Description

This Fall Chickpea Salad is a vibrant and nutritious dish combining the hearty texture of chickpeas with the crunch of apple and nuts, creamy avocado, and tangy dried cranberries, all tossed in a light apple cider dressing. Perfect for an easy and wholesome fall lunch or dinner, it balances sweet, tart, and savory flavors with a hint of freshness from lemon juice and herbs.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

15 ounces chickpeas (rinsed and drained)
1 large apple (chopped, preferably Honeycrisp)
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)

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Instructions

Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large bowl, add the rinsed and drained chickpeas, chopped apple, avocado, fresh lemon juice, chopped red onion, nuts, dried cranberries, and crumbled cheese if using. Gently toss to mix all ingredients well.
Prepare the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, apple cider vinegar, pure maple syrup, Dijon mustard, and minced garlic. Season the dressing with kosher salt and black pepper to taste.
Toss Salad with Dressing: Drizzle the prepared dressing evenly over the salad mixture. Gently stir to coat all ingredients thoroughly. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
Serve: Serve the salad immediately to enjoy the fresh textures and flavors at their best.

Notes

For a nut-free version, omit pecans or walnuts and replace with toasted seeds such as pumpkin or sunflower.
If you prefer a vegan salad, skip the feta or goat cheese or substitute with a plant-based cheese alternative.
To prevent avocado browning, toss avocado pieces with lemon juice before adding to the salad.
You can prepare the salad base ahead of time (without dressing) and add dressing just before serving to keep it fresh.
Use crisp apples like Honeycrisp or Fuji for the best texture and sweetness balance.

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