Sweetly spiced roasted chickpeas
Ok so these might not spring to mind when you are rooting around in the kitchen looking for something to eat. BUT they have a lot going for them, as long as you like chickpeas. You could probably eat the whole batch of these guilt free, (though I doubt you would want to) knowing that they are filled with fibre, many vitamins & minerals, & will balance your blood sugars. Not many snacks tick all those boxes.
Ingredients
- 1 tin of chickpeas, organic if possible. Or 250g spouted dried chickpeas. *
- 1-2 tsp maple syrup
- 1 tbsp coconut oil
- 1/2 tsp of your favourite sweet spice, I used cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp good quality vanilla extract
- Handful of pumpkin seeds (optional)
* if you would like to know more about sprouting please get in touch
Method
- Turn the oven to 180 / 160 fan and put in a large baking tray, with the coconut oil in it.
- Drain & rinse the chickpeas if using tinned.
- Mix the spices, syrup & vanilla.
- Take the tray out the oven, chuck in the chickpeas then pour over the spice mix. Stir really well, then roast for 7 minutes.
- Take out, stir well, add the pumpkin seeds if using, then roast again for about another 7 minutes but this does depend on how crunchy you like them. They will crisp up even more on cooking.
Store in an airtight tin for 3—4 days, in the fridge is probably best though they might not keep their crunch so well. They can be frozen too.
Servings:
4-6
Ready In:
about 20 mins
Good For:
Anytime
Health Benefits
Chickpeas (a type of legume) help you feel full up & satisfied. They are full of fibre, slowly absorbed into the blood stream, so help to balance blood sugar levels. They are thought to aid digestion & help lower cholesterol. Many studies have found that the higher the level of legumes eaten, the healthier people are likely to be, & so the longer they are likely to live.
Cinnamon historically was used for insomnia, menstrual cramps, & nausea. It is probably best known now for stabilising blood sugar levels & helping with sugar cravings, which means cinnamon is great for helping to prevent Type 2 Diabetes, & for weight management.
Coconut oil is high in saturated fats, but thought to be better than animal fats, a controversial area at the moment. Found to help with weight control by burning off fat in the body, & provides the brain with a quick source of energy. Research indicates it can help raise good cholesterol.
