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If you're looking for a healthier way to snack without compromising that delicious depth of flavour, these Healthy Roasted Chili Lime Chickpeas are a must-try!

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Don't be fooled by the humble beginnings of the plain old chickpea. With the combination of bright, zesty lime and the savoury spice of chili powder, these oven-roasted chickpeas make a flavour-packed snack or meal topper!

These golden little nuggets are always a household hit and a favourite to include in weekly meal prep. They make a protein and fibre-rich snack that's both satisfying and easy to take on-the-go. Plus, they're a delicious addition to countless meals, including salad, soup, tacos, quinoa, rice, and more!

Are Chili Lime Chickpeas Healthy?

Chickpeas alone are a nutritionally rich food full of fibre, plant protein, vitamins, and minerals. To add to their robust nutritional profile, these Chili Lime Chickpeas are tossed in a simple blend of olive oil, fresh lime, pure spices, and a touch of Himalayan salt.

How to Make Oven-Roasted Chili Lime Chickpeas

Making these Oven-Roasted Chili Lime Chickpeas only takes a few minutes of hands-on time and a handful of wholesome ingredients. (Follow the steps below or watch the video!)

What You'll Need

Equipment

• Colander / Strainer - If using canned, you will need to strain and rinse your chickpeas before baking.
• Paper Towel - If you don't want to wait for your chickpeas to air-dry, you will need to pat them dry with a paper towel or clean linen cloth after rinsing.
• Baking Sheet - To ensure an even roast, generously space the chickpeas on a baking sheet or dish.
• Medium & Small Mixing Bowls - Mixing the chili lime seasoning ingredients in a separate bowl makes it easier to season the chickpeas evenly.
• Spatula / Spoon - A spoon or spatula is needed to mix the chili lime seasoning and stir the chickpeas for an even roast.
• Measuring Spoons -  For accuracy, measure out the ingredients for the chili lime seasoning.

Ingredients

• Cooked or canned chickpeas. To make a single batch of this recipe, you will need 1.5 cups of cooked chickpeas or one 398ml can.
• Chili powder offers a warming depth of flavour with a hint of spice.
• Lime (juice & zest) adds a tangy and uplifting contrast to the deep, smokey notes of chili powder.
• Olive oil (or avocado oil) balances the acidity of the lime juice and helps to give the chickpeas a crisp outer layer.
• Garlic powder adds a depth of flavour that helps to bring the contrasting flavours together.
• Ground coriander adds depth to the citrusy notes, enhancing the lime flavour.
• Ground turmeric provides an earthiness that adds to the deep flavours of the chili powder (and a little anti-inflammatory goodness for good measure).
• Himalayan salt adds a richness of minerals and helps to marry the flavours.
• A dash of black pepper adds to the richness of flavours while increasing the bioavailability of turmeric's nutrients.

Steps 

Step 1: Rinse & Dry Chickpeas

First, preheat your oven to 200°F.

If using canned chickpeas, drain and rinse them well under cold water. Then, pour them on a paper towel and either pat or air dry. Once they are mostly dry, roll them around under the palm of your hand and remove any loosened skins. This helps give the chickpeas a crisp outer layer when roasting.

Step 2: Par-Bake Chickpeas

Spread your rinsed and dried chickpeas evenly on a baking sheet. Place in your preheated oven and bake for 20 - 25 minutes, stirring halfway through. Remove from the oven and allow to cool while you make the Chili Lime Seasoning.

Note: you can always skip this step if you're short on time, but I just love the texture it gives these roasted chickpeas. Par-baking them naked (unseasoned) allows them to dry completely, giving them a crispier outer crunch with a soft inner texture.

Step 3: Make Chili Lime Seasoning

If you par-baked your chickpeas, turn your oven up from 200°F to 375°F to allow it to preheat before roasting.

Then, add the olive oil, lime zest and juice, chili powder, garlic powder, coriander, turmeric, salt and pepper to a small bowl. Mix well until a paste-like consistency forms.

