Vegan Chickpea Meatballs are irresistible and super easy to make. You’ll love these meatballs that are packed with protein and flavor, and can be ready to eat in just 30 minutes!
PREP TIME
10 minutes
COOK TIME
20 minutes
TOTAL TIME
30 minutes
SERVINGS
4 servings
Easy & Quick Pantry-Friendly Recipe for Dinner
Make them for dinner and serve them with spaghetti and a marinara sauce, or serve them with rice and a side vegetable like one reader did (jump to photo). They can also be served instead of meatloaf with mashed potatoes and gravy meal. They really are versatile! Let us know your favorite way to serve them.
Chickpea Meatballs are So Versatile
You can serve these scrumptious, savory little meatballs a variety of ways. Add them to your traditional pasta dishes. Put them in lunch or grain bowls. Or you can make them a main for a meal. Another favorite way to serve them is over rice, potatoes, or quinoa with your favorite sauce or gravy. Perfect with Quick & Easy Tahini Sauce, too!
They make a great prep food, too! Make them ahead of time and then, cut in half, and put in sandwiches or wraps during the week! You can even serve them as an appetizer or snack with a favorite sauce or dip! They are incredibly versatile.
About This Recipe
FLAVOR
Savory, slightly nutty, and seasonings
BEST SEASONS
Fall, Winter, Spring
STAR INGREDIENTS
Chickpeas
BEST FOR
Dinners, meal prep, easy add-in for pasta, bowls, wraps, or appetizers
HIGHLIGHTS
Recipe Notes
- Don’t overprocess the chickpeas or the texture can become gummy
- If mixture feels too wet, add breadcrumbs gradually
- If mixture feels too dry, add a little water or plant-based milk
- Slightly wet hands help with rolling the balls
- Bake until lightly golden and firm
- Flavor deepens after resting a few minutes
How to serve Vegan Chickpea Meatballs
- With Pasta or Pasta dishes: Try them as a topping or side with Spaghetti with Tomato Sauce and Roasted Vegetables. Serve them over spaghetti, fettuccine, or any other type of pasta. Top them with a marinara, tomato sauce, pesto sauce, alfredo sauce or favorite sauce.
- Sandwich or wrap: Cut the chickpea meatballs in half. Then place on a hoagie roll or bread of your choice. Add condiments or spread, some vegan cheese, lettuce, and tomato for a tasty sandwich. These meatballs can also be put in a wrap, tortilla or pita bread. Just add some lettuce, sprouts, tomato, avocado, and your favorite sauce or condiments.
- Appetizer: Serve a tray of chickpea meatballs with toothpick skewers for easy handling. Add various dipping sauces or lightly drizzle them with a dip or dressing. Tray a favorite like vegan ranch or marinara sauce.
- In Salads: Add the chickpea meatballs to a side salad with greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and your favorite dressing.
- With mashed potatoes: Enjoy with a side of some creamy vegan mashed potatoes or vegan roasted garlic mashed potatoes. Then top with a vegan gravy or vegan mushroom gravy for a comforting meal. Add a side of veggies to complete the meal. Try some steamed green beans or easy skillet garlic string beans for a comforting meal.
- Make a meatball sub: Stuff a sub roll with the chickpea meatballs, tomato sauce, and vegan cheese for a delicious meatball sub.
- With roasted vegetables: Serve the chickpea meatballs with a side of roasted vegetables.
- With rice, quinoa or grains: Serve the chickpea meatballs with a side of fluffy rice, quinoa, couscous, or millet. Add your favorite vegetables and gravy or sauce for a complete and satisfying meal.
What Dips Pair Well with Chickpea Meatballs?
These vegan chickpea meatballs pair wonderfully with a variety of dips and dressings that enhance their savory, herbaceous flavors. Here are some suggestions and options:
- Marinara Sauce: A classic choice for Italian dishes, marinara sauce is perfect for dipping or drizzling over chickpea meatballs.
- Vegan Pesto: The rich basil and nut flavors of pesto complement the Italian herbs in the meatballs.
- Vegan Alfredo Sauce: Creamy vegan Alfredo sauce adds a luxurious touch to your chickpea meatballs.
- Vegan Caesar Dressing: The tangy and garlicky flavors of Caesar dressing can be a unique and delightful pairing.
- Balsamic Glaze: A drizzle of balsamic glaze can provide a sweet and tangy contrast.
- Vegan Gravy: Vegan Gravy or Vegan Mushroom Gravy. The rich and savory flavors of the gravy can complement the flavors of the chickpea meatballs. You can either pour the gravy over the chickpea meatballs or serve it on the side for dipping or drizzling.
- Vegan Tzatziki: While traditionally used with Mediterranean cuisine, a cucumber and yogurt-based tzatziki can add a refreshing twist to Italian-style chickpea meatballs.
- Vegan Ranch Dressing: Creamy vegan ranch with herbs and spices can offer a cooling and familiar dip for your meatballs.
- Roasted Red Pepper Sauce: The sweet and smoky notes of roasted red pepper sauce complement the chickpea meatballs beautifully.
