Cauliflower Shawarma Bowls (2024)

Published: May 3, 2023 · Modified: Oct 23, 2023 by Jamie Vespa · This post may contain affiliate links

Cauliflower Shawarma Bowls with crispy chickpeas, basmati rice, and Green Tahini Sauce. These vegan and gluten free bowls are perfect for weekday meals.

Why You'll Love this Cauliflower Shawarma

These fully-loaded Cauliflower Shawarma Bowls feature roasted cauliflower and crispy chickpeas in a homemade shawarma spice mix.

Serve over basmati rice with a drizzle of Green Tahini Sauce for a hearty and healthy meal.

I love these bowls for meal prep lunches or better-than-takeout weeknight dinner. They're brimming with so much flavor and spice, just like my Roasted Veggie Glow Bowls.

Plus, they offer plenty of fiber, plant protein, and healthy fats to keep you satiated.

Prepare a double batch of the Green Tahini Sauce and use it on salads, Parmesan Roasted Cauliflower, or grain bowls all week long.

And if you love loaded cauliflower bowls, try my Turmeric Roasted Cauliflower Bowls next!

The Ingredients

• Cauliflower: You need one medium-large head of cauliflower, which should amount to 8 cups of florets. For cauliflower that’s buttery and tender on the inside with quintessential crisp, roasting is the way to go. Not only does roasting create perfectly caramelized florets, it also brings out cauliflower’s natural nutty flavor.
• Spices: A mix of curry powder, paprika, and cumin create the bold spice mixture. Feel free to also add a pinch of cayenne if you want to make it spicy.
• Herbs: You need fresh parsley and cilantro for the sauce. If you're not a cilantro fan, you can use fresh dill instead.
• Tahini: This creamy sesame seed paste adds rich, creamy character to the sauce.
• Lemon: For a touch of brightness and acidity.
• Garlic: Since the garlic goes into the sauce raw, it definitely packs a punch. Feel free to use ½ tsp. garlic powder instead, if you prefer.
• Chickpeas: For a one-two punch of plant protein and fiber. The chickpeas get super crispy when tossed with olive oil and roasted.
• Rice: I like using a long-grain white rice, such as Basmati or Jasmine, for serving.

For a full list of ingredients and quantities, see the recipe card below.

Step-by-Step Instructions

This meal comes together in under one hour, making it 100% weeknight friendly. Feel free to add your garnishes of choice: cucumber, tomatoes, avocado, or extra fresh herbs.

Step 1: Create the Shawarma spice blend. While some blends have up to 8 ingredients, this one is a simple mix of curry powder, paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper. The curry powder does the heavy lifting since it's a mix of turmeric, chili powder, coriander, etc.

Step 2: Roast the cauliflower and chickpeas. The beauty of this recipe is that both the cauliflower and chickpeas roast at the same temperature at the same time. The chickpeas only need 30 minutes, however the cauliflower needs closer to 40. Just be sure to give them both a toss halfway through to promote even roasting.

Step 3: Prepare the Green Tahini Sauce. This simple sauce comes together effortlessly in a blender or mini food processor. While blending, gradually stream in ⅓ cup of warm water to reach desired level of creaminess.

Step 4: Assemble the bowls! Start with a layer of basmati rice, followed by the roasted cauliflower and chickpeas. Next, add your garnishes of choice and give the bowl a hefty drizzle of Green Tahini Sauce.

Recipe Variations:

• Add Chicken: For extra protein, roast boneless, skinless chicken thighs alongside the chickpeas. Just prepare extra of the spice mixture to season the chicken with.
• Serve in a wrap: This mixture is also delicious served in warm naan bread or pita! Just add some shredded lettuce and diced tomatoes to the mix.
• Add Sweet Potatoes: Peel and dice one medium sweet potato and add it to the baking sheet with cauliflower.
• Make Spicy: Add a pinch of cayenne to the shawarma spice mixture, or a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce to the green tahini sauce.

Recipe FAQs

Tips for Making Crispy Roasted Chickpeas

One of the keys to crispy chickpeas is to dry them prior to roasting. It also helps to remove their skins, though this task can be rather tedious. To streamline the process, follow these simple steps:

1. Rinse and drain the chickpeas in a colander, and transfer them to a dry kitchen towel.
2. Fold the towel over the chickpeas and gently massage the chickpeas to help release their skins.
3. Unfold the towel and remove any loose or detached skins, and transfer the dry chickpeas to a rimmed baking sheet.
4. Toss with 1 tablespoon olive oil, and coat in spices. Bake at 425°F for 30 minutes, shaking the pan once halfway through to promote even cooking.

At this point, the chickpeas should stay crunchy for a couple of days in an air-tight container. In addition to using them in these bowls, they're a nutritious and satisfying snack on their own.

More Vegan Cauliflower Recipes:

Give this recipe a try for a nutritious, super satisfying make-ahead meal. And be sure to snap a pic and tag #dishingouthealthon Instagram so I can see your beautiful creations. Also, follow along onFacebookandPinterestfor the latest recipe updates!