Cinnamon Roasted Chickpea & Butternut Squash Salad | Cozy Fall Bowl

Introduction

The Cinnamon Roasted Chickpea & Butternut Squash Salad is the ultimate cozy fall bowl, pairing warm spices, nutty roasted chickpeas, and sweet butternut squash for a hearty meal that bursts with flavor and color. It’s a perfect harmony of sweet, savory, and earthy notes, making this salad a standout for chilly evenings, simple lunches, or impressive holiday side dishes.

Why You’ll Love This Cozy Fall Bowl

This salad brings comforting autumn flavors to any table. The combination of cinnamon-spiced roasted chickpeas and caramelized butternut squash delivers satisfying texture and deep warmth, while crisp greens and a maple vinaigrette tie everything together. It’s simple to prepare, naturally nourishing, and a delightful choice for family dinners or potlucks.

The Roast that Makes a Difference

Roasting the chickpeas with cinnamon transforms them into crisp, aromatic gems that contrast beautifully with tender chunks of butternut squash. This roasting method infuses every bite with subtle spice and sweetness—guaranteed to elevate your salad above the ordinary bowl.

Bowl Assembly for Maximum Flavor

Layer your roasted chickpeas and squash over a base of fresh greens—think baby spinach or arugula. Top with tart dried cranberries, crunchy toasted pepitas, and creamy goat cheese or feta for richness. A drizzle of maple Dijon vinaigrette threads everything together, balancing sweetness and acidity for a truly cozy fall experience.

How to Serve Your Cinnamon Roasted Chickpea & Butternut Squash Salad

Serve this salad warm or at room temperature as a standalone vegetarian meal or a seasonal side dish. It’s excellent alongside roast chicken, quinoa, or your favorite grain. For a boost of protein, toss in grilled chicken or salmon. This bowl is as versatile as it is flavorful!

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe makes about four hearty meal-sized salads or six side servings. Each meal-sized serving provides roughly 350 to 400 calories, high fiber, plant protein from chickpeas, beta-carotene from squash, and a nutritious blend of antioxidants and healthy fats.

Cinnamon Roasted Chickpea & Butternut Squash Salad (Recap)

This cozy fall bowl captures everything you love about autumn: oven-roasted, cinnamon-kissed chickpeas, caramelized squash, and a medley of fresh and tangy toppings. It’s easy, healthy, and absolutely crowd-pleasing for gatherings or quick weeknight meals.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate an organized shopping list with all ingredients sorted by store section, ensuring smoother grocery runs and more efficient meal planning.

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
2. In a bowl, toss the butternut squash cubes with 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and a pinch of pepper. Spread in an even layer on one side of the baking sheet.
3. In another bowl, combine the chickpeas with the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil, cinnamon, smoked paprika (if using), 1/4 teaspoon salt, and a little pepper. Spread on the other side of the baking sheet.
4. Roast for 25-30 minutes, shaking the pan halfway through, until chickpeas are golden and crispy and squash is tender and caramelized.
5. While roasting, whisk together all vinaigrette ingredients in a small jar or bowl.
6. To assemble, place greens in a large bowl. Top with warm roasted squash and chickpeas, then sprinkle with cranberries, pepitas, and cheese.
7. Drizzle with maple Dijon vinaigrette just before serving. Toss gently, taste, and adjust salt or pepper as desired. Enjoy warm or at room temperature!

Weekly Meal Planning

This Cinnamon Roasted Chickpea & Butternut Squash Salad is a meal prep hero—it keeps well, making weekday lunches and healthy dinners a breeze. Save and schedule this recipe to your weekly meal plan. Effortlessly generate smart shopping lists that consolidate ingredients across all your selected recipes.

Planning Benefits:

– Smartly calculates ingredient totals for multiple recipes
– Sorts your shopping list by store section
– Helps prevent repeat purchases and last-minute ingredient runs
– Simplifies meal prep, reducing stress and wasted time

Pro tip: Using CookifyAI, plan this cozy salad alongside soups or grain bowls and see overlapping ingredients (like greens or olive oil) to simplify your budgeting and reduce food waste.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes