Smashed Chickpea Sandwich
Quick and delicious, this sandwich is the ultimate meal for a picnic, weekday lunch, or whenever that hearty sandwich craving hits. It has crunch, creaminess, and lots of fresh herbs and with no cooking required, you’ll be enjoying this healthy sammy before you know it!
Are you ready for a recipe that is nutritious, delicious, and so easy to make? Introducing our version of the iconic smashed chickpea sandwich, that is probably one of the best vegan sandwiches out there! What makes this sandwich one of the greatest? It is packed with protein, uses simple ingredients, comes together in 20 minutes or less, and is perfect for packing for a to-go meal or whipping up for a quick lunch or dinner.
This sandwich gets its protein and heartiness from the humble chickpea. Chickpeas are easy to find and an inexpensive vegan protein that’s so versatile; from salads to dips (check out our Classic Creamy Roasted Garlic Hummus) and desserts, chickpeas have the amazing ability to completely transform and take on all the delicious flavours that they are incorporated with. This chickpea filling is no different – we’ve loaded it with tons of flavours and textures. It is tangy thanks to pickles, pickle or pickled onion juice, and freshly squeezed lemon juice as well as herby and fresh from lots of parsley and dill. The crunch comes from chopped celery and dill pickles, and creaminess is created by smashing the chickpeas first and then adding some vegan mayo. The smashed chickpea filling is seriously so delicious that it could be eaten all on its own (which you can do with the leftovers), but putting it in a sandwich just takes it to the next level.
Pick your favourite fresh bread – ours is any fresh loaf of sourdough – and slice that bad boy up nice and thick. Smashed avocado is the perfect creamy base, and by adding a handful of spinach, you’re getting your greens in and creating great crunch. Once the chickpea filling is generously piled on, we highly recommend adding our Quick Pickled Red Onions and some sauerkraut (our favourite is from Chris’ Cupboard) for extra tang and overall flavour. A few dashes of hot sauce if that’s your thing, another thick slice of bread on top, slice it down the middle, and your sandwich dreams are ready to come true!
Let us know where you’d enjoy this sammy; the beach, a park picnic, working from home, a busy day at the office?
Don’t forget to tag us in your creations – @smallkitchenbigplates
Smashed Chickpea Sandwich
Quick and delicious, this sandwich is the ultimate meal for a picnic, weekday lunch, or whenever that hearty sandwich craving hits. It has crunch, creaminess, and lots of fresh herbs and with no cooking required, you’ll be enjoying this healthy sammy before you know it!
Ingredients
- 2 slices fresh sourdough bread, sliced 1-inch thick
- 1 small or 1/2 large avocado
- Handful of spinach
- Quick Pickled Red Onions
- Sauerkraut
- Smashed Chickpea Filling
- 1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1 stalk celery, finely chopped
- 2 medium dill pickles, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup Quick Pickled Red Onions or raw red onions, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh dill, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1 sheet nori, finely chopped
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 2-3 tablespoons vegan mayo
- 1 tablespoon Quick Pickled Red Onion juice or dill pickle juice
- 1/2 lemon, juiced
- 1 teaspoon grainy mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning or salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Few dashes of Frank’s RedHot
Instructions
- Make the Smashed Chickpea Filling. In a medium bowl, add the drained and rinsed chickpeas and mash with a fork until almost all of the chickpeas are broken down, leaving some whole for texture. Add the rest of the filling ingredients and mix well to combine everything.
- Assemble the sandwiches. Mash an avocado and spread it onto one slice of the bread. Add a handful of spinach on top. Next, pile on the smashed chickpea filling on and then add your Quick Pickled Onions and sauerkraut, if using. Place the other slice of bread on top and cut the sandwich in half.
Notes
- The chickpea filling holds together with 2 tablespoons of may but if you like it creamier, use the full 3 tablespoons.
- Eat the leftover chickpea filling on its own as a delicious snack or add it on top of salads, in wraps, etc.
- The pickled red onions and sauerkraut are optional but really make the sandwich burst with flavour! We use our Quick Pickled Red Onions and Chris’ Cupboard Lemon & Cranberry Sauerkraut for an amazing flavour combination.
smallkitchenbigplates 
Love the picnic vibe!! These sandwiches sure would fill up an empty tummy!!
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they’re absolutely perfect for a picnic or meal on the go!
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