Let's talk about chickpeas + Chickpea snack recipe

Before you proceed to the healthy snack swap below. I'd like to discuss these amazing legume family champions. Chickpeas are possibly one of the most amazing legumes. It has the best recipe names in the world. One dish worth mentioning is the delicious hummus. This time, however, it is not about hummus :)

Unfortunately, the nutritional benefits of chickpeas are underutilised in our daily diets. Though they have recently gained popularity, chickpeas have been grown in Middle Eastern countries for thousands of years.

Chickpeas, as a high source of proteins, vitamins, minerals, and fibre, can provide a number of health benefits, including improved digestion, weight control, and some reduction in inflammation.

It has a relatively low caloric density. This means they have few calories in comparison to the nutrients they provide. People who consume a lot of low-calorie foods are more likely to lose weight and keep it off than people who consume a lot of high-calorie foods. Furthermore, the protein and fibre in chickpeas may aid in weight control due to their appetite-suppressing properties and ability to help reduce calorie intake at meals.

Chickpeas have many properties that can aid in blood sugar management.

For instance, they have a glycemic index (GI), which measures how quickly the blood sugar rises after consuming a meal. Many low-GI foods have been shown to promote blood sugar control. They are a good source of fibre and protein, both of which are known to play a role in blood sugar regulation.

Have you had your fill of chickpeas yet? Then let's get to the recipe!

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Crunchy Chickpea Snack

Prep time: 5 min Cook Time: 20-40 min Total Time: 25-45 min

Ingredients:

2 cans of your favourite brand chickpeas

3 garlic cloves

1 tbsp parmesan cheese

½ Lemon juice

2 tsp dried oregano

1 tsp dried onion granules

1 tsp smoked paprika powder

½ tbsp olive oil

Black pepper and salt to taste

Optional:

Spice it up with chilli flakes or add BBQ spice

Directions:

1. Heat the oven to 160 degrees.

2. Drain chickpeas using a colander or another kitchen aid gadget. Finally, pat it dry with a paper towel and drain the dried chickpeas into a large mixing cup.

3. Squeeze the lemon juice over the crushed garlic, then add the parmesan cheese and all of the spices together.

4. Mix it well until all spices are well combined.

5. Mix the chickpeas in a larger baking tray to allow them to spread without forming layers; otherwise, the chickpeas would create a lot of steam instead of crisping up.

6. At first, bake chickpeas for 20 min then take it out and mix it well so all chickpeas crisping up evenly, bake for another 20 minutes, mixing every 5-10 minutes. I like mine crunchy and crispy, so I cook it for a longer period of time. As a result, it is important to check the crispiness after the first 20 minutes to determine how you like them.

7. Enjoy