Is Caesar dressing gluten-free, or dairy-free? No! But, hold on to your salad forks, because our creamy tahini Caesar dressing with Crispy gluten-free chickpea croutons is! Perfect for those seeking a nutritious, allergy-friendly alternative!
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Jump to:
- 👪Why You'll Love This Salad
- 🙋🏽♀️Is Caesar Dressing Gluten-Free or Dairy-Free?
- 🥗Why Use Tahini for Caesar Dressing
- 🥬Simple Ingredients
- 👩🏽🍳How to Make Gluten-Free Chickpea Croutons
- 👩🏽🍳Step-By-Step Instruction: Tahini Caesar Dressing
- 💡Recipe Tips & Tricks
- 🌿Ingredient Substitutions & Variations
- ⏲️ Meal Prep Tips
- 🥡Storage
- 🧠Fast Facts: Brain Benefits
- ❔FAQ
- 🥣Make this next…
- 📖 Recipe
Creating a Vegan & Gluten-Free Ceaser Salad
Navigating the world of plant-based and gluten-free cuisine over the past decade has been quite an adventure for me, especially as a mom trying to balance dietary needs with family favorites.
But here is the thing, my husband is a a die-hard fan of traditional Caesar salad. Which as I sadly learned is not gluten-free or dairy-free! So after years of watching him devour crispy remaining lettuce, smothered in that creamy, briny dressing topped with crispy croutons, I had enough! As many people with food allergies can attest, we very often feel left out all the time!
This blog was born from a desire to be inclusive, and to allow us to enjoy some of the classics without having to compromise our health. So don't fret! Romaine calm and Caesar the day ( 🙄 I couldn't resist). We created a tahini caser dressing with crispy chickpea croutons that's gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free, and vegan!
I spent 8 years working at an Italian restaurant, learning about food, cooking, and people! That time taught me a thing or two about making a flavorful salad dressing and crispy croutons. I knew I could bring that knowledge into making the best vegan Caesar salad dressing with gluten-free croutons ever! The best part, my husband devours this recipe and it has become a favorite among my family and our friends!
This recipe has inspired many more dairy-free and gluten-free versions of the classics, like this gluten-free hearty wild rice salad (with a gluten-free dressing). And we often pair this recipe with our vegan alfredo pasta, stuffed tofu ricotta pasta shells, or wild rice and veg salad!
👪Why You'll Love This Salad
- Nutritious: Packed with vitamins, minerals, and plant-based protein, this salad is a powerhouse of nutrition, supporting your overall health (1, 2).
- Allergy-Friendly: Free from gluten, dairy, nuts, and vegan, this recipe is perfect for anyone managing dietary restrictions.
- Creamy and Briny: The tahini Caesar dressing offers a perfect balance of creamy texture and briny depth, rivaling the classic without any dairy.
- Quick and Easy: Whip up this satisfying meal in minutes.
- Versatile: Whether it's a hearty lunch or a light dinner, this salad's adaptability makes it perfect for any meal. Add your favorite toppings like roasted vegetables, crispy tofu, or grilled chicken.
🙋🏽♀️Is Caesar Dressing Gluten-Free or Dairy-Free?
The answer to the question might surprise you! Traditional Caesar salad dressing is typically not gluten-free, dairy-free, or even vegetarian. That's because most classic Caesar dressing recipes contain dairy in the form of Parmesan cheese, anchovy paste, and gluten found in Worcestershire sauce (from the malt vinegar).
In this recipe, we've replaced the Worcestershire sauce with vegan and gluten-free ingredients and replaced the anchovies with capers for a delightful briny touch. To get those crispy croutons we use chickpeas, a powerhouse of nutrition, packed with plant-based protein (2). This makes them not just a safe choice for a gluten-free or dairy-free diet but also an excellent way to boost the protein content in our meals, supporting muscle health and overall well-being.
🥗Why Use Tahini for Caesar Dressing
Tahini isn't just for hummus! This creamy, nutty paste made from ground sesame seeds is the secret to a rich, satisfying Caesar dressing without the dairy. Packed with healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals (1), tahini adds depth and creaminess to dishes, making it a fantastic base for our easy tahini Caesar dressing. Plus, its subtle flavor complements the bold tastes of garlic and lemon, ensuring you won't miss the traditional ingredients when making vegan caesar dressings.
