An easy and healthy meatless nugget that the kids will love! Gluten-free & Vegan Chickpea Nuggets that are top 8 allergy-free, grain-free, and have a secret dose of veggies too! A deliciously fun plant-based recipe for little hands at lunchtime or dinner!
You know how I feel about (chicken) nuggets. They are the best and you know I ate my fair share as a kiddo. They are totally a weekly staple for my brother still; you can’t blame hime though, nuggets are the best! Since I already brought you real gluten-free chicken nuggets last year on the blog, I thought I should probably develop a killer plant-based recipe too!
MY LATEST VIDEOSI think kids love nuggets so much because they are so fun, finger-food/hand-held, and of course dippable! Actually, I don’t “think”, I know! Of course, not all nuggets are created equal. You have your fast food “nuggets”, you’re store bought refrigerated/frozen, or if you are a fancy parent, homemade. Parents usually succumb to the “child calling” for nuggets. Kids should totally be able to have their nuggets for dinner…just healthier.
Healthy nuggets can be parent-approved and kid-approved. No fighting over dinner options, everyone can be happy. Bonus point with these chickpea nuggets is that they are totally 100% adult-friendly to eat too! EVERYONE in the family can have the same chickpea nuggets, feel good about eating them, and feel those beautiful joys of nostalgia while they’re at it!
Let me tell you a bit about these healthy delicious chickpea nuggets. Made completely out of chickpeas with “hidden” broccoli, some spices, and “panko”. The broccoli seals the deal on health and the “panko” is not only gluten-free, but grain-free too! Now, I’ve made these multiple ways now after a reader suggested making them completely grain-free. The typical grain-free nugget option would be some nuts, but were are keeping these nut-free. Next best option? Chickpea crumbs! Take some roasted chickpeas, crush them up, and use them as “panko” breading!
They are the best vegan nuggets I’ve ever had so I’ve been making large batches and freezing them to keep them in stock for weeknight dinners. Believe it or not, I am eating them right now as I write this post (yes, I eat dinner while working)! Don’t worry, if you don’t feel like roasting and crushing your own chickpeas, you can actually buy chickpea crumbs or you can go grain-ful and use my favorite gluten-free panko! It’s up to you and all ways are delicious, nutritious, and nugget-tastic!
Gluten-Free + Vegan Chickpea Nuggets
- 4 Cups of Chickpeas (about 2 15oz cans)
- 2 Cups Chopped Broccoli (steamed)
- 1 Tsp Dijon Mustard
- ½ Tsp Onion Powder
- ½ Tsp Garlic Powder
- ½ Tsp Paprika
- ¼ Tsp Black Pepper
- 1½ Cups Chickpea "Panko" Crumbs*
- Before you begin, roast the chickpeas (according to this method, without spices) and crush in a plastic bag. Spread them in a plate and set aside.
- Preheat the oven to 425°F.
- In a large food processor, process all ingredients (except the chickpea crumbs), until you get a "chunky" hummus texture.
- Form about 18 nuggets (1-2 tablespoons each) with the batter and roll them in the chickpea crumbs.
- Place the breaded nuggets on a Silpat or parchment lined baking sheet and place in the oven to bake for 20 minutes. Flip and bake another 5 minutes.
- Serve right away or freeze for later.
So yummy!! You won’t be able to keep the little hands off them (or your own hands off them!) Of course, don’t forget the ketchup either! Nuggets have to be dipped in something, along with a side a fries, like these or how about these? You’ve got yourself and your family a fun meatless meal that will have them running to the dinner table and enjoying all the nuggets they want!
So tell me:
+ Do you have kids that just love nuggets? Do YOU love them?
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Now this I have to try. It looks and sounds delicious. Thank you.
Thank you! They are so easy!
Yummy! Never thought to put panko crumbs in there. What a great idea.
We need a crunchy coating for nuggets!
I haven’t had chicken nuggets in forever, but if I had these in my life, I’d never have to go back to those! <3 They look so good!
Any nugget is a good nugget 😉
Great idea! Love it!
Thanks!
My kids like chickpeas so I think I could give these a go and they would happily eat them! They look yummy!
They will adore these!
Your little nuggets look delicious, Rebecca. I love chickpeas so they would be right up my street!
Chickpeas are the best!
I can’t wait to try these! I love that they are gluten-free!
Enjoy them!
