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Chickpea & Veggie Buddha Bowls – Colorful, Satisfying, and Simple

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • Chickpeas: 2 cans (15 oz each), drained and rinsed, or 3 cups cooked
  • Vegetables for roasting: 2 sweet potatoes, 1 red onion, 1 red bell pepper, 1 small head of broccoli, 1 zucchini
  • Greens: 4 cups baby spinach or mixed greens
  • Grain base: 2 cups cooked quinoa, brown rice, or farro
  • Avocado: 1 ripe, sliced (optional but recommended)
  • Fresh herbs: Cilantro, parsley, or mint for garnish
  • Crunchy toppings: Pumpkin seeds, toasted almonds, or sesame seeds
  • Olive oil: For roasting and dressing
  • Spices for chickpeas/veggies: Smoked paprika, garlic powder, cumin, chili powder, salt, black pepper
  • Tahini dressing: 1/3 cup tahini, 1 large lemon (zest and juice), 1–2 cloves garlic (minced), 1–2 tablespoons maple syrup, 2–4 tablespoons water to thin, pinch of salt

Method
 

  1. Preheat and prep: Heat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Line two sheet pans with parchment for easy cleanup.
  2. Prep the veggies: Cut sweet potatoes into 1/2-inch cubes. Slice the red onion into wedges, bell pepper into strips, broccoli into florets, and zucchini into half-moons.
  3. Season the vegetables: Toss with 2–3 tablespoons olive oil, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and a few grinds of pepper. Spread in a single layer on the pans.
  4. Roast the vegetables: Bake for 22–28 minutes, tossing once halfway. You want edges caramelized and centers tender.
  5. Crisp the chickpeas: Pat chickpeas dry with a clean towel. Toss with 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 teaspoon cumin, 1/2 teaspoon chili powder, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Roast on a separate area of the pan for 18–22 minutes until golden and crisp.
  6. Cook the grain base: While the oven works, prepare quinoa, brown rice, or farro according to package directions. Fluff and set aside.
  7. Make the tahini dressing: In a bowl, whisk tahini, lemon juice and zest, minced garlic, maple syrup, a pinch of salt, and 2 tablespoons water. Add more water, a spoonful at a time, until it’s pourable. Taste and adjust sweetness, salt, or lemon.
  8. Massage the greens (optional): If using kale or tougher greens, massage with a teaspoon of olive oil and a pinch of salt for 30 seconds to soften.
  9. Assemble the bowls: Add a scoop of grains, a handful of greens, a generous portion of roasted veggies, and a pile of crispy chickpeas. Top with avocado slices and crunchy seeds.
  10. Finish and serve: Drizzle with tahini dressing and sprinkle with chopped herbs. Add extra lemon or a pinch of flaky salt if you like.