Pan Fried Chickpeas

Name: Pan Fried Chickpeas
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 1-15 ounce can chickpeas ((1½ cups cooked) rinsed and drained); 2 Tablespoons olive oil; ½ teaspoon garlic powder; ½ teaspoon smoked paprika; ½ teaspoon ground cumin; salt and pepper (to taste); lemon wedges (for serving)

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Special diet: gluten-free, nut-free, soy-free, vegan

Seasoned Pan Fried Chickpeas are easy to make in 15 minutes in a skillet. You'll love the mouthwatering garlicky, smoky, and citrusy Mediterranean flavors. Enjoy this vegan protein option with your favorite sides dishes or as a tasty addition to a salad.

Bowl of pan fried chickpeas with a lemon wedge with a bowl of salad in the background.

If I had to choose one ingredient I can't live without, it would have to be chickpeas. Also known as garbanzo beans, these legumes are wonderful in a variety of dishes and cuisines.

Inspired by both Chickpea Stir Fry and Oven Roasted Chickpeas, I've been known to make Pan Fried Chickpeas several times a week.

Not only is the texture the perfect combination of crispy and soft, the seasonings can be varied to suit your mood.

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Why you'll love this recipe
Ingredients
Substitutions and variations
Instructions
Amy's tip
Serving suggestions
Storing
Recipe FAQs
More chickpea recipes
📋 Recipe

Why you'll love this recipe

It's easy to make in 15 minutes with only 6 ingredients (plus salt and pepper).
The seasoned chickpeas are a delicious plant-based protein that pair well with a variety of side dishes and salads.
You can serve them hot or cold, making them perfect for meal prep.

Ingredients

Jars of garlic powder, smoked paprika, and ground cumin, salt and pepper shakers, a lemon, a can of chickpeas, and a bottle of olive oil.

Smoked paprika: There are three types of paprika: sweet, hot, and smoked. For this recipe I like to use smoked paprika, which is produced by smoking and drying peppers. As the name suggests, it imparts a deep, smoky flavor. This variety is commonly used in Mediterranean cooking.

I purchase my dried herbs and spices from The Spice House. I like the flatpacks which always ship for free.

Substitutions and variations

While I chose garlic, smoked paprika, and cumin for the seasoning, you can make Pan Fried Chickpeas with your own flavor combinations like the following:

Nutritional yeast, dried dill, and dried parsley
Garlic powder, onion powder, and nutritional yeast
Italian seasoning, Herbes de Provence, or a mix of oregano, basil, thyme, and rosemary
Dried cumin, chili powder, and dried coriander with a squeeze of lime juice instead of lemon
Your favorite curry powder blend

For the complete list of ingredients with measurements plus recipe instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Instructions

Mixing bowl with chickpeas and seasonings and a skillet with the sauted seasoned chickpeas.

In a medium mixing bowl, toss the chickpeas with olive oil and seasoning.
Add them to a hot skillet and saute until heated through and lightly crispy. Finish with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.

Amy's tip

You don't need to remove the chickpea skins. If some are loose, you can peel them off and discard them, if desired.

Serving suggestions

Salads with lettuce, green olives, red onion, and chickpeas with bowl of pan fried chickpeas in the background.

Pan Fried Chickpeas are a versatile plant-based protein. You can enjoy them hot or cold.

Try them with side dishes such as Olive Oil Mashed Potatoes, Vegan Mac and Cheese, and Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Carrots.

Or add them to a green salad with sliced red onions, tangy green olives, and Oil-Free Vegan Avocado Dressing as shown in the above photo. They are also delicious added to a Vegan Greek Salad.

In additional they work well for packed lunches with other make-ahead dishes like Greek Potato Salad and Vegan Green Bean Salad. You can even enjoy them by the handful as a snack!

Storing

Chickpeas can be enjoyed right away or refrigerated for up to 4 days in an airtight container. Serve them hot or cold.

Recipe FAQs

Can dried chickpeas be used instead of canned?

If you want to use dried beans, cook them in advance before making this recipe. You will need ½ cup of dried chickpeas which will yield approximately 1½ cups when cooked.

Is there a difference between garbanzo beans and chickpeas?

They are actually the same thing. The word garbanzo comes from Spanish while the word chickpea comes from Latin.

How do you remove chickpea skins?

If you don't care for the chickpea skins, you can remove them by rubbing the chickpeas in a clean kitchen towel and discarding the skins before proceeding with the recipe.