Vegetarian Chickpea Chicken Bake Copycat

My Kitchen Smells Like a Dream

Hello, my dear. Come sit. Let me tell you about my new favorite bake. It is warm, cheesy, and so filling. It reminds me of a treat from the big warehouse store. But we make it our own way, with chickpeas! Doesn’t that smell amazing?

I love a recipe that feels like a hug. This one does. It is important to have meals that bring everyone joy. That matters more than anything. So, tell me, what is your favorite comfort food? I would love to know.

A Funny Little Switch

I wanted that famous cheesy bacon bake. But I had no chicken. I looked in my pantry. I saw cans of chickpeas. I thought, “Well, why not?” My grandson called it a “chickpea chicken bake.” I still laugh at that.

It worked perfectly. Chickpeas are soft and mash up nicely. They hold all that creamy dressing and cheese. *Fun fact: Chickpeas are also called garbanzo beans. They are full of good protein!* This swap matters. It shows you can be creative with what you have.

Let’s Get Our Hands Dirty

First, cook your vegan bacon until crispy. Chop it up. Now, the fun part. Drain your chickpeas and put them in a big bowl. Grab a potato masher. Mash about half of them. It is okay to leave some whole.

Now, stir in all the good stuff. The two kinds of cheese, the green onions, the dressing. The smoked provolone is the secret. It gives a wonderful, deep flavor. Do you like to cook with a friend or by yourself? I like the company.

Making the Cozy Blankets

Your pizza dough is the blanket. Roll each piece into a rectangle. Scoop the filling onto the middle. Use your hands to shape it into a log. Then, pull the dough over it. Pinch the edges tight, like closing a purse.

Place them on a baking sheet. Give them a light brush with whisked egg. This makes them golden. Finally, sprinkle more cheese on top. A mix of mozzarella and parmesan is just right. Are you a fan of extra cheese, or just enough?

The Best Part is Sharing

Bake them until they are golden brown. Let them sit for a few minutes. They are very hot inside! Then, cut one open. The steam and smell are wonderful. The filling is creamy and savory.

This recipe makes four good-sized bakes. They are a whole meal. Sharing food you made matters. It connects us. If you make these, who will you share them with first? I shared mine with my neighbor, Helen. She asked for the recipe right away!

Ingredients:

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Vegan bacon, cooked	8 pieces
Chickpeas, drained	3 (15 oz / 425 g) cans
Shredded mozzarella cheese	1 cup	For filling
Smoked provolone	6 slices	Cut into small squares
Green onions	3	Sliced
Vegetarian Caesar dressing	1 cup
Italian seasoning	1 tsp
Salt	½ tsp
Pepper	½ tsp
Pizza dough	1 ½ to 2 lbs	For assembly
Egg, whisked	1	For egg wash
Shredded mozzarella cheese	½ cup	For topping
Shredded parmesan cheese	½ cup	For topping

My Cozy Chickpea “Chicken” Bake

Hello, my dear! Come sit. Let’s make something special today. This bake always reminds me of my grandson, Leo. He loved those store-bought chicken bakes so much. One day, I thought, “I can make a veggie version at home!” This is our secret. It’s hearty, cheesy, and full of good things. Doesn’t that smell amazing already? We use humble chickpeas. They get so creamy when baked. I still laugh at how Leo didn’t believe it was vegetarian. He asked for seconds! Let’s get our hands into some dough.

Step 1: First, let’s wake up the oven. Turn it to 375°F. Now, cook your vegan bacon until it’s nice and crispy. Crumble it into little bits. Open your cans of chickpeas and drain them well. Dump them into a big bowl. Here’s the fun part! Grab a potato masher. Give them a good, rough smash. You only need to mash about half. It makes the filling wonderfully thick.

Step 2: Now, let’s mix the filling. Add both kinds of cheese to the bowl. Toss in the green onions and crispy bacon bits. Pour in that creamy Caesar dressing. Sprinkle the Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir it all with a big spoon. Look at all those colors! (My hard-learned tip: taste a tiny bit now. You can add more pepper if you like!).

