

Experience the delightful nourishment of these vegan chickpea burgers bursting with robust flavors. They can be expertly baked or grilled using a cast iron pan, and their delectable taste truly shines when generously coated with my homemade vegan aioli infused with the smoky essence of paprika.
Why You’ll Love this Recipe
Indulge in the heartiness, nourishment, and sheer deliciousness of this remarkable vegan burger! What more could one desire?!
Loaded with protein and fiber-rich elements such as chickpeas, quinoa, rolled oats, and hemp seeds, this burger guarantees ultimate satisfaction.
Enhanced by the bold flavors of paprika, cumin, coriander, and the umami-packed miso, its taste profile is truly exceptional.
Grilling these burgers in a cast iron pan is a breeze, requiring only a few minutes per side. For a delightfully crispy texture, opt for baking and dedicate some extra time. In just 25 minutes, these burgers will turn out perfectly in the oven.
Whether it’s a summer cookout or a BBQ gathering, these burgers are an ideal choice to impress all your vegan guests.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Notes on Ingredients
- Chickpeas: I prefer using canned chickpeas, but remember to rinse and drain them to eliminate excess sodium.
- Flaxseed: Combine with water to create a flax “egg” that aids in binding the ingredients. Ensure you use ground flaxseed.
- Garlic: Imparts flavor to the burgers. If fresh garlic is unavailable, garlic powder can be a substitute.
- Shallot: Adds a mild onion-like flavor.
- Carrot: Introduces a subtle sweetness, provides some veggies, and enhances the burger’s color.
- Quinoa: Boosts protein, fiber, and volume in the burgers.
- Rolled oats: Helps bind the burgers together. If desired, breadcrumbs or quinoa flakes can be used instead.
- Hemp seeds: Contributes protein, fiber, and omega-3s!
- Miso paste: Offers an umami savory flavor kick. Tomato paste can be used as an alternative.
- Paprika: Delicately sweet and mildly smoky, it imparts flavor to the burgers.
- Cumin: Adds a rich, nutty, and earthy flavor.
- Coriander: Provides a warm, sweet, and citrusy flavor.
- Salt: Enhances and harmonizes the burger’s flavors.
- Olive oil: Utilized for grilling the burgers in a cast iron pan.
- Hamburger buns: Used for serving, and gluten-free buns can be substituted if necessary.
Equipment You’ll Need (affiliate links – if you make a purchase I receive a small commission)
How to Make Vegan Chickpea Burgers
For the burgers:
- 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed
- 1 15.5 ounce can chickpeas, drained and rinsed (about 1.5 cups) *
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 shallot, minced (about 1/4 cup)
- 1 large carrot, peeled and grated
- 1 cup cooked quinoa *
- 1/3 cup rolled oats
- 1/3 cup hemp seeds
- 2 teaspoons white miso paste
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon coriander
- 1 teaspoon salt
- Pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 6 hamburger buns
- Optional, for serving: lettuce, tomato, onion, avocado
For the vegan garlic aioli:
- 2 tablespoons aquafaba (from can of chickpeas)
- 1 clove garlic, grated or minced
- 1/2 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 cup olive oil
For the burgers:
- In a small bowl, combine flaxseed and 3 tablespoons of water, stirring well. Allow the mixture to sit for at least 5 minutes or until it thickens.
- Using a food processor, grind the chickpeas by pulsing them, or alternatively, mash them with a potato masher or the back of a fork.
- In a large bowl, combine the ground chickpeas, garlic, shallot, carrot, quinoa, rolled oats, hemp seeds, miso, paprika, cumin, coriander, salt, and flax egg. Mix the ingredients together until they are thoroughly combined. Season with pepper according to your taste.
- With clean hands, press the burger mixture together to form round patties. Cover them and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Shape the mixture into six burger patties.
- In a cast iron grill pan or any non-stick skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the burgers and cook until they are browned, approximately 3-4 minutes per side.
- Serve the burgers on buns with your desired toppings such as lettuce, tomato, onion, avocado, and vegan aioli.
For the vegan garlic aioli (makes 1/2 cup):
- In a blender (or a tall measuring cup if using an immersion blender), combine aquafaba, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and smoked paprika.
- While running the blender or immersion blender, gradually add olive oil in a slow and steady stream until the mixture becomes thick and creamy.
- This delightful vegan aioli is perfect for serving with chickpea burgers.
Notes
- Reserve the leftover liquid from the can of chickpeas, known as aquafaba, to use in the aioli.
- Prepare the quinoa by following the instructions on the package. Typically, 1/3 cup of dry quinoa yields 1 cup of cooked quinoa.
- For baking the burgers, preheat the oven to 400 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the burgers on the prepared sheet and bake them for 15 minutes. Flip the burgers and continue baking for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until they turn golden brown and achieve a crispy texture when touched.
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Cast Iron
- Cuisine: Vegan
Expert Tips
- For a crispier texture, consider baking the vegan burgers in the oven. However, if you’re pressed for time or prefer a softer consistency, grilling them in a cast iron pan or skillet is an excellent option.
- Feel free to personalize this recipe to suit your taste preferences by experimenting with various spices and sauces. Let your culinary creativity shine!
Recipe FAQs
How do you keep chickpea burgers from falling apart?
To maintain the structural integrity of chickpea burgers, it’s crucial to incorporate ample binding agents that can absorb moisture from the chickpeas. Binding agents, such as breadcrumbs, oats, or quinoa flakes, serve this purpose effectively. Additionally, using an egg or a suitable egg alternative like a flax egg is essential to prevent the burgers from falling apart.
Are chickpea burgers healthy?
These plant-based chickpea burgers are rich in protein, fiber, and omega-3 fatty acids, providing a nourishing and wholesome meal option. Chickpeas, the star ingredient, are not only a great source of plant-based protein and fiber but also offer a plethora of essential vitamins and minerals.
These include iron, copper, manganese, folate, zinc, phosphorous, magnesium, thiamin, vitamin B6, selenium, and potassium, making these burgers a nutrient-packed choice for a balanced diet.
What makes vegan patties stick together?
To ensure the cohesion of vegan patties, it is essential to incorporate an egg or a suitable egg replacement such as a flax egg. This helps in binding the ingredients together. Additionally, it is crucial to include an adequate amount of binders like breadcrumbs or oats, which absorb moisture effectively, preventing the patties from becoming too wet or falling apart.
Enhancing the flavor of a veggie burger offers numerous possibilities. Onion, shallot, and garlic contribute significantly to its taste profile.
Incorporating aromatic spices and herbs like basil, cilantro, paprika, and cumin can elevate the flavor even further. For those seeking a fiery twist, incorporating hot sauce such as Frank’s can transform the veggie burger into a delicious buffalo-flavored delight.
Storage and Preparation
Leftover chickpea burgers can be stored in a well-sealed airtight container in the refrigerator for a duration of 3-4 days. Alternatively, for longer storage, they can be placed in the freezer for up to 3 months.
To reheat chickpea burgers, there are a couple of options. One method is to place them in the oven and heat them at 350 degrees F for approximately 15-20 minutes or until they are heated through.
Another option is to air fry the burgers at 325 degrees F for approximately 10 minutes or until they are heated through. If reheating frozen burgers, it is recommended to allow them to defrost in the refrigerator overnight before reheating using either of the aforementioned methods.
If desired, these burgers can be prepared in advance and stored in the refrigerator for a maximum of 3 days before cooking them.
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