Vegan Chickpea Nuggets:

 

Ingredients:

• 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (use gluten-free if needed)
• 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp tahini or any nut/seed butter (optional for richness)
• 1 tbsp olive oil (optional for added crispiness)
• 1 tbsp soy sauce or tamari (for gluten-free option)
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped (optional)
• 1/2 cup flour (use chickpea or oat flour for gluten-free option)
• 1/2 cup water or plant-based milk (for dredging)
• Extra breadcrumbs for coating

Instructions:

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Blend the Chickpeas: In a food processor, pulse the chickpeas until they are mostly broken down but still have a little texture. Don’t over-process them into a paste.
3. Mix Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, combine the processed chickpeas with the breadcrumbs, nutritional yeast, onion, garlic, tahini (if using), olive oil, soy sauce, smoked paprika, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and parsley/cilantro. Mix well until you form a dough-like mixture. If it’s too wet, add more breadcrumbs; if it’s too dry, add a little water.
4. Shape the Nuggets: Take small portions of the mixture and form nugget-sized pieces, about 1-2 inches wide. Flatten them slightly to resemble nuggets.
5. Dredging: In one small bowl, mix the flour with water or plant-based milk to form a thick batter. In another bowl, place the extra breadcrumbs for coating.
6. Coat the Nuggets: Dip each nugget into the flour batter, then roll in the breadcrumbs until well coated.
7. Bake: Place the coated nuggets onto the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and crispy. If you want extra crispiness, you can spray or lightly brush them with a little oil before baking.
8. Serve: Serve warm with your favorite dipping sauce like vegan ranch, ketchup, or BBQ sauce.

Enjoy!

These nuggets are crispy, flavorful, and perfect for a healthy snack or as part of a meal. You can also freeze them and reheat for a quick snack later!