This Vegan Roasted Chickpea Kale Caesar Salad is the perfect simple recipe. It's complete with crispy chickpeas, flavorful pine nuts, and the perfect creamy dressing. This recipe is perfect for vegans and non-vegans alike!
A classic caesar salad is hard to beat. It's crunchy, flavorful, and addictive. However, as much as I love a classic caesar salad, this healthy kale caesar salad might be even better than the classic. It's packed full of nutrient-dense ingredients and the creamy dressing is oil-free! This salad is sure to be a hit amongst all!
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Jump to:
- Roasted Chickpea Kale Caesar Salad Ingredients:
- How To Make This Chickpea Kale Caesar Salad:
- Substitutions:
- Vegan Caesar Salad Recipe Variations:
- What You Will Need To Make This Roasted Chickpea Caesar Salad:
- How To Store This Healthy Caesar Salad:
- Top Tip:
- Frequently Asked Questions:
- Related Vegan Salads:
- Roasted Chickpea Caesar Salad
- More Recipes With Kale:
Roasted Chickpea Kale Caesar Salad Ingredients:
This chickpea caesar salad is my go-to easy vegan salad. It's made with simple ingredients you can pick up at your local grocery store or easily order online.
Kale Salad:
- Curly Kale: Curly kale is the star of this kale salad, bringing a powerhouse of vitamins and minerals, including vitamins A, C, and K, as well as fiber. It provides a satisfying, hearty base for the salad. It's important that you massage the kale to achieve the right flavor and texture.
- Chickpeas: The chickpeas are used to make chickpea croutons to add on top of this delicious vegan kale caesar salad. Chickpeas add a protein and fiber boost, making your salad not only delicious but also filling. They provide a meaty texture and are a valuable source of plant-based protein.
- Pine Nuts: Pine nuts offer a delightful crunch and a rich, buttery flavor. They're a source of healthy fats, protein, and various essential nutrients, contributing to the overall taste and nutrition of the salad. I always buy my nuts and seeds in bulk from Wilderness Poets. The quality of their products is superior and they are committed to sustainability. I absolutely love their products and who they are as a company so they are always my first stop whenever I need to restock my pantry. As always, my code: "NATURALVEGAN" gets you $10 off your purchase!
- Coconut Aminos: Coconut aminos provide a savory, umami-rich flavor that mimics traditional soy sauce with a touch of sweetness. They're perfect for achieving that perfect golden brown color for the crispy chickpeas!
- Sea Salt: A touch of sea salt enhances the flavors and textures in the salad, while also providing essential minerals that support your overall health.
Creamy Caesar Dressing:
- Pine Nut Butter: Pine nut butter serves as the creamy base for this vegan Caesar dressing. It delivers a luxurious, nutty richness and a creamy texture without dairy. It's a source of healthy fats and complements the other dressing ingredients perfectly. I always get my nut butter from Wilderness Poets because they are organic, made with minimal ingredients, and the quality is unmatched. As always, my code: "NATURALVEGAN" gets you $10 off!
- Capers: Capers add a zesty, briny kick to your dressing, enhancing the classic Caesar flavor. They bring a balance of saltiness and acidity to this homemade Caesar salad dressing. You can read more about the benefits of capers in this post!
- Dijon Mustard: Dijon mustard contributes tanginess and extra flavor to the dressing, creating a well-rounded flavor. It's an essential element in mimicking the classic Caesar taste.
- Garlic Cloves: Garlic is essential to any homemade caesar dressing. It adds a satisfying, aromatic kick to this salad.
- Lemon Juice: This adds the perfect tart kick. This is the best way to achieve a slight cheesy flavor without any cheese!
- Black Pepper: Black pepper is essential for achieving that perfect savory flavor.
Together, these ingredients create a vegan Caesar salad that's not only delicious and satisfying but also packed with nutrients and rich flavors. It's a perfect example of how plant-based ingredients can come together to create a sumptuous and healthful dish.
See the recipe card for quantities.
How To Make This Chickpea Kale Caesar Salad:
This roasted chickpea caesar salad is one of my favorite quick and easy salads to make. It's packed full of nutrients and it's a crowd pleaser.
Crispy Chickpeas:
- Begin by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Rinse and drain the chickpeas, then pat them dry with a clean kitchen towel.
- In a small bowl, toss the chickpeas with 2 tablespoons of coconut aminos and a pinch of sea salt.
- Spread the chickpeas in a single layer on a baking sheet and roast for about 25-30 minutes or until they are crispy and golden brown. Shake the pan every 15 minutes or so to ensure even cooking.
Creamy Caesar Dressing:
- In a blender or food processor, combine the pine nut butter, capers, dijon mustard, garlic cloves, lemon juice, and black Pepper.
- Blend until smooth and creamy. You can adjust the consistency by adding water or a little olive oil if needed.
Kale Salad:
- 1. Wash and de-stem the curly kale. Tear it into bite-sized pieces.
- 2. Place the kale in a large salad bowl and massage it with your hands for a few minutes until it becomes tender and dark green. I recommend adding a little olive oil to the kale when massaging. This will help you achieve the perfect soft texture.
- 3. In the same bowl, add the pine nuts and crispy chickpea croutons.
- 4. Drizzle the Creamy Caesar Dressing over the salad.
- 5. Toss everything together until the salad is well coated with the dressing. Serve and enjoy!
