Vegan Chickpea Spinach Bites

Ingredients

• 2 cans chickpeas, drained and rinsed (15 oz each)
• 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
• 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 small yellow onion, finely chopped
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed
• 5 tablespoons water

Method

1. 1

   Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. 2

   In a small bowl, whisk the ground flaxseed with the water and set aside to thicken.

   5:00 · flax egg rest
3. 3

   Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a 9-inch skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until softened, about 4 minutes.

   4:00 · sauté onion
4. 4

   Add the garlic and spinach to the skillet and cook, stirring, until the spinach wilts, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.

   3:00 · wilt spinach
5. 5

   In a large bowl, mash the chickpeas with a fork or potato masher until mostly broken down but still slightly chunky.

6. 6

   Add the spinach mixture, breadcrumbs, nutritional yeast, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, lemon juice, and the prepared flax egg to the mashed chickpeas. Mix until well combined.

7. 7

   Scoop out 1-tablespoon portions of the mixture and roll into balls, then flatten slightly into bites. Place on the prepared baking sheet.

8. 8

   Brush or drizzle the tops of the bites with the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil.

9. 9

   Bake until golden and firm to the touch, flipping once halfway through, 20 to 25 minutes.

   20:00 · bake bites
10. 10

    Let the bites cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before serving.

    5:00 · cool bites