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Vegetarian Research

Sweet and Spicy BBQ Chickpea Pizza

This Sweet and Spicy BBQ Chickpea Pizza is an elevated vegetarian dinner packed with flavor. The BBQ sauce is tangy, the goat cheese is creamy, and the hot honey adds spice and sweetness. This delicious pizza is perfect for lunch or dinner and can also be cut into small squares and served as a holiday appetizer.

close up of a slice of sweet and spicy bbq chickpea pizza topped with hot honey

Why You’ll Love This Sweet & Spicy Pizza

  • It’s easy to make – This pizza recipe has just a few ingredients, and the BBQ chickpeas take just a minute to prep. Throw the ingredients on the pizza, and the oven does the work.
  • It’s packed with flavor – Between the BBQ sauce, goat cheese, jalapeños, and hot honey, there’s a lot going on with this dish, but the flavors go together well, and no one ingredient overpowers the rest.
  • It’s a great hearty vegetarian recipe – I love a veggie-loaded pizza, but the chickpea topping takes this recipe to another level. It’s hearty and filling and will leave you feeling good after eating it.

chickpeas being mixed with bbq sauce

Why Your Body Will Love This Pizza Recipe

  • FiberThe chickpeas add fiber, which benefits the digestive system, helps fill you up, and keeps you feeling full for longer. Jalapeños also contain fiber (and are known to boost metabolism). This is not one of those pizzas that will leave you wanting a nap immediately after eating it!
  • Capsaicin – Capsaicin, which makes jalapeños spicy, treats nerve pain, migraines, and arthritis. It may even kill certain types of cancer cells. 
  • Antioxidants – Both jalapeños and tomato sauce boast antioxidant power. Antioxidants help neutralize harmful free radicals in the blood, and the lycopene in tomato sauce may help reduce the risk of chronic diseases, including heart disease and cancer. 
  • Protein and Fatty Acids – Chickpeas are a great source of plant-based protein, and both mozzarella and goat cheese provide the body with essential proteins. Goat cheese, however, has a different fatty acid profile than cow milk cheeses. Its fatty acids provide a higher proportion of medium-chain fatty acids, which are easily metabolized by the body and are a great energy source.

showing how to assemble this sweet and spicy bbq chickpea pizza

Vegetarian BBQ Chickpea Pizza Ingredients

  • Pizza Dough – You can use your own pizza dough recipe or buy one pre-made from the grocery store. I love the dough from Trader Joe’s because it’s easy to use and always comes out great.
  • Marinara Sauce – I like to use marinara sauce on my pizza because it has less liquid than pasta or tomato sauce, but either also works. 
  • Chickpeas – I used one cup of cooked chickpeas. White beans or crumbled tofu can be substituted.
  • BBQ Sauce – Use your favorite store-bought or homemade BBQ sauce for this recipe. I used Sweet Baby Ray’s because I love its flavor and consistency.
  • Mozzarella Cheese – I used grated mozzarella cheese, but fresh mozzarella works, too. A meltable vegan cheese can easily be substituted.
  • Goat Cheese – Goat cheese is always a great addition to pizza. It’s creamy and complements the bold flavors on this pizza.
  • Pickled Jalapeños  – I love pickled jalapeños and put them on many things. You can use fresh sliced jalapeños if you prefer.
  • Hot Honey – Drizzling hot honey before serving adds the perfect sweet heat to this pizza.

vegetarian bbq chickpea pizza after it has been baked

How To Make Sweet and Spicy BBQ Chickpea Pizza

  1. Preheat the oven to 500 degrees F, or as directed on the pizza dough recipe. Grease a pizza pan or large cookie sheet with cooking spray and set aside. Add chickpeas to a medium-sized bowl and pour in the BBQ sauce. Mix until well combined and the chickpeas are coated with sauce. Set aside until ready to use.
  2. Roll out the pizza dough on a lightly floured surface until it’s about half an inch thick. You can also use your hands to help stretch the dough to your desired thickness and size. Place the pizza dough onto the greased pan and spread it as much as you need. Sometimes, it’s easier to stretch out once you put it down on the pan. Poke the pizza dough a few times with a fork to prevent big bubbles from forming while baking.
  3. Spread the marinara sauce evenly onto the base of the pizza dough and top with the grated mozzarella cheese. Sprinkle the BBQ chickpeas over the top of the pizza. You can cover the entire pizza or place a few big spoonfuls around. Next, add the crumbled goat cheese and pickled jalapeños. Drizzle a Tablespoon or two of BBQ sauce over the top of the pizza and place it in the oven.
  4. Bake until the pizza crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted, 20-25 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes. Drizzle the pizza with hot honey, top with fresh cilantro, and enjoy!

vegetarian bbq chickpea pizza sliced up on a cutting board

Recipe Frequently Asked Questions

  • Make this recipe gluten-free by using your favorite gluten-free pizza crust.
  • Make this recipe vegan by using your favorite vegan cheese.
  • Can the chickpeas be substituted? In place of chickpeas, you can use white beans or crumbled tofu.
  • How long do leftovers last? If stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, they should last 4-5 days.
  • What is the best way to reheat pizza? An air fryer or oven is best if you want your leftover pizza to regain its crispiness. You can also easily reheat it in a microwave.

