• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Food Wine and Love
menu icon
go to homepage
  • MedDiet
  • Vegan
  • Vegetarian
  • Popular
  • Recommended
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • MedDiet
    • Vegan
    • Vegetarian
    • Popular
    • Recommended
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×
    Home » Healthy Diets » Vegan Recipes

    Vegan Chickpea Meatballs (with tomato sauce)

    Published: Sep 4, 2023 · by Annie. · This post may contain affiliate or amazon links.
    Pin Recipe

    Vegan Chickpea Meatballs (with tomato sauce), a delicious and nutritious plant-based option to meat-based meatballs. vegetarian, vegan
    Jump to Recipe

    Vegan Chickpea Meatballs (with tomato sauce) is a a simple and delicious recipe for a plant-based vegan dish.

    These vegan meatballs have a slightly crispy outside with a soft and moist inside and they have a mild flavor accented by the added seasonings.

    Vegan Chickpea Meatballs (with tomato sauce),  a delicious and nutritious plant-based option to meat-based meatballs.  vegetarian, vegan

    Easy Vegan Chickpea Meatballs.

    This is a are a plant based, vegetarian, or vegan alternative to traditional meat or poultry based meatballs.

    The optional tomato sauce recipe is simple to make and also is full of the seasoned flavor you would expect in a great tasting sauce.

    Did you try my recipe for Chickpea Burgers?

    That simple recipe for chickpea burgers is made with just six ingredients and can be enjoyed on a bun with your regular burger toppings. Both this recipe for non-meatballs and that recipe for burgers are easy vegan alternatives to favorite recipes.

    To hold these meatballs together we will be using a vegan egg alternative made with ground flaxseed. You can find a selection of ground flaxseed here.

    Common questions about using chickpeas in recipes.

    Vegan Chickpea Meatballs (with tomato sauce),  a delicious and nutritious plant-based option to meat-based meatballs.  vegetarian, vegan

    Tips for making vegan chickpea meatballs.

    Canned chickpeas are used to make this recipe as they are already cooked. However, you should first rinse and drain the chickpeas before using them in this recipe.

    Here are some more great tips for you.

    1. The chickpeas need to be ground or mashed which you can do by hand, in a food processor, or using a sturdy blender. Make sure that you mash the chickpeas until they are smooth and creamy as this can help the meatballs hold their shape while baking.
    2. Use a cookie scoop to scoop and shape your chickpea for baking. Having meatballs that are a similar size and shape will help them bake more evenly.
    3. While my meatballs are baked in an oven, you can alternatively cook them in a skillet. You will need to adjust the cooking times as needed for stovetop cooking.

    How to store vegan meatballs.

    Leftover vegan meatballs should be stored in an airtight container or bag. If properly stored, these meatballs can be refrigerated for up to four days refrigerated or up to three months when frozen. To freeze them, first place the chickpea meatballs in a single layer on a baking sheet that is lined with parchment paper. Once frozen, transfer the chickpea balls to a freezer storage bag.

    By the way, while you are here you may also be interested in these ideas.

    • 5 Seed Crackers With Carrot Dip
    • 3 Ingredient Vegan Strawberry Ice Cream
    • Healthy Homemade Spinach Pancakes
    • Vegan Spring Roll in a Bowl
    • How to make Vegan Ranch Dressing
    • Vegan Peaches and Cream Popsicles
    • Cucumber Salad With Honey Vinaigrette
    • Vegan Tahini and Lemon Cookies


     

    Vegan Chickpea Meatballs (with tomato sauce),  a delicious and nutritious plant-based option to meat-based meatballs.  vegetarian, vegan

    Subscribe to FoodWineandLove!

    We'll email this post to you as well as weekly recipes!

    How to serve Mediterranean and vegan diet chickpea meatballs.

    These tasty meatless meatballs are delicious just the way they are. Even better, they go great with the tomates sauce added in this recipe.

    Here is how you can serve the meatballs without the sauce.

    • Serve these meatballs as an appetizer with your favorite Vegan Creamy Peanut Sauce or the sauce of your choice.
    • Add these meatballs to a bun or pita pocket for a tasty sandwich.
    • Add these meatballs to your favorite pasta dish.

    Ingredients needed to make Vegan Chickpea Meatballs.

    • Chickpeas. Use canned cooked chickpeas. The chickpeas should be rinsed and drained.
    • Ground Flaxseed + water Used to make the flax egg.
    • Breadcrumbs. Any flavor should work.
    • Nutritional Yeast. Added for flavor.
    • Onion. The onion should be chopped.
    • Garlic. Your garlic can be minced or chopped small.
    • Seasonings as desired. This can include Italian Seasonings, Mediterranean Diet Seasoning Blend, Greek Seasoning Blend, Salt, and/or Pepper.
    • Olive oil as needed for sautéing.

