• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
A Mind "Full" Mom
  • ingredient
    • Pasta
    • Beef
    • Poultry
    • Pork
    • Seafood
    • Vegetarian
    • soups
    • burgers
  • course
    • Beverages
    • Appetizers
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Main Courses
    • Sides
    • Salads
    • Snacks
    • Desserts
    • Condiments
  • method
    • 30-Minute Meals
    • Grilling
    • Instant Pot
    • Slow Cooker
    • Air Fryer
  • All Recipes
    • Main Courses
      • Beef Recipes
      • Chicken & Turkey
      • Pasta
      • Pork
      • Seafood
      • Soup, Stew, and Chili
      • Vegetarian
    • Breakfast
    • Breads and Muffins
    • Desserts
    • Kid-Friendly
    • Salads
    • Side Dishes
    • Slow Cooker
    • Snacks
    • Pantry Staples
    • Allergy Friendly Recipes
      • Plant-Based
      • Gluten-Free
      • Dairy-Free
  • Instant Pot
  • 30-Minute Meals
  • Meet Kristen
  • Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Instant Pot
  • 30-Minute Meals
  • All Recipes
  • Meet Kristen
  • Subscribe
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Lentil Meatballs

    Allergy Friendly Recipes Main Courses Plant Based Recipes Real Food Vegetarian Recipes January 30, 2023 | By Kristen Chidsey | 58 Comments | *This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.

    Jump to Recipe
    You won't believe how flavorful these plant based meatballs are! Made with lentils and spiced to perfection, these meatballs are vegan friendly and gluten free. But even meat eaters approve!

    Lentil Meatballs are a cheaper, healthier, vegan-friendly meatball recipe that results in tender, flavorful meatballs that are surprisingly delicious and easy to make.

    Made with tender lentils and spiced to perfection, these Vegetarian Meatballs even win the seal of approval from meat-eaters, especially when served over pasta with homemade spaghetti sauce.

    Bowl of spaghetti topped with lentil meatballs and marinara.


    Meatballs have long been one of my favorite foods ever. Whether served over pasta or used to create a Meatball Sub, I simply love the texture and flavor of Italian meatballs.

    In an effort to eat more plant-based dinners, I set out to create a vegan-friendly meatball that was just as flavorful as my favorite Italian Baked Meatballs.

    I must say, I was VERY skeptical. While I love vegan recipes like Sweet Potato Black Bean Chili and Vegetarian Fajitas, I was a bit skeptical that I would be able to enjoy a vegan meatball as much as traditional meatballs. But this is one simple plant-based recipe that nails it!

    Made with lentils, these vegetarian meatballs, have a nice hearty texture and are filled with protein, fiber, and nutrients. The lentils are blended with oats and spices to create a vegan-friendly meatball that is also gluten-free.

    Baked until tender and a bit crispy on the outside, these Lentil Meatballs are full of flavor and incredibly simple to make.

    While the texture is not an exact replica of meat-based meatballs, these Lentil Meatballs won me AND my picky husband and kids over--that is really saying something!

    Notes on Ingredients

    These vegan meatballs are made with pantry staples. There is no need to purchase tempeh, tofu, or stabilizers, making these meatballs economical and the perfect go-to recipe when you have nothing fresh on hand.

    • Lentils: Be sure to use green or brown lentils for the best texture.
    • Oats: To keep these meatballs gluten-free as well as vegan-friendly, I use oats in place of bread crumbs. By all means, you can use bread crumbs instead, but I love the texture that the oats provide in these meatballs.
    • Flax Egg: Instead of eggs, mix together ground flaxseed and water, which will help be the glue to keep these meatballs together.
    • Spices: Spices are KEY in these vegetarian meatballs. And I add in A LOT of dried spices, along with minced garlic.

    How to Make Vegan Meatballs

    Step One: Prepare Lentils

    Either use leftover cooked lentils or prepare lentils on the stovetop before preparing the meatball mixture.

    • Place the dried lentils in a heavy-bottomed medium saucepan and cover with water.
    • Bring to a boil, then cover and simmer over medium-low heat until tender.
    • Drain off excess liquid and let the lentils cool slightly.

    Step Two: Make Flax Egg Substitute

    While the lentils are simmering, use this time to prepare a flax egg, which helps to bind these meatballs together, while keeping them egg-free and vegan-friendly.

    • In a small bowl, mix together one tablespoon of ground flaxseed with three tablespoons of water. Let sit for 15 minutes to thicken.

    Step Three: Process Meatballs

    Once your lentils have been cooked and your flax egg made, these meatballs come together easily in a food processor.

    • Place the lentils, flax egg, spices, and oats in the base of a food processor fitted with an s-blade.
    • Pulse the ingredients together until the mixture just comes together. You don't want to overprocess, as you want there to still be some texture to the meatballs.
    Ingredients for Lentil Meatballs in food processor.

    Step Four: Form Meatballs

    To keep meatballs even, so that they bake up at the same time, use a medium cookie scoop or tablespoon to portion out lentil meatballs.

