Drain and rinse the chickpeas, pat them dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture. This step is crucial for achieving maximum crispiness.
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 3-5 minutes.
In a mixing bowl, toss the dried chickpeas with olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, ground cumin, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper until evenly coated. Feel free to adjust the seasonings to suit your taste preferences or add other spices for extra flavor.
Once the air fryer is preheated, transfer the seasoned chickpeas to the air fryer basket in a single layer. Be sure not to overcrowd the basket to ensure even cooking and maximum crispiness.
Air fry the chickpeas at 400°F (200°C) for 12-15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through the cooking time to ensure even cooking. Keep an eye on them towards the end of the cooking time to prevent burning. The chickpeas are ready when they are golden brown and crispy.
Remove the chickpeas from the air fryer and let them cool for a few minutes before serving. They will continue to crisp up as they cool. Enjoy your crispy air fryer chickpeas as a crunchy snack, salad topper, or as a flavorful addition to grain bowls.