    Ingredients needed to make the vegan tomato sauce.

    • Onion. Your onion should be diced.
    • Garlic. Minced or chopped works in this recipe.
    • Olive Oil. For sautéing the onion and garlic.
    • Crushed Tomatoes. You can crush your own or use a canned version.
    • Seasonings as desired. This can include Italian Seasonings, Mediterranean Diet Seasoning Blend, Greek Seasoning Blend, Salt, and/or Pepper.
    Vegan Chickpea Meatballs (with tomato sauce),  a delicious and nutritious plant-based option to meat-based meatballs.  vegetarian, vegan

    How to make Vegan Chickpea Meatballs.

    Categories: vegan, gluten free, soy free, main dish, appetizer

    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 30 minutes

    1. Start by rinsing and draining the chickpeas. Also, prepare your flax egg by mixing together the flaxseed and water in a small bowl. Allow the mixture to thicken while you continue.
    2. Next, ground down the drained chickpeas. You can do this by pulsing them in a food processor or good blender until they form a coarse texture. (Do not to overprocess thie chickpeas as you want them to have some texture) . Place the mixture in a large mixing bowl.
    3. In another bowl, use a fork or a whisk to combine together the breadcrumbs and the nutritional yeast. You can add any desired seasonings here or later on as desired.
    4. Preheat a skillet on medium heat with the olive oil. Then add the chopped onion and garlic and sauté the mixture until the ingredients are softened and golden brown.
    5. Add the sautéed onion and garlic to the mixing bowl with the chickpeas and toss. Then add the breadcrumb mixture from the second bowl and toss again.
    6. Add the flaxseed egg from the small bowl in the first step to the mixing bowl and blend the ingredients until combined. I like to use my hands in the final stages of this step.
    7. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or similar liner.
    8. To form the meatless balls, use a scoop or large spoon to take a spoonful of the mixture and shape it into a golf ball sized ball.
    9. Place the chickpea meatballs onto your prepared baking sheet.
    10. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until they become slightly crispy on the outside.

    Expert Tip 👉 You can brush the tops of the meatballs with a little olive oil before baking them to help them brown.

    How to make easy vegan tomato sauce.

    1. Start by sautéing the garlic and onion in a large pan or skillet on medium heat until they begin to brown (about five minutes).
    2. Stir in the remaining ingredients and cook at a simmer for until the liquid is reduced by a quarter (about 15-20 minutes).
    3. Make adjustments as needed for seasoning your sauce.

    Expert Tip 👉 If your sauce is too acidic, you can stir in a bit of sugar to balance the acid out.

    👇👇👇 Related recipes you may also be interested in.👇👇👇

    • Lemon Curd Cookie Bars (Vegan Recipe)
      Vegan Lemon Curd Cookie Bars
      Cook Time35 Minutes
    • Homemade Vegan Lemon Curd Recipe
      Homemade Vegan Lemon Curd Recipe
      Cook Time15 Minutes
    • Potato Salad in Tahini Dressing
      Potato Salad in Tahini Dressing (vegan MedDiet)
      Cook Time30 Minutes
    • Cucumber and Avocado Gazpacho Recipe
      Cucumber and Avocado Gazpacho Recipe
      Cook Time15 Minutes

    In case you missed something.

    • Easy Vegan Chickpea Meatballs.
    • Common questions about using chickpeas in recipes.
    • Tips for making vegan chickpea meatballs.
    • How to store vegan meatballs.
    • How to serve Mediterranean and vegan diet chickpea meatballs.
      • Ingredients needed to make Vegan Chickpea Meatballs.
      • Ingredients needed to make the vegan tomato sauce.
      • How to make Vegan Chickpea Meatballs.
      • How to make easy vegan tomato sauce.

    Vegan Chickpea Meatballs (with tomato sauce), a delicious and nutritious plant-based option to meat-based meatballs. vegetarian, vegan

    Vegan Chickpea Meatballs (with tomato sauce),  a delicious and nutritious plant-based option to meat-based meatballs.  vegetarian, vegan
    Vegan Chickpea Meatballs (with tomato sauce)
    Print Recipe
    5 from 2 votes
    Pin Recipe

    Vegan Chickpea Meatballs

    Vegan Chickpea Meatballs (with tomato sauce), a delicious and nutritious plant-based option to meat-based meatballs. vegetarian, vegan
    Prep Time15 minutes mins
    Cook Time30 minutes mins
    Total Time45 minutes mins
    Course: Dinner, Main Course
    Cuisine: Mediterranean Diet, Vegan, vegetarian
    Search Result: Vegan Chickpea Meatballs
    Servings: 6

    Equipment

    • Skillet
    • Rimmed Baking Sheet
    • food processor
    • Blender

    Ingredients

    • 28 oz Chickpeas
    • 2 tbsp Flaxseed
    • 6 tbsp Water
    • ½ cup Breadcrumbs
    • ¼ cup Nutritional Yeast
    • ¼ cup Onion
    • 2 tsp Garlic
    • 1 tbsp Olive Oil

    Seasonings as desired.

