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Roasted Chickpea Gyro Recipe
These chickpea gyros are a quick vegetarian dinner recipe or meatless lunch idea loaded with protein and flavor. Roast chickpeas ahead of time and always have them on hand for sandwiches or snacking!
What is a gyro anyhow?
Gyros are a Greek sandwich. Traditionally made with meat, the filling also includes a yogurt-based sauce called Tzatziki and it is all wrapped up in pita bread.
Other cultures have similar types of wrapped sandwiches, whether it’s a po’boy in Louisiana or a giant sub sandwich from your local deli. Meat, veggies, and sauce wrapped up in bread. Delicious!
This simple gyro takes a bit of a twist and replaces the meat with roasted chickpeas. It’s an easy way to enjoy the flavors and convenience of a wrapped sandwich and still cut back on the meat consumption.
How do you roast chickpeas?
Chickpeas are also called garbanzo beans. They are round, tan, and are the same bean used in making homemade hummus.
To roast them, skip the cooking step and start with a can of chickpeas. Yes, you will pay more for the can than you would for dried beans but skipping the cooking step makes this a much faster weeknight meal.
All you need are three basic ingredients: canned chickpeas, extra-virgin olive oil, and salt. Add additional seasoning if desired. I highly recommend garlic powder and a sprinkle of cayenne pepper. Season AFTER you pull them out of the oven to prevent the spices from burning and getting bitter.
Here is how you make oven roasted chickpeas for this gyro sandwich recipe:
· Drain and rinse the can of chickpeas.
· Pat dry with a clean towel.
· Drizzle with 1 to 2 Tablespoons of olive oil
· Roast in a 400-degree oven for 20 to 30 minutes, shaking the pan every 10 minutes.
· Remove from the oven and let cool slightly.
· Season as desired.
