
Classic Buddha Bowl
A vibrant, nourishing bowl packed with roasted vegetables, fluffy grains, crispy chickpeas, fresh greens, and a creamy tahini dressing. This well-balanced meal is endlessly customizable, meal-prep friendly, and comes together in about 45 minutes. Every component is simple on its own — together they create something truly satisfying.
4 servings · Prep 15 min · Cook 30 min · Total 45 min
Main Course
Ingredients
Open in recipe scaler →Main
1 cup quinoa rinsed
2 cup water
0.25 tsp salt
1 avocado sliced
1 cucumber thinly sliced
2 tbsp sesame seeds- 2 tbsp fresh parsley or cilantro roughly chopped
Roasted Vegetables
1 sweet potato peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
1 red bell pepper seeded and cut into 1-inch pieces
1 zucchini cut into half-moons
2 tbsp olive oil
0.5 tsp garlic powder
0.5 tsp smoked paprika
0.5 tsp salt
0.25 tsp black pepper freshly ground
Crispy Chickpeas
1 can chickpeas drained, rinsed, and patted very dry
1 tbsp olive oil
0.5 tsp cumin ground
0.25 tsp cayenne pepper
0.25 tsp salt
Tahini Dressing
0.25 cup tahini well-stirred
3 tbsp lemon juice freshly squeezed
1 clove garlic minced or grated
1 tbsp maple syrup
3 tbsp warm water plus more to thin
0.25 tsp salt
Equipment
Oven
Stovetop
Saucepan
Baking Sheet
Parchment Paper
Mixing Bowl
Skillet
Paper Towel
Fork
Measuring Cups
Whisk
Knife
Pan
Jelly Roll (10x15)
Measuring Spoons
Cutting Board
Saucepan (1 Quart)
Mixing Bowl (4 Quarts)
Dipping Fork
Colander
Instructions
- Preheat your #[Oven] to ![425°F]. While it heats, combine the rinsed @[Quinoa], @[Water], and @[Salt] in a #[Saucepan]. Bring to a boil over ^[high heat], then reduce the heat to ^[low], cover, and simmer for ~[15 minutes]. Remove from heat and let it steam, covered, for ~[5 more minutes]. Fluff with a fork and set aside.
- Line a large #[Baking Sheet] (or two if needed) with #[Parchment Paper]. Add the @[Sweet Potato] cubes, @[Red Bell Pepper], and @[Zucchini]. Drizzle with @[Olive Oil] and sprinkle with @[Garlic Powder], @[Paprika], @[Salt], and @[Black Pepper]. Toss well to coat, then spread into a single layer — don't overcrowd or they'll steam instead of roast.
- Roast at ![425°F] for ~[25–30 minutes], flipping halfway through, until the @[Sweet Potato] are fork-tender and the edges are caramelized and slightly crispy.
- Pat the drained @[Chickpeas] completely dry with paper towels — the drier they are, the crispier they'll get. Spread them on a small section of the #[Baking Sheet] (or a separate sheet) alongside the vegetables. Drizzle with @[Olive Oil] and toss with @[Cumin], @[Cayenne Pepper] (if using), and @[Salt].
- Roast the @[Chickpeas] at ![425°F] for ~[20–25 minutes], shaking the pan once halfway through, until they are golden, firm, and crispy. They will continue to crisp up slightly as they cool.
- In a small #[Mixing Bowl], whisk together the @[Tahini], @[Lemon Juice], minced @[Garlic], @[Maple Syrup], @[Warm Water], and @[Salt] until smooth and creamy. The dressing will seize up at first — keep whisking and it will come together. Add more @[Warm Water], one tablespoon at a time, until it reaches a pourable, drizzleable consistency. Taste and adjust @[Salt] or @[Lemon Juice] as needed.
- Divide the baby spinach or mixed greens among four wide bowls as the base. Add a generous scoop of @[Quinoa] to each bowl.
- Arrange the roasted vegetables, crispy @[Chickpeas], sliced @[Avocado], and @[Cucumber] in separate sections around the bowl — the classic Buddha bowl presentation keeps each component distinct so you can see every colorful element.
- Drizzle generously with the tahini dressing, then sprinkle with @[Sesame Seeds] and fresh herbs if using. Serve immediately.
