Description
This Vegetarian Chickpea Tikka Masala is a flavorful and creamy plant-based twist on a classic Indian favorite. Roasted chickpeas are tossed in a rich, spiced tomato-cashew sauce, creating a wholesome and satisfying meal that’s naturally vegan and gluten-free.
Ingredients
For Chickpea Tikka:
2 cups cooked chickpeas
2–3 garlic cloves, finely minced
½ inch ginger, finely minced
¾ tsp garam masala
½ tsp chili powder
1 tbsp lemon juice
½ tbsp oil
Salt, to taste
For Tikka Masala Sauce:
1 small onion, cut into 8 pieces
4 medium tomatoes, quartered
2–3 whole garlic cloves
½ inch ginger, peeled and cut
¼ cup raw cashews
1 tsp cumin powder
1½ tsp coriander powder
2 tsp oil, divided
½ tsp chili powder
1 tsp garam masala
1 cup water
Salt, to taste
Instructions
- Roast the chickpeas: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). In a bowl, mix chickpeas with minced garlic, ginger, garam masala, chili powder, lemon juice, oil, and salt. Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 10 minutes. Stir, then roast another 10 minutes until crisp and golden.
- Prepare the sauce base: Heat 1 tsp oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, and ginger, sautéing until translucent (2–3 minutes). Add tomatoes and cashews; cook 4–5 minutes until softened.
- Blend the sauce: Add cumin powder and coriander powder, then transfer mixture to a blender with 1 cup water. Blend until smooth and creamy.
- Simmer the sauce: Heat the remaining 1 tsp oil in the same pan. Add chili powder and cook briefly until fragrant. Pour in the blended sauce, add garam masala and salt, and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Combine and serve: Stir in the roasted chickpeas, cook for 2 minutes to absorb the sauce, and garnish with chopped cilantro. Serve warm with basmati rice or naan.
Notes
Use canned chickpeas for convenience; rinse and drain before roasting.
Add coconut milk for a creamier texture.
For extra heat, include a green chili or extra chili powder.
Substitute cashews with sunflower seeds for a nut-free version.
This dish thickens as it cools; add a splash of water when reheating.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Roasted and Simmered
- Cuisine: Indian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 8g
- Protein: 11g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
 
