Crunchy Spiced Chickpeas

There's a Mexican joint Michele and I go to once in a while that serves a complimentary bowl of spicy, fried chickpeas when you sit down to eat. It's a very nice touch, and a periodic reminder of what a great, highly-addictive snack this is. As in, only make single batches at a time, because you will eat everything you make. Season with any combination of spices that you like.

• Preparation Time: 10 mins
• Cooking Time: 60 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 10 mins
• Calories: 244 Calories

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 1 pinch cayenne pepper, or to taste
• 1 pinch paprika, or to taste
• 1 pinch ground cumin, or to taste
• 1 cup dried chickpeas (garbanzo beans)

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).

Step 2

Place chickpeas in a large container and cover with several inches of cool water; let stand for 24 hours. Drain and dry on paper towels.

Step 3

Pour chickpeas into a baking dish; drizzle olive oil over the top and season with cumin, paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. Stir to coat chickpeas.

Step 4

Bake in the preheated oven, stirring every 20 minutes, until crispy and fragrant, about 1 hour. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.