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These Vegan Chickpea Nuggets are deliciously crisp outside, tender inside, and oil-free, making them a healthy and guilt-free snack!
The ideal finger food for the whole family, combined with your favorite dip or condiment!
This recipe is free from animal-derived ingredients, oil, and nuts and can be prepared Gluten-Free.
WHY CHICKPEAS ARE GOOD FOR YOU
Chickpeas, or garbanzo beans, are highly nutritious and offer numerous health benefits. Here’s why chickpeas are good for you:
- Rich in Nutrients: Chickpeas are a great source of protein, making them an excellent choice for vegetarians and vegans. They also contain essential vitamins and minerals like folate, iron, phosphorus, copper, and magnesium.
- Dietary Fiber: Chickpeas are high in dietary fiber, which can help promote digestive health. Fiber can help prevent constipation, and fiber-rich foods like chickpeas can help maintain a healthy digestive tract.
- Heart Health: Chickpeas contain significant amounts of soluble fiber, which can help reduce “bad” LDL cholesterol levels, potentially decreasing the risk of heart disease.
- Blood Sugar Control: The protein and fiber in chickpeas can help prevent rapid rises in blood sugar levels after meals, making them a good choice for people with diabetes.
Incorporating chickpeas into a balanced diet can offer multiple health benefits. So, let’s see how to prepare these vegan chickpea nuggets!
HOW TO PREPARE THESE VEGAN CHICKPEA NUGGETS
(Please read the printable recipe card below for detailed ingredients, measurements, steps, and notes).
These chickpea nuggets are delicious, nutritious, and easy to make!
It’s an excellent alternative for those who are looking for a meat-free option nugget that still packs a flavorful punch.
The recipe’s simplicity is one of its unique features. With just a few essential ingredients and simple steps, you can make crispy chickpea nuggets that are so flavorful.
KITCHEN EQUIPMENT
Here’s a list of kitchen tools and equipment you’ll need for this recipe:
- Food processor.
- Baking sheet.
- Parchment paper or silicone baking mat.
- Mixing bowls.
- Measuring cups and spoons.
INGREDIENTS
Here is a list of everything you will need to prepare these delicious vegan chickpea nuggets:
Nuggets
- Chickpeas: The star of the show, chickpeas bring protein, fiber, and a satisfying texture to our nuggets.
- Oat Flour (or Chickpea Flour): The binding agent keeps our nuggets together. You can make this flour by processing Rolled Oats (I prefer Organic, Sprouted, and Gluten-Free).
- Baking Powder: This gives the nuggets that perfect rise, resulting in a tender interior.
- Spices (Paprika, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Black Pepper): These seasonings add layers of flavor, making our nuggets irresistible.
- Salt: A pinch of salt enhances all the flavors, creating that mouthwatering balance.
Crumb topping
- Whole Wheat Breadcrumbs (or Gluten-Free Breadcrumbs/Panko): The crispy outer layer that everyone craves. I’m using Simple Truth Organic for the Whole Wheat Breadcrumbs, which is oil-free but contains a small amount of sugar (1 g).
- Nutritional yeast – a cheesy and nutty seasoning that adds flavor and nutrition to the coating.
- Garlic salt – adds a savory and slightly salty flavor to the coating.
DIRECTIONS WITH PICTURES
To prepare these crispy vegan chickpea nuggets, you can follow these simple steps:
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Drain and rinse the chickpeas, saving the aquafaba.
Pulse the chickpeas in a food processor until finely chopped.
Make the Oat Flour, processing the rolled oats in a food processor.
Combine chickpeas, oat flour (or chickpea flour), baking powder, and spices. Add aquafaba and mix until a moldable consistency is achieved.
Shape your nuggets, dip them in aquafaba, and coat them in the crumb topping.
Bake for 25-30 minutes until they’re beautifully golden and crispy.
Enjoy!
What makes this recipe worth loving? There’s so much to adore about our Vegan Chickpea Nuggets:
- Health Boost: Packed with plant-based protein and fiber, these nuggets are a nutritious treat.
- Allergy-Friendly: Free from dairy, eggs, and all types of animal-derived products, and with gluten-free options, they cater to various dietary needs.
- Crispy Goodness: Achieve that perfect crunch without any oil.
- Kid-Approved: Even picky eaters will fall in love with these nuggets.
- Versatile: Pair them with your favorite dips or use them in wraps, salads, or sandwiches.
- Simple and easy!
