
Cinnamon Roasted Chickpeas are the perfect answer when you crave something sweet and crunchy but want a healthier snack made from what is already in your pantry. They are so easy you can set up the kids to help, and the cinnamon sugar aroma draws everyone straight to the kitchen for a taste.
Since discovering how addictive these are my family snacks on chickpeas way more often If you make them once you will see how quickly they disappear
Ingredients
- Garbanzo beans or canned chickpeas: Provides the base for crispy texture Drain and dry them thoroughly for best results Choose cans that are low in sodium for health
- Olive oil: Gives a beautiful golden crunch Use extra virgin olive oil for the richest flavor
- Brown sugar or dark brown sugar: Melts to coat the chickpeas in caramelized sweetness Dark brown sugar brings extra molasses notes
- Cinnamon: Brings warmth and classic sweetness Look for true cinnamon called Ceylon for a mellower taste
- Salt: Optional but really lifts the sweetness Go for fine sea salt for even seasoning
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prep Chickpeas:
- Drain and rinse the canned chickpeas extremely well Then gently pinch off the papery skins from as many as you can This extra work is worth it for the ultimate crunch
- Dry Chickpeas:
- Spread chickpeas out and thoroughly pat them dry with clean towels The drier the chickpeas the crispier your snack will be
- First Bake:
- Preheat your oven to four hundred degrees line a cookie sheet Fat free chickpeas go onto the prepared tray and roast for fifteen minutes giving them a head start on crispiness
- Season:
- While they bake stir together your brown sugar cinnamon and optional salt Remove chickpeas from the oven drizzle them with olive oil then shake or stir to coat them completely Sprinkle over the cinnamon mixture and toss until well covered
- Final Bake:
- Place the tray back in the oven for another fifteen minutes This develops that signature golden crisp shell
- Cool and Crunch:
- For the crunchiest result turn off the oven but leave chickpeas inside with the door propped open slightly with a wooden spoon Let them gently cool and dry further before transferring to a container

For me cinnamon is always the hero It reminds me of baking holiday treats as a kid my mom would sneak some in even to savory foods and now it makes every batch of chickpeas taste like home
Storage Tips
After cooling store chickpeas in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days If they begin to lose their crunch reheating them in a low oven for about ten minutes usually revives them Avoid refrigeration since it makes the coating go chewy
Ingredient Substitutions
Out of chickpeas Try cooked white beans instead and dry them extra well Coconut sugar is a good swap for brown if you want a caramel taste without molasses You can use avocado oil in place of olive oil for a milder flavor Cassia cinnamon works too but true cinnamon has a softer aroma
Serving Suggestions
Pour these cinnamon roasted chickpeas over vanilla yogurt for a textural twist They are a super topping for baked sweet potatoes or scattered into a salad Kids love them tucked into lunchboxes as a treat with apple slices

A Little History
Chickpeas have been enjoyed across the Middle East and Mediterranean for centuries Roasting turns them into a snack that is crunchy and naturally sweet with a hint of warmth from spices This treat is an easy way to celebrate international snack traditions with modern flavors
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Why should I remove the chickpea skins?
Removing the skins helps achieve a drier, crispier texture, resulting in crunchier chickpeas after roasting.
- → How do I keep the chickpeas crunchy over time?
Store them in an airtight container at room temperature, but be aware the crunchiness will decrease the longer they are stored.
- → Can I use white sugar instead of brown sugar?
Brown sugar adds extra flavor and a hint of caramel, but white sugar can be used if preferred, though the flavor will be slightly different.
- → Why is it important to dry the chickpeas thoroughly?
Drying the chickpeas well helps them roast evenly and become crisp rather than chewy or soft.
- → What’s the best way to double the batch?
Use multiple baking sheets to avoid overcrowding, ensuring the chickpeas roast evenly and remain crunchy.