Ultimate Smashed Chickpea Sandwich

The Ultimate Smashed Chickpea Sandwich: A Middle Eastern Twist on a Classic Favourite

Looking for an easy, nutritious, and flavour-packed sandwich? This chickpea sandwich is the perfect choice! Packed with plant-based protein and bursting with flavour, these sandwiches are tasty and nutritious. Whether you’re looking to boost your lunch routine or find a satisfying meal, this sandwich ticks all the boxes.

This sandwich isn’t just another meal, it’s a delightful experience for your taste buds. The chickpea filling is seasoned with Middle Eastern spices, fresh dill, and a touch of lemon, creating a flavour explosion that’s both zesty and satisfying. Topped with a creamy coriander aioli and packed with crisp vegetables, it’s a lunch that’s as enjoyable to eat as it is to make.

The beauty of this chickpea sandwich lies in its simplicity and versatility. Chickpeas are not only nutritious but also incredibly adaptable, soaking up the aromatic Middle Eastern spices beautifully. The tangy coriander aioli adds a burst of flavour that elevates the sandwich to a new level. Plus, you can use whatever greens and fresh vegetables you have available, making it a convenient and flexible option for any day.

Why We Love This Smashed Chickpea Sandwich:

1. High in Protein: Chickpeas are a fantastic source of plant-based protein, making this sandwich incredibly filling and satisfying. It keeps you full and energised throughout the day, proving that healthy can also be hearty.
2. Quick and Easy: We’ve chosen canned chickpeas over dried ones, eliminating the need for overnight soaking. This makes the recipe not only quicker to prepare a time-efficient lunch solution.
3. Spicy Coriander Aioli: The creamy and spicy coriander sauce adds a tangy twist that complements the smashed chickpeas beautifully. It’s easy to whip up in just minutes, and the contrast between the creamy mayo and the textured chickpeas creates a deliciously satisfying experience.

Ingredients for Ultimate Smashed Chickpea Sandwich

This chickpea sandwich is incredibly simple to prepare and packed with flavour. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Canned Chickpeas: The base of your sandwich mixture. They’re quick and easy to use, requiring no soaking.
• Red Wine Vinegar: Adds a tangy kick that enhances the overall flavour.
• Fresh Herbs: We recommend fresh dill and parsley for an authentic taste, but feel free to use whatever herbs you have on hand, such as mint, chives, or coriander.
• Spices: Essential for that Middle Eastern flavour. Common choices include cumin, paprika, black pepper and salt.
• Red Onion: Finely chopped to add a delightful crunch and sharpness.
• Pickled Gherkins: Finely chopped for a tangy crunch.
• Green Aioli: Used for a creamy and tangy sauce that complements the sandwich. If you prefer, you can substitute this with tahini sauce or hummus.
• Favourite Veggies: Top your sandwich with fresh veggies like tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, or lettuce for added crunch and nutrition.

Feel free to mix and match the herbs and sauces to suit your taste and what you have available. This versatile recipe is as forgiving as it is delicious!

How to Make a Ultimate Smashed Chickpea Sandwich

1. Mash the Chickpeas: Start by placing the chickpeas in a bowl. Add a splash of red wine vinegar or lemon juice and using the back of a fork mash them together. No need for a food processor here!
2. Mix in the Herbs: Add fresh dill, parsley, pickled gherkins, cumin, chopped red onions, salt, and black pepper to the mashed chickpeas. Stir well, taste, and adjust the seasoning as needed. Set the mixture aside.
3. Prepare the Spicy Coriander Aioli: In a food processor, combine Mayonnaise, Greek yogurt with fresh coriander, pickled jalapeño, garlic, lime juice and salt. This tangy yogurt sauce adds a delicious zing!
4. Assemble the Sandwich: Spread a layer of coriander aioli on one slice of bread. place the lettuce leaves. Then spoon a thick layer of the mashed chickpea mixture on top. Pile on your favourite sliced veggies, then season with a bit more salt and pepper and some micro herbs.
5. Optional: While we use high-quality whole wheat bread, you can also stuff this mixture into pita pockets.

This chickpeas sandwich is simply irresistible!