    • Scoop 1 tablespoon of the meatball mixture out, and then roll the mixture into even balls. It helps to have slightly damp hands to prevent the mixture from sticking to your hands.
    • Place the shaped lentil meatballs on a greased baking sheet.
    Lentil Meatballs on baking sheet

    Step Five: Bake Meatballs

    Lentil Meatballs bake really quickly. We just want to slightly crisp up the exterior of the meatball, while warming through the center.

    • Bake for 15 minutes until the meatballs are browned and the outside is crispy.

    Serving Suggestions

    Serve these vegetarian lentil meatballs with your favorite spaghetti sauce over pasta, in meatballs subs, or as an appetizer with a side of homemade barbecue sauce.

    Bowl of spaghetti and lentil meatballs with marinara sauce.

    More Recipes using Lentils

    Lentils really are a great substitute for meat in so many dishes, as they are full of protein and have a great hearty texture. Lentils also come with the added benefit of being gluten-free, and full of fiber and iron. Check out some of my favorite Lentil Recipes Below.

    • Easy Lentil Tacos
    • Lentil Chili
    • Instant Pot Lentil Soup
    • Slow Cooker Vegan Sloppy Joes

    If you tried this recipe for Lentil Meatballs, please leave a review and comment below.

    Lentil Meatballs served with pasta on a white plate

    Lentil Meatballs

    Lentil Meatballs are a cheaper, healthier, vegan-friendly meatball recipe that results in tender meatballs that are surprisingly delicious and easy to make.
    4.88 from 8 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: Mediterranean
    Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 40 minutes minutes
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 141kcal
    Author: Kristen Chidsey

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup dry green or brown lentils
    • ¼ cup gluten-free rolled oats
    • 1 flax egg
    • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
    • 1 teaspoon oregano
    • 1 tablespoon dried parsley
    • 1 tablespoon garlic minced
    • 1 teaspoon onion powder
    • 1 ½ teaspoons salt divided
    • 1 teaspoon pepper

    Flax Egg

    • 1 tablespoon ground flaxmeal
    • 3 tablespoons water
    Prevents your screen from going dark while preparing the recipe.

    Instructions

    • Place the lentils in a medium saucepan and cover with cold tap water. Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, cover, reduce the heat to medium-low, and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 17 to 20 minutes or until tender. Drain off excess water and let cool.
    • While the lentils are simmering, prepare the flax egg by mixing together the flax meal with water and let sit for 15 minutes. 
    • Preheat oven to 400 degrees F and lightly brush the sheet pan with olive oil or cooking spray.
    • Process the cooked and cooled lentils, oats, flax egg, red pepper flakes, oregano, parsley, onion powder, pepper, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1 tablespoon of garlic together in a food processor until just combined.
    • Shape the meatball mixture into 1-inch balls and place the meatballs on the prepared baking sheet.
    • Bake for 15 minutes, or until just browned.
    • Serve meatballs as desired.

    Notes

    Flax-Egg: If you are not avoiding eggs, feel free to use replace the flax egg with 1 large egg. 
    Gluten-Free Meatballs: Use certified gluten-free oats to keep these meatballs gluten-free. 
    Lentils: Be sure to use green or brown, not red lentils, for the best texture. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 141kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 1g | Sodium: 589mg | Potassium: 348mg | Fiber: 11g | Vitamin A: 60IU | Vitamin C: 2.5mg | Calcium: 37mg | Iron: 2.9mg
    Liked this Recipe? Tag me Today!Snap a picture and tag #amindfullmom on Instagram - I would love to see!
    « Tropical Kale Smoothie
    Vegetarian Tikka Masala »

    About Kristen Chidsey

    Hi, I am Kristen, creator of A Mind "Full" Mom. I believe that making a wholesome family meal does not need to be hard or expensive! I love nothing more than to share with you delicious solutions for your hungry family.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




      This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    1. Paige

      December 15, 2020 at 3:03 pm

      5 stars
      We made this the other night and loved it! The meatballs were very flavorful and it was super easy to make. The reason I chose this recipe was because all other lentil meatball recipes had 10 million steps. This one was (I'm sure) just as good but so simple! Even my friend who doesn't like lentils thought these were good. I would suggest eating them with some spaghetti squash pasta and pasta sauce if you're craving a vegetarian spaghetti and meatballs.

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        December 15, 2020 at 6:33 pm

        I am so glad you found this recipe easy and delicious! Eating healthy does not need to be complicated 🙂

        Reply
    2. KIM s

      May 28, 2020 at 3:46 pm

      So excited I’ll let you know how they come out kskodnik

      Reply
    3. Karen

      May 27, 2020 at 12:11 pm

      Can I make these and freeze them for later?

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        May 27, 2020 at 1:24 pm

        Hi Karen! Yes, you can prepare and bake these meatballs as directed. Once cooled, freeze in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. Warm in sauce or in the oven from frozen.