Let’s prepare these Vegan Chickpea Nuggets!
WATCH THE STEP-BY-STEP VIDEO!
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PRINTABLE RECIPE AND INSTRUCTIONS
OIL-FREE VEGAN CHICKPEA NUGGETS
Ingredients
Nuggets
- 2 cans chickpeas 15.5 oz., or 439 g cans chickpeas (save the aquafaba for later)
- ½ cup oat flour use gluten-free certified rolled oats (process the oats to get the flour) or chickpea flour if needed
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp paprika adjust to taste
- ½ tsp garlic powder adjust to taste
- ½ tsp onion powder adjust to taste
- 1/2 tsp black pepper adjust to taste
- 1 tsp salt adjust to taste
Crumb topping
- 4 oz breadcrumbs (whole wheat or gluten-free breadcrumbs if needed)
- 2 tbsp nutritional yeast (for extra flavor and nutrition)
- ½ tsp garlic salt
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or silicone baking mat.
- Drain and rinse the chickpeas thoroughly, saving the liquid from the can, known as aquafaba.
- In a food processor, add the chickpeas and pulse until finely chopped and crumbly. It's important to avoid overblending as it can result in losing the desired texture of the preparation.
- Combine the processed chickpeas, oat flour (or chickpea flour), baking powder, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Add 4 to 6 tablespoons of the reserved aquafaba. Then, mix the ingredients until you reach a consistency that allows you to shape the nuggets easily.
- Prepare a small bowl with the rest of the aquafaba.
- Place the crumb topping ingredients in a separate bowl and mix them up.
- Now, it's time to shape your chickpea nuggets. Scoop up a spoonful of the chickpea batter and shape it into nugget-sized pieces using your hands. Dip each nugget into the aquafaba and roll each in the crumb mixture, ensuring they're evenly coated*. Place the coated nuggets on the prepared baking sheet.
- Repeat this process until all the chickpea mixture is used and you have a tray full of chickpea nuggets.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, turning the nuggets over halfway through baking to ensure they cook evenly. They should become slightly golden brown and crispy on the outside.
- Once the chickpea nuggets are cooked to your liking, remove them from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes before serving.
- Serve your oil-free vegan chickpea nuggets with your favorite dipping sauces, such as ketchup, barbecue sauce, or a vegan ranch dressing. Enjoy!
Notes
- * To coat your nuggets, dip each in aquafaba, shake off excess moisture, and cover it thinly in crumb topping. Use one hand for dipping and the other for coating, and avoid pressing too hard. Keep the crumb coating dry for best results.
- You can replace the crumb topping for the one you have, like, or need, like GF options.
- If you have any leftover nuggets, you can store them in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for 3 days. Alternatively, you can freeze them for up to 3 months. For best results, reheat the nuggets in an oven or air fryer at 350°F until they are warmed throughout.
- For a more golden crumb topping without using oil, you can follow this tip. Preheat your oven and place the breadcrumbs on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake them until they are toasted and turn light golden brown in color, which usually takes around 5 minutes. Then, transfer them to a bowl and let them cool before using them in your recipes.
- You can also cook the nuggets in the air fryer. Place the nuggets in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to do this in batches. Cook the nuggets for about 12-15 minutes, turning them over halfway through the cooking time to ensure they cook evenly. This method is excellent for obtaining a more golden exterior (without oil) than the oven.
- The number of nuggets you can obtain will depend on the size you are making each piece.
WAYS TO ENJOY THESE VEGAN CHICKPEA NUGGETS
Now that you’ve got a batch of these tasty nuggets, here are some ways to enjoy them:
- Classic Dip: Dunk them in ketchup or vegan ranch for a classic, finger-licking treat.
- Burger Bliss: Place them in a bun with veggies and your favorite sauce for a hearty chickpea burger.
- Wrap ‘n’ Roll: Roll them in a tortilla with fresh greens and tahini sauce for a delicious wrap.
- Salad Topper: Sprinkle nugget crumbles over a salad for a crunchy protein boost.
- Shape it as a veggie burger.
- Kids’ Delight: A lunchbox favorite for kids of all ages.
If you are hungry for some satisfying chickpea recipes, you could also try these yummy ones:
- Tabbouleh Salad with Chickpeas.
- Chickpea Loaf Recipe.
- 1-Pot Chickpeas Pasta.
- Super easy chickpea burgers.
- Chickpeas Salad.
DID YOU MAKE THESE VEGAN CHICKPEA NUGGETS?
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