Description
A vibrant and healthy Fall Chickpea Salad combining the sweetness of apple and dried cranberries with creamy avocado, crunchy nuts, and tangy feta cheese, all tossed in a zesty apple cider dressing. This salad is perfect for an easy fall lunch or dinner, offering a refreshing blend of textures and flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 15 ounces chickpeas (rinsed and drained)
- 1 large apple (chopped, Honeycrisp preferred)
- 1 avocado (chopped)
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 cup chopped red onion
- 1/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries
- 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese or goat cheese (optional)
Dressing Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 2 teaspoons pure maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 clove garlic (minced)
- Kosher salt and black pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix together the rinsed chickpeas, chopped apple, chopped avocado, fresh lemon juice, chopped red onion, nuts, dried cranberries, and crumbled feta cheese if using.
- Prepare Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk the olive oil, apple cider vinegar, pure maple syrup, Dijon mustard, and minced garlic until well blended. Season with kosher salt and black pepper to your taste.
- Toss Salad: Drizzle the dressing over the salad mixture and gently stir to combine all ingredients evenly. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed. Serve immediately for best freshness.
Notes
- Use Honeycrisp apples for a perfect balance of sweet and tart flavor.
- The cheese is optional; omit for a dairy-free version.
- Toast the nuts lightly to enhance crunch and flavor.
- Add extra lemon juice if you want to prevent the avocado from browning quickly.
- Serve immediately to maintain freshness, especially because avocado can brown over time.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 302 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 88 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 9 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 6 mg