Have a question I didn’t answer? Ask me in the comment section below, and I will get back to you ASAP.

close up of a slice of sweet and spicy chickpea pizza with goat cheese

Looking For More Delicious Vegetarian Pizza Recipes?

The Best Pesto Pizza Recipe

Summer Squash and Tomato Pizza

Rainbow Vegetable Pizza

BBQ Spaghetti Squash Pizza

Smashed Chickpea Taco Pizza

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Sweet and Spicy BBQ Chickpea Pizza


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews


  • Author:
    She Likes Food


  • Total Time:
    45 minutes


  • Yield:
    2-4
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

This Sweet and Spicy BBQ Chickpea Pizza is an elevated vegetarian dinner that is packed full of flavor! The bbq sauce is tangy, the goat cheese is creamy and the hot honey adds spice and sweetness. This delicious pizza is perfect for lunch or dinner. Cut into small squares and serve as a holiday appetizer!


Ingredients

  • 1 cup cooked chickpeas
  • 2 tablespoons bbq sauce, your favorite kind
  • 16 oz ball pizza dough, homemade or store-bought*
  • 1/3 cup marinara sauce, or more if desired
  • 1 1/2 cups grated mozzarella cheese
  • 2 oz crumbled goat cheese
  • 1/4 cup pickled jalapeños, or more if desired
  • 12 tablespoons hot honey
  • Fresh cilantro leaves for garnish, if desired



Instructions

  1. Pre-heat oven to 500 degrees F, or as directed on pizza dough recipe.  Grease a pizza pan, or large cookie sheet, with cooking spray and set aside.  Add chickpeas to a medium sized bowl and then pour in the bbq sauce.  Mix until well combined and chickpeas are coated with sauce.  Set aside until ready to use.
  2. Roll out the pizza dough, on a lightly floured surface, until it’s about half an inch thick.  You can also use your hands to help stretch the pizza dough to your desired thickness and size.  Place the pizza dough onto the greased pan and spread it out as much as you need.  Sometimes it’s easier to stretch out once you put it down on the pan.  Poke the pizza dough a few times with a fork, to prevent big bubbles from forming while baking.
  3. Evenly spread the marinara sauce onto the base of the pizza dough and then top with the grated mozzarella cheese.  Place spoonfuls of the bbq chickpeas over the top of the pizza.  You can cover the entire pizza, or just place a few big spoonfuls around.  Next, add on the crumbled goat cheese and pickled jalapeños. Drizzle a tablespoon or two of bbq sauce over the top of the pizza and place in the oven.
  4. Bake until pizza crust is golden brown and cheese is melted, 20-25 minutes.  Remove from oven and let cool for a few minutes.  Drizzle pizza with hot honey, top with fresh cilantro and enjoy!

Notes

I love using the pre-made pizza dough from Trader Joe’s.  I bake it at 500 degrees F. and it always comes out great.

  • Prep Time: 20 mins
  • Cook Time: 25 mins
  • Category: Dinner, Vegetarian
  • Method: Oven
  • Cuisine: American

 

The post Sweet and Spicy BBQ Chickpea Pizza appeared first on She Likes Food.

Vegetarian Research

Cilantro Lime Cabbage Salad

This Cilantro Lime Cabbage Salad is light, refreshing, and super versatile! Enjoy it as a veggie side dish, or use it as a topping for tacos, salads, sandwiches, and more. This healthy salad comes together quickly and requires just a few ingredients. It’s great for hot summer picnics and cold winter afternoons.

cilantro lime cabbage salad in a serving bowl

I know coleslaw is typically a dish served in the summertime, but cabbage and limes are in season this month! I’m calling this recipe a Cilantro Lime Cabbage Salad, although it’s similar to a slaw. This zesty winter salad will brighten up any meal you add it to. It’s great by itself as a snack or side dish and can also be enjoyed as a topping for all your Mexican-inspired meals.

Why You’ll Love This Refreshing Cabbage Salad Recipe

  • It’s easy to make – The dressing comes together quickly in the blender, and if you have a food processor or mandolin, the cabbage can also be shredded quickly. I like to let my salad sit for a bit in the refrigerator to allow the flavors to develop, but you can also enjoy it right away.
  • It’s flavorful and refreshing – Cabbage is already cool and refreshing, but adding the cilantro and lime flavors takes it to the next level. I enjoy this salad anytime, but it’s especially great for a summer BBQ.
  • It’s versatile – This cabbage salad is similar to a slaw and can be used similarly. I enjoy this salad as a side dish, but I also like to eat it on tacos or with beans and rice. It adds a cool and refreshing bite to everything you add it to.