- Garlic Aioli: A vegan garlic aioli made with vegan mayo, garlic, and lemon juice can add a garlicky punch to your dish.
- Sour Cream: Adds a bright, tangy flavor. Try Cashew Sour Cream or Tofu Sour Cream.
- Cheese Sauce: Creamy cheeses add a kick of goodness. Try Vegan Tofu Ricotta Cheese or Vegan Cashew Cheese.
- For a Mediterranean Twist: Try Hummus or Tahini Sauce.
Recipe FAQs
Can I make these gluten-free?
Yes. Use gluten-free breadcrumbs or rolled oats.
Can I pan-fry the chickpea meatballs instead of baking them?
Yes. The chickpea meatballs can be cooked in a lightly oiled skillet over medium heat until browned and heated through on all sides. Pan-frying creates an extra crispy exterior while keeping the center tender.
Why are my chickpea meatballs falling apart?
If the mixture is too dry or too wet, the meatballs may not hold together properly. Make sure the chickpeas are drained well and avoid overprocessing the mixture. If needed, add a little more breadcrumbs to help bind everything together.
More Delicious Vegan Meatball Recipes
- Quick Lentil Meatballs
- Vegan Sweet Potato Meatballs
- Vegan Red Lentil Meatballs
- Vegan Lentil Meatloaf
Planning Ahead Tips
try these
Delicious Intalian-Inspired Recipes
Note from the Editor
It was a pleasure to come across Ericka Kendall’s glowing review of our Chickpea Meatballs recipe. These kind words and enthusiasm for the dish warmed our hearts. We reached out, and to our delight, Ericka shared a delicious menu (below) inspired by these Chickpea Meatballs, and allowed us to pass along their creative culinary inspiration to all of you.
Ericka’s imaginative pairing showcases how versatile and enjoyable plant-based cuisine can be. We hope their menu inspires others to explore the endless possibilities of vegan cooking while relishing the delectable flavors of our Chickpea Meatballs.
(see Ericka’s Review and Menu below)
Review:
“I made these tonight, and they’re AMAZING! Thank you for posting! I only write the very best recipes on a card for my cherished recipe box, and these are definitely going on a card. I will make these often.”
— Ericka Kendall
Dinner Menu by Ericka Kendall:
Main Course: Vegan Chickpea Meatballs served with Forbidden rice.
Sauce: Drizzled with Sriracha Vegenaise for an extra kick.
Side Dish: Served alongside garlicky green beans, completing a truly satisfying and wholesome meal.
Tried this recipe? We’d love to hear how it turned out. Leave a comment below.
Vegan Chickpea Meatballs
Ingredients
- 1 15 oz. can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1/2 cup bread crumbs (for gluten-free use gluten free bread crumbs or use oat flour)
- 1/2 cup water or plant-based milk (add more if needed)
- 1/4 cup almond flour
- 1/8 cup finely chopped fresh parsley (optional)
- 1/8 cup nutritional yeast
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce, or (gluten free tamari or coconut amino)
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
- pinch of cayenne (optional)
- salt and pepper to taste (optional)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Finely mash the chickpeas in a food processor. Or put the chickpeas in a bowl, and mash them with aa fork or potato masher.
- In a mixing bowl, add the mashed chickpeas, bread crumbs, almond flour, tamari, nutritional yeast, parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasonings, smoked paprika, cayenne, salt, and pepper. Add the water or plant-based milk a little at at time to add enough moisture for the mixture to stick together. Mix well.
- Shape the mixture into balls about 1 inch in diameter.
- Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
- Add the meatballs to the skillet and cook until browned on all sides, about 5 minutes.
- Transfer the meatballs to a baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until cooked through.
- Serve with your favorite sauce, or on a bed of pasta. Enjoy your vegan meatballs!
Yummy!
Delicious!
We include these in our kids’ lunch—they adore them!
I made Erika’s dinner with the meatballs and used brown rice instead. It’s delicious. Next week I’ll try them meatballs again with potatoes and gravy.
Glad you enjoyed it!
If you have found this recipe you have found gold! It is quick, easy, budget friendly and freezes perfectly! I highly recommend that you make you make double so you an freeze them and take them out any time you like! My family loves them with pasta, rice, pilaf… Also perfect in a salad and a wonderful sandwich, we smear the inside of a pita half fill more than half way with a delicious salad and top with these yummy meatballs and a nice drizzle of Tahini, Vegan Gravy, Soy Yogurt Sauce or whatever your heart desires! You need these in your life and your FREEZER!!! You are welcome lol!!!
Thank you for your amazing review. I absolutely love your idea of swerving the chickpea meatballs in a pita with walad and a drizzle of tahini or vegan yogurt sauce. And yes, making a double batch for the freezer is such a smart idea! I’m thrilled that you and your family enjoy them in so many different ways. Thank you for sharing all these delicious serving ideas!
For some reason the 5 stars did not show up… to be honest.. I give it 10 stars!!!!
Thank you!!!!