Instructions

1. Drain canned cooked chickpeas and pat them dry with paper towels. Alternatively, cook your own chickpeas, using a bag of dried garbanzo beans. Drain the cooked beans and pat them dry.

2. Place the chickpeas in a large mixing bowl, drizzle them with a slight amount of olive oil and toss them until each bean is lightly coated.

3. Add dry spices to a small bowl and mix them well. Choose flavor combinations that appeal to you. Keep it simple with a blend of basic salt and pepper, or give the chickpeas a spicy kick with cumin, black pepper, onion powder and cayenne pepper. Blend cinnamon and granulated sugar for a sweet snack.

4. Spread the chickpeas in an even layer on an ungreased baking sheet, leaving space between each bean. Sprinkle the seasoning blend over the chickpeas. Roll the chickpeas on the pan to coat them, then sprinkle on more of the seasoning. Repeat until the chickpeas are seasoned all over.

5. Preheat the oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit and bake the chickpeas for about 1 1/2 hours, or until the chickpeas are crunchy to the center and the outside is golden brown. Turn the chickpeas occasionally to ensure even cooking on all sides. Taste a chickpea periodically after one hour to check for crunchiness. The low temperature and long cooking time ensure that the exterior doesn't burn before the chickpeas are cooked through.