Name: avors for a wholesome side or light main Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 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; 4 cups fresh arugula; 2 small apples, thinly sliced (Honeycrisp or Gala work well); ½ cup walnuts, toasted; ¼ cup dried cranberries; ¼ cup crumbled feta or goat cheese (optional); 3 tbsp olive oil; 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar; 1 tsp Dijon mustard; 1 tsp maple syrup (or honey); Salt and pepper, to taste

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This fall arugula salad with apples, walnuts, and cinnamon roasted chickpeas is more than just good looks—it’s truly a celebration of seasonal avors for a wholesome side or light main. Each bite brings together the peppery sharpness of arugula, crisp sweet apples, nutty toasted walnuts, and irresistible crunchy chickpeas dusted in cinnamon. Tossed in a tangy apple cider vinaigrette, it’s a textural symphony that’ll brighten autumn gatherings and make even a quiet lunch at home feel utterly special. Don’t be surprised if it outshines your main course!

avors for a wholesome side or light main Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

All it takes is a handful of familiar ingredients to create something dazzling. Each one plays a unique role, from adding crunch and sweetness to delivering bold color, ensuring every forkful offers those signature avors for a wholesome side or light main.

Chickpeas: Canned chickpeas are a protein-packed base for our cinnamon-roasted, crisp topping.
Olive oil: A drizzle on the chickpeas and in the dressing brings richness and ties everything together.
Ground cinnamon: This warm spice transforms the chickpeas and adds a cozy, aromatic note that feels just like autumn.
Maple syrup (or honey): A hint of sweetness in both the chickpeas and dressing balances the savory and tart flavors.
Salt: Just a pinch brings out every ingredient’s natural flavor.
Arugula: Fresh and peppery, this bold green is the heart of these avors for a wholesome side or light main.
Apples: Thinly sliced Honeycrisp or Gala apples lend the perfect crunch and refreshing sweetness.
Walnuts: Toased walnuts contribute nutty warmth and satisfying texture—feel free to swap for pecans for a new twist.
Dried cranberries: A pop of tartness brightens the entire salad and adds jewel-like color.
Feta or goat cheese (optional): Creamy crumbles of cheese give just the right salty tang (skip for a vegan salad).
Apple cider vinegar: Its fruity acidity makes the homemade vinaigrette wonderfully vibrant.
Dijon mustard: Just a touch for depth and gentle heat in the dressing.
Salt and pepper: Always to taste, to coax out every last bit of goodness.

How to Make avors for a wholesome side or light main

Step 1: Prep and Dry the Chickpeas

Start things off by preheating your oven to 200°C (400°F). Drain and rinse your chickpeas, then lay them out on a clean kitchen towel or a few layers of paper towel. Gently pat them dry—this extra step ensures the chickpeas roast up beautifully crisp rather than soggy. It’s an easy trick for addictive crunch in these avors for a wholesome side or light main.

Step 2: Toss and Roast the Chickpeas

In a mixing bowl, coat the chickpeas with olive oil, cinnamon, maple syrup, and a pinch of salt. Toss them well, making sure every chickpea is glistening and spiced. Spread them in an even layer on a lined baking sheet. Roast in your hot oven for 20 to 25 minutes, shaking the pan around halfway for even crisping. The aroma is out of this world—the kind that tempts taste-testers before you’re even done.

Step 3: Whisk Up the Vinaigrette

While the chickpeas are roasting, grab a small jar or bowl and whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, maple syrup, and a hint of salt and pepper. This tangy, slightly sweet vinaigrette brightens all the avors for a wholesome side or light main and ties in perfectly with the apple and walnut notes.

Step 4: Assemble the Salad

In a large salad bowl, layer in the arugula, sliced apples, toasted walnuts, cranberries, and cheese if you’re using it. Once those cinnamon roasted chickpeas are off the pan and still warm (but not piping hot), tumble them on top—it’s totally fine if you sneak a few!

Step 5: Dress & Toss

Drizzle the salad with your homemade vinaigrette and, using clean hands or salad tongs, give it a gentle toss. The goal is to keep all the layers intact for the prettiest presentation. Now those avors for a wholesome side or light main are ready to shine!

How to Serve avors for a wholesome side or light main

Garnishes

To make your salad extra eye-catching (and ultra flavorful), try topping it with a final sprinkle of feta or goat cheese, a handful of extra cranberries, or a drizzle of honey for a glossy finish. A little fresh cracked pepper on top is always a welcome finishing touch for those robust avors for a wholesome side or light main.

Side Dishes

This salad pairs like a dream with a cozy bowl of soup, a slice of crusty bread, or alongside roasted chicken or turkey. It easily elevates any weeknight dinner—or holds its own as the main event at a holiday table when you want those classic fall avors for a wholesome side or light main.

Creative Ways to Present

For gatherings, try plating the salad on a large wooden board for a rustic, shareable vibe! Or serve in individual bowls for a personalized starter. You can even pile it onto toasted sourdough for an autumn-inspired open-faced sandwich. The colors and textures make these avors for a wholesome side or light main irresistible no matter what.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you’ve got leftovers, store the salad and the roasted chickpeas separately in airtight containers. This helps keep the chickpeas crunchy and the arugula fresh. Add the chickpeas back just before serving to revive those signature avors for a wholesome side or light main.

Freezing

Freezing isn’t recommended for this salad: the arugula and apples lose their lovely texture after thawing. However, you can freeze extra roasted chickpeas (after cooling) in a sealed bag for up to a month, giving you a head start on future batches of avors for a wholesome side or light main.

Reheating

If your chickpeas lose their crunch, simply pop them in a hot oven (200°C/400°F) for 5–7 minutes, and they’ll crisp right back up. The rest of the salad is best enjoyed chilled or at room temperature, keeping those contrasting avors for a wholesome side or light main at their best.

FAQs

Can I make this salad vegan?

Absolutely! Just skip the feta or goat cheese, or substitute with your favorite plant-based crumble or a sprinkle of nutritional yeast to keep the avors for a wholesome side or light main entirely vegan.

What apples work best?

Honeycrisp and Gala apples strike the perfect balance of sweetness and crunch, but feel free to use Fuji, Pink Lady, or even Bartlett pears for a creative spin on fall avors for a wholesome side or light main.

Any nut-free options?

If you need a nut-free salad, simply swap walnuts for toasted pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds. You’ll still get plenty of crunch and depth—a must for those avors for a wholesome side or light main!

How do I toast walnuts?

Spread walnuts on a dry skillet over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes, shaking often until fragrant and lightly golden. Toasting brings out their irresistible nuttiness, key to these avors for a wholesome side or light main.

Can I prep this salad ahead of time?

You bet! Slice apples and roast chickpeas the day before, but store everything separately. Toss just before serving so every bite pops with bright, fresh avors for a wholesome side or light main.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for hearty freshness that screams fall, you can’t go wrong with these avors for a wholesome side or light main. Give this salad a try—you just might find yourself making it on repeat whenever autumn arrives!