Mouth-Healthy Recipe: Spicy Roasted Chickpeas

spicy roasted chickpeas

Did you know chickpeas aren’t really peas? They’re garbanzo beans! And their nutty taste makes them perfect for snacking any time — like while you watch your favorite flicks.

These low-calorie, spicy roasted chickpeas are packed with fiber and protein, so you’ll get full without binging while you binge-watch. They’re also rich in teeth-strengthening phosphorus and folic acid, which keeps your mouth healthy by promoting cell growth and helps your gum tissue fight back against inflammation and bleeding. Plus, chili powder, one of the key ingredients in this recipe, is great for your mouth and your overall health. Chili peppers are rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Specifically, chilis contain Vitamin A, which protects your bones and teeth.

If you like your food on the scorching side, feel free to crank up the heat by adding more chili powder. Or, take the flavor in a new direction by using Old Bay, curry powder, rosemary or any of your other favorite spices and herbs from the cupboard.  

Ingredients:

  • 2 cans (15 ounces each) of garbanzo beans
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 375 F.
  2. Drain cans of garbanzo beans and rinse with water.
  3. Spread beans on a paper towel and let dry for 30 minutes.
  4. Line a cookie sheet with foil or parchment paper and spread dried beans evenly on sheet.
  5. Bake for 40 to 60 minutes until crunchy.
  6. Transfer to a bowl and mix with olive oil.
  7. Stir in seasonings.
  8. Enjoy!

For another mouth-healthy snack recipe, give this spicy edamame a try! It’s also packed with ingredients that are great for your smile and it’s easy to make! 

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Jessica Arnold
Jessica Arnold is the social media and content specialist at Delta Dental of Arizona. She has a background in digital marketing and really appreciates how social media platforms can connect consumers and companies in a more meaningful way. She’s a true native Phoenician who loves spending time outside (when it’s not so hot!) with her daughter and husband. She's passionate about good overall health and is excited to have found her way into a company that enables wellness in Arizona. Her favorite social network is Reddit, where she can take a deep dive into very random topics (including oral health). With a toddler at home she’s slowly learning more about children’s oral health and how to get them to brush their little chompers—a daily battle, but well worth it! [Editor's Note: Jessica is no longer a current DDAZ employee.]