If you thought a Caesar salad couldn’t be creamy, flavourful, high in plant protein, and low in carbs – think again! This Easy Vegan Caesar Salad brings all the garlicky, tangy, and “cheesy” goodness you love, minus the dairy (or the carb-heavy croutons!). The secret? A dreamy, protein-packed dressing that’s silky smooth and loaded with flavour, plus crispy chickpea “croutons” for that perfect crunch. Whether you’re meal-prepping or just craving a next-level salad, this one hits every mark – bold, nourishing, and ridiculously delicious!
Ingredients & Substitutions:
- Celtic sea salt
- Capers
- Baby gem lettuce – you can use any type of crunchy lettuce for this recipe i.e. romaine lettuce
- Vegan parmesan cheese – if you don’t have this on hand, you can use additional nutritional yeast flakes
- Silken tofu – any soft tofu will work well for this but you will want to avoid firm tofu in this creamy caesar salad dressing
- Nutritional yeast flakes
- Dijon mustard
- Garlic clove – if you don’t have fresh garlic, you can use minced jar garlic instead
- Lemon juice
- Chickpeas – canned chickpeas are perfect for this
- Garlic powder
- Olive oil
How to make it:
- Start by draining, rinsing and drying your chickpeas from the can. Using a paper towel or kitchen towel here will help remove excess moisture.
- Pre-heat oven or air-fryer to 200 degrees celsius. Line a baking tray with baking paper and evenly spread out chickpeas. Sprinkle over garlic powder, salt and olive oil. Bake for approximately 25 minutes or until crispy.
- Next, make the caesar salad dressing. Using a blender or hand-held immersion blender, blend silken tofu, salt, lemon juice, garlic, capers, nutritional yeast flakes, dijon mustard and a splash of water to thin.
- Wash, dry and chop your baby gem lettuce and place into your salad bowl.
- Add capers, vegan parmesan cheese and caesar dressing.
- Once chickpeas are crispy, add these to the salad. Mix everything together and serve straight away to avoid going soggy.
How do I make it high in protein?
This recipe already packs a protein punch thanks to chickpea croutons and a nutritional yeast/tofu-based dressing, but you can add grilled tempeh, crispy tofu, or hemp seeds for an extra boost!
How do I make the chickpea croutons extra crispy?
Pat them dry before roasting, toss with olive oil and spices, and bake at 200°C (400°F) for approximately 25 minutes. Shake the tray halfway for even crispiness!
Serving suggestions & variations:
- Make it a meal: Add grilled tempeh or tofu for extra protein.
- Switch up the greens: Use kale or mixed greens for variety.
- Spice it up: Add chilli flakes or black pepper for a kick!
Storage & make-ahead tips:
- Dressing keeps for 4-5 days in the fridge.
- Chickpea croutons stay crispy in an airtight container for 2-3 days.
Easy Vegan Caesar Salad (Creamy, Dairy-Free & Delicious)
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This easy vegan Caesar salad is creamy, garlicky, and packed with plant-based protein, thanks to a dreamy dairy-free dressing and crispy chickpea croutons. It’s also low-carb, meal-prep friendly, and ridiculously delicious – a must-try for any salad lover!
Ingredients
3 Baby Gem Lettuces
10 Baby Capers
1/3 cup Vegan Parmesan
400 grams Chickpeas
1 tsp Garlic Powder
1 tsp Celtic Sea Salt
2 tsp Olive Oil
- Creamy Dairy-Free Caesar Dressing
300 grams Silken Tofu
1 tsp Celtic Sea Salt
1 Garlic Clove
3 tbsp Nutritional Yeast Flakes
4-5 Baby Capers
1 tbsp Lemon Juice
1 tsp Dijon Mustard
Water, to thin
Directions
- Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F). Drain and pat dry 1 can of chickpeas, then toss with olive oil, garlic powder and salt. Spread on a baking tray and roast for about 25 minutes, shaking halfway through, until crispy.
- While the chickpeas bake, blend silken tofu, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, capers, garlic clove, nutritional yeast, salt, and a splash of water until smooth and creamy. Adjust seasoning to taste.
- Chop lettuce and place in a large bowl. Add in 10 baby capers and vegan parmesan cheese. Drizzle with the creamy dressing and toss to coat.
- Top with the crispy chickpeas. Best eaten fresh, but leftovers keep well if stored separately. Enjoy!
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