Crazy Vegan Kitchen

Easy and simple vegan recipes.

  • Vegan Recipe Index
    • Mains
    • Desserts
    • Salads & Sides
    • Breakfast
    • Drinks & Juices
  • Who Am I?
    • Get in touch
  • Articles
Home » Mains » Buddha Bowl

Buddha Bowl

Last updated on November 24, 2022 By Crazy Vegan 101 Comments

Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

This homemade buddha bowl is delicious- Fluffy rice topped with crispy chickpeas, vegetables, and the most delicious spicy and sweet dressing! 

vegan buddha bowl

When it comes to buddha bowl ideas, my favorite recipes to make are burrito bowls, barbecue bowl, and this homemade buddha bowl.

Table of Contents
  • What is a buddha bowl?
  • Ingredients needed
    • For the bowls
    • For the seasoned chickpeas
    • Buddha bowl sauce
  • How do you make a buddha bowl
  • Flavor variations
  • Storage instructions
  • More vegan dinner recipes to try
  • Tools used to make this buddha bowl
  • Frequently asked questions

What is a buddha bowl?

A buddha bowl is a one-bowl meal, typically starting with a base of rice. It’s topped with various proteins, legumes, and vegetables, and all topped with a sauce or dressing.

FREE EBOOK SERIES! 5 SECRETS FOR FOOLPROOF VEGAN DESERTS

    Why this buddha bowl recipe will be a dinner favorite-

    • It’s fast. Everything comes together in under 10 minutes.
    • Easy to customize. You can change up the toppings, protein, and even the grain base.
    • Perfect use of leftovers. We love to use up leftovers by adding them on top.
    • Healthy. Packed with fiber, protein, and healthy fats, this is the ultimate comfort meal.

    My version is a little bit different. It’s full of delicious textures and flavors. The buddha bowl dressing is on another level!

    Ingredients needed

    For the bowls

    • Baked sweet potato– Lightly baked with salt and olive oil. This adds a fabulous sweet element to the buddha bowl, while also making it that much more satisfying.
    • Rice– The base of any good bowl. Use any rice you like, like white, brown, black, or jasmine.
    • Red cabbage– Adds color and some much-needed crunch,
    • Baby spinach– Any salad leaves work, but baby spinach is the best tasting.
    • Avocado– Creaminess and extra satisfying healthy fats!

    For the seasoned chickpeas

    • Chickpeas– Canned chickpeas with no added salt. Use the leftover chickpea water to make meringues.
    • Sriracha– A spicy kick (without being too spicy!). You can omit it or use ketchup instead!
    • Maple syrup– A natural sweetener to balance out the spicy and salty elements.
    • Smoked paprika– A fabulous spice that gives the chickpeas a lovely smokey flavor.
    • Garlic powder– Adds some garlic flavor without actually needing any garlic.
    • Salt and pepper– To taste.

    Buddha bowl sauce

    • Tahini– Smooth tahini. You can also use peanut butter or almond butter.
    • Warm water– To thin the dressing out.
    • Maple syrup– Again, adds a hint of sweetness.
    • Cayenne pepper– A spicy kick to give the overall buddha bowl some heat. This is completely optional!
    • Turmeric– Adds color and extra nutrients!
    • Sriracha– Optional, but for sriracha lovers… this one is a given!
    • Salt– To taste!

    How do you make a buddha bowl

    Start by roasting the sweet potato, followed by the chickpeas (along with their seasonings) until crispy and crunchy. While the sweet potato and chickpeas are cooling, prepare the buddha bowl sauce by whisking together all the ingredients until smooth.

    Now, assemble the buddha bowl. Add a layer of rice, followed by sweet potato, baby spinach, purple cabbage, and avocado. Sprinkle over the chickpeas then drizzle the sauce over the top.

    how to make a buddha bowl

    Flavor variations

    The beauty of this dish is just how easy it is to customize. It really is a blank canvas, so here are some ideas:

    • Vegetables– Add some broccoli, brussels sprouts, or some Hasselback potatoes.
    • Protein– Give the bowl an added boost of protein by adding some sliced tofu, tempeh, or seitan.
    • Legumes– Switch out the chickpeas for butter beans, black beans, or even kidney beans.
    • Nuts and seeds– Add some extra crunch by adding chopped peanuts, cashews, or pepitas.
    • Fruit– Freshly sliced strawberries, mango, or papaya.

    Storage instructions

    • To store: Fully prepared buddha bowls can be stored for up to 3 days, provided the dressing hasn’t been drizzled on top.
    • To make ahead: You can make ahead each part of the buddha bowl up to 3 days in advance. Simply assemble when ready to enjoy.

    More vegan dinner recipes to try

    • Ratatouille
    • Stuffed peppers
    • Sweet potato chili
    • Avocado pesto pasta
    spicy buddha bowl

    Tools used to make this buddha bowl

    • Baking tray– Non-stick but also cooks the food evenly!
    • Serving bowls– Big bowls to fit everything in!
    • Whisk– A good whisk to make a perfectly smooth dressing.