Step 4: Toss Chickpeas in Chili Lime Seasoning

Once your par-baked chickpeas are cool, toss them in a bowl with the chili lime seasoning. Mix well, ensuring the chickpeas are evenly coated.

Step 5: Bake

Spread the seasoned chickpeas evenly on a baking sheet, allowing them to be spaced generously. Place in your preheated oven (375°F) and bake for another 25 - 30 minutes, stirring halfway through to prevent the bottoms from burning.

If you like your chickpeas extra crunchy, you can bake them for up to 35 minutes, stirring them every 10 minutes and keeping a close eye to prevent burning.

Substitutions & Variations

Pure avocado oil can be used in place of pure extra virgin olive oil. Nutrition tip: Avoid using vegetable or seed oils, as they are not heat-stable.

Don't have lime? Just use lemon juice and zest instead!

A dash of Chili flakes can be added for a little extra heat.

Tips to Make Spicy Buffalo Chickpeas Perfectly in the Oven

1. Remove Loose Skins. I know this can be a tedious step, but removing the majority of loose skins from the chickpeas before baking helps to give them a nice crisp outer layer.
2. Don't skip the par-bake step. I find par-baking (unseasoned) chickpeas at a low temperature for 20 -25 minutes is the best way to dry them completely, giving them a delicious texture that's crisp on the outside while staying nice and soft on the inside.
3. Use organic lime. Since this recipe calls for both lime juice and zest, using organic is best to avoid harmful pesticides.
4. Give the chickpeas lots of space while roasting. Spreading the chickpeas evenly with a generous amount of space helps to give them an even roast with a crisp outer crunch.
5. Stir the chickpeas halfway through baking. Since these chickpeas are generously coated in chili lime seasoning, stirring them halfway through the roasting time will prevent the bottoms from burning.

Way to Use Chili Lime Chickpeas

Snack on their own. These Chili Lime Chickpeas are the perfect protein and fibre-rich snack that's easy to take on the go and doesn't compromise the delicious depth of flavour we all crave.

Salad Topper. Chickpeas make a nutritious replacement for croutons, but these Chili Lime Chickpeas can take your salads to the next level of deliciousness.

Top on Tacos. The combination of savoury chili powder and zesty lime makes these roasted chickpeas perfect for serving with tacos! They can also make a protein-rich plant-based alternative to taco meat.

Serve with roasted vegetables, rice or quinoa. These Chili Lime Chickpeas can add a burst of flavour to simple dishes such as roasted veggies, rice or quinoa. I especially love adding them to cold quinoa salad.

Top on soup. This one may sound a little odd at first. But these flavourful chickpeas make a scrumptious topping for spring soups like potato leek.

How to Store Chili Lime Chickpeas

Before storing, allow your chickpeas to fully cool. This will help keep them crisp by preventing moisture from getting trapped in the jar or container. Storing them in an airtight glass container best preserves their taste, freshness and pureness.

How Long Do Chili Lime Chickpeas Last?

These Chili Lime Chickpeas will last up to 7 days when stored in an airtight container at room temperature. You can preserve them a few days longer by refrigerating them, though they may not stay as crisp.

How to Re-Crisp Chickpeas After Storing

Even when stored at room temperature, these chickpeas will lose their crispness over time. So, you can always re-crisp them by popping them in the oven at 200°F for 10 - 15 minutes.

More Healthy Snack Recipes

• Savoury Sweet Potato Muffins
• Baked Almond Flour Flatbread
• Crunchy Roasted Broccoli with Almonds
• Dairy-Free Peaches And Cream
• Healthy Banana Cream Pudding

If you try this Healthy Roasted Chili Lime Chickpea recipe, let me know how it turns out by leaving a comment and/or a rating below! And make sure you're following along on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook and Flipboard for more wildly nutritious recipes!