F.
- Take out of the oven. Allow to cool slightly and taste for salt. Add additional salt as needed.
- Allow to cool completely before storing.
- Can store in glass airtight container for 1-2 days.
What About You?
- Have you ever tried roasted chickpeas?
- Do you cook with Moroccan spices?
Linking up today Amanda. Check out our Link Parties!
YES YES THRICE YES. When we stayed at Token Creek last year, the hostess made us home made roasted chickpeas and omg I went to town on those suckers.
Super smart hostess! Talk about easy and cheap entertaining 🙂 LoL she must have known you were coming 🙂
I’ve never roasted chickpeas- but sounds easy enough!
Katie, they are super easy – let me know if you try making them!
I’ve never made roasted chickpeas but I happen to have all the ingredients right now!! I hope to remember to make this next week 🙂
Oh yay you will love them! I end up eating them right out of the bowl by the handful – whoops 🙂
I love love roasted chick peas! Maybe I will make them today. Snow Day!
i’ll totally take this over chips. I love the crunch! now can you make me salt and vinegar chickpeas next? Please and thank YOU. xxoo
These look good. It would be something different to make for me. I am trying to start making new foods. Thanks for sharing
I’ve never roasted chickpeas put I feel like I would love them! Great idea and the spices with this seem really nice.
Chickpeas…. MMM don’t get me around them! I will NOT be able to stop!!!
I have a chickpea problem. I’ve actually had dreams about them before! I’ve never tried a Moroccan spice blend on them- I’ll have to add it to the mix. Found you through the link up, glad I did! I’d love for you to share a post at my link up on Tuesdays, if you’re interested!
Xoxo K
http://peeledwellness.com
Thank you for sharing -I hope you have a wonderful week!
What a healthy recipe!! Yum! Thanks for sharing on My 2 Favorite Things on Thursday – Link Party!! Hope you come back tomorrow and share some more…I love having you!! Pinned!!
I love chickpeas prepared just about any way. Thanks for linking up to Funtastic Friday and sharing with us. Hope to see you again this week.
Sherry thanks for hosting! Chickpeas are so versatile, glad you love them too!
Yum!! have been doing this for a few years now! can’t go wrong and fresh spices always taste better!
Now I’m sold I will have to try them, I love chickpeas anyway!
yum! I love crunchy chickpeas! I love putting them on salads. I am gonna check out your Moroccan polenta too! that sounds so good!
I love spicy chickpeas but I’ve never made them at home, I bet these are so much better than the store bought variety!
I love snacking on chickpeas (because they’re great for hunger) but I’ve never thought to spice them up. Can’t wait to try this for something different!
Chrisy, I’m guessing you will be trying out all new flavors once you try these!
These look delicious! Chickpeas are always a favorite, but I love the combination of spices here. Can’t wait to try these!
I haven’t tried roasting chickpeas yet. I’ve been seeing recipes for quite a while but just haven’t tried any yet. I love Moroccan spices so this sounds great. Eventually, I’ll get around to trying roasted chickpeas…I guess I’m still a little skeptical but with so many people saying they are great maybe I shouldn’t.
These sound like such a delish snack! Thank you for sharing with us at Snickerdoodle Sunday- hope to see you again tomorrow!
Sarah (Sadie Seasongoods)
WOW this looks amazing! Pinned and shared!