Fast Abstract
These baked Chickpea Meatballs are a flavorful, veggie-packed plant-based protein you’ll need on repeat. Made with chickpeas, zucchini, carrots, herbs, and feta, they’re crispy on the skin, tender on the within, and excellent for bowls, pitas, salads, or snacking. Straightforward to make, meal-prep pleasant, and no frying required!
Pin this now to seek out it later
Vegetarian Chickpea Meatballs: Flavorful, Versatile, and Satisfying
If you happen to’re on the lookout for a flavorful, feel-good meal that’s plant-based, protein-packed, and completely satisfying, you need to attempt my Chickpea Meatballs.
They’re made with a base of chickpeas, plus grated zucchini and carrots to maintain them moist and tender, additionally they get a lift of taste from feta cheese, lemon zest, garlic, and loads of contemporary herbs. A handful of breadcrumbs helps bind all of it collectively.
They’re baked within the oven, so no frying required — however they nonetheless come out crispy on the skin and tender on the within. They’re a meal prep dream — straightforward to make prematurely, freezer-friendly, and excellent for tossing into lunches or dinners all through the week.
I like constructing a colourful Mediterranean-inspired bowl with rice (or cauliflower rice), greens, creamy tzatziki, pickled purple onions, contemporary veggies, and a drizzle of tahini dressing, all topped with chickpea meatballs and a sprinkle of feta.
You may as well stuff them in a pita, serve them over greens, take pleasure in them with pasta and marinara sauce, or snack on them straight from the fridge (responsible), these little guys are right here to stage up your weekday meals with minimal effort.
Chickpea Meatball Ideas
- Don’t over-blend your combination. You need some texture — assume sticky, not mushy. Add the panko combination final and solely pulse a number of occasions.
- Use a small cookie scoop or frivolously oiled arms to type uniform balls for even cooking.
- Spray generously with oil. A great coating of avocado oil or olive oil spray earlier than baking helps the meatballs get that good golden-brown, crispy exterior — no frying wanted!
- Make it your personal. Add in slightly cumin, paprika, or finely chopped spinach to combine issues up!
Crispy Chickpea Meatballs
Flavorful baked chickpea meatballs made with veggies, herbs, and feta. Crispy on the skin, tender inside — good for bowls, pitas, or meal prep!
For the meatballs:
- 15 oz can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1/2 cup shredded zucchini
- 1/2 cup shredded carrot
- 1/2 cup feta cheese
- 1/4 cup diced purple onion
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons contemporary parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
- 3/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
- Avocado or olive oil spray
-
Preheat oven to 425 levels F. Line a big baking sheet with parchment paper and put aside.
-
Within the bowl of a meals processor, add the chickpeas, zucchini, carrots, feta, purple onion, garlic, parsley, lemon zest, salt, pepper, and oregano. Pulse till properly mixed and principally easy. Add the panko and pulse just some occasions till blended in.
-
Roll the combination into balls, about 1 ½ tablespoons per ball. Place on the ready baking sheet, about 2 inches aside. Spray generously with oil spray.
-
Bake for 18 to 23 minutes or till the balls are golden brown on the underside and barely crispy on the skin.
-
To assemble bowls, add rice and greens to bowl. Prime with the chickpea meatballs, tzatziki, pickled purple onions, cucumber, and tomato. Drizzle with tahini dressing and sprinkle with feta cheese. You may as well benefit from the chickpea meatballs in a pita sandwich, over greens, or plain!
Freeze: Freeze cooked meatballs on a baking sheet for 1–2 hours, then switch to a freezer-safe bag. They’ll maintain for as much as 3 months. Reheat from frozen at 375°F for about 20 minutes or till heated by way of.
Energy: 56kcal, Carbohydrates: 7g, Protein: 4g, Fats: 2g, Saturated Fats: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fats: 0.3g, Monounsaturated Fats: 0.4g, Ldl cholesterol: 4mg, Sodium: 224mg, Potassium: 79mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 743IU, Vitamin C: 2mg, Calcium: 43mg, Iron: 1mg
Have you ever tried this recipe?
Go away a remark under and share a photograph on Instagram. Tag @twopeasandpod and hashtag it with #twopeasandtheirpod
Ceaselessly Requested Questions for This Recipe
Do I would like to make use of canned chickpeas or can I prepare dinner my very own? I like to make use of canned chickpeas as a result of they’re tremendous handy — simply rinse and drain properly. If you happen to’re utilizing dried chickpeas, prepare dinner them till tender earlier than mixing. You want 15 oz of chickpeas, which is about 1 ½ cups.
Can I make the meatballs within the air fryer? Sure, preheat your air fryer to 375°F. Frivolously grease or spray the basket, then place the meatballs in a single layer (don’t overcrowd). Air fry for 10–12 minutes, shaking midway by way of, till they’re golden and barely crisp on the skin.
Can I freeze chickpea meatballs? Sure, they freeze beatufully! Freeze them cooked and cooled on a baking sheet, then switch to a freezer-safe bag. Reheat within the oven, toaster oven, or air fryer for greatest texture.
Are chickpea meatballs gluten-free? They are often! Simply use gluten-free breadcrumbs.
What sauces go properly with them? Tzatziki, tahini dressing, hummus, marinara sauce, romesco, jalapeño ranch, and even spicy harissa.
Extra Vegetarian Meals
