Savory Smashed Chickpea Salad Sandwich You’ll Love Recipe
A flavorful and nutritious Savory Smashed Chickpea Salad Sandwich featuring a creamy avocado-cashew aioli, crunchy vegetables, and optional capers and dulse flakes for an extra burst of umami. This easy-to-make vegan sandwich is perfect for a healthy lunch or light dinner.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Sandwich
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
Scale
For the Salad
- 1 can (28 oz) Chickpeas, drained and mashed
- 1 medium Bell Pepper, any color, diced
- 2 stalks Celery, chopped
- 1 large Purple Onion, diced
- 2 tablespoons Brined Capers (optional)
- 1 tablespoon Dulse Flakes (optional)
For the Aioli
- 1 large Avocado, ripe
- 1 cup Cashews, soaked
- 2 tablespoons Lemon Juice, freshly squeezed
- 1.5 teaspoons Dijon Mustard, adjust to taste
- 5 cloves Garlic, grated
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt, to taste
- 0.5 teaspoon Pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Aioli Preparation: Combine avocado, soaked cashews, lemon juice, water, Dijon mustard, grated garlic, salt, and pepper in a high-speed blender. Blend until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy. Refrigerate the aioli until ready to use to allow flavors to meld and maintain freshness.
- Chickpea Preparation: Drain the chickpeas thoroughly and pulse them in a food processor until they are slightly chunky. Avoid over-processing to maintain texture in the salad.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, mix together the smashed chickpeas, diced bell pepper, chopped celery, diced purple onion, optional brined capers, and optional dulse flakes. Stir gently to evenly distribute all ingredients.
- Add Aioli: Fold about three-quarters of the prepared aioli into the chickpea mixture carefully to coat ingredients well. Adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or mustard if desired.
- Chill: Cover the chickpea salad mixture and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This resting time allows the flavors to fully develop and blend.
- Serve: Spoon the chilled chickpea salad onto your choice of bread or wraps. Optionally, enhance with fresh dill and nori sheets for added flavor and texture. Serve immediately for best taste and freshness.
Notes
- Soaking cashews overnight or for at least 2 hours ensures a creamier aioli texture.
- For a nut-free version, replace cashews with silken tofu or additional avocado.
- Dulse flakes and capers add umami; omit if unavailable or to reduce sodium.
- Adjust garlic and mustard quantities to taste depending on preference for pungency and tanginess.
- Best served chilled but can be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Serve on whole grain bread or wraps for added fiber and nutrients.
Keywords: chickpea salad sandwich, vegan sandwich, smashed chickpeas, avocado aioli, healthy lunch, plant-based, easy chickpea sandwich, dairy-free spread