    Frequently asked questions

    What are the 5 key components of a buddha bowl?

    A buddha bowl should contain a grain, a vegetable, a fat, a protein, and a sauce.

    What is the difference between a buddha bowl and a salad?

    Salads don’t typically contain grains (unless they are specialty salad) whereas buddha bowls always have a grain base.

    Are buddha bowls healthy?

    Yes, buddha bowls are one of the healthiest meals that meet all the macronutrients. Using calorie-dense and creamy sauces can increase the calories and saturated fat.

    vegan buddha bowl

    Buddha Bowl In 10 Minutes | The BEST Easy Recipe

    Crazy Vegan
    This vegan buddha bowl is filled with spicy and crispy roasted chickpeas, sweet potatoes, and the most incredible dressing!
    4.58 from 7 votes
    Print Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 5 mins
    Total Time 10 mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Servings 2 servings
    Calories 250 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    For the bowls

    • 1 cup Cooked Brown Rice
    • 1 cup Red Cabbage chopped
    • 1 cup Baby Spinach
    • 1 Avocado sliced

    For the roasted sweet potato

    • 1 large Sweet Potato cut into chunks
    • 1 teaspoon Olive Oil
    • 1 teaspoon Salt

    For the chickpeas

    • 1 can Chickpeas drained
    • 1 1/2 tablespoons Sriracha
    • 2 teaspoons Maple Syrup
    • 1/2 teaspoon Paprika
    • 1/2 teaspoon Garlic Powder
    • 1 tsp Salt

    For the dressing

    • 1/ cup Tahini
    • 1/ cup Warm Water
    • 1 teaspoon Maple Syrup
    • 1/4 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
    • 1/2 teaspoon Turmeric
    • 1/2 teaspoon Sriracha
    • 1 teaspoon Salt

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 180C/350F. Coat sweet potato in 1 tsp oil and season with salt and pepper. Place on baking tray and pop into the oven to roast for 35 minutes, turning once halfway through the cooking time.
    • Whilst sweet potato is cooking, prepare chickpeas. In a bowl, combine chickpeas, sriracha, maple syrup, paprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Mix to combine. Heat a saucepan and transfer chickpea mixture into saucepan to cook for 5-10 minutes. Make sure to keep the chickpeas moving so they don't burn. Cook until chickpeas are slightly sticky and no longer watery. Keep aside.
    • In a clean saucepan, wilt spinach slightly and season. Transfer to a bowl and repeat the wilting and seasoning process with the cabbage.
    • Once sweet potato is cooked through, prepare your Buddha Bowl by placing your rice in the bottom of a bowl and then topping with the sweet potato, chickpeas, spinach, red cabbage and avocado.
    • To make dressing, whisk all ingredients together. Drizzle over the buddha bowl.

    Video

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1servingCalories: 250kcalCarbohydrates: 35gProtein: 18gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 3gSodium: 3900mgPotassium: 1400mgFiber: 15gSugar: 16gVitamin A: 26328IUVitamin C: 54mgCalcium: 124mgIron: 3mg
    Keyword buddha bowl, spicy buddha bowl, vegan buddha bowl
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
    • Facebook
    « Vegan Banh Mi
    Jackfruit Tacos »

    FREE EBOOK SERIES! 5 SECRETS FOR FOOLPROOF VEGAN DESERTS

      Comments

      1. A says

        at

        So good.

        5 stars

        Reply
        • Crazy Vegan says

          at

          Thank you :)
          Reply
      2. Becca says

        at

        Okay I just have to say that this is my GO TO recipe! It's so easy and fast and ADDICTIVE. I've made it SO many times over the past few years and literally cannot get enough. The sauce, the spices, everything is just so great and complements each other so well. Thank you thank you thank you!!
        Reply
        • Amrita says

          at

          Thank you for that wonderful comment, Becca!!! <3
          Reply
      3. Franny says

        at

        This bowl is da bomb!! I've made it four times already (exactly as written), and I think it may be turning into a ritual dish for me. Ritual as in, today-sucked-so-I'm-going-to-stuff-myself-silly-with-a-crap-ton-of-amazing-food-while-I-watch-Netflix. All those flavors and textures, comfort food for sure... but elegant, and good for you, too! Thank you, Amrita! <3
        Reply
      « Older Comments

      Talk Back To Me Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




      • Facebook
      • Instagram
      • Pinterest
      • Twitter

      Amrita @ Crazy Vegan Kitchen
      I'm the crazy cat behind this blog. Curious? Find out more about me.


      FREE SERIES! 5 SECRETS FOR FOOLPROOF VEGAN DESERTS


        Copyright © 2023 · Foodie Pro Theme On Genesis Framework · WordPress · Privacy Policy & Disclosure. · Log in