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Smoky Roasted Garlic Chickpeas

This dish transforms humble canned chickpeas into a crispy, flavorful snack by roasting them with smoky roasted garlic and spices. The process involves roasting garlic until soft and fragrant, then tossing it with chickpeas and baking until golden and crunchy. The result is a hearty, savory snack with a campfire-inspired smoky depth and a satisfying crunch.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Comfort Food
Calories: 180
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 head garlic for roasting
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil divided, for roasting and tossing
  • 1 can chickpeas drained and rinsed
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt or to taste
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice for brightness

Equipment

  • Baking sheet
  • Parchment paper
  • Kitchen towel
  • Foil
  • Spoon

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 200°C (390°F). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
  2. Take the head of garlic, slice off the top to expose the cloves, then wrap it loosely in foil with 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
  3. Place the wrapped garlic in the oven and roast for 35-40 minutes until the cloves are soft, fragrant, and golden around the edges.
  4. While the garlic roasts, drain and rinse the chickpeas thoroughly, then pat them dry with a clean kitchen towel to remove excess moisture—this helps them become crispy.
  5. In a bowl, toss the dried chickpeas with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, smoked paprika, and sea salt until evenly coated.
  6. Once the garlic is done roasting and cooled slightly, squeeze out the soft, caramelized cloves into the bowl with chickpeas. Mix well to coat the chickpeas evenly with the smoky garlic.
  7. Spread the seasoned chickpeas evenly on the prepared baking sheet and roast in the oven for another 20-25 minutes, shaking the pan halfway through, until they are golden, crispy, and crackling.
  8. Once crispy and fragrant, remove the chickpeas from the oven, drizzle with fresh lemon juice, and toss gently to brighten the flavors.
  9. Let the chickpeas cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to firm up, then transfer to a bowl and enjoy this smoky, crunchy snack now or store for later.

Notes

Ensure chickpeas are thoroughly dried before roasting for maximum crunch. Adjust seasoning and spice levels to taste. For an extra smoky flavor, sprinkle a pinch of additional smoked paprika before roasting.