Za’atar Spiced Crispy Chickpeas

These Za’atar Spiced Crispy Chickpeas are one of our favorite gluten free and vegan snacks. They’re crispy, super flavorful, and absolutely addictive! Enjoy on top of a salad, grain bowls, soups or just by the handful.

We originally developed this recipe for this Fattoush Salad we made for Hour Detroit Magazine, and we’ve been hooked ever since! They’re crispy, salty, full of flavor and make for the perfect salad or soup topping.

If you’ve never made homemade roasted chickpeas, don’t expect them to turn out quite as crispy as the ones you purchase at the store. We’ve tried a ton of different methods, and while some work better than others, they just don’t dry out like you’d expect. I’m perfectly fine with that – I actually prefer eating these. (Some store-bought brands are too dry and can be difficult to eat!)

In our many trials, we’ve found that it’s best to remove as much moisture as possible from the chickpeas before roasting. This means gently drying the chickpeas between a dish towel and removing the outer skin, which holds quite a bit of moisture. Yes, it’s a pain, but if you’re going for ultimate crisp factor, it’s worth the effort.

If you spread the chickpeas in a single layer and then gently rub back and forth with a dish towel, the skins will loosen. To peel, simply squeeze the chickpea slightly at the tapered end – the skin should pop right off.

What is za’atar?

Good question! Glad ya asked. Za’atar is a Middle Eastern spice blend traditionally made with ground thyme, oregano, sumac, salt and usually sesame seeds. There are a few other optional spices, such as cumin, coriander and fennel. We left out the sesame seeds for this blend and added in some marjoram and garlic.

Za’atar is typically prepared as a condiment. It’s often combined with olive oil and spread on dough for freshly-baked bread (YUM). It’s also often used as a topping for hummus or labneh, or a seasoning for vegetables and meats.

Za’atar is absolutely delicious and most definitely one of our favorite spice blends. You can purchase pre-made za’atar blends at most specialty grocery stores. However, if you don’t use it often, it’s probably easier to make at home with spices you already have.

Uses for these Za’atar Spiced Crispy Chickpeas

• Add to this Mediterranean Salad with Falafel and Sumac Tahini Dressing
• Use in this Kale Tahini Caesar Salad (Vegan)
• Sprinkle on top of this Red Lentil Soup
• Add to your next Snack Board
• Favorite option – crush them up and use in place of breadcrumbs on homemade vegan mac & cheese!

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