This BBQ Chickpea Pizza is a delightful twist on traditional pizza, combining the smoky sweetness of bbq sauce with the hearty texture of chickpeas. It's a perfect option for those looking for a plant-based meal that's both satisfying and flavorful. The addition of vegan cheese and fresh vegetables makes it a wholesome choice for any pizza night.
If you're not familiar with vegan cheese, it can be found in the dairy-free section of most supermarkets. Look for brands that melt well for the best pizza experience. Chickpeas are usually found in the canned goods aisle, and make sure to choose a good quality bbq sauce that suits your taste preferences. Fresh red onion and bell pepper can be found in the produce section.
Ingredients For BBQ Chickpea Pizza
Chickpeas: These are the main protein source for the pizza, providing a hearty and satisfying texture.
Bbq sauce: Adds a smoky and sweet flavor that complements the chickpeas perfectly.
Pizza crust: The base of your pizza, which can be either pre-made or homemade.
Vegan cheese: A dairy-free alternative that melts and adds a creamy texture to the pizza.
Red onion: Adds a sharp and slightly sweet flavor, balancing the richness of the bbq sauce.
Bell pepper: Provides a fresh and crunchy texture, enhancing the overall flavor profile.
Olive oil: Used to drizzle over the pizza, adding a touch of richness and helping to crisp up the crust.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
When preparing the chickpeas for this recipe, consider lightly mashing them with a fork before mixing with the bbq sauce. This will help the chickpeas absorb more flavor and create a more cohesive topping for your pizza crust.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
chickpeas - Substitute with black beans: Black beans have a similar texture and protein content, making them a great alternative for a hearty topping.
bbq sauce - Substitute with teriyaki sauce: Teriyaki sauce provides a sweet and savory flavor profile that complements the other ingredients well.
pizza crust - Substitute with cauliflower crust: Cauliflower crust is a gluten-free and low-carb alternative that still provides a sturdy base for the pizza.
vegan cheese - Substitute with nutritional yeast: Nutritional yeast offers a cheesy flavor and is a good source of B vitamins, making it a nutritious alternative.
red onion - Substitute with green onions: Green onions add a milder onion flavor and a pop of color, making them a suitable replacement.
bell pepper - Substitute with zucchini: Zucchini provides a similar texture and a mild flavor that pairs well with the other toppings.
olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil has a high smoke point and a neutral flavor, making it a great alternative for cooking and drizzling.
Other Alternative Recipes Similar to This Dish
How to Store / Freeze This Recipe
- Allow the BBQ Chickpea Pizza to cool completely before storing. This prevents condensation, which can make the crust soggy.
- Wrap individual slices tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. This helps maintain freshness and makes it easy to grab a slice on the go.
- Place the wrapped slices in an airtight container or zip-top bag. Label the container with the date to keep track of freshness.
- Store the pizza in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. For longer storage, consider freezing.
- To freeze, lay the wrapped slices on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. This prevents the slices from sticking together.
- Once frozen, transfer the slices to a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag. This method saves space and keeps the pizza fresh for up to 2 months.
- When ready to eat, reheat refrigerated slices in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes, or until heated through.
- For frozen slices, reheat directly from the freezer in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes. Alternatively, thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
- To maintain the crispiness of the crust, avoid using a microwave for reheating. Instead, use an oven or toaster oven for best results.
- Enjoy your BBQ Chickpea Pizza as fresh and delicious as the day you made it!
How to Reheat Leftovers
Oven Method:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Place the leftover BBQ Chickpea Pizza on a baking sheet.
- Cover the pizza loosely with aluminum foil to prevent the vegan cheese from drying out.
- Bake for about 10-15 minutes, or until the crust is crispy and the cheese is melted.
- Remove from the oven and let it cool for a minute before slicing and serving.
Skillet Method:
- Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat.
- Place a slice of BBQ Chickpea Pizza in the skillet.
- Cover the skillet with a lid to help melt the vegan cheese.
- Heat for about 5-7 minutes, checking occasionally to ensure the crust doesn't burn.
- Once the cheese is melted and the crust is crispy, remove from the skillet and serve.
Microwave Method:
- Place a slice of BBQ Chickpea Pizza on a microwave-safe plate.
- Cover the pizza with a damp paper towel to keep it from drying out.
- Microwave on high for 1-2 minutes, or until the vegan cheese is melted and the crust is warm.
- Let it sit for a minute before enjoying.
Air Fryer Method:
- Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
- Place the BBQ Chickpea Pizza slices in the air fryer basket, making sure they don't overlap.
- Air fry for about 3-5 minutes, or until the crust is crispy and the vegan cheese is melted.
- Carefully remove from the air fryer and let it cool slightly before serving.
Best Tools for This Recipe
Oven: Used to bake the pizza at the specified temperature of 425°F (220°C).
Mixing bowl: Used to combine the chickpeas and BBQ sauce evenly.
Pizza stone or baking sheet: Provides a surface to bake the pizza on, ensuring even heat distribution.
Pizza cutter or knife: Used to slice the pizza once it is baked.
Measuring cup: Used to measure out 1 cup of BBQ sauce and 1 cup of shredded vegan cheese.
Can opener: Used to open the can of chickpeas.
Colander: Used to drain and rinse the chickpeas.
Spoon or spatula: Used to spread the BBQ chickpeas evenly over the pizza crust.
Cutting board: Provides a surface to slice the red onion and bell pepper.
Knife: Used to slice the red onion and bell pepper.
Basting brush: Used to drizzle olive oil over the pizza.
How to Save Time on This Recipe
Use pre-made crust: Save time by using a pre-made pizza crust instead of making one from scratch.
Pre-slice vegetables: Pre-slice your red onion and bell pepper in advance and store them in the fridge.
Batch cook chickpeas: Cook a large batch of chickpeas and freeze portions to use in various recipes.
Quick BBQ sauce: Use store-bought bbq sauce to cut down on preparation time.
Shredded vegan cheese: Buy pre-shredded vegan cheese to avoid the extra step of shredding it yourself.
BBQ Chickpea Pizza
Ingredients
Pizza Ingredients
- 1 can chickpeas drained and rinsed
- 1 cup BBQ sauce
- 1 unit pizza crust pre-made or homemade
- 1 cup vegan cheese shredded
- 1 unit red onion sliced
- 1 unit bell pepper sliced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
- In a mixing bowl, combine the chickpeas and BBQ sauce.
- Spread the BBQ chickpeas evenly over the pizza crust.
- Top with vegan cheese, red onion, and bell pepper slices.
- Drizzle with olive oil.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the cheese is melted.
- Remove from oven, slice, and serve hot.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
Suggested Appetizers and Desserts
More Amazing Recipes to Try 🙂
- Panko Breadcrumb Mixture Recipe15 Minutes
- Coconut Flavor Recipe30 Minutes
- Citrus Peel Recipe30 Minutes
- Bread Crumbs Recipe25 Minutes
- American Cuisine Recipe45 Minutes
- Air Fryer Recipe30 Minutes
- Thai Basil Recipe35 Minutes
- Garlic Lemon Broccoli Pasta Recipe30 Minutes
Leave a Reply