Veggie and Chickpea Nuggets (Healthy Vegan Chicken Nugget Bites) Recipe
These Veggie and Chickpea Nuggets are a healthy, vegan alternative to traditional chicken nuggets, made with wholesome rolled oats and seasoned chickpeas for a crispy and flavorful bite. Perfectly baked to golden perfection, these nuggets offer a delicious plant-based snack or meal option.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 12 nuggets 1x
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Vegan, American-inspired
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1 15-ounce can chickpeas (or 1½ cups cooked chickpeas plus ¼ cup cooking liquid)
- ¾ teaspoon onion powder
- ¾ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¾ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¾ teaspoon chili powder
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt (to taste)
Instructions
- Grind oats: Process the rolled oats in a food processor until they reach a coarse, powder-like consistency, about 3-5 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl and set aside.
- Prepare chickpeas: Drain and rinse the chickpeas, reserving ¼ cup of the liquid. In the food processor, combine chickpeas with onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and chili powder. Pulse for 15 seconds until crumbly but not pureed.
- Mix batter: Transfer the chickpea mixture to a large bowl. Add the reserved liquid, olive oil, and ground oats, stirring well to combine. Season with ½ teaspoon salt and adjust to taste. Let the mixture rest for 10 minutes.
- Shape nuggets: Preheat the oven to 425°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat. Using about 2 tablespoons of batter per nugget, shape into desired nugget forms (makes about 12). Arrange them in a single layer on the baking sheet, spaced apart.
- Bake nuggets: Bake the nuggets for 15 minutes, then flip each and bake an additional 8-10 minutes until crispy and golden brown.
Notes
- For best texture, avoid over-processing the chickpeas to prevent making hummus.
- You can swap cooked chickpeas for canned but reserve some cooking liquid to help bind the batter.
- Adjust spices according to your taste preference for stronger or milder flavors.
- Serve with your favorite dipping sauces such as vegan ranch, barbecue, or spicy aioli.
- Store leftover nuggets in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze for longer storage.
Keywords: vegan nuggets, chickpea nuggets, healthy snacks, plant-based nuggets, baked nuggets, vegan chicken nuggets
