Harissa Chickpea Crispy Roast (Print Version)

Smoky harissa-coated chickpeas roasted until crisp and flavorful, perfect for snacking or adding texture to dishes.

# What You'll Need:

→ Chickpeas

01 - 1 can (about 14 oz) cooked chickpeas, drained and rinsed

→ Seasoning

02 - 1½ tablespoons olive oil
03 - 1 tablespoon harissa spice blend
04 - ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
05 - ½ teaspoon ground cumin
06 - ½ teaspoon garlic powder
07 - ½ teaspoon sea salt

→ Optional Finishing

08 - ½ teaspoon lemon zest
09 - Fresh chopped cilantro or parsley for garnish

# Step-by-Step Guide:

01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - Pat the chickpeas dry with a clean kitchen towel and remove any loose skins to enhance crispiness.
03 - In a mixing bowl, combine chickpeas with olive oil, harissa spice blend, smoked paprika, ground cumin, garlic powder, and sea salt, tossing until fully coated.
04 - Spread the seasoned chickpeas evenly in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
05 - Roast in the oven for 30 to 35 minutes, shaking the pan halfway through to ensure even crisping, until golden and crunchy.
06 - Remove from oven and while still warm, toss with lemon zest and garnish with fresh herbs as desired.
07 - Allow to cool slightly before serving to maximize crunch.

# Top Tips:

01 -
  • They're addictively crispy—the kind of snack you'll find yourself reaching for again and again, almost without thinking.
  • Harissa brings this beautiful smoky heat that tastes far more complicated than the 10 minutes it takes to throw together.
  • Naturally vegan and gluten-free, so they work for almost any gathering without requiring separate snacks.
02 -
  • Moisture is the real enemy here—wet chickpeas will never get truly crispy, so that towel step is non-negotiable despite how tedious it feels.
  • Shaking the pan halfway through makes all the difference between some crispy and some chewy pieces versus an entire batch of consistent golden crunch.
03 -
  • Buy quality harissa or make your own spice blend—the flavors are the entire point, so don't settle for a dusty jar from the back of your cabinet.
  • If your chickpeas aren't as crispy as you'd hoped, it means they either weren't dry enough at the start or your oven temperature wasn't quite right—most ovens run a little cool, so trust the golden color more than the timer.
Go Back