Description
A vibrant fall-inspired salad featuring crisp apples, peppery arugula, crunchy walnuts, and spiced cinnamon roasted chickpeas, balanced with a tangy maple mustard dressing. This wholesome dish combines sweet, savory, and nutty flavors perfect for a light main course or side dish during the autumn season.
Ingredients
Cinnamon Roasted Chickpeas
- 1 can (15 oz / 400 g) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp maple syrup (or honey)
- Pinch of salt
Salad
- 4 cups fresh arugula
- 2 small apples, thinly sliced (Honeycrisp or Gala recommended)
- ½ cup walnuts, toasted
- ¼ cup dried cranberries
- ¼ cup crumbled feta or goat cheese (optional)
Dressing
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp maple syrup (or honey)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Chickpeas: Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F). Pat the drained chickpeas dry thoroughly with a paper towel to ensure they roast crisp.
- Season and Roast Chickpeas: Toss the chickpeas with olive oil, ground cinnamon, maple syrup, and a pinch of salt until evenly coated. Spread them out on a baking sheet in a single layer and roast for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring halfway through, until they are crispy and golden.
- Make the Dressing: In a small jar or bowl, whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, maple syrup, salt, and pepper until the dressing is smooth and emulsified.
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix together the fresh arugula, thinly sliced apples, toasted walnuts, dried cranberries, and crumbled cheese if using.
- Assemble and Serve: Top the salad with the warm cinnamon roasted chickpeas. Drizzle the prepared dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine all flavors before serving.
Notes
- For best texture, serve chickpeas freshly roasted; however, they can be roasted up to 2 days ahead and stored airtight.
- Swap walnuts for pecans to add a different fall-inspired flavor.
- Use pear slices instead of apples for a delicious variation.
- Omit cheese to make the dish vegan friendly.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Salad, Side Dish
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American, Seasonal
