Healthy Vegan Recipe: BBQ Chickpea Pizza

If you love pizza but want to eat healthier, this barbeque chickpea pizza is the way to go because it's packed with fiber which helps you stay fuller longer, and contains fewer calories than your traditional pie.

The ingredients call for chickpeas, onions, fresh herbs, bbq sauce, and a healthy pizza crust. Chickpeas may just be one of the healthiest foods - they're a fiber and protein powerhouse: One cup of chickpeas has 39 grams of protein and 35 grams of fiber. The bbq sauce is from Mother Raw, a vegan, organic dressing, and sauce company. Just two tablespoons of the sauce have 35 calories and include fresh ingredients like dates, tomato puree, garlic, paprika, maple syrup, and more plant-based ingredients.

The crust is made with whole wheat flour instead of white flour, but you can use either one.  The next time you have a pizza night or need a dish to bring to the BBQ party, make this recipe and shock your guests with the delicious, dairy-free, oil-free, and 100% vegan pizza pie.

This pizza is especially great for children because it's classic finger food, easily sharable, and healthier than traditional pizzas. Serve the pie with a homemade ranch dressing for dipping sauce and you will enjoy every bite.

Recipe Developer: Danielle Keith, @healthygirlkitchen 

Why we love it: It's time to switch up your traditional plant-based cheese pizza and add more protein and flavors. The taste of this pizza is amazing and has fewer calories than traditional pizza.

Make it for: Your kids, a BBQ party, to enjoy completely by yourself, or simply for pizza night. This recipe is so easy to make and only requires 15 minutes of your time.

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Why it's healthier: Chickpeas are packed with protein: Half cup has 8 grams of protein which is 15 percent of the 45 to 55 grams of protein that women need in a day and 12 percent of the 55 to 70 grams of protein men need (depending on activity levels).

Healthy ingredients: Fiber, potassium, B vitamins, iron, magnesium, and selenium

BBQ Chickpea Pizza

Makes 6 slices

Ingredients

Vegan Ranch

• 1/4 cup hemp seeds
• 2 tsp lemon juice
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp dried dill
• Sprinkle of onion powder
• 1/8 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 tsp dried parsley

Pizza

• 1 cup rinsed and drained chickpeas
• 1/4 cup sliced red onion
• 3/4 cup BBQ sauce I used Mother Raw brand
• Chopped parsley garnish
• 1 pizza crust of choice I used Engine 2

Instructions

1. Preheat oven (for my pizza crust I baked it at 450 for 10 minutes).
2. Spread 1/4 cup BBQ sauce on the pizza crust as a base. Toss 1 cup chickpeas with 1/2 cup of BBQ sauce and add onto the pizza. Add sliced red onion and put it in the oven.
3. Make your vegan ranch dressing while the pizza bakes. Blend all ranch ingredients in a high-speed blender until smooth.
4. When the pizza is done cooking, drizzle ranch on top and sprinkles fresh parsley on for a garnish.
   Enjoy!

Nutrition information is a rough estimate.

Calories 306 Total Fat 6.1 g Sat. Fat .7 g Sodium 754 mg Total Carbs 52.2 g Fiber 7 g Sugars 14.5 g Protein 11.7 g