Cooking easy allergy friendly meals should not have to be difficult! As someone who is celiac, lactose intolerant and allergic to almonds, it is so important that all my recipes cater to people with multiple dietary restrictions and/or food allergies! All my recipes are gluten free and tree nut free. If they are not already dairy free I will always give an option to make it dairy free! This vegan caesar salad recipe is gluten free, dairy free and nut free.
I love a loaded salad. In my opinion there should be equal amount of toppings to lettuce. This Vegan Caesar Salad has vegan chick’n tenders and sweet potato fries on top to kick it up a notch!
why you’ll love this allergy friendly recipe
- This recipe uses the air fryer so it skips any olive oil!
- This delicious vegan caesar salad is the perfect main course for an easy weeknight dinner, or perfect side dish for a dinner party.
- This easy salad recipe is perfect for a last minute loaded salad dinner.
- Use your best vegan caesar salad dressing recipe or make your own with your preferred dressing ingredients.
- This salad tastes just like a traditional caesar salad.
ingredients & substitutions
Romaine Lettuce: The base of this recipe is crispy romaine lettuce. It’s a leafy green with a crunchy texture. You can substitute crisp romaine lettuce with any other lettuce you like, such as green leaf or butter lettuce.
Gluten-Free Chick’n Tenders: These are plant-based tenders that mimic the taste and texture of chicken. The vegan chicken is usually made from ingredients like soy, pea protein, or wheat gluten (check label for gluten-free). If you can’t find chick’n tenders, try tofu cubes, tempeh crumbles, crispy chickpeas, or even chopped lentils.
Sweet Potato Fries: These add sweetness and a crispy texture to the salad. You can use regular fries or skip the fries altogether if you prefer.
Vegan Parmesan Cheese: This is a dairy-free cheese alternative made from nuts (like cashews) or nutritional yeast. You can skip the cheese or try a vegan cheddar or mozzarella shred for a different flavor.
Vegan Caesar Salad Dressing: This is a creamy dressing flavored with herbs and spices, but without eggs or dairy. You can buy pre-made traditional caesar dressing that is vegan or whip up your own homemade vegan caesar dressing in a high-speed blender with vegan mayonnaise, lemon juice, sea salt, maple syrup, dijon mustard, black pepper and garlic cloves or garlic powder. You can also use a food processor. Blend or process until yoy reach the right texture of a salad dressing. All these options are available at your local grocery store or whole foods.
taste & texture
This vegan caesar salad combines fresh and crunchy textures with savory flavors. The romaine lettuce adds a cool, crisp base. The air-fried chick’n tenders offer a warm, chewy bite similar to chicken. Sweet potato fries add sweetness and crispy bits throughout. The vegan parmesan cheese sprinkles on a salty, nutty flavor. Finally, the vegan caesar dressing ties everything together with a creamy, tangy taste.
directions
Step 1
Preheat your air fryer according to its instructions. Add the chick’n tenders and sweet potato fries in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook according to the air fryer’s recommended time and temperature for each ingredient, or until the fries are crispy and the chick’n tenders are heated through.
Step 2
After the fries and chick’n tenders are done cooking, cut the chick’n tenders into bite-sized cubes, about 1 inch each.
Step 3
Add the romaine lettuce to a large bowl or salad bowl.
Step 4
Add the cubed chick’n tenders and crispy sweet potato fries over the lettuce.
Step 5
Drizzle with your favorite vegan caesar salad dressing and sprinkle with vegan parmesan cheese to finish.
expert tips & tricks
- Add any of your favorite vegetables to this salad for a fun twist. Add grape tomatoes, red onion.
- Top this classic vegan caesar salad with bread crumbs or sunflower seeds on top for an extra crunch.
recipe variations
- This simple salad would be perfect to add homemade croutons to. You can ust chop up a slice of gluten free bread. Season it. Add it to the air fryer until crispy! These homemade croutons are a great way to dress up boring salads.
- You can also air fry or bake seasoned chickpeas to make your own crispy chickpea croutons. This vegan version is high protein! Just take your chickpeas and place chickpeas on a parchment paper lined rimmed baking sheet. Spray with cooking oil and season with your favorite seasonings. Bake until golden brown. Add on top of your vegan caesar salad before seving.
- You can switch up the dressing and use any vegan salad dressing you want. My favorite way to serve this salad is to add a hint of vegan buffalo sauce to my vegan caesar dressing recipe to give it a spicy kick.
serving, storing and meal prepping
This vegan caesar salad is best enjoyed fresh for the crispiest fries and chick’n. However, leftover dressing and salad (without dressing) can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Fries and chick’n can be reheated in the air fryer for a few minutes to crisp them back up.
For meal prep, assemble the vegan caesar salad (without dressing) in individual containers. Store the dressing and croutons (fries and chick’n) separately. When ready to eat, toss with dressing and top with croutons.
Looking for more allergy friendly easy recipe?
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Crispy Vegan Caesar Salad Recipe (Gluten Free)
Ingredients
- 2 cups romaine lettuce
- 1 cup gluten free chickn’ tenders chopped
- 1 cup sweet potato fries
- 2 tbsp vegan parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp vegan caesar salad dressing
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer according to its instructions. Add the chick’n tenders and sweet potato fries in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook according to the air fryer’s recommended time and temperature for each ingredient, or until the fries are crispy and the chick’n tenders are heated through.
- After the fries and chick’n tenders are done cooking, cut the chick’n tenders into bite-sized cubes, about 1 inch each.
- Add the romaine lettuce to a large bowl.
- Add the cubed chick’n tenders and crispy sweet potato fries over the lettuce.
- Drizzle with your favorite vegan caesar salad dressing and sprinkle with vegan parmesan cheese to finish.
Notes
- This simple salad would be perfect to add homemade croutons to. You can ust chop up a slice of gluten free bread. Season it. Add it to the air fryer until crispy! These homemade croutons are a great way to dress up boring salads.
- You can also air fry or bake seasoned chickpeas to make your own crispy chickpea croutons. This vegan version is high protein! Just take your chickpeas and place chickpeas on a parchment paper lined rimmed baking sheet. Spray with cooking oil and season with your favorite seasonings. Bake until golden brown. Add on top of your vegan caesar salad before seving.
- You can switch up the dressing and use any vegan salad dressing you want. My favorite way to serve this salad is to add a hint of vegan buffalo sauce to my vegan caesar dressing recipe to give it a spicy kick.
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