🥬Simple Ingredients
Here's a quick list of the main ingredients to make tahini salad dressing with crispy chickpea croutons:
Tahini Caesar Dressing
- Sesame Tahini: Our key ingredient for our vegan Caesar dressing. Naturally creamy tahini has a mild nutty flavor allowing the other ingredients to come together.
- Fresh Lemon Juice: I love adding lemon juice for a tangy twist that pairs so well with a creamy dressing. For extra tang add in some lemon zest!
- Fresh Garlic Cloves: Essential for a rich, flavorful dressing. Fresh garlic brings depth, but garlic powder works in a pinch.
- Capers: A great vegan alternative, these little gems add the briny kick needed to mimic the classic Caesar's anchovy flavor without the fish.
- Dijon Mustard: Introduces a zing that perfectly complements the tanginess of the lemon and the creaminess of the tahini.
- Cumin: A sprinkle of cumin adds a warm, earthy note, subtly enhancing the dressing's complexity.
- Fresh Romaine Lettuce, Radishes, and Green Onions: The fresh and fabulous trio that brings this salad to life!
For full quantities, see the recipe card. Be sure to check labels for any gluten-containing ingredient.
Chickpea Croutons
- Can of Chickpeas: A gluten-free powerhouse, these are the foundation for our crunchy chickpea croutons, adding a plant-based source of protein.
- Sesame Oil: A touch of sesame oil coats the chickpeas, ensuring they crisp up nicely while adding a hint of richness. For full quantities, see the recipe card.
- Tamari or Gluten-Free Soy Sauce: Infuses the chickpeas with a deep umami flavor, making them irresistible alongside the tahini Caesar dressing.
- Maple Syrup: I love adding this ingredient because it will caramelize under heat, giving the chickpeas a subtle sweetness that contrasts beautifully with their savory seasoning.
- Smoked Paprika: Adds a smoky dimension, enhancing the chickpeas' flavor profile and color.
- Cumin: Echoes the dressing's warmth, tying the salad components together with its earthy tones.
- Lemon: A squeeze of lemon on the chickpeas before roasting introduces a zesty note, echoing the dressing's citrusy brightness.
For full quantities, see the recipe card.
👩🏽🍳How to Make Gluten-Free Chickpea Croutons
Step 1: Prep Your Chickpeas
Open and drain your canned chickpeas. then give them a good rinse. Then use paper towel, or a clean kitchen towel, to pat dry.
Step 2: Add the Spices:
In a medium bowl, mix the chickpeas, soy sauce, maple syrup, oil, smoked paprika, cumin, and lemon. Give it a good stir to make sure those chickpeas are coated in flavor!
Step 3: Heat or Air Fry
Over medium-high heat add a bit of olive oil to a frying pan (or cast iron pan). Then add in your spiced chickpeas and cook for 15 minutes. Stir often to prevent burning.
Continue cooking your chickpea croutons until all the liquid has been absorbed and the chickpeas are crispy and golden brown (about 15 minutes).
Air-Fryer Version: Preheat your air-fryer to 400 F. Then add in your spiced chickpeas and air-fry for 10-12 minutes. Check on them halfway to ensure they are not burning.
👩🏽🍳Step-By-Step Instruction: Tahini Caesar Dressing
Now let's make our vegan gluten-free Caesar dressing!
Step 1: Blend
Gather all the tahini Caesar dressing ingredients. Set the capers aside and add the remaining ingredients into a small blender (you can also use a food processor). Blend for 2 minutes to get a creamy dressing.
Step 2: Add the Capers:
Add in the capers and continue to blend for another 1 minute. This will allow your dressing to keep some texture. If you prefer it smoother, add the capers in step 1.
Pro tip: You can use an immersion blender or Vitamix for this step.
