Soft Roasted Chickpeas Recipe (A Salty-Sweet Snack) (2024)

This roasted chickpeas recipe is an easy and delicious way to add nutrition to your toddler’s diet. These are soft roasted, to ensure they’re easy for the kids to chew, and they have a sweet-salty flavor that’s super yummy. Yay for easy toddler snacks!

Soft Roasted Chickpeas Recipe (A Salty-Sweet Snack) (1)

Soft- Roasted Chickpeas

When my oldest daughter was 1, crunchy Roasted Chickpeas were all the rage. They’re usually baked until crispy, which means they can be a choking hazard for little kids, but it’s possible to tweak the method slightly to make a nutritious and super easy kids snack. This version is a little salty, a little sweet, and it’s a nice way to change up how we’re serving beans to kids.

Soft Roasted Chickpeas Recipe (A Salty-Sweet Snack) (2)Ingredients you Need

To make this recipe, you’ll need:

TIP: You can play around with the flavors, but we like this cinnamon mixture!

Soft Roasted Chickpeas Recipe (A Salty-Sweet Snack) (3)

How to Make This Roasted Chickpeas Recipe Step-by-Step

Here’s a look at the process of making this easy toddler snack of roasted chickpeas. Scroll down to the bottom of this post for the full information.

  1. Rinse and drain the beans if using canned. This removes any excess salt and the thick liquid that the beans come in.
  2. This step is optional but I recommend it if your toddler is very sensitive to textures: Roll the beans around in a clean kitchen towel so the skins slip off. Discard the skins and place the beans into a bowl.
  3. Stir in the cinnamon, vanilla, salt, oil, and maple syrup.
  4. Spread on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake.

TIP: These are best served warm, though you can store them and reheat them on future days if needed.

Soft Roasted Chickpeas Recipe (A Salty-Sweet Snack) (4)

How long can I store these?

Honestly, they are really something special when served right out of the oven and cooled slightly, but you can keep leftovers in the fridge and serve them throughout the week. Just give them a quick 10 second warm up in the microwave or a few minutes in a warm oven—or eat them cold. We do both when packing leftovers fortoddler snacks and lunch components.

Are they a choking hazard?

Usually beans are soft and aren’t a choking hazard, but if you are at all concerned, smash them slightly as shown below.

Soft Roasted Chickpeas Recipe (A Salty-Sweet Snack) (5)

Tips for Making the Best Soft Roasted Chickpeas

  • Drain and rinse canned beans to remove excess salt and the thick liquid. Pat dry.
  • Roll beans around on a paper towel to remove the transparent shells if your kids are sensitive to textures.
  • Enjoy warm out of the oven as a snack or easy meal component.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container and store in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-5 days. Warm slightly to serve.

I’d love to hear your feedback on this recipe, so please comment below to share!

Soft Roasted Chickpeas Recipe (A Salty-Sweet Snack) (6)

Soft Roasted Chickpeas with Cinnamon

If you start with dried beans in this salty-sweet snack, make sure to cook them until they are very tender. If making these for a kiddo under one, use maple syrup instead of honey or skip the sweetener all together.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

4.91 from 60 votes

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes minutes

Total Time 20 minutes minutes

Author Amy Palanjian

Cuisine American

Course Snack

Calories 821kcal

Servings 4 (about 2 cups)

Ingredients

  • 1 14.5- ounce can chickpeas rinsed, drained, and patted dry (or about 2 cups cooked dried)
  • 1 teaspoon canola or coconut oil
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey
  • 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.

  • If desired, rub the chickpeas in a clean kitchen towel to remove the skins. (You don’t have to do this, but you may want to if you have a toddler who’s particularly sensitive to textures.) Discard the skins

  • Stir together all ingredients in a medium bowl. Spread on a baking sheet or baking dish and bake for 12-15 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature, smashing beans slightly for younger eaters if desired.

Notes

  • Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat briefly for 15 seconds in the microwave or serve cold.
  • Drain and rinse canned beans to remove excess salt and the thick liquid. Pat dry.
  • Roll beans around on a paper towel to remove the transparent shells if your kids are sensitive to textures.
  • Enjoy warm out of the oven as a snack or easy meal component.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container and store in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-5 days. Warm slightly to serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 821kcal, Carbohydrates: 136g, Protein: 39g, Fat: 15g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g, Monounsaturated Fat: 5g, Trans Fat: 1g, Sodium: 614mg, Potassium: 1335mg, Fiber: 34g, Sugar: 33g, Vitamin A: 125IU, Vitamin C: 6mg, Calcium: 258mg, Iron: 13mg

Tried this recipe?Rate in the comments and tag @yummytoddlerfood on IG!

Soft Roasted Chickpeas Recipe (A Salty-Sweet Snack) (2024)

FAQs

How to make soft chickpeas? ›

The secret to these incredibly tender chickpeas is two part – first, soak your beans overnight with a tablespoon of kosher salt. The salt tenderizes the beans and makes for easier digestions. Second, add in a bit of baking soda while cooking! Another tenderizing tip for the dreamiest bean you've ever seen.

