Creamy Roasted Chickpeas and Avocado Salad

Get ready to fall in love with this Creamy Roasted Chickpeas and Avocado Salad recipe! Loaded with creamy avocado, roasted chickpeas, and a hint of jalapeño for a little spice, it's the perfect side dish for any meal. This salad is not only delicious but also packed with flavor and texture that will keep you coming back for more. Gluten-free, Dairy-free + Vegan Options.

I’m a huge roasted chickpeas fan and always looking for new ways to add them into recipes. Plus, I absolutely love avocado, so this Creamy Roasted Chickpeas and Avocado Salad recipe is a top favorite of mine! If you’re into guacamole, you’ll definitely love this salad. It’s fresh, flavorful, and pairs perfectly with any meal. Plus, it’s super easy to whip up and packed with deliciousness.

I’m loving salad recipes with the warmer weather and all the amazing summer produce—hello avocados! I’ve been rotating between Mind-blowing Avocado Toast and Saturday Morning Everything Avocado Toast every morning, so I wanted to create a salad version that’s just as great. This salad works perfectly as a side dish or a main and can easily be made vegan + dairy-free. It has a great texture from toasted pumpkin seeds, tastes super fresh with herbs and microgreens, and is so customizable.

Why You Will LOVE This Creamy Roasted Chickpeas + Avocado Salad

• Quick + simple to make, no-fuss preparation.
• Bursting with fun texture + flavor
• Sure to impress at potlucks and gatherings
• Works as a main meal OR side
• Travel-friendly --- Ideal for bringing to BBQs, picnics, or potlucks.
• Totally customizable! Easily made to be gluten-free, dairy-free + vegan!

Ingredients For Creamy Roasted Chickpeas + Avocado Salad

The key to this salad is using ripe avocados for that perfect creamy texture. I go with canned chickpeas for convenience, but you can absolutely use dried ones if you have the time to soak and cook them. Here’s everything else you’ll need:

SALAD:

• Ripe avocados. Peeled + cut into small chunks or cubes.
• Roasted chickpeas. See my easy roasted chickpeas recipe!
• Jalapeño. Finely chopped + adds a spicy kick. (Add less or more depending on your spice level preference.
• Fresh parsley or basil. Roughly chopped.
• Red onion. Adds a tangy crunch.
• Microgreens. You can also sub with your favorite greens like kale, spinach, romaine lettuce, etc.
• Pumpkin seeds. Toasted.
• Freshly grated parmesan cheese. Adds a savory, umami richness. (Opt for a vegan/dairy-free parmesan to make this salad vegan)
• Extra virgin olive oil. Feel free to use your favorite high-quality EVOO. My fave tried and trusted brand is California Olive Ranch.
• Mayonnaise. I love using avocado oil-based ones. For vegan options, I use Follow Your Heart Veganaise.
• Minced garlic. Adds a savory depth of flavor.
• Rice vinegar. You can sub with white vinegar, apple cider vinegar, or white wine vinegar.
• Smoked paprika. Adds a subtle smokiness.
• Sea salt + black pepper. To taste.

SHOP MY FAVORITE TOOLS FOR BAKING, ESPECIALLY FOR THIS AVOCADO SALAD!

Here, I’ve curated a list of baking + cooking essentials that I use to achieve my favorite dishes, especially with this Creamy Roasted Chickpeas and Avocado Salad recipe! Everything from my knives, cutting boards, bowls, and more. SEE THEM HERE!

How Do I Make Roasted Chickpeas For This Salad?

Start by preheating your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a bowl, toss together the chickpeas with all the other ingredients (olive oil + seasonings) until the chickpeas are fully coated. Spread the seasoned chickpeas onto the prepared baking sheet in a single layer for even roasting and crispiness. See my 'The Best Roasted Chickpeas' recipe for more tips, tricks + seasoning options!

Add In Options for Creamy Avocado Salad

While this Creamy Roasted Chickpeas and Avocado Salad recipe is fantastic on its own, I wanted to offer some options if you’re making it frequently and want to mix things up or bulk it up for a heartier main meal!

OTHER INGREDIENT IDEAS INCLUDE:

• Grilled or shredded chicken for extra protein
• Artichoke hearts for a tangy twist
• Candied bacon for a little sweetness.
• Prosciutto for a salty, savory touch.
• Herb roasted tomatoes.
• Beans (like White beans, Kidney beans, etc.)

What to Serve with Creamy Roasted Chickpeas + Avocado Salad

This Creamy Roasted Chickpeas + Avocado Salad recipe makes a beautiful spring + summer side dish option with its fresh flavors --- perfect for potlucks and BBQs. Here are some of my favorite accompaniments to serve alongside it:

• Serve warm slices of garlic bread
• Other refreshing salads like quinoa salad, cobb salad or corn salad
• Parmesan Herb Crusted Roasted Potatoes ---- Trust me they go with EVERYTHING. Haha.
• Chicken --- Whether it be Crispy baked chicken tenders or jamaican jerk chicken!
• For a complete feast, serve it with a meat main like steak or lamb
• With sandwiches or burgers as a creamy side.
• On the side of pasta dishes like spaghetti or lasagna for a light + refreshing side.
• And definitely have some Southern Peach Iced Tea or Lemonade on hand to wash it all down!