Step 5: Prep Your Salad and Assemble
Finally, make your simple salad. Chop up the lettuce, and slice the radishes, and green onions. Add them to a large bowl and pour in the tahini caesar dressing. Toss until well combined. Then sprinkle in the chickpea croutons and drizzle with fresh lemon!
There you have it - a simple and fun guide to creating a mouthwatering easy gluten-free, dairy-free caesar dressing recipe that's flavorful enough for everyone! Enjoy!
💡Recipe Tips & Tricks
Here are my top tips to get the best results and the most flavorful dressing:
- Perfect Dressing Consistency: Start with high-quality sesame tahini for a smooth and creamy base. If the dressing is too thick, gradually add water, a teaspoon at a time, until you reach the desired consistency. This ensures your dressing is pourable without being watery.
- Crispy Chickpea Croutons: Dry chickpeas thoroughly before roasting for that perfect crunch.
- Taste and Adjust: Fine-tune the dressing with extra lemon or Dijon mustard to suit your tanginess preference.
- Crisp Lettuce: Use fresh, crisp romaine lettuce for the best texture in your salad. If your lettuce has wilted slightly, soak it in ice water for a few minutes before drying it thoroughly. This can help revive and crisp up the leaves.
🌿Ingredient Substitutions & Variations
If you're looking to make adjustments to the recipe to meet specific dietary needs or preferences, here are some easy substitutions:
- Soy-Free: Replace soy sauce with coconut aminos or tamari to make this gluten-free dressing suitable for those on a soy-free diet.
- Caper-free: You can experiment with olives or vegan Worcestershire sauce if you want but it will change the flavor of this tahini caesar dressing. If you do please comment and let me know how it turned out!
- Chickpea Crotuons: Instead of chickpeas use white beans, like cannellini or butter beans instead. For a more classic approach you can use gluten-free bread, we love this recipe.
- Traditional Twist: For a more traditional Caesar dressing, you can add in some grated vegan parmesan cheese or add nutritional yeast for the extra cheesy flavor.
- Milder Version: Fresh garlic helps balance out the creaminess and make this a more flavorful dressing. But it also gives it a bit of a kick, if you have little ones at home or need a milder taste then you can use garlic powder or onion powder instead.
- Wrap it up! This Caesar Salad makes the perfect filling for your next burrito or taco. Add it to a warm gluten-free tortilla shell with some vegan mayo and roll it up!
⏲️ Meal Prep Tips
- Double the Chickpea Fiesta: Double up the chickpea crouton recipe and store half in an airtight container for future use. They make a great healthy snack or addition to any meal.
- Store Dressing Separately: When making this ahead, be sure to store your tahini Caesar dressing separately in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. The flavors will continue to develop, making it even more delectable over time!
- Chickpeas Storage: To maintain their crunchiness, store your roasted chickpeas in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
🥡Storage
Fridge Storage: If you've already dressed the salad and have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1-2 days. Keep in mind that the lettuce and chickpea croutons may become a bit wilted, but the flavors will still be delicious.
Freezing: If you'd like to keep the tahini Caesar dressing even longer, it can be frozen for up to 2 months! Just remember to thaw it in the fridge before using, and give it a good stir to recombine the ingredients. We don't recommend freezing the chickpea croutons.
🧠Fast Facts: Brain Benefits
Nourishing your family's minds is just as important as filling their bellies. Let's dive into the brain-boosting benefits of tahini and chickpeas, the superstar ingredients in this delicious vegan Caesar salad.
- Healthy Fats, Tahini Power: Tahini, made from ground sesame seeds, is rich in healthy fats and essential nutrients like magnesium and zinc, both of which play a crucial role in cognitive function and overall brain health. (3).
- Folate Brain Boost: Chickpeas are a great source of plant-based protein, fiber, and B vitamins such as folate. Folate is vital for proper brain function and the synthesis of neurotransmitters like serotonin, which helps regulate mood (4).
- Antioxidant Advantage: Both tahini and chickpeas contain antioxidants that help protect the brain from oxidative stress, which can contribute to age-related cognitive decline. Including these ingredients in your diet can support long-term brain health (5).