        Reply
    4. YASHICA L BALLARD

      April 19, 2020 at 1:14 pm

      They have good flavor, but mine came out kinda of wet and mushy 🤷‍♀️

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        April 19, 2020 at 1:49 pm

        I am glad you enjoyed the flavor. As for the texture, be sure to thoroughly drain your lentils before processing. You can also add in extra oats or flaxseed if needed to thicken.

        Reply
    5. Sara Wharton

      March 20, 2020 at 1:33 pm

      I would prefer not to use oats. Is there something I can replace the oats with?

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        March 20, 2020 at 1:47 pm

        Absolutely Sara, you can use breadcrumbs. Enjoy!

        Reply
    6. Leah

      February 06, 2020 at 8:33 pm

      Hi there! These look great, I am trying to reduce our meat intake and would love to try these. Just a quick question, how many meatballs are considered a serving with the calorie count? Thanks, I can’t wait to try!

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        February 07, 2020 at 6:05 am

        Hi Leah! Serving size is about 4 meatballs. I hope you enjoy.

        Reply
    7. Teresa

      January 10, 2020 at 4:41 pm

      Can I use a regular egg in this recipe? Would I use only 1 egg?

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        January 10, 2020 at 6:44 pm

        Yes Teresa, and just one egg. Enjoy!!

        Reply
    8. Robin M Schussler

      January 07, 2020 at 4:17 pm

      Just wondering why there is a tablespoon and a half of garlic (divided)in the ingredients list but only says add 1 tablespoon to food processor. And no other instructions for the other half tablespoon .

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        January 08, 2020 at 7:01 am

        Hi Robin! Fixing now. It should only be 1 tablespoon garlic for entire recipe! Sorry about that!

        Reply
    9. Rachel

      August 08, 2019 at 6:35 pm

      5 stars
      These are the tastiest meatballs! Every recipe I looked up prior to this one, called for a lot of ingredients and a lot of prep to the point that I was unwilling to try the recipe. So glad I found this one. It is so easy and simply delicious! Thank you!!

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        August 08, 2019 at 8:03 pm

        Oh I am so happy to hear that Rachel! I really do try to cut back on prep work and ingredients--but not on taste 😉

        Reply
        • Joann

          November 07, 2022 at 8:28 am

          This looks great. Can the meatballs simmer in sauce without falling apart?

          Reply
          • Kristen Chidsey

            November 07, 2022 at 1:14 pm

            Hi Joann! I find it is better to bake these meatballs and then add to the sauce.

            Reply
    « Older Comments

    Primary Sidebar

    You won't believe how flavorful these plant based meatballs are! Made with lentils and spiced to perfection, these meatballs are vegan friendly and gluten free. But even meat eaters approve!

    Meet a Mind "Full" Mom

    A Picture of A Mind"Full"Mom

    Hi! I'm Kristen. I want to welcome you into my kitchen and my REAL, imperfect life. Let me share with you tips and tricks to help you make healthy eating a reality for your family in the chaos of life and on the constraints of a budget. Read more

    Instant Pot Favorites

    • jar of plain yogurt next to instant pot
      Instant Pot Yogurt
    • Perfect Hard Boiled Eggs Sliced Open on cutting board
      Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs
    • Instant Pot Pot Roast sliced up on white platter with carrots and potatoes.
      Instant Pot Pot Roast
    • Whole seasoned chicken on trivet inside inner pot.
      Instant Pot Whole Chicken
    • Bowl of Cold Start Yogurt
      Instant Pot Cold Start Yogurt
    • Inner pot of instant pot filled dried beans
      Instant Pot Beans
    • How to use the instant pot as a slow cooker
      How to Use Your Instant Pot as a Slow Cooker
    • 4 chicken breasts cooked inside instant pot.
      Instant Pot Chicken Breast (Fresh or Frozen)

    Reader Favorites

    • Bowl of creamy coleslaw made with shredded green cabbage.
      Easy Homemade Coleslaw
    • Homemade Chicken Tenders on platter.
      Homemade Chicken Tenders
    • Baked Instant Pot Sweet Potato on white plate topped with pat of butter.
      Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes
    • Chili seasonings labled on wooden board
      Chili Seasoning Recipe
    • 3 Salmon Fillets on green plate topped with limes.
      Easy Baked Salmon
    • Instant Pot Chicken Wing being dipped into ranch dressing.
      Instant Pot Chicken Wings
    • Latte in glass mug with coffee beans on the counter.
      Easy Homemade Latte Recipe
    • Creamy and Cheesy Chicken and Rice in yellow casserole dish
      Creamy and Cheesy Chicken and Rice

    Footer

    You won't believe how flavorful these plant based meatballs are! Made with lentils and spiced to perfection, these meatballs are vegan friendly and gluten free. But even meat eaters approve!

    Featured on:

    Websites AMind"Full"Mom has been featured on

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Work with me

    DISCLAIMER: THE SITE DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE AND IS FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY. IT IS NOT INTENDED TO BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ADVICE OR TREATMENT. AFFILIATE LINKS TO PRODUCTS I GENUINELY LOVE ARE OFTEN INCORPORATED IN MY POSTS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT.

    Copyright © 2020 · A MIND "FULL" MOM