High Protein Healthy Snack

Crispy Air Fryer Chickpeas: 4 High-Protein Snack Flavors Under 100 Calories 🥜⚡

Introduction


Meet your new protein-packed snack obsession! These Crispy Air Fryer Chickpeas deliver 6g plant-based protein per serving for just ~100 calories, with four irresistible flavor options. Perfect for meal prep, post-workout fuel, or crunchy salad toppers, they’re naturally gluten-free, vegan, and endlessly customizable. The air fryer creates the perfect crispiness without deep-frying – a guilt-free crunch you’ll crave!


Ingredients (Makes 4 Servings)

Base Recipe:

  • 1 (15.5 oz) can garbanzo beans, drained & dried
  • Oil spray (avocado or olive oil recommended)

Flavor Varieties (choose one per batch):

  1. Cinnamon Sugar Bliss
  • 1 tbsp sugar + ½ tsp cinnamon
  1. Zesty Ranch
  • 1 tbsp ranch seasoning mix
  1. Fiery Chili Lime
  • 1 tsp chili powder + ½ tsp cumin + ¼ tsp each garlic powder & True Lime + ½ tsp salt
  1. Smoky BBQ
  • 1½ tsp paprika + 1 tsp brown sugar + ½ tsp each celery salt & garlic powder + ¼ tsp black pepper + ½ tsp dry mustard


Air Fryer Magic Instructions

  1. Prep:
  • Rinse, drain, and thoroughly pat dry chickpeas (key for crunch!)
  1. Crisp:
  • Air fry at 390°F (200°C) for 17 minutes
  • Shake basket every 5 minutes
  • Spray lightly with oil at the 5-minute mark
  1. Season:
  • At 15 minutes, sprinkle half the seasoning
  • After cooking, toss with remaining seasoning
  1. Cool:
  • Let rest 5 minutes – they crisp up as they cool!


Nutritional Powerhouse (per serving)

NutrientAmountBenefits
Calories100 kcalLight & satisfying
Protein6gMuscle fuel
Fiber3gDigestive health
Iron10% DVEnergy booster
Folate15% DVCell repair

Health Hack: Omit sugar in savory flavors to reduce carbs by 3g


Chef’s Secrets

✅ Extra Crispy: Remove chickpea skins before cooking
✅ Oil-Free: Skip spraying (less crispy but still tasty)
✅ Storage: Keeps crunchy in airtight containers for 1 week
✅ Double Duty: Use as salad toppers or soup garnishes

Flavor Twist Ideas:

  • Everything Bagel: 1 tbsp everything seasoning
  • Maple Pecan: 1 tsp maple syrup + ½ tsp cinnamon + chopped pecans
  • Buffalo: 1 tbsp hot sauce + ½ tsp garlic powder


Why These Beat Store-Bought Snacks

✨ Cost Effective: 1/4 the price of protein bars
✨ Blood Sugar Friendly: Low glycemic index
✨ Kid-Approved: A sneaky veggie-packed snack
✨ Meal Prep Star: Make 4 flavors at once for variety

Pro Tip: For extra protein punch, pair with 1 oz cheese or Greek yogurt dip!

Serving Ideas:

  • Movie-night munchies
  • Salad crunch booster
  • Yogurt parfait topping
  • Post-gym recovery snack

Storage:

  • Room temperature: 3 days
  • Refrigerated: 1 week (re-crisp in air fryer 2 mins)
  • Not freezer-friendly

Leave a Comment