Vegan Roasted Chickpea Caesar (Print)

A fresh Caesar with crunchy roasted chickpeas and smooth cashew dressing, perfect for a vegan meal.

# Components:

→ Roasted Chickpeas

01 - 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
04 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
05 - 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
06 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Cashew Caesar Dressing

07 - 3/4 cup raw cashews, soaked for 2-4 hours and drained
08 - 1/3 cup water
09 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
10 - 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
11 - 1 tablespoon capers
12 - 2 teaspoons white miso paste
13 - 2 teaspoons nutritional yeast
14 - 1 clove garlic
15 - 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
16 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Salad

17 - 2 medium heads romaine lettuce, chopped
18 - 1/4 cup vegan Parmesan, optional
19 - Freshly ground black pepper to taste
20 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved, optional
21 - Thinly sliced red onion, optional

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - Pat chickpeas dry with a clean towel. In a bowl, toss chickpeas with olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Spread evenly on the prepared baking sheet.
03 - Roast for 20-25 minutes, shaking halfway through, until golden and crisp. Let cool slightly.
04 - Combine soaked cashews, water, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, capers, miso, nutritional yeast, garlic, salt, and pepper in a high-speed blender. Blend until smooth and creamy, scraping down sides as needed. Adjust seasoning or thin with additional water if desired.
05 - In a large bowl, toss chopped romaine lettuce with enough cashew dressing to coat thoroughly.
06 - Top with roasted chickpeas, vegan Parmesan, and any optional vegetables. Finish with additional black pepper to taste and serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's packed with plant-based protein from the chickpeas
  • The cashew-based dressing is rich and creamy without any dairy
  • Crispy chickpeas add a satisfying crunch that's better than croutons
  • Ready in just 45 minutes for a quick weeknight dinner
  • Completely vegan and gluten-free friendly
02 -
  • Make ahead: Store the roasted chickpeas, dressing, and prepped lettuce separately until ready to serve for maximum freshness
  • For extra umami flavor in the dressing, add a teaspoon of capers brine
  • The chickpeas can be roasted a day ahead, but they'll lose some crispness—reheat in a 350°F oven for 5 minutes to restore crunch
  • Massage the dressing into the kale with your hands if using kale instead of romaine
  • Double-check your vegan Parmesan ingredients if you need the recipe to be strictly gluten-free
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