Warm kale with crispy chickpeas (Printable Version)

Tender massaged kale combined with crunchy roasted chickpeas and a bright lemon dressing for a satisfying dish.

# What You'll Need:

→ Crispy Chickpeas

01 - 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
02 - 1 tbsp olive oil
03 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
04 - 1/2 tsp ground cumin
05 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
06 - 1/4 tsp sea salt
07 - 1/4 tsp black pepper

→ Salad

08 - 1 large bunch curly kale (about 8 cups), stems removed, leaves torn
09 - 1 tbsp olive oil
10 - 1/4 tsp sea salt

→ Lemon Dressing

11 - 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
12 - 2 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
13 - 1 tsp Dijon mustard
14 - 1 tsp maple syrup or honey
15 - 1 small garlic clove, finely minced
16 - Salt and pepper to taste

→ Optional Garnishes

17 - 1/4 cup toasted sunflower seeds
18 - 1/4 cup grated vegan parmesan or regular parmesan (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Set the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - Dry the chickpeas with a clean towel. In a bowl, toss them with olive oil, smoked paprika, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Arrange in a single layer on the baking sheet.
03 - Bake the chickpeas for 20 to 25 minutes, shaking the pan halfway through until golden and crisp. Allow to cool slightly.
04 - Place kale in a large bowl. Add olive oil and salt, then massage the leaves with your hands for 2 to 3 minutes until they are tender and vibrant green.
05 - Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, maple syrup or honey, minced garlic, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
06 - Drizzle the dressing over the massaged kale and toss to combine thoroughly.
07 - Top the dressed kale with warm roasted chickpeas and optional garnishes. Serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The crispy chickpeas taste like little croutons but pack way more protein
  • Massaging the kale makes it tender and removes any bitterness
  • The lemon dressing ties everything together with bright freshness
02 -
  • Dry chickpeas thoroughly or they will steam instead of getting crispy
  • Massage kale until it turns dark green and feels silky not just coated
  • Let roasted chickpeas cool slightly so they stay crunchy when you add them
03 -
  • Use a salad spinner after rinsing kale to remove excess water
  • Warm chickpeas on the sheet for 5 minutes if they have been stored
  • Double the chickpeas because they disappear quickly as snacks
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