Description
This Buffalo Chickpea Salad is a flavorful and crispy plant-based twist on classic buffalo wings. Roasted chickpeas are tossed in spicy buffalo sauce and combined with fresh cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and optional feta cheese for a satisfying and nutritious dish. Perfect as a light meal or a hearty side, this salad is easy to prepare and brings a delightful kick to your table.
Ingredients
Scale
Buffalo Chickpeas
- 2 cans (15 oz each) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1/4 cup buffalo sauce (adjust to taste)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Salad
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup diced cucumber
- 1/4 cup diced red onion
- 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)
- Fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped, for garnish
Optional Dressing
- Ranch or blue cheese dressing, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for roasting the chickpeas.
- Prepare Chickpeas: Pat the drained and rinsed chickpeas dry using paper towels to remove any excess moisture, which helps them become crispy.
- Toss Chickpeas with Seasoning: In a bowl, mix the chickpeas with olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper until they are evenly coated with the seasonings.
- Roast Chickpeas: Spread the seasoned chickpeas in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper to ensure even roasting and prevent sticking.
- Cook Until Crispy: Roast in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, shaking the pan halfway through to promote even browning, until chickpeas are crispy and lightly browned.
- Toss with Buffalo Sauce: Transfer the roasted chickpeas to a mixing bowl and toss them with buffalo sauce until well coated. Adjust the amount of sauce to your taste preference for desired spiciness.
- Assemble the Salad: In a large salad bowl, combine the buffalo-coated chickpeas with halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, and diced red onion for a fresh and crunchy mix.
- Add Feta Cheese: If desired, sprinkle crumbled feta cheese on top of the salad ingredients to add a creamy and tangy element.
- Garnish: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley or cilantro over the salad to add a burst of herbal freshness and color.
- Serve: Serve the Buffalo Chickpea Salad with ranch or blue cheese dressing on the side for dipping or drizzling according to your preference.
Notes
- Make sure to pat the chickpeas dry thoroughly before roasting to achieve the best crispiness.
- Adjust buffalo sauce to your preferred heat level; you can add more or less depending on your taste.
- Oven temperatures may vary; check chickpeas after 20 minutes to avoid burning.
- Feta cheese is optional and can be replaced with vegan cheese to make the recipe vegan-friendly.
- Serve immediately after tossing with buffalo sauce to keep chickpeas crispy.
