Chickpea nuggets, a crunchy second course

Preparing chickpea nuggets is really simple whether you opt for the vegan or vegetarian recipe and they are also excellent in the oven.

Among the quick and easy vegetable recipes there is one that will make even the little ones go crazy with joy . We are talking about chickpea nuggets, also excellent baked in the oven and perfect to serve with chips for a dinner dedicated to comfort food . This vegetarian second dish is really simple to prepare and can be transformed without too much effort even into a vegan recipe. We will reveal how at the end of the preparation.

For now, get canned chickpeas , a real godsend when you are in a hurry, canned bread and milk to give softness, garlic and everything you need to bread. Our vegetarian chickpea nuggets are prepared using a food processor equipped with blades (even the Thermomix is ​​perfect) and do not require great skills. Of course, if you manage to recreate the classic shape you will deceive the little ones even more easily!

How to prepare the recipe for chickpea nuggets

1. First, drain the chickpeas from the preserving liquid and rinse them under running water. Then transfer them to the food processor together with an egg, a clove of garlic (if you like), a pinch of salt and the bread soaked in milk.
2. Blend until the mixture is homogeneous then adjust the consistency with a few tablespoons of breadcrumbs. It will need to firm up but still remain soft.
3. Form the nuggets and as they are ready pass them first in the egg and then in the breadcrumbs.
4. Fry them in half a centimeter of seed oil just for the time that they are golden on both sides (3-4 minutes), then transfer them to a sheet of absorbent paper before serving.

Baked and vegan chickpea nuggets: the two variants

To prepare the chickpea nuggets in the oven, follow the recipe but instead of frying them, place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, sprinkle them with a drizzle of oil and cook at 180 ° C for 25 minutes , turning them halfway through cooking. We advise you to let them cool before serving.

If you are looking for vegan recipes, then we recommend that you try the super easy chickpea nuggets prepared this way. Instead of egg in the dough, add a tablespoon of chickpea flour and a pinch of turmeric while instead of milk, use an unsweetened vegetable drink . The chickpea flour will also replace the egg in the breading: mix two tablespoons with two tablespoons of water until you get a fluid consistency similar to that of eggs. Salt lightly and pass the nuggets first in this mixture and then in the breadcrumbs. Cooking can be fried or baked.

If you liked the idea of ​​using more vegetable proteins, we suggest you also try ourchickpea burgers : they are perfect to put inside a sandwich!

storage

The chickpea nuggets can be stored in the refrigerator for a couple of days . It is also possible to freeze them already cooked and, if necessary, put them back in a pan or in the oven.