Roasted Garbanzo Beans

Healthy Snack Alert!  High in fiber, fills you up and it's yummy.  Back in my food retail management days . .sometimes we had garbanzo beans on the menu (aka chickpeas).  If there was a lot leftover, I'd roast them up for the staff with a drizzle of oil . . .so easy!  I'd pop them in the oven and boom!  A few minutes later - a tasty, crunchy snack for the people who made my job easier.  

I found myself craving these the other week . . .I think it was all the upcoming food ads for the Superbowl and recipes and such.  I'm not a huge snack or munchy person.  However - all those ads in magazines and online for Superbowl this cracker and Superbowl that cracker . . .left me wanting something munchy.  So, I revived this oldy but goody recipe.  

It is so easy to make . . and they are great right out of the oven.  If you don't devour them right away, you can store them in an airtight container for up to a week.  However once stored - they tend to lose their crunch.  They are still amazingly delish . . .just not crunchy.  

Still not sold?  Well, let me tell you this:  I don't even really like garbanzo beans.  For real.  If they are in a soup or salad etc etc . . .I pick them out and avoid them like the plague.  I find the taste and texture completely vial.  However, something about roasting these  . . .completely turns them into something magical and yummy.  True story.

Roasted Garbanzo Beans

Serves Several as a Snack

2 (15.5 oz) Cans Garbanzo Beans

2 Tablespoons Olive Oil

1 Tablespoon Seasoning Blend of Your Choice (I like Nature's Seasoning)

Step 1:  Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

Step 2:  Open up the cans of beans and drain them in a colander.  Rinse them well.  Then, you will want to dry them.  An easy way to do this is to line a baking sheet with a clean kitchen towel or some paper towels and pour the beans onto the towel(s).  By using a rimmed baking sheet - it will help prevent the beans from rolling around and escaping to the floor.  Once on the towel(s), rub them with the towels to remove the excess water.  

Step 3:  Remove the towel(s) from the baking sheet and leave the beans on the baking sheet.  Drizzle with the olive oil and give the beans a good stir with a spatula to get them coated.

Step 4:  Place in the preheated oven and bake for 45 minutes . . . until dark brown.  Remove from oven and sprinkle with the seasoning of your choice.  Be sure to let them cool long enough so you don't burn yourself eating them.  Enjoy!