Vegan BBQ Meatballs

Smoky, savory, and perfectly tender, these Vegan BBQ Meatballs are a plant-based twist on a classic comfort food. Crafted with wholesome ingredients like protein-packed chickpeas, hearty rolled oats, and nutritional yeast, these meatballs deliver incredible flavor and texture without any animal products. A touch of smoked paprika and cumin adds depth, while a tangy, caramelized vegan BBQ sauce takes them to the next level. Quick to prepare and baked (not fried) for a healthier option, these meatballs are versatile enough to serve as a crowd-pleasing appetizer, a party snack, or even the centerpiece of a nourishing dinner. Plus, they’re naturally gluten-free when made with tamari. Ready in under an hour, this recipe is proof that indulgent, meatless BBQ can be just as satisfying!

Nutriscore Rating: 68/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 15 oz canned chickpeas (drained and rinsed)
• 1 cup rolled oats
• 3 tablespoons nutritional yeast
• 2 tablespoons flaxseeds (ground)
• 6 tablespoons water
• 1 medium onion (finely chopped)
• 3 garlic cloves (minced)
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari (for gluten-free)
• 1 cup BBQ sauce (vegan)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.5 teaspoon salt

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 the ground flaxseeds and water. Stir and let it sit for 10 minutes to thicken, creating a flax 'egg'.

Step 3

In a large mixing bowl, add the drained chickpeas and mash them with a fork or potato masher until a coarse paste forms.

Step 4

Stir in the flax 'egg', rolled oats, chopped onion, minced garlic, soy sauce (or tamari), nutritional yeast, smoked paprika, cumin, black pepper, and salt. Mix well until all ingredients are fully combined.

Step 5

Using your hands, form the mixture into small, round meatballs, about 1 1/2 inches in diameter, and place them on the prepared baking sheet.

Step 6

Brush the meatballs lightly with olive oil to help them brown evenly.

Step 7

Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, turning halfway through to ensure all sides are cooked and browned.

Step 8

Meanwhile, gently heat the BBQ sauce in a saucepan on the stove.

Step 9

Once the meatballs are baked, brush them generously with the warm BBQ sauce.

Step 10

Return them to the oven for an additional 10 minutes, allowing the sauce to caramelize slightly.

Step 11

Serve warm, garnished with extra BBQ sauce if desired, and enjoy your vegan BBQ meatballs as a delicious appetizer or main dish.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1038.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1663.8

Total Fat 36.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 4.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.3g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 6171.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 288.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 43.9g	0%
Total Sugars 123.2g
Protein 59.7g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 363.1mg	0%
Iron 16.6mg	0%
Potassium 2786.4mg	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: 19.1%

Protein: 13.9%

Carbs: 67.0%