Honey-Roasted Chick Peas

Every girl has a vice.  Mine is dessert.  After super, I always crave something sweet.  It is safe to say I have trained my brain that end of the day = sugar!  While I typically turn to cake, cookies, pie, or some other high calorie, nutrient lacking treat, sometimes I want something healthy to satisfy that craving.  Enter, honey-roasted chick peas.

These are crispy, crunchy, and sweet.  And they're beans!  To clear up any possible confusion, chick peas and garbanzo beans are one in the same.  Who would have thought beans could turn into such a satisfying snack?  In the name of full disclosure, it is important to remember that chick peas, like all beans, are not calorie free.  A half cup has about 110 calories.  But, unlike most sweet snacks, these are a great source of fiber.  So I don't recommend eating an unlimited amount of these, but have a handful or two and satisfy your sugar craving without the guilt!

But there's more good news!  These only take a few minutes of hands-on time to make!  So to make yourself a batch of these tasty treats, start by rinsing a can of chick peas and spreading them out on a paper towel to dry.

Then whisk together melted butter or margarine, cinnamon, and sugar.  I used margarine to cut back on the calories.

Add the chick peas and toss to coat.

Arrange the chick peas on a baking sheet.  I put mine right on the sheet, but I think next time I will line my baking sheet with foil so I don't have to clean it!  Bake for 35-40 minutes.

Transfer the chick peas to a small bowl and coat with honey.  Allow them to dry.  Enjoy your sweet snack knowing that you are on your way to meeting the Dietary Guideline's recommendation of getting 3 cups of beans a week!

Honey-Roasted Chick Peas

Ingredients:

1 (15 oz) can chick Peas (garbanzo beans), drained

2 tsp margarine, melted

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1 Tbsp sugar

1 Tbsp honey

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Line baking sheet with foil.

Rinse chick peas in cold water to remove starch.  Dry on a paper towel.

Ina  small bowl, whisk together margarine, cinnamon, and sugar.  Add chickpeas and stir until all chick peas are coated.  Arrange in one layer on baking sheet.

Bake 35-40 minutes or until crispy and centers are no longer soft.

Place hot chick peas in a small bowl and add honey.  Stir to coat.  Spread chick peas back over baking sheet and allow to dry.  Store in airtight container.

Yields 2 cups

Recipe adapted from Two Peas & Their Pod