Soy-Free Vegan Chickpea Nuggets

Crispy, flavorful, and completely soy-free, these Vegan Chickpea Nuggets are the perfect plant-based alternative to traditional chicken nuggets. Made with wholesome ingredients like protein-packed chickpeas, gluten-free oats, and nutrient-rich flaxseed, these nuggets are seasoned to perfection with garlic powder, onion powder, and a hint of smoked paprika. Coated in crunchy breadcrumbs and baked or pan-fried to golden perfection, they deliver an irresistible texture that's crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Whether served as a snack, appetizer, or kid-friendly meal, these nuggets pair beautifully with your favorite vegan dipping sauces. Ready in under 40 minutes, they’re a delicious and allergen-friendly solution for busy weeknights or casual gatherings.

Nutriscore Rating: 79/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1.5 cups Cooked chickpeas (or canned, drained and rinsed)
• 0.5 cups Oats (gluten-free if necessary)
• 3 tablespoons Nutritional yeast
• 2 tablespoons Ground flaxseed
• 2.5 tablespoons Water
• 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon Onion powder
• 0.5 teaspoons Smoked paprika
• 0.5 teaspoons Salt
• 0.25 teaspoons Black pepper
• 1 tablespoon Olive oil (optional, for brushing or frying)
• 0.5 cups Breadcrumbs (gluten-free if necessary)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.

Step 2

In a small bowl, mix the ground flaxseed with water to create a flax egg. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until it thickens.

Step 3

In a food processor, combine the chickpeas, oats, nutritional yeast, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, and the prepared flax egg. Pulse until the mixture comes together but still has small chunks (avoid over-processing into a paste).

Step 4

Using clean hands, scoop approximately 1 to 1.5 tablespoons of the mixture and shape it into nugget-like forms. Repeat until all the mixture is used.

Step 5

Prepare a small bowl with the breadcrumbs. If desired, brush or spray the nuggets lightly with olive oil to help the breadcrumbs stick. Roll each nugget in breadcrumbs until coated evenly.

Step 6

Place the coated nuggets on the prepared baking sheet. If baking, brush or spray a small amount of olive oil on top of the nuggets to ensure crispiness.

Step 7

Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, flipping the nuggets halfway through, until they are golden and crispy on the outside.

Step 8

Optionally, you can pan-fry the nuggets in a non-stick skillet over medium heat with a small amount of olive oil for 2-3 minutes on each side, until golden and crispy.

Step 9

Serve hot with your favorite vegan dipping sauces such as ketchup, barbecue sauce, or vegan ranch. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(517.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1187.8

Total Fat 34.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 3.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 2092.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 176.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 39.0g	0%
Total Sugars 18.4g
Protein 51.0g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 271.5mg	0%
Iron 14.3mg	0%
Potassium 1647.7mg	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: 25.4%

Protein: 16.8%

Carbs: 57.9%