Crispy Winter Chickpeas Bowl

Featured in Start the Party: Crowd-Pleasing Appetizers.

Need a cozy, filling winter meal? This Crispy Chickpeas Winter Bowl is perfect. The harmony of crunchy chickpeas, sweet roasted veggies, and creamy dressing makes it extra special. Customize with your favorite grains and enjoy the hearty flavors. Great for meal prep—just reheat and add fresh sauce when you're ready. Nutrient-packed, vegan, and irresistibly tasty!
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Updated on Sat, 22 Mar 2025 22:25:16 GMT
Crispy Chickpeas Winter Bowl with Roasted Veggies Pin it
Crispy Chickpeas Winter Bowl with Roasted Veggies | linacooks.com

When cold weather hits, this cozy harvest bowl delivers a mix of bright colors, varied textures, and rich tastes that feed your hunger and warm your spirit. Everything works together perfectly - the sweet, browned potatoes, the rich beets, and those super crunchy, well-seasoned chickpeas. Tying it all together is a smooth maple tahini sauce that makes this dish feel like comfort food on chilly days.

After trying this recipe many times, I've found that giving attention to each part makes all the difference - from making sure chickpeas are totally dry for that perfect crunch to cooking veggies at just the right heat to get that lovely browning.

Key Ingredients Breakdown

  • Sweet Potatoes: Go for solid, unmarked potatoes with rich orange insides. Mid-sized ones cook better than big ones. The best ones feel heavy when you pick them up
  • Beets: Look for firm, weighty beets with smooth outsides and deep coloring. Smaller ones around 2-3 inches across are usually tastier and cook up softer
  • Chickpeas: If you're using canned ones, pick low-salt versions. Make sure to rinse them well and dry them completely for the best crunch

Step-By-Step Cooking Guide

Getting Chickpeas Ready:
Empty and wash chickpeas well. Lay them between paper towels. Dry them completely - this really matters. Pull off any loose skins. Mix with olive oil and spices. Spread them out on a baking tray with space between them. Don't pile them up or they won't get crispy.
How To Roast The Veggies:
Heat your oven to exactly 425°F. Cut sweet potatoes into 3/4-inch chunks. Peel beets and cut them a bit smaller. Keep beets apart until you're ready to serve. Coat each veggie type with oil and seasonings. Put them in a single layer on different pans. Leave gaps between pieces for good roasting. Turn the pans around halfway through cooking time.
Making Grains And Dressing:
Start by browning grains in a dry pot. Add a little salt to the water. Keep it bubbling gently while cooking. At the same time, stir tahini until it's smooth. Slowly add maple syrup. Add warm water if it's too thick. Taste and fix the flavor if needed. Leave it out at room temp.
Putting It All Together:
First put down warm grains. Next add roasted veggies in layers. Sprinkle lots of crispy chickpeas on top. Add chunks of creamy avocado. Pour dressing over everything. Top with seeds and fresh herbs. Eat right away while it's warm.
Warm Seasonal Harvest Bowl featuring Crunchy Chickpeas Pin it
Warm Seasonal Harvest Bowl featuring Crunchy Chickpeas | linacooks.com

I grew up in a family that loved cooking with what's in season, and I learned winter veggies need special care to taste their best. My mom would cut sweet potatoes just the right way, showing me that being careful with prep leads to amazing results.

Mastering Oven Heat Zones

Your oven rack position really matters. I've discovered that veggies cook most evenly on the middle rack, while chickpeas turn out crispier when placed a bit higher up.

Getting Temps Just Right

Every part of this bowl tastes best at a certain temperature. When you build your bowl with grains and roasted stuff that's warm but not hot, the avocado gets just a little soft without turning mushy.

Detailed View Winter Harvest Bowl with Crunchy Seasoned Chickpeas Pin it
Detailed View Winter Harvest Bowl with Crunchy Seasoned Chickpeas | linacooks.com

This harvest bowl has become my go-to winter comfort food, showing that good-for-you meals can be filling and delicious too. The way the maple tahini sauce mixes with the warm grains and crunchy chickpeas creates something special - it's not just food, it's a way to enjoy winter's best offerings.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Do I have to peel sweet potatoes?
Not at all! Give them a good wash since the skin is nutritious. But feel free to peel them if that's what you like.
→ Can I swap out the dressing?
Of course! Try creamy balsamic, honey mustard, or caesar if you're okay with non-vegan options.
→ Is this meal prep friendly?
Totally! Make all parts ahead and keep them separate. Just add sauce and toppings to keep everything fresh.
→ Tips for crispy chickpeas?
Make sure to dry them off well after rinsing. Also, cook them alone on the tray so they crisp up nicely.
→ What other veggies work here?
This dish is versatile—try adding broccoli, brussels sprouts, or carrots. Toss in greens like kale or microgreens for more variety.

Crispy Winter Chickpeas

This flavorful bowl features crispy chickpeas, sweet potatoes, beets, and a creamy maple tahini sauce for a wholesome vegan dish.

Prep Time
10 Minutes
Cook Time
30 Minutes
Total Time
40 Minutes
By: Paolina

Category: Appetizers

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 3 Servings

Dietary: Vegan, Vegetarian, Dairy-Free

Ingredients

→ Main Ingredients

01 1 large beet, diced into small cubes after peeling
02 1 large sweet potato, chopped into chunks
03 15 oz can of chickpeas, rinsed and drained
04 1 cup uncooked grain of your choice (try a mix of wild and brown rice)

→ Spices & Oil

05 Olive oil, 1-2 tablespoons
06 2 teaspoons garlic powder, split in half
07 1 teaspoon ground cumin, split in half
08 Salt and black pepper, adjust to your taste

→ Maple Tahini Sauce

09 1/4 cup smooth tahini
10 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
11 1 teaspoon of soy sauce or tamari
12 1/2 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
13 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
14 1/8 teaspoon salt
15 1-2 tablespoons cold water, to thin it out

→ Optional Add-Ons

16 Salted pumpkin seeds, roasted
17 Slices of avocado
18 Crumbled vegan feta
19 Hemp seeds, if desired
20 1-2 cups of spinach or kale (massage the kale if using)

Instructions

Step 01

Heat the oven to 425°F. Dry off the chickpeas, coat them with olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon cumin, a teaspoon of garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Lay them on a tray and roast for 30 minutes, stirring halfway. They'll come out crunchy.

Step 02

Toss your sweet potatoes and beets on a baking tray using olive oil, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Roast them for 20-25 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until soft when poked.

Step 03

Follow the directions on your grain packaging to prepare it while everything else is roasting.

Step 04

Stir the tahini, maple syrup, vinegar, soy sauce, garlic powder, salt, and a bit of cold water in a bowl. Add more water if you want it thinner.

Step 05

In each bowl, start with the grains, then add the roasted veggies and chickpeas. Top with greens if you like, sprinkle on the seeds, avocado, and crumbles, and pour on the tahini dressing.

Notes

  1. Swap out soy sauce for tamari and opt for gluten-free grains to avoid gluten.
  2. Store all parts separately for meal prep and pour dressing when ready to eat.

Tools You'll Need

  • Two baking trays
  • Bowls for mixing
  • A pot to cook the grains
  • Measuring tools (cups and spoons)

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains soy if soy sauce is used
  • Sesame from tahini

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 515
  • Total Fat: 19 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 75 g
  • Protein: 16 g