Vegan Caesar Salad with Roasted Smoked Chickpeas

This vegan Caesar salad is everything: creamy, garlicky, smoky, and perfectly crunchy thanks to roasted smoked chickpeas. The dressing is made with cashews, giving it that rich, velvety texture without any dairy. It’s simple, nourishing, and comes together in under 30 minutes.

Whether you’re making a quick lunch or a light dinner, this salad is satisfying, protein-packed, and incredibly delicious.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This isn’t just a salad—it’s one of those recipes you keep coming back to. The smoky chickpeas add the perfect crunch, while the creamy cashew dressing brings that classic Caesar flavor in a completely dairy-free way.

It’s:

• Quick (ready in under 30 minutes)
• Protein-rich
• Incredibly satisfying
• Easy to customize

Vegan Caesar Salad with Roasted Smoked Chickpeas

Prep time: 5 min Total time: 25 min Serves: 3

Ingredients:

For the Salad

• 1 head of romaine lettuce, chopped
• Optional: Sprinkle with vegan or regular parmesan.  Add sliced red onion or cucumber for extra crunch

For the Roasted Smoked Chickpeas

• 2 cups cooked chickpeas (or 1 (15 oz) can, drained and rinsed)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp cumin
• ½ tsp salt (or to taste)

For the Creamy Cashew Caesar Dressing

• 1 cup raw cashews
• Juice of 1 lemon
• ½ cup water (or more for desired consistency)
• 3 garlic cloves
• ¼ cup nutritional yeast
• ½ tsp capers
• 1 tsp dijon mustard
• ½ tsp salt (or to taste)

Directions:

1. Roast the Chickpeas

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. In a bowl, toss chickpeas with olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, cumin, and salt.  Spread evenly on a baking tray.
3. Roast for 20 minutes, shaking the tray halfway through.  For extra crunch, roast up to 30 minutes.

2. Make the Dressing

Add all dressing ingredients to a blender.  Blend until smooth and creamy.

Tip:  If you don’t have a high-speed blender, soak the cashews in hot water for 15 minutes, then drain before blending.

3. Assemble the Salad

Add chopped romaine to a large bowl.  Toss with about ½ cup of dressing (or to taste).  Top with roasted smoked chickpeas.

Notes & Tips 

• Adjust dressing thickness by adding water 1 tablespoon at a time
• Dressing keeps in the fridge for 3–4 days
• Chickpeas:
  • 20 minutes = crispy outside, soft inside
  • 30 minutes = extra crunchy
• This salad is super versatile—make it your own with extra veggies or toppings

Nutrition (Per Serving – Serves 3)

Approximate values:

• Calories: ~310–320 kcal
• Fat: ~14 g
• Protein: ~13 g
• Carbohydrates: ~35 g