A healthy, vegan twist on an American classic. These Roasted Chickpeas and Waffles are the perfect sweet and savory breakfast or brinner.
Chicken and waffles. Talk about a classic all-American food combination.
And while chicken and waffles may be a classic here in the States, I have spent 26 years of my life having not eaten them together on the same plate. I ate chicken back when I was a meat-eater and I love waffles, but I was never able to experience the sweet and savory combination that so many people rave about. But don’t worry. I have made the next best (or better) thing!
If you know me personally (or even if you have been following along for awhile now), you probably know that I am not one to back down from things easily. I am not one to take “no” for an answer, or to give up when somebody tells me that I cannot do something. In fact, this generally tends to motivate me. So while many people would assume that a vegetarian or a vegan could not eat chicken and waffles, I chose to take that assumption and turn it into a challenge.
This recipe may not be your traditional chicken and waffles. But quite frankly, I think that is a good thing!
I combined my love for roasted chickpeas (my favorite chicken replacement) and a sweet cornbread-style waffle in this twist on the classic American dish. My version may not be a “classic,” but maybe one day it will be! It also happens to be just a taaaaad bit healthier!
Roasted Chickpeas and Waffles
Vegan
Serves 4
Ingredients
15 oz can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1 TB extra virgin olive oil
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp garlic powder
fine sea salt, to taste
1 cup flour (I used whole wheat pastry, but all-purpose works too)
1/2 cup cornmeal
1 tsp baking powder
2 TB coconut sugar
1 TB ground flax seed
pinch fine sea salt
1/4 cup unsweetened, natural applesauce
1 1/2 cups unsweetened almond milk
olive oil cooking spray
maple syrup for topping
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Toss chickpeas, olive oil, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and salt in a medium bowl until well-coated. Spread chickpeas on a foil-lined and sprayed/greased baking sheat. Bake for approximately 30 minutes, tossing once halfway through.
2. Set roasted chickpeas aside and preheat waffle iron.
3. In a large bowl, combine flour, cornmeal, baking powder, coconut sugar, flax seed, and salt. Mix well.
4. Stir in applesauce and milk. Mix until just combined.
5. Generously spray the waffle iron with cooking spray. Place one fourth of the waffle batter into the iron and cook according to the iron’s instructions. Repeat for the other three waffles.
6. Top each waffle with roasted chickpeas and drizzle warm maple syrup on top.
Sure, cornbread-esque waffles piled high with roasted chickpeas are good on their own…
…but they are so much better with a big drizzle of pure maple syrup. Seriously. Don’t skip the syrup!
Don’t let anyone ever tell you that you cannot do something. Who says vegetarians and vegans cannot enjoy “chicken” and waffles? Not me! Make this updated spin on the classic and impress the heck out of yourself everyone you know.
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If I could eat the screen, I totally would. Am I able to sub the coconut sugar w/ regular sugar or brown sugar? I just ran out a couple wks ago.
Haha! 😉 You can definitely sub that! I think brown sugar would work wonderfully!
I love it!!!!! This would make a perfect Brinner 😉
It REALLY would!! It is definitely savory enough to be the perfect brinner!
OMGOSH I LOVE THIS.
Im savory.
all meals.
all the time.
<3 and (((sharing)))
Thanks, Carla!! Let me know if you try them out 🙂
UM WHAT? These look amazing!! Over the years in college I’ve been wanting to try chicken and waffles since I never heard of that combination before. But lately, I’ve been turning to more vegetarian options. And I love chick peas! Thanks for sharing, Hannah!
You are so welcome, Gina! I hope you give these a try. Let me know if you do 🙂
Brinner is my FAVORITE 🙂
I’ve never had chicken and waffles, but I think this combination sounds tastier anyways!
Well thanks, Joanna! I am willing to bet that you can add chickpeas to almost anything and it will taste good 😉
YUM! What a great looking waffle plate! I am pinning this one!
Thanks so much, Jamie!! Let me know if you give them a try 🙂
Oh my gosh I LOVE this! I really like breakfasts that have a little savory action going on … and this! So creative!!
I am definitely a big-time savory breakfast lover so I had a feeling I would enjoy this. I loved the sweetness of the maple syrup on top too!
sounds very tasty and unique! yum!
Thank so much, Rachel! It was definitely both of those things!
Such a fun idea! Chicken and waffles are one of my favorite brunch dishes, especially when they have some sort of creative twist to them. This certainly fits the bill!
Thanks, Dana! I definitely have to give these a creative twist in order to make them vegan. I hope you give them a try 🙂
I love this! I really want to try it out!
They are pretty darn deeeelicious! 🙂
After living in the technical-South for the past 2.5 years, you’d think I’d have had chicken & waffles at some point already, but…somehow, I have not! I’m pretty sure I’d love this cleaned-up version more! 😛
Haha! Well, you will have to let me know if you try it.. either version! 😉
This has to be one of the more creative combinations I’ve seen in a while. I’ve never had chicken and waffles together either, but this veg combo looks delicious.
Thanks so much, Kim! That means a lot 🙂
I must try this! My husband LOVES chicken and waffles, so now I have a way to try the sweet savory treat.
How perfect! This is definitely a must try. It may not be the “real thing,” but it’s delicious AND healthy!
Say what?? Even after years of blog reading I had yet to hear about that classic dish and your vegan version sounds over the top delicious – hello, chickpea addict right here ; ) ! The only thing that will keep me from trying these is not owning a waffle iron.
Ahh, I think this is a reason to BUY a waffle iron! You can honestly get them for pretty affordable prices. I say go for it! 😉
And yes… I think chicken and waffles is kind of an American thing 😉