Vegan Chickpea & Basil Meatballs Recipe
These Vegan Meatballs are a flavorful and healthy plant-based alternative to traditional meatballs. Made with chickpeas, chia seeds, rolled oats, and fresh herbs, they offer a perfect balance of texture and taste. Baked to golden perfection, these meatballs are ideal for serving with pasta and your favorite sauce for a delicious vegan meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 18-20 minutes
- Total Time: 33-35 minutes
- Yield: 16 meatballs 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Vegan, Plant-Based
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs
- Cooking spray, for pan
- 2 cups canned chickpeas, drained (reserve liquid)
- 2 1/2 tablespoons chia seeds
- 6 tablespoons water
- 1/2 cup rolled oats
- 1 1/2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 3 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a medium baking sheet with aluminum foil and lightly grease it with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Process Chickpeas: Drain the chickpeas, reserving the liquid. Place the chickpeas in a food processor and pulse until they are broken down but not completely smooth, maintaining some texture.
- Make Chia Egg: In a medium bowl, combine the chia seeds and water. Stir well and let the mixture sit for about 5 minutes until it gels and thickens, forming a chia seed egg substitute.
- Combine Ingredients: Add the chia egg, rolled oats, tomato paste, chopped basil, minced garlic, fennel seeds, and red pepper flakes into the food processor with the chickpeas. Blend until the mixture is well combined but still has some texture. If the mixture feels too dry, add the reserved chickpea liquid one tablespoon at a time until the desired consistency is reached. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Shape Meatballs: Using your hands, form the mixture into 16 evenly sized meatballs and place them on the prepared baking sheet, spaced slightly apart.
- Bake Meatballs: Bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes. Then, carefully flip each meatball and bake for an additional 8 to 10 minutes, or until the meatballs turn golden brown and develop a crisp exterior.
- Serve: Remove the meatballs from the oven and serve warm with your favorite pasta and sauce for a complete vegan meal.
Notes
- If you prefer a firmer texture, reduce the added chickpea liquid slightly.
- These meatballs freeze well—shape and bake as directed, then cool completely before freezing in an airtight container.
- Feel free to substitute basil with parsley or oregano for different flavor profiles.
- Use gluten-free oats if you need the recipe to be gluten-free.
Keywords: vegan meatballs, plant-based meatballs, chickpea meatballs, vegan dinner, healthy vegan recipe