Hint: If you don't mind getting your (clean) hands a little dirty, you can massage the dressing into the kale. This helps to really immerse the flavor of the dressing into the salad.
Substitutions:
There are a variety of easy substitutions that can be made to this healthy caesar salad recipe if needed. Here are some of the common ones.
- Romaine Lettuce - If kale isn't your thing, or you simply can't get your hands on it, the classic romaine lettuce will work perfectly for this recipe.
- Sweet Potatoes - You can make crispy sweet potatoes by cutting them into cubes and baking them. This is a great option if garbanzo beans (chickpeas) make your stomach upset.
- Garlic Powder - If you can't get your hands on fresh garlic, you can use garlic powder. I recommend using 1 tablespoon.
If you have any questions about a particular substitution not listed make sure to leave a comment and I'll get back to you as quickly as possible!
Vegan Caesar Salad Recipe Variations:
There are a handful of delicious variations of this recipe to try out. Here are some mouth-watering variations to this roasted chickpea caesar salad recipe.
- Cheesy - You can add a handful of vegan parmesan cheese on top of this salad to achieve that perfect classic caesar salad taste and look.
- Spicy Roasted Chickpeas - If you love adding a bit of spice to all your meals, you can add a pinch of cayenne pepper and red pepper flakes for a zesty kick to the crunchy roasted chickpeas.
- Veggie Loaded - If you wish to add more veggies to this salad, there are plenty that will taste absolutely amazing. I recommend roasting the veggies with chickpeas. Some of my favorite vegetables to add to this kale caesar salad are red onion, brussels sprouts, and cauliflower.
- High Protein - For added plant-based protein, you can top this chickpea Caesar salad with this delicious air-fryer tempeh.
What You Will Need To Make This Roasted Chickpea Caesar Salad:
To make this Roasted Chickpea Kale Caesar Salad, you will need the following equipment:
- Baking Sheet - To roast the chickpeas to make the crunchy chickpea croutons.
- Kitchen Towel or Paper Towels - For patting dry the chickpeas after rinsing.
- Blender or Food Processor -For mixing and blending the ingredients to make the creamy Caesar dressing.
- Large Salad Bowl - To assemble and toss the kale salad.
As always you can find all my go-to equipment on my Amazon storefront or my affiliate page.
How To Store This Healthy Caesar Salad:
This roasted chickpea caesar salad is one of my favorite fresh salads to meal prep because it keeps so well in the fridge. I recommend storing it in an airtight container. If stored correctly, this salad will stay fresh for a full week.
Top Tip:
I can not stress how important it is to massage your kale. Massaging kale completely transforms its flavor and texture. If you've never been a fan of kale it's probably because you've never had kale prepared correctly!
Frequently Asked Questions:
Yes, canned chickpeas work perfectly for making chickpea croutons. Just be sure to rinse and pat them dry before seasoning and roasting.
While chickpeas are a popular choice, you can also use other plant-based proteins like tofu, tempeh, or seitan to add protein to your salad.
Yes, the dressing can be prepared in advance and stored in the refrigerator. It may thicken when chilled, so you can thin it out with a bit of water before using.
Related Vegan Salads:
Looking for more delicious vegan salads? Check out some of the other mouth-watering salads on my website!
If you try this Roasted Chickpea Caesar Salad Recipe, I’d really love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. I’d also really appreciate a recipe card rating! Make sure to share it on social media and tag @theallnaturalvegan to be featured! Thank you for supporting The All Natural Vegan!
Roasted Chickpea Caesar Salad
Equipment
- 1 blender
Ingredients
Chickpea Croutons:
- 1 can chickpeas
- 2 tablespoons coconut aminos
- 1 pinch sea salt
Creamy Caesar Dressing:
- ¼ cup pine nut butter "NATURALVEGAN" for $10 off
- 1 teaspoon capers
- 2 teaspoon dijon mustard
- 2 garlic cloves
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon water
- black pepper to taste
Kale Salad:
- 2 bunches curly kale
- ¼ cup pine nuts "NATURALVEGAN" for $10 offf
Instructions
For the Chickpea Croutons:
- Begin by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Rinse and drain the chickpeas, then pat them dry with a clean kitchen towel.
- In a small bowl, toss the chickpeas with 2 tablespoons of coconut aminos and a pinch of sea salt.
- Spread the chickpeas in a single layer on a baking sheet and roast for about 25-30 minutes or until they are crispy and golden brown. Shake the pan every 15 minutes or so to ensure even cooking.
For the Creamy Caesar Dressing:
- In a blender or food processor, combine the pine nut butter, capers, dijon mustard, garlic cloves, lemon juice, and black Pepper.
- Blend until smooth and creamy. You can adjust the consistency by adding water or a little olive oil if needed.
For the Kale Salad:
- Wash and de-stem the curly kale. Tear it into bite-sized pieces.
- Place the kale in a large salad bowl and massage it with your hands for a few minutes until it becomes tender and dark green. I recommend adding a little olive oil to the kale when massaging. This will help you achieve the perfect soft texture.
- In the same bowl, add the pine nuts and crispy chickpea croutons.
- Drizzle the Creamy Caesar Dressing over the salad.
- Toss everything together until the salad is well coated with the dressing. Serve and enjoy!
More Recipes With Kale:
If you're looking for more delicious kale recipes make sure to check out some of the other recipes on my website!
Jacqui
This kale salad is so good, I make it ALL the time now!