Step 3: Time for the dough! Divide it into four equal pieces. On a floured counter, roll each piece. Aim for a rectangle about the size of a notebook. Scoop a quarter of your filling onto each piece. Use your hands to shape it into a plump log in the middle. This is like wrapping a present. A very delicious present!

Step 4: Carefully fold the dough over your filling. Pinch the edges tightly to seal it all in. Lift each bundle onto a baking sheet with parchment paper. They look like little stuffed pillows, don’t they? Now, whisk one egg in a small cup. Gently brush it over each bake. This gives them a beautiful golden shine.

Step 5: For the final touch, mix the mozzarella and parmesan cheeses. Sprinkle this cheesy blanket over the top of each one. Into the oven they go! Bake for 20 to 25 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when they’re golden brown. Let them cool for just a few minutes. The inside will be very hot! What’s your favorite thing to stuff inside dough? Share below!

Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Yield: 4 hearty servings
Category: Dinner, Comfort Food

Three Tasty Twists to Try

This recipe is like a blank canvas. You can paint it with different flavors! Here are three ideas I love. They make it feel new every time.

The Garden Patch: Add a handful of chopped spinach and sun-dried tomatoes to the filling.

The Spicy Fiesta: Mix in a diced jalapeño and use a chipotle ranch dressing instead of Caesar.

The Holiday Leftover: Use stuffing seasoning and add a spoonful of cranberry sauce inside before sealing.

Which one would you try first? Comment below!

What to Serve With Your Bake

This bake is a full meal in your hand. But I love to add a little something on the side. A simple green salad with a lemony vinaigrette is perfect. It cuts through the richness. For something cozier, a bowl of tomato soup for dipping is just right. My mouth is watering just thinking about it!

For drinks, a crisp apple cider pairs beautifully. It feels so autumnal. For the grown-ups, a pale ale works wonderfully with the savory flavors. The bubbles are so refreshing. Which would you choose tonight?

Keeping Your Bakes Cozy for Later

Let’s talk about saving some for later. These bakes keep well in the fridge for three days. Just wrap them tight in foil. You can also freeze them for a month. I wrap each one in plastic wrap first. Then I put them all in a freezer bag.

To reheat, thaw in the fridge overnight. Warm them in a 350°F oven until hot. This keeps the crust nice and crisp. My first time, I used the microwave. The crust got soft and sad. The oven is much better, trust me.

Batch cooking matters for busy weeks. It means a homemade meal is always ready. It saves you time and money too. Have you ever tried storing it this way? Share below!

Simple Fixes for Common Kitchen Hiccups

Sometimes our cooking needs a little help. Here are three common issues and easy fixes. First, if your dough is sticky, use more flour. Just a light dusting on your hands helps. I remember when my dough stuck to everything. A little extra flour saved the day.

Second, if the filling spills out, you pinched too lightly. Seal the edges well with your fingers. This matters because a good seal keeps all the flavor inside. Third, if the top browns too fast, cover it with foil. This lets the inside cook without burning.

Fixing small problems builds your cooking confidence. You learn that most mistakes have a simple solution. *Fun fact: Chickpeas are also called garbanzo beans!* Which of these problems have you run into before?

Your Quick Questions, Answered

Q: Can I make this gluten-free?
A: Yes! Use your favorite gluten-free pizza dough.

Q: Can I make it ahead?
A: Assemble the bakes and refrigerate overnight. Bake the next day.

Q: What can I swap for vegan bacon?
A: Try chopped sun-dried tomatoes or smoked almonds for crunch.

Q: Can I make a smaller batch?
A: Absolutely. Just cut all the ingredients in half.

Q: Any optional tips?
A: Add a pinch of garlic powder to the filling for extra flavor. Which tip will you try first?

From My Kitchen to Yours

I hope you love making these hearty bakes. They always make my kitchen smell wonderful. I would love to see your creations. Sharing food stories connects us all.

Please show me your finished dish. Have you tried this recipe? Tag us on Pinterest! You can find me at @ChloesCozyKitchen. I can’t wait to see what you make.

Happy cooking!
—Chloe Hartwell.