Helpful Tips and tricks to Make the Best chickpeas Sandwich:

1. Mashing Chickpeas: When mashing the chickpeas, aim for a texture that’s homogenous enough to hold together well in a sandwich. Proper mashing ensures that the chickpea mixture binds together and doesn’t fall apart. A well-mashed mix will stay intact in your sandwich, making it easier and more enjoyable to eat.
2. Hummus Substitute: For an extra-creamy filling, consider substituting hummus with mayonnaise. It adds a rich, smooth texture to your falafel mixture.
3. Meal Prepping: You can prepare a large batch of the smashed chickpea filling in advance. Store it in the fridge for up to 4 days to have a quick and easy lunch option ready to go.
4. Preventing Soggy Bread: To avoid soggy bread, assemble your sandwiches on the day you plan to eat them. If you need to prepare sandwiches ahead of time, spread a thin layer of mayo on the inside slices of bread before adding the filling. This trick helps keep the bread from absorbing moisture and becoming soggy.
5. Choose Vegan Alternatives: The recipe calls for mayonnaise, which isn’t vegan. If you need a vegan or egg-free option, substitute it with a vegan mayo or simply use olive oil or a mashed avocado for creaminess. These alternatives will still provide the rich texture and flavour you’re looking for.
6. Store Leftovers Properly: Keep any leftover chickpea mixture in an airtight container in the fridge. It will stay fresh for up to 5 days, making it a convenient option for meal prep or quick lunches throughout the week.

Looking for More Sandwich Recipes?? Here are few of our favourites:

1. Caprese Grilled Cheese Sandwich
2. Toasted Sandwich with Coconut & Yoghurt
3. Rose Harissa Hummus with Sourdough Bread

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Ultimate Smashed Chickpea Sandwich

Serves: 2-3 Prep Time: 10 Minutes

Nutrition facts: 200 calories 20 grams fat

Rating: 5.0/5

( 4 voted )

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Ingredients

• 1 (400g) can chickpeas (rinsed and drained)
• 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar or lemon juice
• 2-3 tablespoons finely chopped red onion
• 2 tbsp pickled gherkins, chopped
• ⅓ cup fresh dill, chopped
• ⅓ cup parsley, chopped
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• ¼ tsp paprika
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
• Lettuce leaves or your favourite salad greens
• ½ English cucumber, sliced
• 1 large heirloom tomato, sliced into thick slices
• 6 slices of seeded bread , or bread of your choice

For the Coriander Aioli

• ½ cup mayonnaise, homemade or store bought
• ¼ cup greek yoghurt
• 2 large cloves of garlic, peeled and thinly sliced
• 8-10 pickled jalapeño pepper rings, adjust as per your taste
• handful of coriander, including both stems and leaves
• ¼ cup dill leaves, chopped
• 1 tbsp fresh lime juice
• 1 tsp lime zest
•  ⅛ teaspoon salt

method

1. Season the Chickpeas: In a small bowl, combine the drained chickpeas with 3 tbsp of red wine vinegar or lemon juice. Mash the chickpeas with the back of a fork until about ⅔ are mashed, leaving some whole for texture. Add the finely chopped red onions,  2 tbsp chopped pickled gherkins, ⅓ cup chopped dill,  ¼ cup chopped parsley, ½ tsp of cumin, ¼ tsp paprika, 1 tsp of salt, and ½ tsp of black pepper. Stir well to combine all ingredients. Set the mixture aside.
2. Make the Spicy Coriander Aioli: In the bowl of a food processor, combine the mayonnaise, greek yoghurt, sliced garlic, pickled jalapeños, coriander (both stems and leaves), dill,  lime juice, lime zest, and sea salt. Process until smooth and creamy, though some chunks may remain. Taste and adjust the spiciness by adding more jalapeños if desired.
3. Assemble the Sandwich: Lay out 6 slices of bread. Spread the aioli mixture evenly onto each slice of bread. On three  of the slices, lay some lettuce leaves and add a thick layer of the mashed chickpea mixture. Top with sliced cucumber,  tomato slices, and micro herbs. Season with salt or a couple of pinches of flaky sea salt. Place the remaining slices of bread on top to complete the sandwiches. Slice in half and serve immediately.

Notes

1. To prevent the bread from becoming soggy, assemble the sandwiches no more than 30 minutes in advance.

Did You Make This Recipe?

If you did, take a picture and tag me on Instagram at @poetryofspices!