Meat free, soy free, and whole food based vegan sausage crumbles! Chickpeas pack it with protein and make it a perfect topping.
I'm knee deep, no chin deep, in a new design for my site! Super excited to be doing all of it myself, from the logo to customizing a new theme, but it's loads of work. So I was going to take this week off of a new recipe post.
BUT, because I love you, and because I finally made these vegan sausage crumbles again and nailed the flavor I was looking for, I decided to photograph and post.
And by photograph, I mean try and snap a few good quality images before the baby eats one of my backboards...well, he only nibbled on one corner so I consider this session a success! And this recipe success number two, because these are the perfect add on to keep around and give your recipes that extra oomph!
I've always loved the sharp bite of sausage flavor. That salty, spicy, zing in your mouth flavor is just so addicting. Thankfully, I am not a huge fan of clogged arteries, saturated fat and eating pigs so that's why I created these vegan sausage crumbles!
No Fake Meat Over Here!
No, these are not a fake meat. They won't "fool" your sausage loving neighbor/friend/family member. BUT, they will add that sausage like flavor when sprinkled on pizzas, salads, soups...wherever you want a little pizzaz.
Keep in mind, these are not meant to be eaten alone, but work best sprinkled on things because they are very flavorful. But that's exactly what we wanted! And they are made with an awesome high protein whole food based ingredient, chickpeas! Sneaky little suckers these chickpeas.
I saw a quote from a reader online once "Why are these vegans SO obsessed with chickpeas?!" We'll, it's because you can turn them into ANYTHING!!! Like this, vegan sausage crumbles.
You Need These Vegan Sausage Crumbles In Your Life
I know you're looking in that pantry and praying you have some chickpeas laying around. If the answer is yes, get to cookin'! If the answer is no, get yourself to the store!
I suggest making a big batch because you will sprinkle them on anything and everything. Sometimes I just eat these vegan sausage crumbles like popcorn. And that's okay too!
Make sure to let me know how you used them! Leave me a comment here, find me on Facebook or tag me on Instagram with your creations at veggiesdontbite #veggiesdontbite so I don’t miss them! I can't wait to see! Oh and PS, I may be working on a dessert with chickpeas. WHA?! I know, I know. Never been a fan of bean based desserts. BUT, I think I've finally nailed a recipe that will change any bean dessert haters mind!
Chickpea Vegan Sausage Crumbles
Ingredients
- 2 cans chickpeas (15 ounces each)
- 2 tablespoons fennel seeds , crushed (easily done by using the back of a spoon)
- 1 tablespoon dried basil
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon lemon pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1-2 teaspoons Himalayan pink salt (see note)
- 1-2 teaspoons crushed red pepper , optional
- 1 tablespoon oat flour , use gluten free for gluten free version
Instructions
- Rinse and dry chickpeas very well. Put them in a kitchen towel and rub dry. Try and remove as many of the outer thin skins as possible, rolling them around with your hand on the towel helps. Don’t worry about getting them all, just as many as you can easily remove. Place dried chickpeas in a bowl.
- Add all the spices to the bowl, everything except the flour.
- Using a potato masher, or your hands, begin to crush chickpeas and break them into small pieces. The more skins that were removed, the easier this will be. You don’t want them mashed, just crumbled.
- Add oat flour to the bowl and using your hands combine well to coat the crumbles. This will help separate the crumbles as well.
- Spread onto a parchment lined cookie sheet in an even layer. Bake at 375°F/180°C for 20 minutes, until outside is just beginning to get crispy.
- Sprinkle over everything and anything!
Notes
- This makes 2 cups sausage crumbles. Serving size for nutrition info is ¼ cup.
- Depending on what you use this on will depend on how salty you want it. If you use it as a topping, and there is no other salt in the food, then use 2 teaspoons.
- If you are using it on food with some salt then only use 1 teaspoon. Also, these are very flavorful and not meant to be eaten alone as a meat substitute.
- They work best sprinkled on things for that added sausage like flavor. We love it sprinkled on our pizza sauce, then put the veggies on top.
- They are best fresh, but if stored in the fridge give them a little pick me up and warm them up a bit. Unless you are baking a pizza with them, then they will warm up while baking.
Recipe by Veggies Don’t Bite, visit our site for more great plant-based recipes.
Nutrition
Nutrition and metric information should be considered an estimate.
Sam | Ahead of Thyme
I'm always looking for new vegan recipes to try. This looks great!
veggiesdontbite
Thanks Sam!
