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    Home » Real Food » Vegan » Lentil Meatballs

    Lentil Meatballs

    By Kristen Chidsey | 56 Comments | Published January 10, 2020 | Updated January 10, 2020 *This post may include amazon links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

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    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!

    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.

    Bowl of spaghetti topped with lentil meatballs and marinara.

    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.

    Ingredients for Lentil Meatballs in food processor.

    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.

    Lentil Meatballs on 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

    • 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

    These Lentil Meatballs are meatless, gluten free, dairy free, and vegan, yet still full of incredible flavor. 
    4.88 from 8 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: Mediterranean
    Prep Time: 20 minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes
    Total Time: 40 minutes
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 141kcal
    Author: Kristen Chidsey

    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
    Prevents your screen from going dark while preparing the recipe.

    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.
    • Serve meatballs with marinara, 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. 

    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!
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    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

    1. Marjory

      March 25, 2019 at 3:55 pm

      5 stars
      These are fabulous! My daughter is vegan but my husband and I eat meat...but everyone LOVED them. New favorite Meatless Monday recipe.

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        March 25, 2019 at 4:45 pm

        WAHOO!!! I love hearing that this pleased the whole family!

        Reply
    2. ROBIN

      March 25, 2019 at 3:29 pm

      5 stars
      Delicious with nice texture... great meatless alternative!

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        March 25, 2019 at 3:44 pm

        I am so glad you enjoyed!

        Reply
    3. Kelly Dery

      August 26, 2015 at 7:34 pm

      so good! I served mine with organic pasta sauce and baked asparagus. Me and my roommate ate it up. Thanks for the post!

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        August 29, 2015 at 9:48 am

        WOHOO!!! Love to hear when people make my recipes and enjoy them!! YEA!!

        Reply
    4. Gwen @SimplyHealthyFamily

      June 02, 2015 at 5:56 pm

      I love this vegetarian option! My and my 5 year old daughter live in a house w a bunch of meat eating boys 😉

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        June 02, 2015 at 8:29 pm

        Totally feel your pain Gwen. My daughter and I could be vegetarians, but the men--NEVER! However, they did like this recipe.

        Reply
    5. Catherine

      May 15, 2015 at 1:40 am

      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

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        May 15, 2015 at 7:04 am

        Thanks Catherine!

        Reply
    6. Julia

      May 14, 2015 at 11:18 am

      I have never tried lentil meatballs but I love the idea!

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        May 14, 2015 at 2:23 pm

        You will love them--so deceptively meaty 🙂

        Reply
    7. allie@ThroughHerLookingGlass.com

      May 14, 2015 at 7:25 am

      5 stars
      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!

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        May 14, 2015 at 7:48 am

        I am waiting for a sale too 🙂 But the food processor works!

        Reply
    8. Carla

      April 28, 2015 at 6:14 pm

      Oh lentil meatballs - that's a new one for me! I'll have to give them a try.

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        April 29, 2015 at 6:58 am

        I hope you like them--I think they have a great texture for meatless meatballs.

        Reply
    9. Michelle @ A Dish of Daily Life

      April 28, 2015 at 9:25 am

      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. 🙂

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        April 28, 2015 at 5:22 pm

        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.

        Reply
    10. Kimberly

      April 11, 2015 at 2:15 pm

      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

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        April 13, 2015 at 8:03 am

        Thanks Kimberly!

        Reply
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