Vegan Chickpea Breadcrumbs Recipe (Grain-Free) (2024)

Published: by Nisha Melvani, RDN · This post may contain affiliate links · 4 Comments

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These vegan Chickpea Breadcrumbs are a grain-free, healthy alternative to traditional breadcrumbs. They're so crispy and flavorful, that you won't believe they're made from chickpeas! Use them as a substitute for traditional breadcrumbs, or as a topping to add more plant-based protein to bowls, salads, or soups.

this RECIPE

Chickpea breadcrumbs can be made with one ingredient – chickpeas. However, they're easily customizable. Add your desired seasonings for more flavor, and while oil is optional, a little goes a long way in getting them even crispier. In addition, you can blitz them as fine or as chunky as you like.

You'll be amazed at how easy it is to make these vegan breadcrumbs. There's very little work involved. It's mostly just waiting for the chickpeas to dry in the oven. And the best part is that these breadcrumbs are good for up to one month.

These grain-free chickpea crumbs were inspired by my Crispy Roasted Chickpeas recipe on this site, as well as these Vegan Wraps with Roasted Chickpeas.

Jump to:
  • 👩🏼‍🌾 Ingredients
  • 🧄 Variations
  • 📖 How to Make Vegan Chickpea Breadcrumbs
  • 💡Expert Tips
  • 🙋🏽‍♀️ Recipe FAQs
  • 🍽 Related Recipes
  • 👩🏽‍🍳 Made This Recipe?
  • 📖 Recipe
  • 💬 Comments

👩🏼‍🌾 Ingredients

Vegan Chickpea Breadcrumbs Recipe (Grain-Free) (2)
  • Chickpeas or garbanzo beans are naturally gluten-free. They are a legume and a good source of plant-based protein and fiber. Their crumbly texture is perfect for making plant-based breadcrumbs.
  • Hemp hearts for more protein (optional)
  • Seasonings for more flavor (optional)
  • Olive oil or avocado oil for crispier vegan breadcrumbs (optional)

See the recipe card for quantities.

🧄 Variations

  • Italian seasoning - add 2 tablespoons dried parsley, 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon ground black pepper, and salt to taste
  • Smoky seasoning - add 2 teaspoons garlic powder, 2 teaspoons onion powder, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, ¾ teaspoon ground cumin, ¼ teaspoon cayenne, and salt and pepper to taste
  • Cajun-style seasoning - add 2 teaspoons paprika, 2 teaspoons onion powder, 2 teaspoons garlic powder, 2 teaspoons oregano, 1 tablespoon parsley, ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes, and salt and pepper to taste
  • For more protein - add 2 tablespoons hemp hearts to the seasoning blend

Note: Add the seasoning blends with a drizzle of olive oil after pulsing the chickpeas, before putting them back in the oven.

For more easy and healthy chickpea recipes, visit my Vegan Chickpea Recipes page.

📖 How to Make Vegan Chickpea Breadcrumbs

Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Rinse and drain the chickpeas in a colander or mesh strainer.

Vegan Chickpea Breadcrumbs Recipe (Grain-Free) (3)

Step 1. Transfer the chickpeas to a clean dish towel or layered paper towels. Pat them between layers of the towel to dry. Remove any loosened skins.

Vegan Chickpea Breadcrumbs Recipe (Grain-Free) (4)

Step 2. Spread the chickpeas onto a large rimmed nonstick baking sheet in a single layer. Bake them for 35 minutes. Set aside to cool for 10 minutes.

Vegan Chickpea Breadcrumbs Recipe (Grain-Free) (7)

Step 5 (optional). For seasoned breadcrumbs, add seasonings and oil to the chickpeas. Toss to coat.

Vegan Chickpea Breadcrumbs Recipe (Grain-Free) (8)

Step 6. Bake the chickpeas, seasoned or unseasoned, one more time. Spread the chickpea crumbs onto the same baking sheet. Bake for about 10 minutes more or until the desired crispiness and golden brown. Set aside to cool.

Vegan Chickpea Breadcrumbs Recipe (Grain-Free) (9)

How to use chickpea breadcrumbs: Use them for breading fried or baked foods, as a binding agent for vegan burgers, or as a topping for casseroles or gratins. Alternatively, use them as a garnish for soups, salads, or veggie bowls for more protein and a delicious crunch.

