Soft Roasted Chickpeas (From Yummy Toddler Food Website)
Ingredients
1 14.5- ounce can chickpeas rinsed, drained, and patted dry (or about 2 cups cooked dried)
1 teaspoon of whatever cooking oil you have (I usually use olive oil)
1 teaspoon of any spice you like (some flavor ideas are: cinnamon for a sweet snack, garlic or onion powder, za'atar, everything bagel seasoning)
1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey (if you want sweet chickpeas. Skip for savory)
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (for sweet chickpeas. Skip for savory)
1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
If desired, rub the chickpeas in a clean kitchen towel to remove the skins. (You don't have to do this, but you may want to if you have a toddler who's particularly sensitive to textures.) Discard the skins.
Stir together all ingredients in a medium bowl. Spread on a baking sheet or baking dish and bake for 12-15 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature, smashing beans slightly for younger eaters if desired.
I discovered this snack when my daughter was starting to try solid foods. My parents love to eat popcorn while watching basketball in the spring. Popcorn is considered a choking hazard until kids are about 4 years old, so I wanted a snack Cora could enjoy when she's at her grandparents' house that was similar to popcorn. Chickpeas are great because they don't have a strong flavor on their own & you can really flavor them with any spices you have on hand. Roasting them until they are soft also allows caregivers to lightly mash the chickpeas so they're safe for newer eaters.