There are so many ways to transform a traditional Caesar dressing. This recipe is vegan friendly and takes only a few minutes to prepare. This Vegan Tahini Caesar with Chickpeas and Crispy Kale is creamy, crunchy and loaded with delicious Middle Eastern spices.
Looking for a quick and easy weeknight dinner that’s both healthy and delicious? This vegan tahini Caesar salad is sure to satisfy! The dressing takes only a few minutes to prepare and your blender will do the majority of the work. Traditional Caesar dressing ingredients include anchovies, eggs and cheese which do not align with a vegan diet. My recipe for vegan Caesar dressing uses ingredients like cashews, tahini, miso paste, caper brine, nutritional yeast, lemon juice and Dijon mustard for a savory, creamy dressing that tastes just as good if not better than traditional Caesar dressing.
Ingredients for Vegan Tahini Caesar with Chickpeas and Crispy Kale
You can dress the salad however you like, but I LOVE adding some crunch to the salad with crispy chickpeas and kale. Simply roast them in the oven with olive oil and Zaatar and the result is undeniably delicious!
Salad:
- chickpeas
- extra virgin olive oil
- za’atar – za’atar is an extremely flavorful middle eastern spice blend. If you don’t have any on hand, you can make your own blend using dried oregano, dried thyme, cumin, coriander, sesame seeds, salt and sumac.
- kale
- romaine lettuce
- salt and pepper
- sesame seeds – optional garnish.
Dressing:
- raw cashews
- garlic cloves
- tahini – tahini adds a beautiful creaminess to the dressing along with a subtle toasted sesame flavor.
- nutritional yeast
- white miso paste – I prefer to use white miso paste for this dressing to help keep the traditional creamy color of a Caesar dressing.
- Dijon or spicy brown mustard
- brine from a jar of capers
- lemon juice
- fine sea salt
- black pepper
- water
Here’s what else you’ll need:
- rimmed baking sheet
- spatula
- blender
- measuring cups and spoons
- cutting board and knife
- large bowl for serving
- salad serving spoons
How to Make Vegan Tahini Caesar with Chickpeas and Crispy Kale
Salad:
- Toss the chickpeas with olive oil, za’atar, salt and pepper. Roast the chickpeas, tossing halfway.
- Remove the chickpeas from the oven and toss. Toss the kale with 1/3 cup of dressing and 2 tbsp olive oil. Add the kale to the baking sheet, then roast in the oven until chickpeas and kale are nicely crisped. Set aside.
Dressing:
- Add all of the dressing ingredients to a high powered blender and blend until smooth and creamy. Taste and season with more salt and pepper if needed. Add more water if dressing is too thick.
- Salad assembly: In a large bowl, combine the romaine lettuce and remaining kale. Pour a small amount of dressing over the salad and toss. Divide the salad amongst 2 to 4 individual bowls (depending on how hungry you are) then top with crispy kale, chickpeas and garnish with sesame seeds.
More Vegan Recipes
- Easy Vegan Massaman Curry
- Creamy Lemony Orzo with Grilled Corn and Asparagus
- No Churn Vegan Black Raspberry Ice Cream
- Curried Shepherd’s Pie
- Mexican Hot Cocoa Pudding (Vegan)
Please let me know how your Vegan Tahini Caesar with Chickpeas and Crispy Kale turns out in the comments below! I can’t wait to hear from you.
Vegan Tahini Caesar with Chickpeas and Crispy Kale
There are so many ways to transform a traditional Caesar dressing. This recipe is vegan friendly and takes only a few minutes to prepare. This Vegan Tahini Caesar with Chickpeas and Crispy Kale is creamy, crunchy and loaded with delicious Middle Eastern spices.
Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil and spray with non-stick spray. Place the chickpeas on 1/2 of the baking sheet. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons of olive oil then season with za'atar, salt and pepper. Use a spatula to mix together. Roast in the oven for 10 Minutes. While chickpeas are roasting, make the dressing.
Remove the chickpeas from the oven and use a spatula to toss. In a large mixing bowl, add the kale and toss with 1/3 cup of the Caesar dressing and 2 tbsp olive oil. Place the kale on the empty side of the baking sheet. Place the baking sheet back in the oven for 15 Minutes, tossing the kale halfway. Remove from the oven once kale is crispy.
Add all of the dressing ingredients to a high powered blender and blend for 1 minute until smooth and creamy. Taste and season with more salt and pepper if needed. Add more water if dressing is too thick.
Salad assembly: On a large, rimmed plate place the romaine lettuce on the bottom. Drizzle dressing over the lettuce then season with black pepper and a dusting of nutritional yeast. Add the kale and chickpeas on top then sprinkle sesame seeds over everything. Divide the salad amongst 2 to 4 individual bowls (depending on how hungry you are). Enjoy!
Ingredients
Directions
Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil and spray with non-stick spray. Place the chickpeas on 1/2 of the baking sheet. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons of olive oil then season with za'atar, salt and pepper. Use a spatula to mix together. Roast in the oven for 10 Minutes. While chickpeas are roasting, make the dressing.
Remove the chickpeas from the oven and use a spatula to toss. In a large mixing bowl, add the kale and toss with 1/3 cup of the Caesar dressing and 2 tbsp olive oil. Place the kale on the empty side of the baking sheet. Place the baking sheet back in the oven for 15 Minutes, tossing the kale halfway. Remove from the oven once kale is crispy.
Add all of the dressing ingredients to a high powered blender and blend for 1 minute until smooth and creamy. Taste and season with more salt and pepper if needed. Add more water if dressing is too thick.
Salad assembly: On a large, rimmed plate place the romaine lettuce on the bottom. Drizzle dressing over the lettuce then season with black pepper and a dusting of nutritional yeast. Add the kale and chickpeas on top then sprinkle sesame seeds over everything. Divide the salad amongst 2 to 4 individual bowls (depending on how hungry you are). Enjoy!
Notes
RECOMMENDATIONS: Za’atar is an extremely flavorful middle eastern spice blend. If you don’t have any on hand, you can make your own blend using dried oregano, dried thyme, cumin, coriander, sesame seeds, salt and sumac.
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