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Vegan BBQ “Meatballs”

These vegan BBQ meatballs are delicious and easy to make! They are %100 plant based and you won’t miss the meat. They are packed with protein and health benefits too. I like to serve mine over cauliflower rice or mashed potatoes for a delicious and healthy comfort food dinner. These can easily be made gluten free as well.

These are quick and easy to make too! They will take about 25-30 minutes prep to finish. I use split lentils because they are quick to cook and only take 5-7 minutes. You will want to cook them a little past done so they are a slightly mushy texture. the onions take about 3-4 minutes to cook and these bake for 10 minutes.

The base is made from split red lentils, oats, onions and spices which means that this meal is also super inexpensive to make! The lentils are filled with fiber and protein and give these “meatballs” a delicious taste.

What you need to make vegan BBQ meatballs:

makes 12 “meatballs”

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/4 cup onion – diced
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1 1/2 cups cooked split red lentils – cook them a little longer so the texture is a little mushy
  • 1/2 cup old fashion oats
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 cup flour or gluten free baking mix – for rolling the “meatballs” into
  • olive oil for browning

BBQ Sauce

  • 1/2 cup ketchup
  • 1 teaspoon molasses
  • 1 teaspoon sriracha or hot sauce
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon mustard
  • 1/4 cup white vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • Optional – 1 tablespoon sugar – If you want a sweeter sauce

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 425 F.
  2. Cook split lentils until they are a little past done. Drain and set aside.
  3. In a pot add olive oil and onion and cook until onions start to brown.
  4. Add water and continue cooking onions down until they are soft and water is evaporated.
  5. Add red lentils, oats, salt, paprika, garlic powder and black pepper to the pan with onions and stir together.
  6. Add all of the ingredients to a blender or food processor and pulse/blend until all ingredients are fairly smooth and will stick together.
  7. Roll the lentil mixture into about 12 balls and roll in flour or gluten free baking mix.
  8. Brown the “meatballs” in a pan with olive oil until each side is lightly browned.
  9. In a bowl, add together the BBQ sauce ingredients and whisk them all together.
  10. Add “meatballs” to a baking dish and pour sauce over the tops of meatballs.
  11. Bake for 10 minutes.
  12. Serve and enjoy!

Here are a few other vegan recipes you might be interested in:

Print Recipe
5 from 1 vote

Vegan BBQ “Meatballs”

Easy and delicious meatless BBQ meatballs that are healthy and plant based.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Course: Dinner, Main Course, meatless, vegan
Cuisine: American, Barbecue, Dinner, main course, vegan
Keyword: Barbecue Sauce, beans, Dinner, Easy Recipes, Healthy, Healthy Recipes, main course, Vegan
Servings: 12 meatballs

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/4 cup onion – diced
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1 1/2 cups cooked split red lentils – cook them a little longer so the texture is a little mushy
  • 1/2 cup old fashion oats
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 cup flour or gluten free baking mix – for rolling the “meatballs” into
  • olive oil for browning

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 425 F.
  • Cook split lentils until they are a little past done. Drain and set aside.
  • In a pot add olive oil and onion and cook until onions start to brown.
  • Add red lentils, oats, salt, paprika, garlic powder and black pepper to the pan with onions and stir together.
  • Add all of the ingredients to a blender or food processor along with water and pulse/blend until all ingredients are fairly smooth and will stick together.
  • Roll the lentil mixture into about 12 balls and roll in flour or gluten free baking mix.
  • Brown the “meatballs” in a pan with olive oil until each side is lightly browned.
  • In a bowl, add together the BBQ sauce ingredients and whisk them all together.
  • Add “meatballs” to a baking dish and pour sauce over the tops of meatballs.
  • Bake for 10 minutes.
  • Serve and enjoy!