Cinnamon Roasted Chickpeas for Christmas Snacking
Cinnamon roasted chickpeas are a simple holiday snack with a crisp exterior, warm spice, and just enough sweetness to feel festive. They are easy to make with pantry staples and bring a cozy Christmas aroma to the kitchen while they bake.
Ingredients
- 2 cans chickpeas 15 ounces each, drained and rinsed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
- 1.5 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 0.5 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 0.25 teaspoon fine sea salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Spread the drained and rinsed chickpeas on a clean kitchen towel or layers of paper towel and dry them very well. Gently rub away any loose skins to help the chickpeas roast more evenly.
- Transfer the dried chickpeas to the prepared baking sheet, drizzle with the olive oil, and toss until evenly coated. Spread them into a single layer.
- Roast the chickpeas for 25 minutes, shaking the pan once halfway through, until they look drier and lightly firm on the outside.
- While the chickpeas roast, stir together the maple syrup, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, vanilla extract, and fine sea salt in a medium bowl.
- Remove the baking sheet from the oven and immediately transfer the hot chickpeas to the bowl with the cinnamon mixture. Stir well until the chickpeas are evenly coated.
- Return the coated chickpeas to the baking sheet, spreading them back into a single layer with a little space between them.
- Roast for 15 minutes more, stirring once after 8 minutes, until the coating looks set and the chickpeas are fragrant and deeper golden.
- Cool the chickpeas completely on the baking sheet. They will become crisper as they cool. Serve once fully cooled for the best texture.
Notes
Nutrition is an approximate estimate per serving based on 6 servings and can vary with specific canned chickpeas and sweetener brands.
Store the cooled chickpeas at room temperature in a loosely covered jar or container for up to 2 days to help maintain their texture.