Fattoush Salad With Chickpeas

This fattoush salad with chickpeas contains all of my favorite things in a single bowl. Between fresh veggies, chickpeas, vegan feta and crispy pita chips, it’s hard to beat! Best thing? This takes less than 10 minutes of prep and comes together in a flash!

Get ready for a salad recipe bursting with flavors, colors and nutrients! This vegan fattoush salad with chickpeas is inspired by the traditional Middle Eastern dish. Once you try it, I promise you’ll be a fan!

One of the ingredients is vegan feta. Although it’s optional, it really elevates the salad to the next level. If you don’t have vegan feta in your local stores (or don’t like the price tag), there is a simple and delicious feta recipe in the Scrappy Cookbook!

Along with 150+ plant-based recipes, my second book is focused on making the most of what you have. From utilizing so-called scraps to transforming leftovers, this cookbook will help you reduce food waste and save money!

@plantyou

such a good salad 🥗 #salad #recipe #plantbased #healthy

♬ Eulogy by Zach Bryan – Zach Bryan Snippets

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Fattoush salad is basically synonymous with freshness. Crunchy veggies paired with chickpeas, zingy dressing, and crispy pita… What more could you want?
• I’ve been very vocal about promoting gut health. A great way to do that is to eat a variety of plants. Thankfully for you, this recipe contains at least seven different vegetables!
• As simple as it is, this dressing truly brings the whole dish together. With just a handful of ingredients, we are taking it back to basics.
• This fattoush salad with chickpeas contains lots of fiber (great for digestion), as well as protein, carbs, and fat.
• Most importantly, this recipe proves that salads don’t have to be bland. It’s vibrant in color and full of flavors!

What is Fattoush Salad?

Fattoush salad is a traditional Middle Eastern salad that is popular in Lebanon, Syria, and other Levantine countries. It typically consists of a variety of fresh vegetables, such as lettuce, cucumber, tomato, radish, and green onion. The salad often includes herbs like parsley and mint for added freshness and flavor.

One of the distinguishing features of fattoush salad is the inclusion of crispy pieces of toasted or fried pita bread, which are added to the salad just before serving. These pieces of bread provide a crunchy texture and absorb the flavors of the dressing.

The dressing for fattoush salad is usually made with olive oil, lemon juice, and sumac, a tangy spice commonly used in Middle Eastern cuisine. Other variations of the dressing may include ingredients like garlic, pomegranate molasses, or vinegar.

My version also includes canned chickpeas – a budget-friendly protein source suitable for vegetarians and vegans.

Overall, this fattoush salad with chickpeas is refreshing, flavorful, and versatile, great for everyday meals and special occasions.

Benefits of Chickpeas

• Rich in nutrients. Chickpeas are packed with nutrients like protein, fiber, vitamins (such as folate, vitamin C, and vitamin K), and minerals (including iron, magnesium, and potassium).
• Supports digestive health. The high fiber content in chickpeas promotes digestive regularity, prevents constipation, and supports a healthy gut microbiome.
• Manages blood sugar levels. Chickpeas have a low glycemic index and are rich in fiber and protein, which helps regulate blood sugar levels and may lower the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
• Supports heart health. Chickpeas contain nutrients like potassium and magnesium, which help regulate blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease. Additionally, their high fiber content can help lower cholesterol levels.
• Provides plant-based protein. Chickpeas are an excellent source of plant-based protein, making them a valuable addition to vegetarian and vegan diets. Protein is essential for muscle repair and growth, as well as overall health and wellbeing.
• Boosts immune function. Chickpeas contain antioxidants like vitamin C and phytonutrients, which help boost the immune system and protect the body from oxidative stress and inflammation.

Incorporating chickpeas into your diet can contribute to overall health and wellbeing, and they can be enjoyed in a variety of dishes, such as salads, soups, stews, curries, and dips like hummus.

How to Make This Recipe

Start with your pita chips. Line a baking sheet with parchment (or reusable silicone sheet) and preheat your oven to 425°F.

Cut your pitas into triangles and pop them on the prepared baking sheet. Lightly spray, brush, or drizzle with oil.

It only takes about seven minutes to transform pita into delicious crispy chips. Be sure to flip them halfway through to ensure even cooking.

Next, prepare the dressing by whisking olive oil, lemon juice, balsamic vinegar, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper in a jar.

While the pita chips are baking, drop all the salad ingredients in a large bowl. Once the pita chips are ready, place them over the assembled salad.

Finish your fattoush salad with chickpeas by drizzling the dressing over the salad and pita, and tossing everything together. Enjoy!

Hack It!

• If you don’t like chickpeas, you can swap them for a different type of bean, or add some crispy baked tofu for protein.
• As I mentioned at the start, the vegan feta is optional. I promise, the salad will still taste great if you omit this ingredient.
• This fattoush salad recipe is a great meal prep option. Be sure to keep the dressing and the pita chips separate from the rest of the salad until it is time to serve.
• I used parsley and dill for this salad, but you can also add mint. It’s a very popular addition in Middle Eastern cuisine, and it brings great freshness to every dish.

Now, if you’re more of an adventurous home chef, let me introduce you to the PlantYou Planner! It’s like your personalized meal planning genie, offering up a bunch of easy-peasy vegan recipes. The best part? You can dip your toes into the magic with the free version. You’ll get 25 awesome plant-based meals, including our top-notch beginner vegan meal plan. 

Oh, and the icing on the vegan cake is that I’ve teamed up with an incredible women-led business to create Complement x PlantYou Essential. It’s a powerhouse multinutrient supplement specially crafted for all you plant-based champs out there. This is a game-changer that makes thriving on a vegan diet an absolute breeze. Trust me, your taste buds and your body will be doing a happy dance. 🌱

If you’re all about simple and beginner-friendly recipes, trust me, you’re going to want to snag a copy of the PlantYou Cookbook! It has over 140 vibrant and delicious plant based recipe, so it’s a real treasure trove of wholesomeegan meals that are perfect for any occasion. As someone who learns best visually, I’ve made sure this cookbook is super user-friendly. Each recipe comes with a handy infographic that breaks down all the ingredients to make it as accessible as possible!

If you tried this Fattoush Salad with Chickpeas or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below! Thanks for visiting!