Yesterday while driving home from Western Mass I got a little hungry and happened to stumble upon a Whole Foods Market or as my brother calls it, “Whole Paycheck.”  Ok, I’m lying…I planned out my route to drive by one but that’s what I told Shaye because he knows I will spend our entire savings there!  I know a lot of people hate Whole Foods Market for various reasons, but for a “nutrition nerd” like myself its pretty much heaven!  I can spend HOURS and way too much money in there!  I restrained myself this time and left with these two goodies…

The chickpeas were so good and at only a couple hundred calories and a TON of fiber I didn’t feel bad about finishing the whole bag!

Chickpeas contain a lot of soluble fiber, the type of fiber that naturally lowers cholesterol.  They have a low glycemic index and are loaded with protein.  The combination of fiber and protein keeps you full longer which can aid in weight loss.

Today, I tried to recreate this delicious snack, I think I came close!  I used canned garbanzo beans but if you want to make your own, more power to you!  Read the label on the BBQ sauce because certain brands use high fructose corn syrup.  Try to find one that doesn’t!

Crispy BBQ Chickpeas

2 cans garbanzo beans

1/3 cup BBQ sauce

a few glugs of olive oil

a pinch salt & pepper

Heat oven to 400 degrees.

Line a baking pan with parchment paper, this makes for easy clean up!

Drain, rinse and lightly blot chickpeas with a paper towel.

In a large bowl, drizzle olive oil and mix in BBQ sauce.  Add salt & pepper to taste.

Transfer to baking pan and place in the oven.

Bake for one hour, stirring every 20 minutes.

Everyone’s oven is slightly different so keep an eye on them. Be careful they don’t burn!  I didn’t think it would take a whole hour for them to get crispy, but they were well worth the wait!