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Chickpea Spinach Pie with Berbere Spice. Easy Chickpea Spinach Pastry for holidays and company with vegan puff pastry. Use spices or blends of choice. Use lentils for variation. Vegan Soy-free Nut-free Recipe. Jump to Recipe
I told you I was going through a Berbere and Cajun obsession at the moment. So here goes another one. This ridiculously tasty pie is a breeze to put together. Use up those canned or cooked chickpeas or lentils, cook them up with the spices, onion and spinach. Fill up a thawed puff pastry sheets (many are accidentally vegan), seal and bake!
The idea for this came about when I was thinking about making something like a Spanakopita but simpler. Chickpeas are a easy filling if you already have some cooked. Loads of onion, spinach and spices and the crisp puff pastry make this pie very pleasing for the crowd. You can make one whole pie or small hand pies. Always a hit! Use any spices of choice or use the spice blends from my book (baharat, shawarma, garam masala etc). Or use just herbs, a combination of thyme, sage and oregano + nooch. Add some tofu or almond ricotta for variation.
Easy Holiday Appetizer or Side to impress. The chickpea spinach filling is also great in sandwiches or as a dip!
You can use this filling with filo as well. Brush each sheet with oil and place atleast 4 to 5 sheets, then add the filling and fold the sheets over.
More savory options for the holidays
- Chickpea Shepherds Pie
- Veggie Lasagna
- Whole Roasted Cauliflower
- Lentil Quinoa “Meatloaf”
- Spiced Vegetable Pot Pie
Cook the chickpeas with the spices or herbs, then fold in the greens. Add some non dairy milk + flour to add a a bit of sauce. Cool and spread over a pastry sheet.
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Chickpea Spinach Pie with Berbere Spice
Ingredients
- 2 vegan puff pastry sheets
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 1 small red onion, , thinly sliced or chopped
- 5 cloves of garlic, , finely chopped
- 3/4 tsp ground cumin , , or 1/2 tsp cumin + 1/2 tsp coriander
- 1 to 2 tsp berbere spice blend, , to preference based on heat of the blend. Or use garam masala, shawarma, chili powder blend or just herbs (thyme, oregano, sage)
- 1/4 to 1/2 tsp cayenne or pepper flakes
- a good dash of black pepper
- 15 oz can chickpeas, , or 1.5 cups cooked
- 1/2 tsp salt, , less or more depending on if the chickpeas are salted
- 5 to 6 oz spinach
- 1 bunch of cilantro, chopped, or use more spinach
- 1/2 cup non dairy milk, + 1 tbsp flour
Instructions
- Remove the Puff pastry sheets from the freezer and cover and let them rest at room temperature. Roll them out a bit if you like (optikonal) (they should be ready in about 20 to 25 minutes to use. Prep and make the filling in the meanwhile).
- Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. When hot add onion and garlic and a pinch of salt. Cook until translucent. Add spices and mix well. Mash the chickpeas using a fork or a food processor and add to the skillet. Add salt and mix well. Cook for 4 minutes.
- Add the greens and mix in. Cook for 2 minutes. Taste and adjust salt and flavor.
- Mix the flour into the non dairy milk and add to the chickpeas. Cook for 2-3 minutes to bring to a boil and thicken. Let it cool for a few minutes. (This filling can be made ahead and used in the puff pastry, as a sandwich filling, or a dip with toasted pita. )
- Spread the mixture on one puff pastry and place the other pastry sheet on top. Crimp the edges with a fork and use scissors to cut vents in. You can also make individual pastry pockets.
- Bake at 400 degrees F for 20 to 24 mins for one large piece, 16 to 20 minutes for smaller. Let the pastry cool for 5 minutes, then slice and serve. Store on the counter for upto 3 hours, refrigerate for upto 3 days, freeze for months. Reheat in the oven when needed(5 mins from fridge and 10 mins from freezer) . See notes below for make head.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
What a fabulous idea! I love the spinach and chickpea filling inside. You can probably devour the filling on its own before it goes into the crust! LOL! Anyways, I definitely want to try to challenge myself and make this recipe. But then again, it looks super simple to make!
This was delicious! I used the berbere spice blend. I was going to add some Tofutti ricotta, but the taste was off-putting to me. Glad I left it out, because it was perfect as is!
Awesome!
This looks so yummy. I am going to try this recipe this weekend. Thank you!
Hi Richa,
Can this be made into a pot pies, if the puff pastry sheet is only on the top and not the bottom?
Thanks
Janani
You would need to add a bit of additional liquid like veggie broth and then add the puff pastry on top and bake until golden.
Just went shopping as – gasp – I was out of chickpeas! And spinach :). Making this afternoon in small pies as I can freeze them.
Many thanks for the recipe.
What recommendations do you have to make this gluten free?
If you can find gf puff pastry, then use that or maybe use a gf pie crust. Place the crust in a pie pan. Bake for 10 minutes, then fill it up and cover like a pie with strips or just a few crust shapes. Bake for 20 to 30 minutes until the crust is golden.
Wow! This chickpea spinach pie looks very scrumptious. Thanks for sharing this delicious recipe.
I just discovered your page and I am in love. I will be ordering your book as soon as my son gives me back my credit card! 🙂 LOVE your recipes.
Hi Richa. I love your ideas and recipes, and the fact that they can be dusted to use what is in the fridge or pantry at the time. I am wondering , from Australia, what is the brand of pastry you use. Hoping we can get something similar down here. TIA. Kerry
Thanks! the brand that i use here (in the US) is called aussie bakery puff pastry 🙂 I am not sure about the brands in australia. Maybe ask in a vegans in australia or similar facebook group
Hello from Melbourne! In Coles and Woolies, both Borg’s and Pampas are vegan, and there’s no real taste difference between them. I’ve heard the GF pastry from The Pastry Pantry is good too, if GF is your thing. And if you like pastry without huge lists of odd-sounding ingredients, Antoniou’s does a fillo pastry that’s a fine substitute for puff 🙂
Thank you for the brand list!!
Hi Richa I was wondering what can I use instead chickpeas because chickpeas has got lectins I’m going to use Fillo pastry I’m from Australia I also follow you.. you have got great recipe thank you
cooked lentils or a mix of mushrooms and coarsely chopped walnuts? mushrooms will take longer to cook
Hi Kerry,
You can use Pampas puff pastry. They are vegan. 🙂
Best,
Chhaya
You create the most delicious recipes!
This made for an amaaaaazing dinner. All loved it. Will definitely be making again soon. Thanks for the share!!
yay!