Crispy Channa Masala Chickpeas
Do you love chickpeas? I do. There is something quite deliciously amazing about crispy fried or baked chickpeas. An addictive crust with soft, creamy, and crunchy centers. These Crispy Channa Masala Chickpeas are air fried.
The name might sound corny, but these chickpeas use some of the seasoning of a channa masala. So, you will taste the warmth of garam masala and the tang of amchoor that brings to me the flavors of Channa Masala. And all of this comes together in my air fryer in about 15 to 20 minutes.
My Crispy Channa Masala Chickpeas Story
A few funny observations here. I have made this recipe at least 6 or 7 times just in the past month.
Before I can actually take any pictures, these chickpeas are finished. Well, today with all my determination I managed to take a few pictures to ensure that I have this ready for this site.
To prep the chickpeas, of course we can just open a can. If you have some homecooked chickpeas around (I always do!) you will be rewarded with the freshness.
I am absolutely in love with these easy to put together creation. The chickpeas are crunchy outside and creamy in the center. It does not get better than this. Some yogurt sauce drizzled over them, a couple of pita or naan chips round out the picture. They taste wonderful over steaming rice. And, they taste amazing without anything else just as a snack.
In short one of gifts that you feel life sometimes gives you. When you have about 20 minutes and are craving comfort. Ok, that is pretty much me all the time. Why do you think this features so often my my kitchen. I am happy to see that the number of air fryer recipes are growing on this site. I have to confess that I am actually using a lot less oil and generally frying a lot less.
This dish is great with some natural yogurt drizzled over it and for some variation check out my channa masala with carrots and kale.
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A wonderful, healthy and cripsy take on chickpeas. Made with minimal oil in the air fryer.
Ingredients
- 1 and 1/2 cups cooked chickpeas or a 15 oz can of chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
- 3/4 teaspoon red cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon amchoor or dried mango powder (see notes)
- 1 and 1/2 teaspoons garam masala powder
- 1 tablespoon rice flour
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 4 tablespoons whole milk yogurt
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice (about 1/2 fresh lemon)
- Salt to Taste
- Chopped Cilantro and Red Onions
Instructions
- Toss the chickpeas with the olive oil, turmeric, red cayenne pepper, garam masala powder and rice flour and salt.
- Place in the air fyer basket. Set to 475 degrees and cook for 18 minutes, shaking well at 8 minute intervals.
- Mix the yogurt and lemon juice well. Stir in salt.
- Serve the chickpeas warm drizzled with the yogurt sauce. Sprinkle with chopped cilantro and red onions if using. Serve with a couple of pita chips or over steaming rice.