Last Updated on October 30, 2022
If you love tuna melts, then you are going to love this plant based Vegan Chickpea Melt!
This sandwich is just as simple and I think it is even better tasting than the good old tuna melt.
For this sandwich, I personally love the flavor and texture of chickpeas, with a grain like texture and mild nutty flavor that is so satisfying.
Adding in a little fresh celery for the extra crunch makes this sandwich perfect!
As for the bread to use for this melt, it is all up to you.
There is so many different varieties of bread that would compliment this sandwich very well.
But to make this simple I always use what I have on hand for my chickpea melts.
Even though this is a vegan sandwich, it can easily be a vegetarian sandwich just as well.
With all the varieties of cheeses easily available on the market, it is fun to experiment each time you make your melt.
And thankfully today there is a wide variety of plant based cheeses available to use for this chickpea melt.
There are a few different ways you can make this sandwich; toasted in the oven or toaster oven (my preferred method), or grilled on the stove.
Experiment with all of them to find your favorite!
Ingredients for the chickpea spread
- Chickpeas – A chickpea is the main ingredient in this spread. A slightly nutty and earthy flavored legume that pairs perfectly with just about everything.
- Celery – This mild yet earthy tasting vegetable adds just the right amount of crunch to this spread.
- Vegan Mayonnaise – The mayo adds the creaminess and holds everything together in the spread.
- Mustard – In this salad I used a yellow mustard, I love the vinegary sour tanginess to this mustard.
- Seasoning – Minced garlic, onion powder, celery seed, salt, and pepper to taste.
- Bread – Any variety of bread will work for this sandwich. In this recipe I used a seeded multi grain bread.
- Cheese – Any dairy or dairy free cheese works, sliced or shredded. In our family, we like both the dairy free and the dairy (for the vegetarians) American cheese. Try different varieties to find your favorite.
How to make a Vegan Chickpea Melt
Preheat the oven to 375°F, line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
Drain and rinse the chickpeas, add to a medium mixing bowl and mash the beans.
Clean and chop the celery and add to the bowl.
Add the mayo, mustard and all the seasonings to the bowl.
Stir all the ingredients together until well combined.
Next smear the bread of choice with your mayo and lay it on the baking sheet.
Add a scoop of the spread onto one slice of the bread, leaving the other slice to top the sandwich.
Lay a slice or sprinkle shredded cheese onto the top of the spread, place the other slice of bread over the cheese.
Place into the oven for about 5 to 10 minutes or until the cheese has melted.
Remove from the oven, slice in half and serve hot.
The toaster oven method
Smear the mayo onto the bread and lay it on the baking sheet for the toaster oven.
Add a scoop of the spread onto one slice of the bread, leaving the other slice to top the sandwich.
Lay a slice or sprinkle shredded cheese onto the top of the spread, place the other slice of bread over the cheese.
Put the baking sheet into the toaster oven and toast until the bread browns and the cheese melts.
Remove from the oven, slice in half and serve hot.
The skillet method
While preheating a medium sized skillet, prepare the sandwiches.
Smear the mayo on to each side of the two slices, and place one into the skillet.
Add the chickpea spread onto the slice of bread and top with your favorite cheese.
Top the sandwich with the other slice of bread.
Cook until the bread is slightly browned on the bottom, flip the sandwich and continue cooking until browned and the cheese is melting.
Remove from the skillet, slice in half and serve hot.
Vegan Chickpea Melt
Ingredients
- 1 15oz. Can Chickpeas
- 1 Stalk Celery Chopped
- 1 tsp Mustard I use the yellow mustard, pick your choice of mustard.
- 1/3 Cup Vegan Mayo
- 1/4 tsp Onion Powder
- 1/4 tsp Minced Garlic
- 1/4 tsp Celery Seed
- Salt and Pepper To taste.
- Sliced Bread of your choice
- Sliced or shredded Cheese of your choice.
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F, line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- Drain and rinse the chickpeas, add to a medium mixing bowl and mash the beans.
- Clean and chop the celery and add to the bowl.
- Add the mayo, mustard and all the seasonings to the bowl.
- Stir all the ingredients together until well combined.
- Next smear the bread of choice with your mayo and lay it on the baking sheet.
- Add a scoop of the spread onto one slice of the bread, leaving the other slice to top the sandwich.
- Lay a slice or sprinkle shredded cheese onto the top of the spread, place the other slice of bread over the cheese.
- Place into the oven for about 5 to10 minutes or until the cheese has melted.
- Remove from the oven, slice in half and serve hot.
Toaster Oven Method
- Smear the mayo onto the bread and lay it on the baking sheet for the toaster oven.
- Add a scoop of the spread onto one slice of the bread, leaving the other slice to top the sandwich.
- Lay a slice or sprinkle shredded cheese onto the top of the spread, place the other slice of bread over the cheese.
- Put the baking sheet into the toaster oven and toast until the bread browns and the cheese melts.
- Remove from the skillet, slice in half and serve hot.
Skillet Method
- While preheating a medium sized skillet, prepare the sandwiches.
- Smear the mayo on to each side of the two slices, and place one into the skillet.
- Add the chickpea spread onto the slice of bread and top with your favorite cheese.
- Top the sandwich with the other slice of bread.
- Cook until the bread is slightly browned on the bottom, flip the sandwich and continue cooking until browned and the cheese is melting.
- Remove from the oven, slice in half and serve hot.
