Lentil meatballs are a delicious, hearty vegan alternative to meatballs. These lentil meatballs are tender, full of flavor and filling.
Looking for more traditional meatball recipes? Check out my recipes for Italian Meatballs, Chicken Meatballs, Instant Pot Meatballs, or Swedish Meatballs.
I adore meatballs.
And so does my entire family–but my little girl only likes meatless meatballs.
Hence the need to create a meatball that is delicious, hearty, and meat free.
Lentil Meatballs
These lentil meatballs are not only meat free, but they happen to be vegan as well. But most importantly they are full of INCREDIBLE flavor.
Lentils really are a great substitute for meat in so many dishes, as they are full or protein and have a great hearty texture. Lentils also come with the added benefit of being gluten-free, full of fiber and iron. And when blended up in a food processor, lentils are the perfect base for meatless meatball.
How to Make Vegetarian Meatballs
Step One: Prepare Lentils
- Cook green lentils according to package directions.
- Allow to cool slightly.
Be sure to use GREEN lentils for the best texture.
Step Two: Make Flax Egg Substitute
- While lentils are cooking, mix together one tablespoon ground flaxseed meal with three tablespoons of water.
- Mix together, and let sit for 15 minutes to thicken.
I use a flax egg to keep these vegetarian meatballs vegan as well, but you can use a regular egg.
Step Three: Process Lentil Meatballs
- Add lentils, oats, flax egg, and seasonings to food processor.
- Process until well combined.
Step Four: Roll Meatballs
- Grease a baking sheet with a thin layer of olive oil.
- Using a cookie scoop, portion out 1 tablespoon of lentil mixture out and roll into ball and place on greased baking pan.
Step Five: Bake Meatballs
- Bake for 15 minutes until meatballs are browned.
More Vegan Recipes
- Easy Lentil Tacos with Avocado Cream
- Vegetarian Quinoa Stuffed Peppers
- Vegetarian Butternut Squash Chili
- Vegan Sweet Potato Casserole
- Slow Cooker Vegan Sloppy Joes
Lentil Meatball Recipe
Lentil Meatballs
Ingredients
- 1 cup dry green lentils
- 1/4 cup gluten free oats
- 1 flax egg
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 tablespoon dried parsley
- 1 1/2 tablespoon garlic minced and divided
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt divided
- 1 teaspoon pepper
Flax Egg
- 1 tablespoon ground flaxmeal
- 3 tablespoons water
Instructions
- Prepare lentils according to package directions and allow to slightly cool.
- While lentils are cooking prepare flax egg by mixing together flaxmeal with water and let sit for 15 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees and lightly brush sheet pan with olive oil or cooking spray.
- Process lentils, oats, flax egg, red pepper flakes, oregano, parsley, onion powder, pepper, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1 tablespoon garlic together in food processor until just combined.
- Shape mixture into 1 inch balls and place on baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes, or until just browned.
- Serve meatballs with marinara sauce if desired.
Notes
- Feel free to use regular egg in place of flax egg.
- Use certified gluten free oats to keep these meatballs gluten free.
- Be sure to use green, not red lentils, for the best texture.
To Make Vegan Meatballs, You May Need:
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Kristen Chidsey
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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!!
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 😉
These are fabulous! My daughter is vegan but my husband and I eat meat…but everyone LOVED them. New favorite Meatless Monday recipe.
WAHOO!!! I love hearing that this pleased the whole family!
Delicious with nice texture… great meatless alternative!
I am so glad you enjoyed!
so good! I served mine with organic pasta sauce and baked asparagus. Me and my roommate ate it up. Thanks for the post!
WOHOO!!! Love to hear when people make my recipes and enjoy them!! YEA!!
I love this vegetarian option! My and my 5 year old daughter live in a house w a bunch of meat eating boys 😉
Totally feel your pain Gwen. My daughter and I could be vegetarians, but the men–NEVER! However, they did like this recipe.
Dear Kristin, what a healthy, wholesome and delicious meal. This sounds like a wonderful alternative and I know I would absolutely love it! xo, Catherine
Thanks Catherine!
I have never tried lentil meatballs but I love the idea!
You will love them–so deceptively meaty 🙂
Loved going along on this culinary trip to Vegas Kristen! Great zoodles and meatballs recipe, thank you. I need to buy a spiralizer too, still haven’t succumbed. Guess I’m waiting for a sale!
I am waiting for a sale too 🙂 But the food processor works!
Oh lentil meatballs – that’s a new one for me! I’ll have to give them a try.
I hope you like them–I think they have a great texture for meatless meatballs.
I wonder if my kids would like this…they do like lentils! I think I am going to have to try it! Thanks for the recipe, Kristen…I would have never though of making something like this. 🙂
Well Michelle, I can pretty much guarantee they will like the meatballs. So if you are worried about the zucchini, just serve them over over regular noodles.
This so good! I’m drooling right now. Pinned and tweeted. We appreciate you being a part of our party. Please stop by on Monday at 7 pm. Happy Saturday! Lou Lou Girls
Thanks Kimberly!
I love zoodles so much! I definitely want to try these lentil meatballs. Thanks for linking up to the Bloggers Brags Pinterest Party. I have pinned your post to the Bloggers Brags Pinterest Board.
You bet! Zoodles are so fun!
YUM!
This sounds like an awesome dinner! I am going to have to try it!
Thanks Paris. Let me know how you like it!
This looks so yummy! I got a veggie spiralizer for Christmas that I have been playing around with. I haven’t tried zucchini noodles yet so thanks for the idea 🙂
You bet! This is one dish you must try since you have a spiralizer.
Yum! These look fantastic. I had no idea the Wynn was so vegan-friendly. Thanks for making these gluten free, too!
I was surprised at their embrace of vegan cuisine myself!
Lentil meatballs are a great idea–I have to try this out!
I hope you do–they are great!
I love this idea! Can’t wait to try myself and perhaps do for a client. Would the “meat” balls freeze okay?
They freeze wonderfully! Just of course be sure they are in a well sealed container and cooled before freezing. I think they are best to warm through in the oven, but microwave works too!
This looks so good! Lentil meatballs sound perfect! I like to tuck some meatballs away in the freezer and I bet these would freeze beautifully!
Majory, they freeze perfectly. Enjoy!
Absolutely making these! I adore lentils and I love the idea of using flax! I’ve never even thought to make a ‘flax’ egg!
YEA!! Let me know what you think Madaline.
Definitely making this – love that you did lentil meatballs – so creative!! Can’t wait to try it 🙂 Pinned!
Thanks Sam, I love that you appreciate my creativity. I hope you enjoy!