If you’re looking for a delicious and satisfying plant-based burger, you’ll love these chickpea burgers. They’re crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and full of flavor from spices and BBQ sauce. They’re also easy to make with simple ingredients that you probably have in your pantry.
Chickpeas are a great base for veggie burgers because they’re high in protein, fiber, and iron. They also have a mild nutty taste that goes well with various toppings and sauces. You can use canned or cooked chickpeas for this recipe, just make sure to drain and rinse them well.
To make the burger patties, you’ll need to mash the chickpeas with a fork or a potato masher until they’re mostly smooth with some chunks. Then you’ll add some grated onion, carrot, and garlic for moisture and flavor. You’ll also need some flour to bind the mixture together, and some tahini for creaminess and richness. Tahini is a paste made from sesame seeds that adds a nutty and savory taste to the burgers.
The spices that give these burgers their amazing flavor are cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Cumin adds a warm and earthy touch, while smoked paprika adds a hint of smokiness and color. You can adjust the amount of salt and pepper to your liking, or add some other spices if you want to experiment.
To shape the patties, you can use a 1/4 cup measuring cup or an ice cream scoop to scoop out the mixture. Then use your hands to form them into round and flat patties that are about 3 inches in diameter and 3/4 inch thick. You can also use a biscuit cutter or a round cookie cutter to make them more uniform.
To cook the patties, you’ll first need to pan-fry them in some oil over medium-high heat until they’re golden and crisp on both sides. This step helps to create a nice crust on the burgers and prevent them from falling apart. Then you’ll transfer them to a baking sheet and bake them in the oven for about 15 minutes until they’re cooked through.
While the burgers are baking, you can prepare your favorite toppings and sauces. Some ideas are:
- Sliced avocado
- Arugula or lettuce
- Aioli, ketchup, mustard, or vegan mayo
- Shiitake bacon (see below for how to make it)
One of our favorite ways to serve these burgers is with BBQ sauce and shiitake bacon. BBQ sauce adds a tangy and sweet touch that complements the smoky flavor of the burgers. Shiitake bacon is a vegan alternative to bacon that’s made from thinly sliced shiitake mushrooms that are marinated in soy sauce, maple syrup, liquid smoke, and smoked paprika. Then they’re baked in the oven until they’re crispy and chewy. They add a wonderful texture and umami flavor to the burgers.
To assemble the burgers, simply toast some hamburger buns and spread some BBQ sauce on both halves. Then place a burger patty on the bottom bun, top it with some shiitake bacon and avocado slices, and cover it with the top bun. Enjoy your chickpea burger with some fries or salad on the side.
These chickpea burgers are perfect for a weeknight meal, a weekend barbecue, or a picnic. They’re also freezer-friendly, so you can make a big batch and store them for later. Just wrap each patty individually in plastic wrap or parchment paper, then place them in a freezer bag or container. To reheat them, thaw them in the fridge overnight, then bake them in the oven at 375°F for 10 minutes or until heated through.
We hope you love these chickpea burgers as much as we do. They’re hearty, flavorful, and satisfying, and they’ll make you forget about meat burgers. Try them today and let us know what you think!