My little boy would love these Rebecca, I am going to have to try them.
I know he will 🙂 Yay for nuggets!
These look great, and easy to make – which is definitely a plus in my household!
Easy and quick!
Never mind the kids, I want a plateful of your chickpea nuggets. Love the addition of broccoli too.
Haha, that was my line of thinking 😉
Love how easy these are to make! What a great idea!
Super easy! Thanks!
Awesome healthy lunch option for the kiddies and me!!!
Haha, yes, adults too!
Love this idea!
Yea, thanks!
These look and sound so good!
Thank you!
Yum this sounds amazing! I am always looking for healthy recipes, so I will give this a try
Awesome! I know you’ll enjoy!
Perfect for the kiddos (or kids at heart like me)!
Haha, exactly 😉
This looks so yummy! I love making everything with chickpeas, definitely going to try this out!
Never too many chickpeas!
Those sound so tasty! This would be a great way to get my girls to try some new things!
Yes! Fun foods that are secretly healthy are always the way!
Oh wow love these nuggets!! chickpeas are so universal and healthy!
They are! One of those kitchen staples!
Yummy crunchy bite
Your comment is 100%
I’m always looking for new ways to eat chickpeas, so this is perfect! My son would love this in his lunch for school too. Saving to make later 🙂
Chickpeas are just the best most versatile legume!
These looks so easy to make and especially delicious! My family and I have recently started to try vegan recipes so I’ll definitely keep this in mind!
These are a fun and easy meatless nugget to try!
Since finding out that I am allergic to gluten, I have had such a difficult time finding delicious recipes that don’t have gluten. I definitely have to try this.
You can’t be allergic to gluten (that’s not how to protein and body reaction work), but this is a delicious recipe regardless.
These look so delicious! Can’t wait to try them!
Thank you!
These look so yummy! I’m sure my almost 1 year old would love them!
O I know so 😉
These look like a great finger food! Love how simple they are.
Yes! Super fun and great for little hands!
These look great! My kids love all nuggets so I know they would love these !
All kids love nuggets!
I love how simple and few ingredients this is! 🙂 I will be trying it this week.
Yes! They are so easy to make!
I don’t even have any food allergies and I am wanting to try these! Yum.
Lol, you don’t need them for good food!
We randomly have a ton of chickpeas at my house – you make me really want to try to make these nuggets!
You’ve found your chickpea solution then!
These look incredible, and I love the list of ingredients! I’m trying to work on becoming vegan (I’m currently a vegetarian) so I love learning recipes like this. Thanks for sharing!
Nixing the dairy and eggs is the easiest part!
Love the clean ingredient list.
Nice and healthy!
This is just what I been looking for! Looks lovely and tasty! Saving this go try!!
Thank you, Angie! Enjoy!
Love that there is hidden veggies in them! This makes my day 😀
Putting veggies in everything I can 😉 You could use cauliflower too and hide the green 😉
This is such a great idea! I’m not a kid, but I would love these for dinner!
No kids required 😉
Looks good! I have shared it on PainPals regular feature Monday Magic Inspiring Blogs for You! Claire x
Aw, thanks, that’s sweet of you!
Oh my gosh – this is SO creative! What a great way to get such healthy nutrients in a meal. I love that you can basically throw everything in the food processor and make it do all the “heavy lifting.” 🙂
Yea! Super easy and that’s why I love making a big batch for freezing!
These look so good!! I’ve been craving nuggets lately and cannot wait to try out this recipe!!
This sounds like some perfect timing then!
Love how easy and healthy these are! Perfect dinner for Meatless Monday!
Yes they are!
Yes – I love chicken nuggets and unfortunately don’t always eat the healthy ones! These would be a much better option.
Haha, yes! A good one to add to the rotation of nuggets 😉
These sound and look SO delish! I’m definitely saving for later to make this week!
They make a great weeknight dinner!
This looks delicious, cannot wait to try it 😊
Thank you!
Ah these look so great! You’ve really done a great job of making them look like nuggets. Will pass this recipe on to my husband 🙂
Right? Haha, so fun!
I can’t wait to try these! Thanks so much for the recipe. 🙂
Thanks! Let me know when you do!
These sound so good! A fun snack or dinner for the kids 🙂
Yes! Adults too 😉
These sound awesome! Can’t wait to give them a try.
I know you’ll enjoy them!