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BBQ chickpea 'meatballs' plated
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Vegan BBQ Chickpea 'Meatballs'

Indulge in these vegan BBQ chickpea meatballs—a savory twist on a classic favorite. Packed with plant-based protein and smothered in tangy BBQ sauce, they're a deliciously guilt-free alternative sure to satisfy any craving.
Prep Time30 minutes
Total Time1 hour 10 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, High Protein, Nut-Free, Oil-Free, Plant-Based, Vegan
Servings: 30 Meatballs

Equipment

  • Food processor
  • Baking sheet
  • Parchment paper or silicone baking mat

Ingredients

  • 2 (15 oz) cans chickpeas drained
  • ½ cup onion diced
  • 1 cup baby bella mushrooms rough chopped
  • 1 cup cooked brown rice or any leftover grain
  • ½ cup walnuts rough chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • ¼ cup nutritional yeast
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce or tamari
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • ½ tsp coriander
  • 2 tsp Italian seasoning
  • freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • ½ cup parsley stems removed and rough chopped
  • avocado oil optional
  • 2 tbsp vegetable broth optional
  • Best Homemade BBQ Sauce optional

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350℉. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
  • Add the brown rice, mushrooms, onions, garlic and half of the chickpeas to a food processor and pulse until combined.
  • Next add the rest of the chickpeas, tomato paste, soy sauce, nutritional yeast, and spices. Add the walnuts and parsley last and pulse a few times to combine them. You want the walnuts to stay intact as they will provide the "meatball" texture. The mixture should be thick and hold together when pressed into a meatball. Add a few tablespoons of vegetable broth if the mixture is dry. Add breadcrumbs or rolled oats if the mixture needs a binder to help hold it together.
  • Shape the meatball dough into 1½ inch meatballs and place on the prepared baking sheet.
  • Refrigerate for at least 15 minutes before baking. Or even longer is better!
  • Optional: Spray the meatballs before baking them with the oil of your choice to facilitate browning.
  • Bake for 35-40 minutes turning the meatballs over halfway through the baking time.
  • Make our Best Homemade BBQ Sauce recipe while the meatballs are baking. (See recipe notes below for link)
  • Once baked, cover the meatballs with the desired amount of BBQ sauce and enjoy.

Notes

Check out the recipe for our Best Homemade BBQ Sauce!