Vegan Chickpea Tuna Melt Sandwich

This Vegan Chickpea 'Tuna' Melt Sandwich is a healthy and hearty plant-based meal! Think vegans can't enjoy a tuna melt? Think again! Your heart will melt into a puddle of happiness at the thought of this Vegan ' Tuna' Melt that is 100% plant-based, creamy, cheesy, and PERFECTLY toasted. This is Kid-friendly, Dairy-free, and completely Plant-based + Vegan!

📝 Ingredients

• 1 (15 oz.) can chickpeas, drained + rinsed
• 2 Tbsps vegan mayo
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp dill weed
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp yellow mustard powder
• 4 Tbsps vegan butter, for cooking
• 2 garlic cloves, minced (for cooking)
• 2 Tbsps chopped green onions
• 2 Tbsps sweet relish or minced dill pickles
• 8 slices bread ((I love using Dave's Killer Done Right White Bread))
• 8 slices vegan Cheddar cheese ((I love Violife's cheese slice line))

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. 2--- TO MAKE THE "TUNA" FILLING: ---
3. 3In a bowl, add the chickpeas and mash until completely broken down and looks "paste-like". Add in the vegan mayo, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, dill, yellow mustard, chopped green onions, and relish, mixing until combined.
4. 4--- ASSEMBLY: ---
5. 5On one side of 4 slices of bread, add a few spoonfuls of "tuna" mixture, spreading evenly until covered. On the other half of each sandwich (atop remaining 4 slices), add 2 slices of cheese. Place together one side of bread that has cheese with the other side that has the "tuna" mixture, pressing them gently together to make a sandwich. Repeat until all sandwiches were made.
6. 6In a large skillet (12-inch) over medium-high heat, add 1 Tbsp of butter followed by minced garlic. Let garlic sauté a bit before removing it from the pan and adding two sandwiches (one side down), cooking until golden brown, about 3-4 minutes. Flip sandwich unto opposite side and cook from another 3-4 minutes.
7. 7--- BAKE IN THE OVEN: ---
8. 8Add each cooked sandwich unto the prepared baking sheet and once all have been assembled, at the oven to bake for 30 minutes or until fully crispy and everything is cooked through.
9. 9Remove sandwiches from pan and repeat steps for remaining sandwiches.
10. 10Once done, plate the sandwiches and enjoy.
11. 11Bon Appetit!