These chickpea vegetarian nuggets are tender on the inside and perfectly crunchy on the outside. I love serving these for a fun dinner or even as a game day appetizer. They’re always a hit in my household!
I love chickpeas. It’s always fun to come up with creative ways to incorporate more chickpeas into my diet. To make these nuggets, the chickpeas get pulsed in a food processor with a bunch of spices. They absorb all those great flavors which results in a really tasty final product.
The combination of textures in these chickpea nuggets is wonderful. They’re soft and chewy on the inside, while the outside delivers crunch. Dunk these into ketchup or a dipping sauce of your choice to make your taste buds sing.
Any recipe that’s healthy, tastes great, and easy to make with only a handful of ingredients is always a winner in my books. Plus, they’re vegetarian! These delightful crispy chickpea nuggets will become a staple in your meal rotation!
Key Ingredients for Vegetarian Nuggets
These chickpea nuggets are so delicious and require just a few ingredients, most of which are probably already in your pantry! Here’s what you’ll need.
- Chickpeas: Using canned chickpeas is great because it saves you time in the prep and you’ll also be using some of the liquid, known as aquafaba. Don’t toss it away!
- Oat Flour: The oat flour soaks in some of the moisture in the chickpeas, which helps to give the nuggets some structure.
- Seasonings: A combination of garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and paprika all come together to make these chickpea nuggets taste amazing.
- Panko Breadcrumbs: The crisp factor comes from the breadcrumbs. The chickpea nuggets are coated in panko for that perfectly crunchy texture.
- Eggs: The eggs allow you to bind the panko breadcrumbs to your chickpea nuggets.
Note: For a full list of ingredients and detailed instructions on how to make this dish, scroll to the bottom!
What To Serve With Crispy Chickpea Nuggets
There are so many delicious healthy sides you can serve with these chickpea nuggets! Crispy baked potato wedges are a classic choice. You could also swap the potatoes for root vegetables by making some crispy turnip fries or baked parsnip fries.
If you need to get your greens in for the day, serve chickpea nuggets with roasted green beans or a leafy green salad.
Recipe Tips And Ideas
These crispy chickpea nuggets are foolproof. Here are some tips to nail this recipe!
- When you pulse your chickpeas with the remaining ingredients, you want to ensure it still has some texture to it. You don’t want it to turn into a purée so be careful not to overmix. It takes less time that way, anyway!
- Don’t be afraid to use your hands when forming the nuggets! This is the best way to shape your chickpea mixture.
- Set up a breading station. Form your chickpeas and set them on a plate. Then, have a bowl with your whisked eggs and another with your breadcrumbs. Set your lined baking sheet right by your breading station so you can place your coated chickpea nuggets right on the pan as you make your way down the assembly line.
- Flip your chickpea nuggets halfway through for a nice crispy exterior on both sides.
- Serve with your favorite dipping sauce! I like ketchup, but you can go for mustard, honey mustard, ranch, creamy garlic, or whatever you like!
Frequently Asked Questions About Vegetarian Chickpea Nuggets
You’ve probably got a few of these questions on your mind! Here are some answers for you.
Can you make crispy chickpea nuggets in an air fryer?
You can absolutely make crispy chickpea nuggets in an air fryer. If you’ve got one, this is a great opportunity to bust it out. Simply pre-heat your air fryer. Place your crispy chickpea nuggets on the tray or in the basket. Make sure they do not overlap. Air fry them for about 7 minutes. Flip. Air fry for another 7 to 10 minutes. Enjoy!
What could I substitute for the eggs to make this vegan?
If you want to make this recipe vegan, you could use your favorite dairy-free milk mixed with a little olive oil to help get the panko breadcrumbs to stick.
You could also whisk some of the remaining chickpea liquid and use that as a binder for the panko coating.
Can you freeze chickpea liquid or aquafaba?
In this recipe, you’ll only need a couple of tablespoons of the chickpea liquid or aquafaba. You can store the remaining aquafaba in the freezer for future use! A good tip is to pour it into an ice cube tray. Once frozen, you can transfer it to a plastic food bag for easy measurements. It keeps for 4 months!
How long do crispy chickpea nuggets keep in the fridge?
Crispy chickpea nuggets keep for up to 5 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator. In my household, they’re long gone by then!
What is the best way to reheat crispy chickpea nuggets?
Reheat your crispy chickpea nuggets in the oven. I do not recommend reheating them in the microwave as they tend to get a little soggy. However, you can place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Reheat at 350°F for about 10 minutes or until fully warmed through, depending on your oven!
Can I freeze chickpea nuggets?
These chickpea nuggets are very freezer friendly. You can freeze them baked or unbaked! Here are the steps for freezing chickpea nuggets.
- Lay your chickpea nuggets on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Place it in the freezer.
- Once the nuggets are frozen, transfer them to a plastic food bag.
- Keep the nuggets in the freezer for up to 3 months. Label with your expiry date so you don’t forget!
- To thaw, remove them from the freezer and place them in the fridge to defrost overnight.
More Healthy Vegetarian Recipes You’ll Love:
- Mongolian Tofu
- Sheet Pan Asian Tofu and Vegetable Stir Fry
- Quick and Easy Chana Masala
- Southwest Quinoa Salad