Crunchy chickpea nuggets recipe for meatless meals

Chef Keysh brings another creative twist to comfort food with these crispy chickpea nuggets. The perfect meatless alternative, these bites are crunchy on the outside and tender within, pairing beautifully with sweet potato fries for a satisfying meal.

Make your own crispy chickpea nuggets at home

With just a few simple ingredients and steps, you can recreate this tasty snack in your own kitchen. Simply drain and rinse two cans of chickpeas, then let them dry before mixing with a flax egg, breadcrumbs, and a blend of spices including garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, cumin, salt, black pepper, and a pinch of cayenne for added heat.

Chill the mixture for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the chickpeas to firm up. Once ready, scoop out about two tablespoons of the mixture and shape into nugget form. Coat each nugget in cornstarch, shaking off the excess, then dip in a beaten flax egg and finally roll in breadcrumbs, pressing gently to ensure they stick.

Heat about an inch and a half of vegetable oil to 350°F and fry the nuggets in batches of 4-6 for 3-4 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and crispy. Drain on a wire rack or paper towel-lined plate and serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce.