As a vegetarian, I am always looking for ways to sneak some protein into my diet. Tofu just isn’t my thing unless it’s unrecognizable, fried and smothered in sauce. I am also a chronic snacker. I wander into the kitchen a hundred times a day looking for a bite and eventually, the same old stuff gets boring. After falling in love with chickpea fries at a restaurant last week, I decided to try out my version, minus the GMOs, gluten, and added grease.

Crunchy, full of flavor, and decently healthy, these roasted chickpeas are a great alternative to my usual potato chips. The best part of this recipe is the simplicity. With minimal ingredients, it’s an easy snack or sophisticated salad topper.

Garlic Parmesan Chickpeas:

• One 29 oz can of chickpeas
• 1 tablespoon of Lucini’s Robust Garlic Extra Virgin Oil (1 tablespoon of Extra Virgin Olive Oil and 1 tablespoon of Garlic Powder may be used in its place, if necessary)
• Grated Parmesan Cheese, to taste

My go-to chickpeas are Eden’s Food Organic Garbanzo Beans. With no chemical additives, they taste super fresh, even from the can. Drain the can and allow them to dry on a paper towel for about thirty minutes for ultimate crunchiness.

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

Once dry, line a baking sheet with tin foil and scatter the chickpeas across the sheet. Bake for 40-55 minutes, depending on your desired crunch level. After 40 minutes, most will have a hard shell with a chewy center. Around the 55 minute mark, they should crunch like hollow pretzels.

Remove the chickpeas from the oven and transfer them to a bowl. Immediately douse them with a tablespoon of garlic-infused olive oil or your garlic and EVOO mixture.

I recently discovered Lucini Italia Robust Garlic Extra Virgin Olive Oil, and I am obsessed! Cold pressed and authentic; I have been pouring this stuff on everything! It has a rich garlic flavor but won’t overpower your meal. It is also certified Kosher and GMO-free, an added bonus for any ingredient. I advise you to use it sparingly, though! It has the same effect on your breath as a fresh garlic clove.

Lastly, add your desired amount of parmesan and get snacking. You don’t even have to wait for them to cool down!

This simple recipe is ideal for snacking or as a seemingly sophisticated salad topper. However, it is very possible that you’ll finish the batch while you stand in the kitchen waiting for them to cool.