showing how to make the cilantro lime dressing in a blender

Why Your Body Will Love This Recipe

  • Reduced Inflammation – Cabbage is high in antioxidants, which are substances that can help delay or prevent cell damage. Antioxidants are important because they help reduce inflammation inside the body and improve the immune system. Excess inflammation in the body can be responsible for all kinds of sicknesses, including cancer and heart disease.
  • Digestive Health – Cabbage is in the Crusifers family, along with broccoli and Brussels sprouts. Some people are extra sensitive to these veggies and develop gas and bloating after eating them. However, they’re full of fiber, which really helps digestion run smoothly. Cabbage is also a low-calorie food, but a little goes a long way toward helping our bodies feel full for longer.
  • Diabetes Management – Please check with your doctor before adding cilantro to your diet if you have diabetes or low blood sugar levels.  Cilantro, or coriander, can help reduce blood sugar by stimulating an enzyme that removes sugar from the blood.

green cabbage shredded in a bowl

Cilantro Lime Cabbage Salad Recipe Ingredients

  • Cabbage – I used one medium-sized head of green cabbage for this recipe. I love cabbage because it’s crunchy and refreshing. You could also use purple or napa cabbage. Of course, if you go the purple route, it will change the look of this salad.
  • Cilantro Lime Dressing – This homemade dressing is packed full of flavor and takes no time to whip together. It uses cilantro, lime juice, olive oil, garlic, dijon mustard, maple syrup, cumin and salt. If you don’t like cilantro, I suggest using parsley in its place.

mixing the cilantro lime dressing into the shredded cabbage

How To Make This Crunchy Cabbage Salad

  1. Cut the stalk of the cabbage off and peel off a few of the outer layers. Thinly shred the entire head of cabbage and add it to a large bowl. You can shred your cabbage using a sharp knife, mandolin, or food processor.
  2. Add all of the dressing ingredients into a blender and blend until creamy and completely combined, 30 seconds – 1 minute. Pour the dressing over the shredded cabbage and mix together well until the cabbage is completely coated with the dressing.
  3. Add in about 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro and mix well. You can enjoy salad immediately or store it in the refrigerator for a couple of hours to allow the flavors to develop. Store in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for 4-5 days. Enjoy as a side salad, as a topping for tacos, or with tortilla chips.

close up of a bowl of cilantro lime coleslaw

Recipe Frequently Asked Questions

  • This recipe is already vegan and gluten-free.
  • Can I use a substitute in place of cilantro? Yes, if you don’t like cilantro, you can use parsley instead.
  • What is the best type of cabbage for this recipe? I used green cabbage, which worked great, but you can also use napa or purple cabbage if you like.
  • How long do leftovers last? If stored in an air-tight container in the refrigerator, leftovers should last about 4-5 days.
  • How should this recipe be enjoyed? I like to eat this cabbage salad as a side dish or afternoon snack. You can also use it like you would any kind of slaw (tacos, sandwiches, salads, and more).

Have a question I didn’t answer? Ask me in the comment section below, and I will reply ASAP!

close up of this refreshing cilantro lime slaw in a serving bowl

Looking For More Hearty Cabbage Recipes?

Fried Cabbage and Noodles with Tofu

Chickpea Salad with Cucumber and Cabbage

Noodles with Cabbage and Carrots

Asian Inspired Crunchy Cabbage Salad

Creamy Southwestern Chopped Cabbage Salad,

Print

Cilantro Lime Cabbage Salad


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews


  • Author:
    She Likes Food


  • Total Time:
    20 minutes


  • Yield:
    6-8
  • Diet: Vegan

Description

This Cilantro Lime Cabbage Salad is light, refreshing and super versatile! Enjoy as a veggie side dish, or use it as a topping for tacos, salads, sandwiches and more. This healthy salad comes together quickly and only requires a few ingredients. It’s great for hot summer picnics, as well as cold winter afternoons.


Ingredients

  • 1 medium sized head green cabbage, about 68 cups once shredded

Cilantro Lime Dressing

  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 1/3 cup fresh lime juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon lime zest
  • 1/2 cup packed cilantro
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon pure maple syrup
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste (I used about 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper



Instructions

  1. Cut the stalk of the cabbage off and then peel a few of the outer layers off.  Thinly shred the entire head of cabbage and then add to a large bowl.  You can shred your cabbage using a sharp knife, mandolin or food processor.
  2. Add all of the dressing ingredients into a blender and blend until creamy and completely combined, 30 seconds – 1 minute.  Pour the dressing over the shredded cabbage and mix together well, until cabbage is completely coated with dressing.
  3. Add in about 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro and mix well.  You can enjoy salad immediately, or store in the refrigerator for a couple hours to allow the flavors to develop.  Store in an air-tight container, in the refrigerator, for 4-5 days.  Enjoy as a side salad, as a topping for tacos or enjoy with tortilla chips.

  • Prep Time: 20 mins
  • Cook Time: 0 mins
  • Category: Side, Vegan
  • Method: No Cook
  • Cuisine: American

The post Cilantro Lime Cabbage Salad appeared first on She Likes Food.

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