💡Expert Tips

  • For garnishing: If you plan on using chickpea crumbs as a garnish, pulse them less so they are larger in size.
  • For traditional breadcrumbs: If using in place of traditional breadcrumbs, pulse the baked chickpeas into fine crumbs. They may clump together, but they will dry out and separate in the oven.
  • Storage: Store the unseasoned chickpea breadcrumbs in an airtight container in a cool dry place for up to one month. Or freeze them in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Refrigerate seasoned breadcrumbs in an airtight container for up to one week.
  • To season a portion of the chickpea crumbs: After pulsing in the food processor, remove a portion of the chickpea crumbs and season. Bake the seasoned and unseasoned chickpea crumbs at the same time, on separate baking sheets, for 10 minutes.
  • To season the plain breadcrumbs before serving: Toss them with the desired seasoning, and a drizzle of oil, and bake at 400ºF for about 7 minutes, or until golden brown.

🙋🏽‍♀️ Recipe FAQs

What are chickpea breadcrumbs?

They are a gluten-free, grain-free alternative to traditional breadcrumbs. They are made from ground chickpeas.

What do chickpea breadcrumbs taste like?

Plain vegan chickpea breadcrumbs have a slightly nutty and earthy flavor. However, they can be seasoned to taste, and quickly take on the flavor of the added seasonings.

Can you make vegan breadcrumbs without chickpeas?

Instead of chickpeas, use navy beans, cannellini beans, Great Northern beans, or butter beans. Be sure to get them really dry before baking.

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👩🏽‍🍳 Made This Recipe?

Share your grain-free Vegan Chickpea Breadcrumbs Recipe creation with me onInstagram. It makes my day to see you recreate my recipes.

I would love it if you would ⭐️rate this recipeand leave acomment. Thank you in advance.

📖 Recipe

Vegan Chickpea Breadcrumbs Recipe (Grain-Free) (14)

Vegan Chickpea Breadcrumbs

Nisha Melvani

These vegan Chickpea Breadcrumbs are grain-free, easy to make, crispy, and flavorful. Plus, they are rich in plant-based protein, and stay fresh for up to one month.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 40 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Course Garnish, Side Dish, Snack

Cuisine Vegan

Servings 6 people

Calories 134 kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 (15-ounce) cans chickpeas drained and rinsed, or 3 cups cooked chickpeas

Optional for Seasoned Chickpea Breadcrumbs:

  • Drizzle of olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 2 teaspoons onion powder
  • ¾ teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350ºF.

  • Dry the chickpeas: Transfer the drained chickpeas to a clean dish towel or layered paper towels. Pat them between layers of the towel to dry. Remove any loosened skins.

  • Bake: Spread the chickpeas onto a large rimmed nonstick baking sheet in a single layer. Bake them for 35 minutes. Set aside for 10 minutes to cool.

  • Blitz: Transfer the baked chickpeas to the canister of a food processor. Pulse until the desired texture.

  • Optional: For seasoned breadcrumbs, add the garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, smoked paprika, cayenne, salt and pepper to taste, and a generous drizzle of olive oil. Toss the chickpea crumbs to coat evenly.

  • Bake the chickpea crumbs, seasoned or unseasoned, one more time. Spread them onto the same baking sheet. Bake for about 10 minutes more or until the desired crispiness and golden brown.

Notes

    • Storage: Store the unseasoned chickpea breadcrumbs in an airtight container in a cool dry place for up to one month. Or freeze them in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Refrigerate seasoned chickpea breadcrumbs in an airtight container for up to one week.
    • To season a portion of the chickpea crumbs: After pulsing in the food processor, remove a portion of the chickpea crumbs and season. Bake the seasoned and unseasoned chickpea crumbs at the same time, on separate baking sheets, for 10 minutes.
    • To season plain chickpea breadcrumbs before serving: Toss them in the desired seasoning, and a drizzle of oil, and bake at 400ºF for about 7 minutes, or until golden brown.
    • For more protein, add 2 tablespoons hemp hearts to the seasonings.

Nutrition

Calories: 134kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 0.2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.5g | Potassium: 239mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 22IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 40mg | Iron: 2mg

This information is provided as a courtesy and is an ESTIMATE only. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased can change the nutritional information in any given recipe.

Tried this recipe?Let me know how it was!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

    Leave a Comment

  1. Sherrie Petersen

    Vegan Chickpea Breadcrumbs Recipe (Grain-Free) (19)
    So good!! I just made a batch that I plan to use on top of my kale salad. What a great way to use chickpeas! I love this recipe!!

    Reply

    • Nisha Melvani, RDN

      Thank you. I'm so happy to hear that! I love these with kale salad too. Have a great week.

      Reply

  2. Karen

    Hello
    I love adding protein to traditional dishes. I'm making meatballs and I can't wait to try this recipe. I was wondering, though, at what temperature are the chickpeas cooked?

    Reply

    • Nisha Melvani, RDN

      Hi. Sorry. 350F. I just updated it to show in the recipe card too.

