You won't believe how flavorful these plant-based meatballs are! Made with lentils and spiced to perfection, these Lentil Meatballs are vegan-friendly and gluten-free. But even meat eaters approve!
Looking for more traditional meatball recipes? Check out my recipes for Italian Meatballs, Instant Pot Meatballs, or Swedish Meatballs.
Meatballs have long been one of my favorite foods ever.
In an effort to eat more plant-based meals, I set out to create a vegan-friendly meatball that could stand up to my favorite Italian Baked Meatballs.
I must say, I was VERY skeptical. While I love so many plant-based recipes like Sweet Potato Black Bean Chili and Vegetarian Fajitas, I was a bit skeptical I would be able to enjoy a vegan meatball as much as traditional meatballs.
But friends, I hit this one out of the park!
These Vegan Meatballs are full of Italian flavor and are a bit crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. They also happen to be gluten-free! While the texture is not an exact replica of meat-based meatballs, these plant-based meatballs won me AND my picky husband and kids over!
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: 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 this meatless meatball. 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 meatballs. And I add in A LOT of dried spices, along with minced garlic.
How to Make Vegan Meatballs
Step One: Prepare Lentils
Prepare lentils according to package directions. And then let them cool. This is a great recipe to use leftover lentils you may have in your fridge.
Step Two: Make Flax Egg Substitute
While lentils are cooking, mix together one tablespoon ground flaxseed with three tablespoons of water. Let sit for 15 minutes to thicken.
Step Three: Process Meatballs
These meatballs come together easily in a food processor. Place all the ingredients in the base of your food processor and process by pulsing until the mixture just comes together. You want there to still be some texture to the meatballs.
Step Four: Form Meatballs
Prepare a baking sheet, by greasing with a thin layer of olive oil or baking spray. To keep meatballs even, so that they bake up at the same time, use a cookie scoop to portion out lentil meatballs. Then with slightly damp hands, roll the mixture into balls and place it on a baking sheet.
Step Five: Bake Meatballs
Bake for 15 minutes until meatballs are browned and outside is crispy. Serve these meatballs with your favorite tomato sauce over pasta, in meatballs subs, or as an appetizer.
More Recipes using Lentils
If you tried this recipe for Lentil Meatballs, please leave a review and comment below.
Lentil Meatballs
Ingredients
- 1 cup dry green lentils
- ¼ cup gluten free 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
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. Ba
- Bake for 15 minutes, or until just browned.
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.
Paige
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.
Kristen Chidsey
I am so glad you found this recipe easy and delicious! Eating healthy does not need to be complicated 🙂
KIM s
So excited I’ll let you know how they come out kskodnik
Karen
Can I make these and freeze them for later?
Kristen Chidsey
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.
YASHICA L BALLARD
They have good flavor, but mine came out kinda of wet and mushy 🤷♀️
Kristen Chidsey
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.
Sara Wharton
I would prefer not to use oats. Is there something I can replace the oats with?
Kristen Chidsey
Absolutely Sara, you can use breadcrumbs. Enjoy!
Leah
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!
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Leah! Serving size is about 4 meatballs. I hope you enjoy.
Teresa
Can I use a regular egg in this recipe? Would I use only 1 egg?
Kristen Chidsey
Yes Teresa, and just one egg. Enjoy!!
Robin M Schussler
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 .
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Robin! Fixing now. It should only be 1 tablespoon garlic for entire recipe! Sorry about that!
Rachel
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!!
Kristen Chidsey
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 😉