Chickpea nuggets
These vegan crispy chickpea nuggets are packed with fiber, protein, and plant-based goodness and perfect for serving to veggie-wary children (and adults!). They're gluten-free, egg-free, soy-free, low-fat, and baked or air-fried in under 30 minutes!
Servings 16 nuggets
Ingredients
Nuggets:
- 8 oz (225 g) broccoli florets
- 1 (15 oz) can of chickpeas (save the liquid!)
- 1/2 onion chopped (I used red)
- 2 cloves of garlic minced
- 1/2 tsp salt
- Black pepper to taste
- 2 tsp nutritional yeast
- 1/4 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 cup (45 g) oat flour (gluten-free if needed)
Breading:
- 3/4 cup breadcrumbs gluten-free, if needed (see notes)
- Cooking spray
Instructions
- You can watch the short video for visual instructions.Drain the liquid of the chickpea can into a medium bowl and set it aside.
- Cook the broccoli florets in boiling salted water for about 4 minutes, then drain the water very well.
- Add the broccoli to a food processor, along with the chickpeas, onion, garlic, and spices.
- Pulse about 8 times, then add the oat flour. Pulse a couple of more times (making sure not to over-process the mixture), until it's combined, scraping down the sides of the food processor, if needed.
- Using your hands, shape the mixture into 16 nuggets.
- Dip each nugget into the chickpea water and then into the breadcrumbs to coat the nuggets from all sides. You can also use your favorite breading. I used this homemade breading.
- Spray the air fryer basket (or a lined baking sheet) with a little cooking spray and also the nuggets, so that they don't stick and become a little crispier.
- Air fryer method: Air fry for 18 minutes at 380 F (190 C), flipping after about 12 minutes.
- Oven method: Bake them in your preheated oven for about 25 minutes at 400 F (205 C) flipping after 15 minutes.
- Enjoy with this yum yum sauce or a dip of choice.
Notes
- If you don't want to use breadcrumbs, then follow this recipe for my homemade breading.
- More tips, FAQs, and storing instructions can be found in the blog post above.
Nutrition Facts
Chickpea nuggets
Serving Size
1 nugget
Amount per Serving
Calories
54
% Daily Value*
Fat
1
g
2
%
Saturated Fat
1
g
5
%
Sodium
119
mg
5
%
Potassium
89
mg
3
%
Carbohydrates
9
g
3
%
Fiber
2
g
8
%
Sugar
1
g
1
%
Protein
3
g
6
%
Vitamin A
107
IU
2
%
Vitamin C
13
mg
16
%
Calcium
17
mg
2
%
Iron
1
mg
6
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.