Gluten-Free Hearty Vegetarian Meatballs

Perfect for anyone seeking a flavorful, plant-based twist on a classic comfort food, these Gluten-Free Hearty Vegetarian Meatballs are a delicious and nutritious option for your next meal. Packed with wholesome ingredients like protein-rich chickpeas, quinoa, and gluten-free oats, these meatballs are both satisfying and allergen-friendly. A flax egg binds everything together, while aromatic herbs like parsley, oregano, and cumin infuse every bite with irresistible flavor. Baked to golden perfection, they’re crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and ideal for pairing with your favorite pasta, zesty marinara sauce, or a fresh salad. Whether you’re gluten-intolerant, vegetarian, or simply looking for a healthy dinner option, these meatballs are a must-try!

Nutriscore Rating: 82/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 400 grams chickpeas, canned or cooked
• 1 cup quinoa, cooked
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed
• 5 tablespoons water
• 1 cup gluten-free oats
• 2 tablespoons parsley, chopped
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 2

In a small bowl, combine ground flaxseed and water to make a flax egg. Stir well and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until it thickens.

Step 3

In a food processor, add the chickpeas, cooked quinoa, chopped onion, minced garlic, and the flax egg. Pulse a few times until the mixture is well combined but still has some texture.

Step 4

Transfer the mixture to a large bowl and add gluten-free oats, chopped parsley, dried oregano, cumin, salt, and black pepper. Mix everything together until evenly combined.

Step 5

Using your hands or a small ice cream scoop, form the mixture into approximately 16-18 small balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet.

Step 6

Brush the meatballs lightly with olive oil or spray them with olive oil cooking spray.

Step 7

Bake in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, or until they are golden brown and firm to the touch.

Step 8

Remove them from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes. Serve warm with your favorite sauce or as an accompaniment to pasta or salads.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(913.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1575.3

Total Fat 54.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 7.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 1806.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 222.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 50.5g	0%
Total Sugars 27.8g
Protein 58.6g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 398.9mg	0%
Iron 21.0mg	0%
Potassium 2214.4mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 30.4%

Protein: 14.5%

Carbs: 55.1%