Crispy Chickpea Christmas Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing

Last Updated on December 2, 2025 by Christin Gillespie

Crispy Chickpea Christmas Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing is an easy recipe that’s both healthy and perfect for the holidays. A base of massaged kale and shredded Brussels sprouts is topped with chopped apples, vibrant pomegranate seeds, raw pecans, and crispy chickpeas, all drizzled with dairy-free honey mustard dressing. It’s also vegan-friendly, so everyone at the table can enjoy this healthy Christmas side dish!

The countdown to Christmas begins, and there’s no better time to have a healthy side dish recipe or two on hand. And this Crispy Chickpea Christmas Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing is one to put on the table, as it’s not only super delicious and vegan-friendly, but it’s also so easy to make.

A combination of massaged kale and shredded Brussels sprouts forms the perfect hearty base for all of the seasonal toppings, including your favorite red apple, juicy pomegranate seeds, buttery pecans, crispy chickpeas, and a sweet yet tangy honey mustard dressing.

While this is technically a Christmas recipe, you can most certainly whip it up any winter evening when you’re in the mood for something still seasonal and a little lighter than stuffing. It has been a staple in my household, and I have a feeling it will make a spot at yours too!

Why You’ll Love This Healthy Christmas Side Dish

• Simple to Make: This Christmas salad recipe is super easy to make and comes together in about 30 minutes.
• Nutritious and Delicious: Created with healthy ingredients, without compromising on seasonal flavors, this salad is a Christmas keeper!
• Suitable for Everyone: Simply swap the honey for organic pure maple to make it vegan so that everyone can enjoy this salad.

Ingredients for This Christmas Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing

• Organic Chickpeas: Packed with protein, fiber, and healthy carbohydrates, chickpeas get roasted up to provide that perfect crispy texture.
• Organic Kale: Full of vitamins and minerals, massaged kale is used as a sturdy base.
• Organic Brussels Sprouts: Shredded to amp up the nutrients while adding some bulk to the base. If you prefer roasted vs. raw, feel free to slice them in half and roast them alongside the chickpeas.
• Organic Apple: Specifically, Honeycrisp for some extra natural sweetness, but any red apple variety works great.
• Organic Pomegranate Seeds: Loaded with color, texture, and antioxidants, pomegranate seeds bring this healthy Christmas salad recipe to life!
• Organic Raw Pecans: Sprinkle over the top to add some extra healthy fats and nice buttery flavor. Organic raw walnuts would be a delicious substitute.
• Organic Honey Mustard Dressing: This honey mustard dressing is the perfect condiment to drizzle over the Christmas salad. It’s sweet and tangy, which complements the other components beautifully. Again, swap the honey for organic pure maple syrup to make this Christmas salad vegan!

Steps to Make This Easy Christmas Salad Recipe

1. Crispy Chickpeas. Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a sheet pan with parchment paper. Toss the drained chickpeas with the avocado oil and seasonings. Bake for 20–25 minutes, tossing halfway through, until crispy.
2. Kale and Brussels Sprouts. To a large bowl, add the chopped kale and shredded Brussels sprouts. Squeeze over the fresh lemon juice and massage with clean hands for 1–2 minutes, until soft.
3. Honey Mustard Dressing. Add the dressing ingredients to a bowl and whisk together until well combined.
4. Serve. Divide the massaged kale and Brussels sprouts between serving bowls. Top with the chopped apple, crispy chickpeas, pomegranate seeds, pecans, and honey mustard dressing.

Healthy Christmas Salad Success Tips

• Organic Chickpeas: Be sure to drain the chickpeas well prior to adding them to the sheet pan. This ensures that they get nice and crispy.
• Organic Toppings: Use your preferred apple, swap the pomegranates for Medjool dates, or replace the raw pecans with walnuts.
• High-Quality Honey: Local raw unfiltered honey or Manuka honey is the best for the dressing.
• Vegan Option: To make this Christmas salad truly vegan, use organic pure maple syrup in place of the honey. It’s just as delicious!

Storing and Serving Recommendations

• Storing: Transfer the salad ingredients to separate glass containers and refrigerate for up to 4 days. I suggest chopping the apple right before serving.
• Optional Reheating: Optionally reheat the chickpeas for about 10 minutes in a 350°F (175°C) oven. Alternatively, enjoy them cold or at room temperature with the other salad ingredients.

More Healthy Christmas Side Dish Recipes

• Roasted Chickpea and Purple Sweet Potato Persimmon Salad
• Vegan Butternut Squash Quinoa Mac and Cheese Casserole
• Roasted Fall Vegetables with Balsamic Tahini Sauce
• Pear Arugula Salad with Walnuts & Lemon Vinaigrette

If you made this Crispy Chickpea Christmas Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing recipe, I’d be so grateful if you would leave a rating and review below. Your feedback not only makes my day, but it also helps others discover the blog! Be sure to follow on Pinterest, Instagram, and TikTok for even more healthy content!

Xoxo.

CMG.

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