Are roasted salted chickpeas good for you? ›

Roasted chickpeas are packed with protein, fiber, and other nutrients. I tried making them with both sweet and savory toppings and they're all delicious. Try flavors like honey, maple syrup, salt and pepper, or ranch seasoning.

Why are my roasted chickpeas soft? ›

They are a terrific low-calorie, nutrient-dense snack with lots of fiber. A few factors determine whether they'll turn mushy when roasted: the type of chickpeas (dried and soaked overnight or dried), how well they are dried before roasting and how much oil is used (you need only a little).

Is snacking on chickpeas healthy? ›

They're also very healthy, boasting vitamins, minerals, fiber, and protein. These characteristics may support weight management, blood sugar regulation, and brain health while reducing your risk of chronic ailments like heart disease and cancer.

How long to cook chickpeas to get them soft? ›

Soak 1/2 cup dried chickpeas for 12 hours. Drain, rinse, and add the soaked chickpeas to a pot. Cover by a few inches with water, and add 1/2 teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and cook at a simmer until tender, about 90 minutes to 2 hours.

How long to cook chickpeas until soft? ›

Place the chickpeas in a large pot and cover by several inches with cold water. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook, covered, for 1.5 – 2 hours, or until soft (but not mushy). Offset the lid of the pot to let some of the steam out during cooking.

Can you eat too many roasted chickpeas? ›

You can eat at least one serving (28 grams) of chickpeas per day. However, don't eat more than 70 grams a day since that can cause adverse side effects. If you consume too many chickpeas, some side effects you may get include bloating, nausea, and gas. It's important to remember that chickpeas should not be eaten raw.

How much roasted chickpeas can I eat in a day? ›

Up to 1/4 cup of chickpeas daily is allowed on a low FODMAP diet for digestive issues. Gradually add chickpeas and other legumes to your diet to allow your body to adjust. Over time, you will better tolerate them. Products such as BeanoⓇ help digest the gas-forming carbohydrate in beans.

Do chickpeas spike blood sugar? ›

Chickpeas can positively impact your high blood sugar due to their low GI, high fibre and protein content. However, consuming legumes as part of a balanced meal is essential, as excessive consumption or high-GI ingredients added to chickpea recipes can raise your blood sugar levels.

Does baking soda make chickpeas softer? ›

The chickpeas are sautéed with baking soda for a few minutes, before dumping in the water to simmer the chickpeas. The baking soda makes the water more alkaline, which softens the chickpeas more quickly by weakening their pectic bonds.

Why won't my chickpeas get soft? ›

When cooking chickpeas, it is not recommended to cook them with anything acidic (e.g. onions, tomatoes, lemon juice) because the acidity can prevent the chickpeas from softening enough. Enter baking soda. By adding baking soda, you are increasing the pH of the water and making it more alkaline.

Why aren't my roasted chickpeas crunchy? ›

The oven needs to be hot but not too hot or the chickpeas will cook too quickly without getting crunchy. 375 is the sweet spot so they can get crispy without burning. Rinse the chickpeas under cold water and drain them well. Dry the chickpeas.

Are chickpeas high in salt? ›

Dried chickpeas are essentially sodium-free.” They naturally contain only a very small amount of sodium, 11 milligrams per cup. There are workarounds to the sodium content of canned chickpeas. For starters, always rinse and drain your canned chickpeas to remove some of the sodium.

Is it OK to eat chickpeas everyday? ›

Eating a 420g can of chickpeas every day can be healthy, but it is important to consider the potential side effects. Chickpeas are a good source of protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. They are also low in calories and fat. However, they can also cause gas and bloating in some people.

What is the healthiest way to eat chickpeas? ›

"Chickpeas are wonderful to add directly to your dish—like salad, pasta, or soup—for extra protein and fiber," Cannon told us.

How do you cook canned chickpeas so they are soft? ›

Place the saucepan on the stove over medium heat. Bring the water to a boil. Once the water is boiling, reduce the heat to low and let the chickpeas simmer for about 15-20 minutes. This will help to soften them and enhance their flavor.

Why chickpeas are not getting soft? ›

Unfortunately, this happens when you use very old chickpeas. The longer they sit in your pantry, the longer they will take to cook. You can either continue cooking them until they soften, or throw them out and buy a fresh batch from the grocery store to cook.

Why are my chickpeas not getting soft? ›

Chickpeas on the shelves of your local market could be as much as 2 or 3 years old. Think of them as potentially super-dried chickpeas. The older they are, the drier they are, and the longer it takes for them to soften.

Why are my chickpeas not soft after soaking? ›

Chances are your beans are old. Old beans can seem to take forever to get soft. Cook them longer, making sure you are using plenty of water. Next time, if you have beans from the same source, soak for 48 hours.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Horacio Brakus JD

Last Updated:

Views: 6029

Rating: 4 / 5 (71 voted)

Reviews: 94% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Horacio Brakus JD

Birthday: 1999-08-21

Address: Apt. 524 43384 Minnie Prairie, South Edda, MA 62804

Phone: +5931039998219

Job: Sales Strategist

Hobby: Sculling, Kitesurfing, Orienteering, Painting, Computer programming, Creative writing, Scuba diving

Introduction: My name is Horacio Brakus JD, I am a lively, splendid, jolly, vivacious, vast, cheerful, agreeable person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.