Vegan Kale Caesar Salad with Roasted Delicata Squash & Crispy Chickpeas

Last Updated on November 11, 2025 by Christin Gillespie

This Vegan Kale Caesar Salad with Roasted Delicata Squash & Crispy Chickpeas is the best seasonal recipe to enjoy this fall! It includes massaged kale, roasted delicata squash, crispy chickpea “croutons,” a creamy tahini Caesar dressing, almond parmesan, and buttery pine nuts. The perfect healthy Caesar salad for a mega-flavorful meal or a superb side to bring to the table!

Today on the blog, I am so excited to share a yummy fall vegan twist on the classic Caesar salad! This Vegan Kale Caesar Salad with Roasted Delicata Squash & Crispy Chickpeas isn’t really anything like the original, but it’s definitely delectable in its own special way.

It’s sure to impress, thanks to all of the delicious additions. The base of massaged kale is the perfect hearty base, as there are a lot of tasty toppings. The star of roasted delicata squash adds a natural sweetness, and a bonus is that it doesn’t need to be peeled, just deseed and chop! Then, for some protein and extra healthy goodness, there are the crispy chickpea “croutons,” a dairy-free tahini dressing, nutty almond parmesan, and luxurious pine nuts!

Yes, this salad has a lot going on, but it’s a special seasonal creation to put on your list for your next family dinner, solo meal prep, or holiday gathering!

This Vegan Caesar Salad Recipe Will Be Your Fall Go-To

• A Spectacular Seasonal Salad: The addition of roasted delicata squash adds the perfect amount of natural sweetness and fall flavor to this vegan Caesar salad.
• Created with Good-For-You Goodness: Packed with vitamins, fiber, and plant-based protein, this kale Caesar salad will leave you feeling fabulous this fall!
• Impress Your Guests: This healthy salad is definitely a show-stopper, thanks to all of the toppings. The end result tastes and looks fancy, but no one will ever know that it’s vegan!

Ingredients

• Organic Chickpeas: Unlike the typical Caesar salad, in this vegan version, we’re roasting up some protein-packed and fiber-filled chickpeas to provide that satisfying crispy texture!
• Organic Delicata Squash: The true star of this fall salad recipe. The best part about delicata is that there is no peeling required. Just deseed, chop, and into the oven it goes!
• Organic Kale: Massaged kale is the perfect sturdy base, as this creation is piled high with hearty toppings.
• Organic Tahini Caesar Dressing: Creamy and completely dairy-free, this vegan Caesar dressing is an absolute must! I personally love blending it to create a smooth texture, but mixing works great if you’re in a pinch!
• Organic Almond Parmesan: Instead of traditional cheese, a healthy sprinkle of homemade almond parmesan is used in its place.
• Organic Pine Nuts: These buttery nuts complement the flavors of this vegan fall salad beautifully.
• Organic Avocado Oil: Neutral in flavor and perfect for roasting, as it can withstand the high heat temperatures.

How to Make

1. Squash & Chickpeas. Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Add the chopped squash and drained chickpeas to a baking sheet. Toss with the avocado oil and seasonings until evenly coated. Roast for 20–25 minutes, flipping halfway.
2. Almond Parmesan. To a food processor, add the parmesan ingredients. Blend until a fine powder forms, about 30 seconds.
3. Tahini Caesar Dressing. Add all of the dressing ingredients to a high-speed blender. Blend until smooth and creamy. If needed, add more spring water, a tablespoon at a time, to achieve your desired dressing consistency. Alternatively, whisk together the ingredients in a bowl, gradually adding the spring water until the dressing is semi-thick and pourable.
4. Kale. Add the washed and chopped kale to a large bowl. Squeeze the fresh lemon juice over the top and massage with clean hands for 1–2 minutes, until soft.
5. Serve. Divide the massaged kale between bowls. Top with the roasted squash, chickpeas, dressing, almond parmesan, and pine nuts. Enjoy!

Tips To the Perfect Vegan Caesar Salad Recipe

• Blend the Dressing: I prefer and recommend blending the dressing for a smooth consistency, but if you’re short on time, whisking will do.
• Massage the Kale: Don’t skip this step! It softens the leaves to make this fall Caesar salad much more enjoyable!
• Seasonal Additions: Include roasted Brussels sprouts or chopped apples to amp up the heartiness and in-season deliciousness.

Storing & Reheating

• Storing: Transfer the delicata squash and crispy chickpeas to one glass container and the toppings to separate glass containers.
• Reheating: To reheat, preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C) and warm the squash and chickpeas for 15 minutes. Once heated through, serve with the remaining salad additions.

More Vegan Fall Salad Recipes You’ll Love

• Vegan Caesar Salad with Roasted Butternut Squash & Chickpeas
• Roasted Purple Sweet Potato Kale Salad with Spicy Maple Tahini Dressing
• Fall Harvest Butternut Squash & Quinoa Salad
• Roasted Sweet Potato & Apple Kale Salad with Maple Mustard Dressing

If you try this Vegan Kale Caesar Salad with Roasted Delicata Squash & Crispy Chickpeas, I’d love to hear what you think! Please leave a review and rating below, as it really helps others discover the recipe. Don’t forget to follow on Pinterest, Instagram, and TikTok for even more healthy content!

Xoxo.

CMG.

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