How to Choose a Perfectly Ripe Avocado

To make sure your avocado is ripe + ready to enjoy, here are a few easy tips:

• Check the color --- Look for darker green or brownish-black skin. Just remember, color can vary, so use this as a guide rather than a rule.
• Give it a gentle squeeze --- Hold the avocado in your hand and gently squeeze. It should give a little but not feel mushy. If it's hard, it needs more time to ripen.
• Peek under the stem --- Flick off the small stem on top. If it comes off easily and you see green underneath, your avocado is ripe. If it’s brown or hard to remove, it might need more time.
• Feel the texture --- A ripe avocado should be slightly soft but not overly mushy. If it’s mushy or has dents, it might be past its prime.
• Ripen quickly --- If you need your avocado to ripen faster, place it in a brown paper bag with an apple or banana. They’ll help speed up the ripening process.

Is Avocado Healthy?

Yes, avocados are definitely healthy! They’re packed with nutrients like healthy monounsaturated fats, which are great for your heart. They also provide a good dose of fiber, vitamins (like C, E, K, and B6), and minerals (such as potassium + magnesium). Plus, their healthy fats help with nutrient absorption and keep you feeling full and satisfied. Whether you add them to salads, smoothies, in guacamole, atop tacos, or just enjoy them on toast, avocados are a nutritious choice!

Can I Make This Creamy Chickpeas + Avocado Salad Vegan/Dairy-free?

Yes, you definitely can! To make this salad recipe entirely dairy-free or vegan, simply substitute the parmesan with dairy-free feta cheese or parmesan. Lastly, see my Caesar Salad for vegan Caesar Dressing option. 

Creamy Roasted Chickpeas + Avocado Salad Q + A's

More Healthy Salad Recipes You'll LOVE

Now that you've fallen in love with Creamy Roasted Chickpeas and Avocado Salad recipe, put to good use your remaining produce with these great salad recipes:

• Best Lemon Pepper Chicken Chopped Salad
• Ultimate Summer BBQ Chopped Kale Salad
• Roasted Cauliflower Green Goddess Salad
• Baked Jamaican Jerk Chicken Salad
• Healthy Loaded Kale Salad with Spicy Chickpeas
• Quick + Easy Blood Orange Kale Salad

MADE OUR RECIPE(S)?

If you tried Creamy Roasted Chickpeas and Avocado Salad recipe or any other recipe on my website, please please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you go in the 📝 comments below. And don't forget to tag @orchidsnsweettea_ on Instagram  and hashtag it #orchidsandsweettea! I love hearing from you!

Creamy Roasted Chickpeas and Avocado Salad

July 31, 2024 •

By Shanika

No ratings yet

Get ready to fall in love with this Creamy Roasted Chickpeas and Avocado Salad! Loaded with creamy avocado, roasted chickpeas, and a hint of jalapeño for a little spice, it's the perfect side dish for any meal. This salad is not only delicious but also packed with flavor and texture that will keep you coming back for more. Gluten-free, Dairy-free + Vegan Options.

Prep Time: 15 minutes mins

Cook Time: 20 minutes mins

Total Time: 35 minutes mins

Serves: 6 servings

Units:

US Customary|Metric

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Ingredients

ROASTED CHICKPEAS:

• 2 cups Roasted Chickpeas

SALAD:

• 2 large ripe avocados, peeled + cut into small chunks or cubes
• 1 jalapeño, finely chopped
• ¼ cup fresh parsley or basil, roughly chopped
• ¼ red onion, roughly chopped
• ¼ cup microgreens, roughly chopped (You can also sub with your favorite greens like kale, spinach, romaine lettuce, etc.)
• ¼ cup pumpkin seeds, toasted
• ¼ cup freshly-grated parmesan cheese
• 4 Tbsps Extra virgin olive oil
• 4 Tbsps mayonnaise, organic
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 3 Tbsps rice vinegar (You can sub with white vinegar, apple cider vinegar, or white wine vinegar)
• ¾ teaspoon smoked paprika
• ½ teaspoon sea salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

TO MAKE THE ROASTED CHICKPEAS:

• Be sure to follow my Best Roasted Chickpeas recipe!

TO MAKE THE EASY DRESSING:

• In a bowl, add the mayo, olive oil, minced garlic, rice vinegar, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper, whisking everything together until combined.

TO MAKE THE SALAD:

• In a bowl, add the avocado chunks, roasted chickpeas, chopped jalapeños, chopped parsley or basil, pumpkin seeds, chopped onions, microgreens, and parmesan cheese, tossing everything together until two serving spoons or wooden spoons. Add the easy dressing and continue to toss until the salad is fully coated.
• To serve, add the avocado salad to your bowl(s) and add additional grated parmesan as garnish, if desired.
• Bon Appetit!

Tips & Tricks

• STORAGE: Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Always determine the ingredients in your salad and keep it no longer than the shelf life of your fastest-spoiling ingredient.
• GLUTEN-FREE OPTION: To make this salad GF-friendly, just ensure that any ingredients in the dressing are gluten-free like the mayo.
• VEGAN OPTION: To make this salad entirely dairy-free or vegan, simply substitute the parmesan with dairy-free feta cheese or parmesan. Lastly, see my Caesar Salad for vegan Caesar Dressing option. 
• GREENS: If preferred, you can always add greens like Romaine lettuce, Arugula, Mustard Greens, Microgreens, Spinach or Collard Greens to this salad for added flavor + texture.

Nutrition

Calories: 105kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 4mg | Sodium: 267mg | Potassium: 21mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 0.05g | Vitamin A: 160IU | Vitamin C: 0.4mg | Calcium: 41mg | Iron: 0.2mg

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