❔FAQ
The chickpea croutons in this recipe are a fantastic source of plant-based protein, but if you'd like to increase the protein content even further, you can add some marinated tofu, tempeh, or your favorite plant-based protein. Grilled or baked chicken could also be an option if your family includes meat-eaters.
Typically, traditional Caesar dressing contains dairy in the form of Parmesan cheese, However, our vegan Caesar uses a tahini Caesar dressing that is both gluten-free and dairy-free, making it suitable for those with dietary restrictions or preferences.
Most traditional Caesar dressings are actually not gluten-free because they contain Worcestershire sauce and croutons. Croutons are typically made from bread. However, for this recipe, we've also replaced the Worcestershire sauce with gluten-free ingredients and used chickpeas croutons instead of bread croutons to make it suitable for those following a gluten-free diet.
🥣Make this next…
I hope you love our tahini dressing and crispy chickpea croutons. If you are looking for more homemade dressings that are gluten-free and allergy-friendly, be sure to check out these:
📖 Recipe
Creamy Tahini Caesar Dressing with Chickpea Croutons (Gluten-Free & Vegan)
Ingredients
Vegan Caesar Dressing
- ⅓ cup sesame tahini
- ¼ cup water
- ¼ cup lemon juice
- 2 garlic cloves
- 3 tablespoon capers chopped
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil or olive oil
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Crispy Chickpea Croutons
- 1 ½ cups chickpeas or 1 can
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoon ground cumin
Salad ingredients
- 2 heads romaine lettuce washed and chopped
- 10 radishes sliced
- 3 stalks green onions washed and sliced
Instructions
Gluten-Free Croutons with Chickpeas
- Drain and rinse canned chickpeas. Then Pat dry with a paper towel or a clean kitchen towel.1 ½ cups chickpeas
- In a bowl, combine chickpeas with soy sauce, maple syrup, oil, smoked paprika, cumin, and lemon juice. Stir well to coat.1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1 tablespoon sesame oil, 1 tablespoon maple syrup, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 2 teaspoon ground cumin
- For Stovetop: Heat a frying pan over medium-high. Add chickpeas; cook for 15 minutes, stirring often, until crispy.
- For Air-Fryer: Preheat to 400°F. Air-fry chickpeas for 10-12 minutes, checking halfway.
Tahini Caesar Dressing
- Combine all dressing ingredients except capers in a blender. Blend until creamy, about 2 minutes.⅓ cup sesame tahini, ¼ cup water, ¼ cup lemon juice, 2 garlic cloves, 1 tablespoon sesame oil, 1 tablespoon maple syrup, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, ¼ teaspoon salt
- Incorporate capers; blend for 1 more minute for texture. For a smoother dressing, add capers with other ingredients in Step 1.3 tablespoon capers
Assemble Caesar Salad
- Prep your veggies by chopping up the lettuce, and sliceing the radishes, and green onions.2 heads romaine lettuce, 10 radishes, 3 stalks green onions
- In a large bowl, combine veggies with tahini Caesar dressing. Toss well. Top with chickpea croutons and a drizzle of fresh lemon juice.
Notes
Nutrition
- Sumaina, G., & Laban, L. (Year). Tahini: The Magical Condiment In-Depth Look at its Nutritional and Health Benefits. J Food Process Technol, 12(1), Article 859.
- Wallace, T. C., Murray, R., & Zelman, K. M. (2016). The Nutritional Value and Health Benefits of Chickpeas and Hummus. Nutrients, 8(12), 766.
- Vink, R., & Nechifor, M. (2011). Magnesium in the Central Nervous System. University of Adelaide Press.
- Tolmunen, T., Voutilainen, S., Hintikka, J., Rissanen, T., Tanskanen, A., Viinamäki, H., ... & Salonen, J. T. (2004). Dietary folate and the risk of depression in Finnish middle-aged men: a prospective follow-up study. Psychotherapy and psychosomatics, 73(6), 334-339.)
- Pulido, R., Bravo, L., & Saura-Calixto, F. (2000). Antioxidant activity of dietary polyphenols as determined by a modified ferric reducing/antioxidant power assay. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 48(8), 3396-3402