I don’t know about you, but praline peanuts or almonds have always been my favourite guilty pleasure, but with the calories in those, it’s not really a healthy snack idea. I am JUST obsessed with sweet and salty flavor combinations, as well as the crunch you get from the candy-coated nuts.
Since candied peanuts are not the healthiest snack, I decided to try and make a “healthier alternative” sweet treat by using chickpeas. I went for a simpler sugar coating and only used brown sugar and some maple syrup as the sweetener. Praline nuts are usually made with butter, cream and brown sugar. So this sugar coated chickpeas version is definitely lighter and you get an extra boost of protein too!
For this sweet version, the chickpeas are roasted to perfection and have an addicting crunch. Roasted chickpeas are so versatile and you could even easily replace the maple sugar and brown sugar with olive oil and spices for a savoury version.
If you are looking for more easy chickpea recipes, try these:
The Easiest Kale & Chickpea Salad
30 Minutes Baked Cheesy White Bean Tomato Bake (One Pan Recipe)
Asparagus, Pea and Chickpea Spring Pasta Salad (with a Creamy Lemon Dressing)
Why you’ll love this Sweet Chickpeas Recipe
- Easy! This recipe is so simple to make and you only need 5 ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry!
- Excellent source of protein. Chickpeas contain 14.5 grams of protein and 12.5 grams of dietary fibre, which makes them the perfect protein alternative for vegan salad recipes.
- Customize! You can add seasonal twists by making Cinnamon Sugar Chickpeas or even add a little nutmeg!
Ingredients
- 1 can of chickpeas
- pinch of sea salt
- 1/4 cup of Maple syrup
- 1/4 cup of brown sugar
- 1/4 tsp of vanilla
How to make Candied Chickpeas
- Preheat the oven to 400 F.
- Drain and rinse the chickpeas in cold water. Pat dry with paper towels or dish towels to remove as much moisture as possible.
Place chickpeas in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper
- Roast for about 25 minutes or until chickpeas are crispy. Give the baking sheet a little shake halfway to ensure they cook evenly.
- Next, add the maple syrup, brown sugar, a bit of salt and a splash of vanilla into a medium saucepan or large skillet. Cook on medium low until the sugar dissolves.
- Remove the large skillet from heat and combine chickpeas with the brown sugar sauce. Toss to get the crispy chickpeas well-coated.
- Place chickpeas back on the lined baking sheet with a slotted spoon and let them come to room temperature. In about 15-20 minutes, the coating will set and harden.
Why are my chickpeas chewy?
If your chickpeas are chewy after roasting (even for 30 minutes) is it most likely that they were not dried previous to roasting. It is a crucial step to ensure you get perfectly roasted chickpeas.
Are baked chickpeas good for you?
Yes, they are a great source of fibre, magnesium, and zinc. They are packed with protein too!
Easy Candied Chickpeas
Ingredients
- 1 can of chickpeas
- pinch of sea salt
- 1/4 cup of Maple syrup
- 1/4 cup of brown sugar
- 1/4 tsp of vanilla
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 F.
- Drain and rinse the chickpeas, then pat dry with paper towels or dish towels.
- Place chickpeas in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper
- Roast for about 25 minutes or until chickpeas are crispy. Give the baking sheet a little shake halfway to ensure they cook evenly.
- Add the maple syrup, brown sugar, a bit of salt and a splash of vanilla into a medium saucepan or large skillet. Cook on medium low until the sugar dissolves.
- Remove the large skillet from heat and combine chickpeas with the brown sugar sauce. Toss to get the crispy chickpeas well-coated.
- Place chickpeas back on the lined baking sheet with a slotted spoon and let them come to room temperature. In about 15-20 minutes, the coating will set and harden.
Christopher is a food and lifestyle expert, recipe developer and the content creator behind May Eighty Five. With over 6 years of creating recipes for your favourite food brands, he also shares tips, tricks and how to’s that he has learnt over the years. Every week, he shares quick, simple and mostly healthy recipes along with some home and entertaining tips. You will find flavorful cocktails, delicious appetizers, tasty mains and some indulgent desserts.