    For the optional sauce

    • 28 oz Crushed Tomatoes
    • 1 Onion -diced
    • 3 tsp Garlic
    • 1 tbsp Olive Oil
    • Seasonings as desired

    Instructions

    • Start by rinsing and draining the chickpeas. Also, prepare your flax egg by mixing together the flaxseed and water in a small bowl.
    • Next, grind down the drained chickpeas. You can do this by pulsing them in a food processor or good blender until they form a coarse texture.
      Place the mixture in a large mixing bowl.
    • In another bowl, use a fork or a whisk to combine together the breadcrumbs and the nutritional yeast. You can add any desired seasonings here or later on as desired.
    • Preheat a skillet on medium heat with the olive oil. Then add the chopped onion and garlic and sauté the mixture until the ingredients are softened and golden brown.
    • Add the sautéed onion and garlic to the mixing bowl with the chickpeas and toss.
      Then add the breadcrumb mixture from the second bowl and toss again.
    • Add the flaxseed egg from the small bowl in the first step to the mixing bowl and blend the ingredients until combined.
    • Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or similar liner.
    • To form the meatless balls, use a scoop or large spoon to take a spoonful of the mixture and shape it into a golf ball sized ball. Place the chickpea meatballs onto your prepared baking sheet.
    • Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until they become slightly crispy on the outside.

    Optional Sauce

    • Start by sautéing the garlic and onion in a large pan or skillet on medium heat until they begin to brown (about five minutes).
    • Stir in the remaining ingredients and cook at a simmer for until the liquid is reduced by a quarter (about 15-20 minutes).
    • Make adjustments as needed for seasoning your sauce.

    Recipe Notes

    *Please check the nutritional labels to assure that you are sticking to your diet restrictions for any substitutions used.
    Also, please see the actual recipe post for further details on this recipe.
    Nutritional Information is only an estimate and can vary especially with ingredients that are used.
    To make this recipe fully vegan, please make sure that you are using fully vegan ingredients.
    See Foodwineandlove.com for details on this recipe.

    originally posted:

    September 4, 2023
    *As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This means that the links on this website, and specifically on this post, that lead to other sites may be affiliate links.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 302kcal | Carbohydrates: 45g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 77mg | Potassium: 480mg | Fiber: 12g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 36IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 94mg | Iron: 5mg
    Please note: Nutritional data has been calculated using a tool that comes with this recipe card and not by me. This means that Nutritional Information is only an estimate and can vary especially with ingredients that you use. The accuracy of this tool may differ from other tools as expected. Also note that there is no instructional value to the video that may be attached to this recipe. It is only there for visual pleasure. For more information about the images in this recipe, please refer the the recipe instructions. Thank you!

    Follow Me
    « Creamy Mediterranean Diet Avocado Pasta
    Mediterranean Diet Lemon Honey Chicken Breast »

    Filed Under: Meals, Vegan Recipes, Vegetarian Recipes

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This means that the links on this website, and specifically on this post, that lead to other sites may be affiliate links.
    5 from 2 votes (2 ratings without comment)

    Primary Sidebar

    Welcome to my Kitchen!

    Annie

    I am Annie and I am sharing some of my favorite Mediterranean Diet, Vegan, and Vegetarian recipes with you. These recipes are easy and offer a more healthy way to make delicious food- which I love. Walking, running, and yoga are a passion as are my pets.

    Read More

    popular recipe ideas posts

    • Mediterranean Diet Honey Mustard Chicken
      Mediterranean Diet Honey Mustard Chicken
    • Homemade Whole Wheat Fettuccine Recipe
      Homemade Whole Wheat Fettuccine Recipe
    • Portobello Mushroom Fajitas (Vegan)
      Portobello Mushroom Fajitas (Vegan)
    • Orange Olive Oil Cake Recipe (Mediterranean Diet, Vegan).
      Orange Olive Oil Cake Recipe (Mediterranean Diet, Vegan).

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    Quick Links

    • Privacy Policy
    • Mediterranean Diet Recipes
    • Vegan Recipes
    • Desserts
    • Salads

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Follow

    • facebook
    • instagram
    • twitter
    • pinterest

    Copyright © ·

    Use of this site means that you agree with the terms and other disclosures of this site. {Disclosure-This site uses affiliate links which means that there may be compensation involved with reader actions. Thank you!} As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This means that the links on this website that lead to other sites may be affiliate link

    Read more at: https://foodwineandlove.com/privacy-policy/

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.