This Kale Cesar Salad starts with the kale and dressing. For the longest time I did not like kale. I always just thought it was so tough and hard to chew. The key to actually enjoying kale is massaging it with the dressing. For this Cesar Salad, I kept the dressing easy using Trader Joes Vegan Cesar. It is super flavorful and perfect for this salad. Use your favorite Cesar dressing or whatever you have on hand. I like to chop the kale up finely to make it easier to bite, and then get in with your hands to massage the dressing into it. You will notice it gets soft and breaks down the tough texture.

After the kale soaks up the flavor from the dressing, it is time to add the toppings. I air fried some white sweet potatoes and crispy chickpeas. This is just the start to the crunch on this salad. Roasted white sweet potatoes add the perfect starch and a hint of sweetness. I prefer white because they just seem to hold up better then regular. The crispy chickpeas are another great addition that are nutritious but add a nutty flavor. Next up for the crunch is some cornbread croutons.  This is probably my favorite ingredient in the salad because it adds a slightly sweet flavor to balance out the salt from the dressing while also making the salad even more satisfying. Next up is some avocado slices. Buttery avocado is just my favorite in any salad and goes perfectly with this salad.  Last but not least is some fresh grated parmesan cheese. This is just one of those classic Cesar Salad ingredients you can’t forget.

To get the crispiness with the sweet potato, croutons, or chickpeas I used an airfryer. I just put each ingredient in there separately because they cook fairly quickly. You could also roast all the ingredients in the oven so be sure to ready the recipe for options.

I love this Kale Cesar Salad as a side or a main dish. It would be delicious with some chicken on top for additional protein. If you don’t like kale, please try this salad to change your mind. It has the perfect blend of savory and salty with slight added sweetness from the sweet potatoes and croutons.  For another delicious salad be sure to try my Simple Green Salad.