Crispy Chickpea Caesar Salad offers a delightful twist on a classic favorite. Traditional Caesar salad is known for its creamy dressing, crunchy croutons, and fresh greens. In this version, crispy roasted chickpeas replace the croutons, bringing a savory crunch and an added boost of protein. The result is a satisfying, nutritious, and delicious salad that’s perfect for any meal.
What makes this salad so appealing is the contrast of textures. The crispiness of the chickpeas is similar to croutons but with a more substantial crunch. Roasting them with olive oil and your favorite seasonings gives them a savory, golden finish. They pair beautifully with the crisp Romaine lettuce and the creamy Caesar dressing that binds the salad together.
The dressing, often made with ingredients like mayonnaise, garlic, anchovies, lemon juice, and Parmesan, is key to getting that signature Caesar flavor. For those who prefer a lighter version, you can make a healthier dressing using Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise, keeping it creamy without being too heavy. The dressing brings everything together, coating the crisp lettuce and perfectly seasoning the chickpeas.
This salad is not only filling but also highly customizable. You can add extra vegetables like tomatoes, cucumbers, or even avocado to enhance its freshness. You could also sprinkle extra cheese on top or add some grilled chicken or tofu for a protein-packed meal.
Crispy Chickpea Caesar Salad is a great choice for those looking for a vegetarian alternative to a traditional Caesar. It’s quick and easy to make, especially when you can prep the chickpeas in advance. The combination of flavors and textures makes it perfect as a main dish or as a side to complement your favorite protein.
This modern take on the classic Caesar offers all the deliciousness you expect but with a nutritious twist. It’s the perfect salad for those looking for something light, crunchy, and full of flavor.
Ingredients
- 2 cans chickpeas rinsed and drained
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 8 cups romaine lettuce chopped
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese grated
- 1 cup croutons
- For the dressing:
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 clove garlic minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a large bowl, toss the chickpeas with olive oil, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Spread the seasoned chickpeas in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes until crispy.
- In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, and pepper to make the dressing.
- In a large salad bowl, combine chopped romaine lettuce, grated Parmesan cheese, and croutons.
- Add the crispy chickpeas to the salad bowl and drizzle the dressing on top.
- Toss everything together until well coated and serve immediately.
Nutrition
I followed the recipe, but my chickpeas were soggy… did I do something wrong?
Maybe try baking them for longer? Soggy chickpeas are no good, but sometimes they just need a bit more time!
I tried this recipe and it wasn’t as good as I thought it would be. Too much dressing IMO.
Crispy?! Ha! Mine burnt at 20 mins. Gotta watch it closer next time. Still tasted decent, just not pretty.
I had the same issue! I set my timer for 15 mins, and it still got a bit too crunchy. But you’re right, it still tasted good! Next time, I’ll keep a closer eye on them.
Maybe your oven runs hot? Mine took 18 mins and they were perfect. Crispy is key for chickpeas!
Wow, crunch crunch! This is my new favorite salad! It was a hit at the party! Thanks!
Good recipe, but I don’t like mayo. Had to switch it out for yogurt. Still good lol!
Yogurt sounds like a great alternative! I might try that next time. Thanks for sharing!
I don’t think chickpeas belong in a Caesar salad. It’s just weird. 😒
I actually think that sounds kinda tasty! Chickpeas add protein and texture. Give it a try before you judge! 😊
This salad is super tasty! The chickpeas get so crunchy, I just love it!
I prefer ranch dressing, not a fan of the mayo – I think it’s gross.
Crispy chickpeas = heaven. Love this recipe! Will make it again for sure! 😋
Not a fan of chickpeas, but I tried this and WOW! Who knew they could taste so good?
I’m so glad you gave it a shot! Chickpeas are seriously underrated. This salad sounds delish!
Do you think I can use black beans instead? I like them better than chickpeas.
Not feeling it. A salad is a salad, and this ain’t special. Gonna stick with my regular romaine and caesar dressing.
Chickpeas? Really? Who eats those? I made this for my kids and they didn’t like it at all.
Chickpeas are super healthy! Maybe they just weren’t ready for something different. Give it another shot with a different dressing!
I dunno, kids can be picky sometimes. But my kids love chickpeas! Maybe try spice it up more next time?
Eh, just ok. The croutons were soggy by the time I served it. Not impressed.
Crispy chickpeas = love. Will make again for sure!
Super whatevs. Just a salad, right? Not wow-ing me.
I dunno, man. I thought it’d be better. The chickpeas got kinda soggy instead of crispy. Maybe I did somethin wrong?
So good but I forgot the garlic in the dressing. Still tasted okay, lol.
Super easy to make! My kids loved it, but I forgot the garlic in the dressing! Oops!
It was alright, but too many chickpeas! Maybe less next time. Just my opinion. 🤷♂️
Never thought of using chickpeas like that. I am not a fan of the texture, though.
Crispy chickpeas?? Sounds odd… I dunno, I’m not into beans. They make me feel funny. But hey, good luck to you!
I get what you mean about texture, chickpeas can be weird! But when they’re crispy, they taste amazing! Maybe give it a try, you might be surprised!
Why do you put mayo in salad? That’s so weird! No thanks! 🤔
I don’t know about that, mayo seems like an odd choice for a salad. Can’t be that good, right?
Mayo adds creaminess! It works! You just gotta try it! 😊
Isn’t Caesar dressing supposed to have anchovies? Just saying. But I tried it without and it was OK.
Haven’t tried it yet but sounds like a healthy meal. Can I use canned chickpeas? Asking for a friend.
Absolutely! Canned chickpeas work great. Just rinse them well and you’re good to go! Can’t wait to hear how it turns out.
I made this but I used tofu instead of chickpeas. Still came out alright, tho a bit different!
Absolutely delicious! I skipped the Parmesan since I’m vegan and added some nutritional yeast instead. Still loved it!
Yum! I added some avocado and it was perfect!!! 10/10 would eat again.
This salad is my new obsession! The chickpeas come out so crunchy. 😍
Easy to make! I did add some cherry tomatoes and it made it even better! Yum!
Sounds delicious! I love the idea of adding cherry tomatoes. I’ll try it next time! 😋
Did you really find it easy? Looks kinda complicated with the dressing and all. But maybe I’ll give it a go.
This salad is amazing! The chickpeas are so crispy, I couldn’t stop eating them! 🌟
This salad is sooooo good! The crispy chickpeas are a game changer. I could eat this every day!
I totally agree! Those chickpeas really make this salad special. I can’t get enough of it!
I dunno, seems like a lot of work for a salad. Can’t you just use canned dressing?
Too much mayo! Next time I’ll knock it down a bit. 😅
Really? Chickpeas in a salad? That’s just weird. I’ll stick to my regular Caesar.
I get where you’re coming from, but chickpeas in a salad add a nice crunch and protein! You should give it a try sometime!
Nah, man! Caesar should be classic! Chickpeas? What’s next, avocado? Ugh.
Easy recipe, but I forgot the garlic. Still turned out decent. Will make it again.
Yum, yum, yum! Made it for my vegetarian friends and they loved it!
That’s awesome! I’m glad your friends liked it! It’s such a hit at my gatherings too!
This looks super tasty! Can’t wait to try it out this weekend. Love chickpeas!
I know right? Chickpeas make everything better! Can’t wait to hear how yours turns out!
This is amazing!! You guys MUST try this. It’s crunchy and creamy!