      Reply

Vegan Chickpea Breadcrumbs Recipe (Grain-Free) (2024)

FAQs

Are chick peas grain free? ›

Chickpeas are a higher quality grain free carbohydrate. They are high in fibre, known as a great source of insoluble fibre to help with gut health. Chickpeas are also low in fat, and high in Lecithin, an essential fatty acid for cell production that also helps heart health.

Is chickpea flour just ground chickpeas? ›

Chickpea flour is known as garam flour or garbanzo bean flour and it is made by grinding dried chickpeas. A staple in Indian and Pakistani cuisine, chickpea flour is commonly found in Asian and Middle Eastern groceries, but you can also make it yourself at home with a spice grinder or coffee grinder.

Can I use besan instead of breadcrumbs? ›

Rather than messing about with the whole process of dusting with flour, and egg wash, and then coating in breadcrumbs, I simply dust the chicken or fish pieces in the besan and I'm good to go. It gives a lovely crust whether you fry them in a pan, or bake them in the oven.

What happens if you forget to soak chickpeas overnight? ›

If you forget, you can simply start the cooking process, but expect them to take longer to cook than if you had soaked them first. It can take up to twice the time if you don't soak them first. The reason most people prefer to soak beans is: Soaking makes the beans cook faster.

Do chickpeas count as grains? ›

Chickpea is grain legumes grown mainly in areas with temperate and semiarid climate. It is characterized by a high content of protein, fat, vitamins, fiber, and a lower content of carbohydrates than flour of wheat. Chickpeas may contain antinutritional compounds that can impair utilization of the nutrients by people.

Is chickpea flour considered grain free? ›

Yes, gram flour is gluten-free. Gram flour, also called besan, garbanzo flour, or chickpea flour, is made from ground chickpeas, which are naturally gluten-free.

What is the difference between chickpea and chickpea flour? ›

Besan flour, gram flour, and garbanzo bean flour are all chickpea flours; they're just made from different varieties of chickpeas. Chickpea flour or garbanzo bean flour is milled using whole white chickpeas (garbanzo beans). Besan or gram flour is made by grinding split brown chickpeas (chana dal) into a fine powder.

Can I use chickpea flour instead of bread flour? ›

Keep in mind that by using chickpea flour, the dough will not be as puffed as by using just bread flour.

Is chickpea flour grainy? ›

Chickpea flour has a nutty flavor and a slightly grainy texture. It can be used in many recipes but works best in tortillas, crepes, and flatbreads.

Is chickpea flour good for breading? ›

I much prefer the nutty, crisp chickpea flour coating to other flour-based batters, and those who cannot tolerate wheat will be very happy with it.

Can I use POHA instead of bread crumbs? ›

My preferred choice is powdered poha as it is a healthy choice than the bread crumbs. Shallow fry them until crisp on a low to medium flame. You can also bake them. You can flavor the veg cutlet mixture with any spice powders you like.

Why do my soaked chickpeas smell? ›

Soaking beans at room temperature promotes fermentation (and yes, the beans get gassy) resulting in (you guessed it) a sour smell. While certain types of fermentation can limit disruptive complex sugars (or oligosaccharides), the situation described above can be unsafe prior to cooking.

Is soaking chickpeas for 2 hours enough? ›

Place the chickpeas in a large bowl and cover them with water by a good few inches then leave them overnight (8 to 24 hours). Quick soaking method. This takes only 1 hour before cooking. Put the chickpeas in a large pot and cover them with plenty of water, bring to a boil and cook for 2 minutes.

How much baking soda to add to chickpeas? ›

This is the ratio for soaking: For every cup of dried chickpeas, you'll need 3 cups of water. Stir in 1 tablespoon of kosher salt and 1 teaspoon of baking soda for every 4 cups of water.

Are chickpeas considered a grain in dog food? ›

Pulses ingredients include lentils, peas, chickpeas, field beans, and cowpeas. These ingredients are not part of the grain family and are common in diets all around the world.

Are chickpeas grains or pulses? ›

Beans in their various forms (kidney, black, pinto, navy, chickpeas, etc.) are just one type of pulse.

Is chickpea a grain crop? ›

High value kabuli chickpea production in the Ord River Irrigation Area - pre planting guide. In the Ord River Irrigation Area (ORIA) kabuli chickpea is a high value, large seeded, good quality grain for domestic and export markets.

Are chickpeas protein or whole grain? ›

One of the best ways to lower saturated fat intake is to add more plant-based proteins, including chickpeas, to your diet. While naturally low in saturated fat, chickpeas are nutrient-dense. They provide nearly 20 grams of protein in a ½-cup serving and 5 grams of dietary fiber.

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