Crispy Chickpea Caesar Salad
No kale, no quinoa, no hemp seeds—just a crisp, satisfying salad that channels the classic in spirit and flavor. With crunchy roasted chickpeas standing in for croutons, you can indulge in this Caesar-like salad without sacrificing any of the satisfying crunch. It's a vegan and gluten-free take on the original that's perfect for a light lunch or dinner. The key to this salad is getting the chickpeas perfectly crispy. Roasting them in a hot oven with a little olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper gives them an irresistible crunch that's reminiscent of croutons. The vegan Caesar dressing is made with a blend of tahini, lemon juice, nutritional yeast, Dijon mustard, and capers, and it has all the tangy, savory goodness of the classic dressing. The vegan Parmesan cheese is made from a blend of cashews, nutritional yeast, and lemon zest, and it adds a salty, nutty flavor that rounds out the salad. Serve this salad with a side of lemon wedges for a bright, citrusy finish.
The Caesar salad is a classic for a reason. It's simple, yet satisfying, with a crave-worthy combination of crisp romaine lettuce, creamy dressing, crunchy croutons, and savory Parmesan cheese. But what if you wanted to enjoy all the flavors of a Caesar salad without the dairy or gluten? That's where this vegan and gluten-free Crispy Chickpea Caesar Salad comes in. The inspiration for this salad came to me one day when I was craving a Caesar salad but didn't have any croutons on hand. I thought about using roasted chickpeas instead, and the idea stuck. I experimented with different seasonings and roasting techniques until I came up with a recipe that yielded chickpeas that were perfectly crispy and flavorful. The vegan Caesar dressing came next. I wanted to create a dressing that had all the tangy, savory goodness of the classic dressing, but without the dairy. After a few tries, I came up with a blend of tahini, lemon juice, nutritional yeast, Dijon mustard, and capers that hit all the right notes. The vegan Parmesan cheese was the final touch. I wanted to add a salty, nutty flavor to the salad, but I didn't want to use any dairy products. I experimented with different combinations of nuts, seeds, and nutritional yeast until I came up with a blend that had the perfect flavor and texture. The result is a vegan and gluten-free Caesar salad that's just as satisfying as the classic, but without any of the guilt.
Crispy Chickpea Caesar Salad Crispy Chickpea Caesar Salad Crispy Chickpea Caesar Salad Crispy Chickpea Caesar Salad
Prep time: 15 | Cook time: 25 | Serves: 4
Ingredients
  • 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp paprika
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 head romaine lettuce, chopped
  • 1/2 cup vegan Caesar dressing
  • 1/4 cup vegan Parmesan cheese
  • Croutons
  • Lemon wedges for garnish
Instructions
  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. In a bowl, toss the chickpeas with olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
  3. Spread the chickpeas in a single layer on a baking sheet and roast for 20-25 minutes, or until crispy.
  4. In a large salad bowl, combine the chopped romaine lettuce with the crispy chickpeas.
  5. Drizzle the vegan Caesar dressing over the salad and toss to coat.
  6. Sprinkle vegan Parmesan cheese and croutons over the top.
  7. Serve with lemon wedges on the side.
  8. Enjoy your crispy chickpea Caesar salad!
Why It Works
  • Roasting the chickpeas in a hot oven gives them an irresistible crunch that's reminiscent of croutons.
  • The vegan Caesar dressing is made with a blend of tahini, lemon juice, nutritional yeast, Dijon mustard, and capers, and it has all the tangy, savory goodness of the classic dressing.
  • The vegan Parmesan cheese is made from a blend of cashews, nutritional yeast, and lemon zest, and it adds a salty, nutty flavor that rounds out the salad.