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Roasted Chickpeas and Waffles

in Breakfast, Entrees

A healthy, vegan twist on an American classic.  These Roasted Chickpeas and Waffles are the perfect sweet and savory breakfast or brinner.

chickpea waffles 3Chicken and waffles.  Talk about a classic all-American food combination.

chickpea waffles 2And 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!

chickpea waffles 5If 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.

chickpea waffles 4This recipe may not be your traditional chicken and waffles.  But quite frankly, I think that is a good thing!

chickpea waffles 4I 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!

chickpea waffles 6Roasted 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.

chickpea wafflesSure, cornbread-esque waffles piled high with roasted chickpeas are good on their own…

chickpea waffles 9…but they are so much better with a big drizzle of pure maple syrup.  Seriously.  Don’t skip the syrup!

chickpea waffles 7Don’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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{ 30 comments… add one }
  • Jessie December 15, 2014, 3:42 am
    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. Jessie recently posted...Babies Update: 33 Weeks & 2 DaysMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl December 15, 2014, 7:38 am
      Haha! ;) You can definitely sub that! I think brown sugar would work wonderfully!
  • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine December 15, 2014, 7:20 am
    I love it!!!!! This would make a perfect Brinner ;)
    • ClnEatingVegGrl December 15, 2014, 7:40 am
      It REALLY would!! It is definitely savory enough to be the perfect brinner!
  • CARLA December 15, 2014, 7:30 am
    OMGOSH I LOVE THIS. Im savory. all meals. all the time. <3 and (((sharing))) CARLA recently posted...The #2 way living in Oakland changed my life.My Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl December 15, 2014, 7:41 am
      Thanks, Carla!! Let me know if you try them out :)
  • Gina December 15, 2014, 8:19 am
    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! Gina recently posted...New Foods I Tried in 2014My Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl December 15, 2014, 4:01 pm
      You are so welcome, Gina! I hope you give these a try. Let me know if you do :)
  • Joanna @Makingmine December 15, 2014, 8:34 am
    Brinner is my FAVORITE :) I've never had chicken and waffles, but I think this combination sounds tastier anyways! Joanna @Makingmine recently posted...weekend snaps: babies and bakingMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl December 15, 2014, 4:02 pm
      Well thanks, Joanna! I am willing to bet that you can add chickpeas to almost anything and it will taste good ;)
  • Jamie | Jamie's Recipes December 15, 2014, 9:19 am
    YUM! What a great looking waffle plate! I am pinning this one! Jamie | Jamie's Recipes recently posted...Chocolate Chip Pretzel Toffee CookiesMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl December 15, 2014, 4:02 pm
      Thanks so much, Jamie!! Let me know if you give them a try :)
  • Ashley December 15, 2014, 10:59 am
    Oh my gosh I LOVE this! I really like breakfasts that have a little savory action going on ... and this! So creative!! Ashley recently posted...A Very Merry Christmas GiveawayMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl December 15, 2014, 4:10 pm
      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!
  • rachel December 15, 2014, 12:09 pm
    sounds very tasty and unique! yum!
    • ClnEatingVegGrl December 15, 2014, 4:14 pm
      Thank so much, Rachel! It was definitely both of those things!
  • Dana | fresh simple five December 15, 2014, 1:05 pm
    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! Dana | fresh simple five recently posted...Parmesan Arugula SaladMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl December 15, 2014, 4:17 pm
      Thanks, Dana! I definitely have to give these a creative twist in order to make them vegan. I hope you give them a try :)
  • Erin @ Her Heartland Soul December 15, 2014, 1:56 pm
    I love this! I really want to try it out!
    • ClnEatingVegGrl December 15, 2014, 4:34 pm
      They are pretty darn deeeelicious! :)
  • Farrah December 15, 2014, 5:55 pm
    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! :P Farrah recently posted...Apple PB Oatmeal Cookie “Dough” BitesMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl December 15, 2014, 9:36 pm
      Haha! Well, you will have to let me know if you try it.. either version! ;)
  • Kim December 15, 2014, 7:28 pm
    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. Kim recently posted...Disney’s Beauty And The Beast In OmahaMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl December 15, 2014, 9:36 pm
      Thanks so much, Kim! That means a lot :)
  • Dana December 15, 2014, 7:30 pm
    I must try this! My husband LOVES chicken and waffles, so now I have a way to try the sweet savory treat.
    • ClnEatingVegGrl December 15, 2014, 9:38 pm
      How perfect! This is definitely a must try. It may not be the "real thing," but it's delicious AND healthy!
  • Miss Polkadot December 16, 2014, 12:17 am
    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. Miss Polkadot recently posted...The other kind of peanut butter [+ Frozen Crunchy Peanut Protein Bites]My Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl December 16, 2014, 7:34 am
      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 ;)

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