Chickpea Patties

These easy chickpea patties are crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and ready in 30 minutes! They’re well-seasoned and air-fried or baked until golden perfection. They are naturally vegan and packed with plant-based protein and fiber!

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my policy page for more information.

Why you’ll love this recipe

• Healthy and made with whole plant foods! This recipe is naturally vegan, oil-free, and soy-free, and can be made gluten-free with one simple swap. It’s also high in protein, fiber, folate, manganese, copper, and more!
• Ready in just 30 minutes! There is nothing complicated about this recipe, which makes it great for a quick weeknight dinner even for people who are beginners at cooking.
• Great for meal prep and freezing. You can whip up and shape the patties ahead of time, then either freeze or store them in the fridge until you’re ready to cook.
• Crispy and delicious. With the help of a trusty air fryer, these chickpea patties come out crispy on the outside and tender on the inside without using any oil! If you don’t have an air fryer, I’ve also included alternative cooking methods below.

Ingredient notes

• Chickpeas: To make this recipe easier, I’m using canned chickpeas (also known as garbanzo beans), but feel free to make your own chickpeas from scratch if you want to.
• Aquafaba: This is the liquid from the chickpea can. It’s one of the best egg substitutes and helps bind the mixture together.
• Onion: For adding flavor and aroma. I’m using yellow onion, but red onion or shallots will also work.
• Carrots: For adding color + sneaking in some veggies into the mixture!
• Spices: You’ll need cumin, sweet paprika, garlic powder, ground coriander, salt, and black pepper.
• Breadcrumbs: I’m using whole-wheat breadcrumbs to add more fiber to this recipe, but regular or gluten-free breadcrumbs will also work.
• Hemp seeds: The main ingredient in our vegan aioli. It may sound weird, but trust me when I say you can’t taste them at all! They’re packed with protein, fiber, omega-3s, and more! And also make for the best creamy sauce.
• Garlic: You’ll need fresh garlic for the aioli.
• Non-dairy milk: Any unsweetened non-dairy milk works here such as almond milk, oat milk, or soy milk.
• Lemon juice: Just like with a classic aioli sauce, we need some tanginess and freshness from freshly squeezed lemon juice.

Scroll to the recipe card below for the full recipe and measurements.

How to make chickpea patties

The process for these vegan chickpea patties is super easy! Here are step-by-step photos to assist you in the preparation.

Step 1: To a food processor, add the cooked chickpeas and pulse for 20-30 seconds, or until they’re finely ground, but not pureed.

Then, add the onion, carrot, spices, and breadcrumbs. Blend again until you have a crumbly mixture. Stop and scrape down the sides as needed.

Step 2: Add aquafaba and blend for a few more seconds. Don’t overblend! You want to have some texture.

The mixture should stick together when pressed, but should not be wet.

Step 3: Scoop out 1/4 cup of the batter and form it into patties using your hands.

Step 4: To air fry, spray the air fryer basket with non-stick cooking spray before adding the patties in a single layer. Air fry for 13-15 minutes at 375ºF (190ºC), flipping halfway through.

Your chickpea patties are ready, when they’re golden brown and dry to the touch, but still tender inside.

Step 5: In the meantime, make the hemp aioli. To a blender or food processor, add hemp seeds, garlic, non-dairy milk, lemon juice, and spices.

Blend on high for 30 seconds to 1 minute, or until the mixture is creamy and smooth.

Serve the patties with the aioli and enjoy!

Cooking methods

If you don’t have an air fryer, here are some alternative cooking methods you can try:

• Baking: This produces similar results to using an air fryer. Preheat your oven to 375ºF (190ºC) and add a piece of parchment paper to a baking sheet. Add the patties, leaving enough space between each one, and bake for 30 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown.
• Pan-frying: Heat a large skillet or frying pan over medium heat. Once hot, add 1 tbsp of olive oil, and heat it until sizzling. Add the patties and cook for 6-7 minutes on each side or until golden brown.
• Deep-frying: This produces results similar to deep-fried falafels. Fill a large pot with 3 inches of vegetable oil. Heat the oil until it reaches 360ºF (180ºC) – 375ºF (190ºC), or until you insert a wooden chopstick and the edges start to sizzle right away. Carefully drop the patties 3-4 at a time into the hot oil. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side, flipping halfway through, until golden brown. When ready, let them rest on a plate layered with a paper towel to soak up the excess oil.

Top Tips

• Don’t over-blend the mixture! You don’t want to turn the chickpeas into a puree like you would if you’re making homemade hummus. The key here is to process the ingredients just until they’re finely chopped.
• Adjust the spices as needed. Before shaping the patties, taste the mixture and add more salt, black pepper, or any other spice that you like. This recipe is forgiving, so don’t be afraid to season it to your own taste. Onion powder, curry powder, and turmeric are just a few ideas that would go well with these chickpea patties.
• If cooking in the air fryer, don’t overcrowd the basket. This is important to avoid steaming the chickpea patties, instead of crisping them up. Make sure to cook them in batches and leave enough space between each patty.
• Adjust the cooking time as needed. The temperature and power of air fryers can vary quite a bit from brand to brand, so feel free to change the cooking time as needed to get the best results.

FAQ’s

Variations

• Make it gluten-free: Use gluten-free breadcrumbs, almond flour, or crushed gluten-free crackers instead of whole wheat breadcrumbs.
• Add fresh herbs: Similar to making falafels, you can add fresh parsley, cilantro, and even basil or dill to add more flavor to the mixture. Add up to 1/2 cup of fresh herbs of your choice.
• Make it spicy: Add 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes or 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper or chili powder to the mixture. You can also use 1-2 red chilies (with the seeds) and dice them finely before adding them to the food processor.
• Sneak in veggies: If you have picky eaters, this recipe is a great way to sneak in any ingredients! Add up to 1/2 cup of chopped red bell pepper, spinach, broccoli, etc. You may need to add a teaspoon or two more breadcrumbs to compensate for the added moisture from the vegetables.

Serving

These chickpea fritters can be served as an appetizer alongside a creamy dip like the hemp aioli or my vegan oil-free tartar sauce.

To make it a complete meal, pair it with roasted frozen veggies, air fryer buffalo cauliflower, air fryer asparagus, or serve it up in a hamburger bun to make vegan chickpea burgers. For something a little lighter, this fattoush salad or kale apple slaw both pair perfectly with it.

For a heartier meal, I like to serve this chickpea patties recipe with my kale tomato risotto, air fryer potato wedges, this hearty farro salad, or these sweet potato chunks.

Storage

Let the chickpea patties cool to room temperature, then transfer them to an airtight container and cover with a lid. Store leftover patties in the fridge for 4-5 days.

More chickpea-related posts

• Need any easy brunch recipe? This Baked Chickpea Flour Frittata is a crowd-pleaser and great for any occasion!
• For an egg-free scramble, this Easy Chickpea Flour Scramble is the perfect substitute!
• Did you know you can easily make Homemade Chickpea Flour? It’s really simple to make and much cheaper than store-bought options!
• Don’t have chickpea flour? Here are the Best Chickpea Flour Substitutes and how to use them.