Name: Buffalo Chickpea Salad
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 Servings
Cuisine: American

Balancing Bowls Verified

January 27, 2026

Looking for a fresh, tangy, and slightly spicy plant-forward dish that will keep you coming back for more? This buffalo chickpea salad is packed with bold flavors and crispy textures and is perfect for a hearty and healthy dinner. With the combination of spicy buffalo chickpeas, crunchy veggies, and a simple, tangy dressing, this salad has the flavors of buffalo wings and blue cheese. Plus, it's incredibly versatile!

From the Cook

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Buffalo Chickpea Salad

Balancing Bowls Verified

Ingredients

WarningMilk and 4 other allergens identified

Instructions

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Instructions

Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). This will help the chickpeas crisp up nicely with the buffalo sauce.

Drain and rinse 2 cans of chickpeas, then transfer them to a flat towel or paper towels to dry. Gently pat them dry-this step is key for crispy chickpeas!

Make the Buffalo SauceIn a medium bowl, mix ½ cup Frank's RedHot, 4 tablespoons of melted butter, 2 tablespoon cornstarch, 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, 1 tablespoon of honey, 1 tablespoon of olive oil, and ½ teaspoon garlic powder. Add the chickpeas to the bowl and toss them until they're fully coated.

On a parchment-lined baking sheet, spread the coated chickpeas in a single layer. Keep them close together, but not piled on top of one another. Sprinkle 1 cup of panko breadcrumbs evenly on top. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and bake for 25 minutes, or until the breadcrumbs are golden brown.

While the chickpeas bake, chop 2 heads of romaine lettuce, 1 cup of cucumber, 1 bell pepper, and halve 1 pint of cherry tomatoes. Toss everything in a large bowl with ⅓ cup crumbled blue cheese.

In a small bowl, whisk together ¼ cup olive oil, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar, ½ teaspoon sea salt, ½ teaspoon honey, and ½ teaspoon chopped garlic.

Once the chickpeas are crispy, add them directly to the salad. Drizzle with dressing and serve immediately.

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Tips & Tricks (5)

Chickpea Crispiness Secret 🧊
Pat chickpeas completely dry before coating to ensure maximum crispiness and better buffalo sauce adhesion.
Buffalo Sauce Balance 🌶️
Mix cornstarch with hot sauce before coating chickpeas to create a more even, clingy buffalo sauce layer that doesn't become soggy.
Breadcrumb Upgrade 🥣
Toast panko breadcrumbs with a touch of garlic powder and olive oil before adding to the salad for an extra layer of nutty, aromatic crunch.
Vegetable Prep Pro 🔪
Cut vegetables to uniform, bite-sized pieces to ensure even distribution and perfect bite in every forkful of the salad.
Dressing Emulsion Trick 💦
Whisk dressing ingredients vigorously or use a blender to create a stable, smooth emulsion that coats ingredients more effectively.

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About the Cook

Balancing Bowls

I'm Nora! Balancing Bowls is the product of a slightly chaotic life, a need to make and grow things, and a love of creative cooking. If you're here because you're trying to feed your family well without losing your mind, you're in the right place.