This simple mashed Apple Pecan Chickpea Salad Sandwich is a healthy lunch. No mayo here! Tahini is used instead.

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"One of the best recipes I have found! I have made this recipe at least 5 times in the last month. It is remarkable, it just disappears. Everyone loves it. - Roger"
Chickpea salad sandwiches are one of those meals that I just can't get enough of. They are an easy go-to when you want a quick meal.
For this Apple Pecan Chickpea Salad Sandwich, I made a tahini dressing. The savory flavors of the tahini pair well with the sweet flavors of the apple.
To add even more sweetness, I added dried cranberries. I used pecans for some crunch, but you could use walnuts or roasted cashews if you want.
The other chickpea salad sandwich recipes I've made are my Sun-Dried Tomato and Basil Chickpea Salad Sandwich and my Chickpea Salad Sandwich.
Other recipes to try are my Tofu Curry Salad recipe and my Kombucha with Cranberries.
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❤️ Why You'll Love It
- It has a balance of flavors.
- It's made in minutes.
- It's perfect for a brown bag lunch or easy weeknight meal.
🧾 Ingredients
- Chickpeas (garbanzo beans): Adds a mild nutty flavor.
- Apples: I used Gala apples, but you could use your favorite.
- Pecans: For some crunch. You could also use walnuts or roasted cashews.
- Dried cranberries: Adds a sweet tart flavor. You could also use dried cherries or raisins.
- Tahini: Adds a nutty sesame flavor.
- Lemon juice: Adds a bright tart flavor.
- Garlic: Adds a pungent flavor.
- Salt: Enhances the other flavors. I like to use sea salt.
To see the full list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, see the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
📖 Variations / Additions
- Walnuts, roasted cashews, or almonds
- Dried cherries or raisins
- Green onions
- Celery
- Soy curls
- Vegan chicken
- Firm tofu
- White beans
- Vegan mayo or vegan yogurt
- Dijon mustard
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🔪 Instructions
Step 1: Add tahini, garlic, lemon juice, and salt to a large mixing bowl. Stir.
Step 2: Add the chickpeas. Using a pastry blender, potato masher, or a fork, mash at least half the chickpeas.
Step 3: Add chopped apple, pecans, and dried cranberries.
Step 4: Stir to combine.
💭 Tips
- Mix the tahini dressing first. Then add the chickpeas to it. That way the chickpeas soak up the dressing as you mash them.
- Use a pastry blender to mash the chickpeas. Mashing the chickpeas helps to keep them in the sandwich. A pastry blender is faster than using a fork, and it's less cleanup than a food processor. Also, with a food processor, if you're not careful, you'll end up with hummus if you overmix.
- Next, add the chopped pecans, apple, and dried cranberries.
- Add salt to taste. Start with a small amount. You can always add more, but you can't take it away.
If you tried this Apple Pecan Chickpea Salad Sandwich Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a ⭐️ star rating and let me know how you like it in the 💬 comments below. I love hearing from you!
This chickpea salad sandwich is sweet and savory!
📋 Recipe
Apple Pecan Chickpea Salad Sandwich
Ingredients
Tahini Dressing
- ¼ cup tahini
- 1 clove garlic minced
- ¼ cup lemon juice
- Salt
Chickpea Salad Sandwich
- 15 ounce can of garbanzo beans (chickpeas), drained and rinsed
- 1 apple chopped - I used Gala
- ¾ cup chopped pecans
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- Salt
- 16 slices gluten free bread - I used millet chia bread
Instructions
Tahini Dressing
- Mix all ingredients in a large bowl.
Chickpea Salad Sandwich
- Add garbanzo beans to the bowl with dressing. Mash with a fork, or if you have one, a pastry blender. Mash at least half the garbanzo beans.
- Add the chopped apple, pecans, dried cranberries, and tahini dressing. Mix well. Add salt to taste.
- Toast bread. Pile on the chickpea salad and top with another piece of toast.
Notes
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Nutrition
*Note: Nutrition information should be considered an estimate only. Different nutrition calculators give you different results.
Doris Harris says
Delicious! I added celery to get in a little bit of non starchy vegetable.
Willow Moon says
Thanks Doris!
Doris Harris says
Thank you for sharing this recipe, I loved it!
Willow Moon says
Thanks Doris, I'm so glad!
Rebecca says
The recipe itself is pretty good, but nowhere did it say that beans were to be drained. I took her literally put the whole can in and it was too soupy.
Willow Moon says
Thank you Rebecca! I just fixed it. Sometimes I forget that not everyone automatically drains and rinsed their beans like I do.