Vegan and plant-based snack foods are exploding all across the world. Last year, sales of plant-based foods in the US topped out at over $3 billion dollars. That is incrediblely exciting and worrisome at the same time.

Reason being is because like other mainstream diet trends, snack and junk foods start to be perceived as healthy, just because they carry a vegan label. While it’s great to see all the new and different vegan snacks that pop up, it’s not going to lead you to the health you might be looking for through a vegan diet.

You are far better off making your own snacks than gorging yourself on Hippeas Organic Chickpea Puffs or Sensible Portions Garden Veggie Snack Straws. They’re full of cheap oils, sugar, and preservatives. Instead, gorge yourself on something tasty AND healthy: Crunchy Greek Roasted Chickpeas!

This super simple recipe is designed to replace you go-to processed food snacks. I can assure your that these Crunchy Greek Roasted Chickpeas are a much healthier alternative to anything you’ll find on the shelf at your local supermarket. And tastier too!

Here healthy facts about chickpeas:

• They are a good source of protein, carbohydrates, and fiber
• They are full of iron, phosphate, calcium, magnesium, manganese, zinc, and vitamin K that all contribute to strong bones
• The high fiber, potassium, vitamin C, and B vitamins support heart health
• The choline in chickpeas helps with better sleep, quicker learning, and improved memory
• Chickpeas help to prevent constipation 

Another fun fact: Did you know chickpeas and garbanzo beans are the same thing?

Until about one year ago, I sure didn’t. Shopping is much easier now when recipes refer to one or the other.

The difference in terms refers to the part of the world they originated in. Garbanzo is more of a Spanish term, while Chickpea favors the English language.

With all these phenomenal benefits, how could you pass them up? What’s more is that eating a cup of beans per day can add an extra four years to your life. This is according to Dan Buettner, a National Geographic Fellow and New York Times best selling author, who spent four decades studying the longest living populations around the globe.

His conclusion: beans are one of the most well-balanced foods on the planet. They’re high in complex carbohydrates (77 percent), high in protein (21 percent), and low in fat (~2 percent). An additional nugget that Dan explains in his book, The Blue Zones Solution, is all the longest living people ate a high carbohydrate diet. Foods like sweet potatoes, beans, and grains were all staples in their daily eating habits. 

So start snacking on these Crunchy Greek Roasted Chickpeas and extend your life! Not many vegan snack foods can say that, now can they? 

For preparation: use chickpeas (or garbanzo beans) with little or no added-salt. There is plenty in the seasoning, so no need to double up.

Additionally, you’ll notice the skins of the chickpeas starting to come off when you pat them dry. It is up to you whether or not you want to remove them all. I’ve baked them both with and without the skins, and did not notice a difference in taste or crunchiness.

To wrap up: my Easy Homemade Greek Seasoning is the ideal seasoning for flavorful, roasted chickpeas. I tasted tested three different variations with my family, and this iteration was a clear winner. Enjoy!