Nicole
I love how you aren't calling it a meat substitute or claiming to to taste just like sausage. I'd rather eat real food then fake food trying to be something else which is just what this recipe sounds like. Way to go creating a plant-based snack/topping to satisfy that sausage craving. And can't wait to see your new site as well and the chickpea dessert!!!!
veggiesdontbite
Completely agree Nicole!! It really hits the spot for that craving. Especially on pizza! I'm working on a sauce with it too. It's the flavors that count and without that gross feeling so score!
Uma Srinivas
Awesome photos! great recipe.:)
Mica @ Let's Taco Bout It Blog
Sophia,
First, I must say, your photos came out fabulous! Many people don't realize just how versatile chickpeas really are. If they knew, I'm sure they would find any and all chickpea based recipes. Me, personally, I love them and am excited to try this recipe out. I will be eagerly waiting for your dessert with chickpeas. I'm sure that one will be a hit for sure. 🙂
veggiesdontbite
Thank you Mica!! I love chickpeas too! I'm still working on that dessert, I won't release until the bean dessert hater in me loves it!
Sina @Vegan Heaven
Such a great idea, Sophia! 🙂 LOVE chickpeas!!
veggiesdontbite
Thanks Sina! Me too!
Gin
What a great idea Sophia! I can think of so many ways I want to eat these. Pinning! 🙂
veggiesdontbite
Thanks Gin!! I know! I sprinkle it on everything!! LOL
Ginger and Scotch
This would be perfect for a school treat and love the idea of a chickpea sausage.
veggiesdontbite
Thank you! My kids like them in small amounts, they have a strong flavor as does sausage so it really depends on the kid. But in a quesadilla they are great. Also a little bit on home made pizzas!
Shreyashi
Kudos on trying to get it done by yourself and I hope your new blog design comes out really sharp 🙂
By the way, can you tell me a specific setting where you like using it as a topping; perhaps through one of your other recipes?
veggiesdontbite
Thanks so much! Yes, me too. LOL It's a lot of work but it won't be forever. I use these crumbles on pizza, quesadillas and salads so far. I am working on a pasta recipe with them too. You really could use them anywhere! But if you make home made pizzas, I'd start there!
Jenn
LOVE chickpeas. They are so incredibly versatile! Sounds like the perfect thing to have on hand when you want that smoky, spicy sausage flavor!
veggiesdontbite
Thanks Jenn! Aren't they so great? Yes, it's exactly what I do. Make a bunch to sprinkle whenever the flavor craving strikes!
Cadry
I can't wait to see your new blog design! It's always so fun to spruce things up and try something different. I'm sure it's going to look great!
I'm loving the sound of this chickpea sausage. It sounds right up my alley!
veggiesdontbite
Thanks Cadry! So much work but it will be worth it! These crumbles are so yum. As I said, not intended to fool a meat lover but simply for satisfying that sausage flavor craving. They are great on pizza and I'm working on a sauce with them!
The Vegan 8
Ok when I saw your pic on Instagram, I thought I saw chickpeas in the pic but wasn't sure, haha! I kid you not, I tried making some chickpea sausage bits last year but they turned out sooooo dry and jay wouldn't eat them, lol! He isn't a chickpea fan though and it tasted too strong of chickpeas, so this version looks like a lot of flavor, love all the spices, YUM. I'll need to try it!!
veggiesdontbite
Thanks Brandi! These definitely have loads of flavor, I packed it in, so I wouldn't say you taste the chickpeas. The pieces are small too so you're not getting whole beans and that helps. It's more of a crumble topping so on the drier side, but that's what I wanted versus a fake meat per se. But they add loads of flavor to whatever you sprinkle it on! We put them on pizza and it was so good! I trialled a sauce with it too and it needs some tweaking but huge potential in flavor!
The Vegan 8
Sounds amazing!! Adding it on top of pizza sounds like an amazing idea!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
So looks, new crumbles, it's a good day 😉 I love ALL of those flavorings!! So good!
veggiesdontbite
Thanks Rebecca!! I definitely wanted all the flavor in these so I jam packed it in!
Linda @ Veganosity
So. Smart. I can't wait to try this, Sophia. Love it!
veggiesdontbite
Thanks Linda! As I said, it isn't meant to be a fake meat but it's perfect for satisfying that craving without the processed food!
Lisa
This sounds just like what I've been looking for. Making it this weekend! Thanks for sharing, just love when I see an email from your blog...I know it will be great!
veggiesdontbite
Awe, thanks Lisa!! You're so sweet! Let me know what you think. It's definitely not a fake meat nor will it fool your meat loving friends but it's perfect for when you want to satisfy that craving and don't want the processed food.
Trish
I'm really trying hard not to buy many pre packaged foods anymore and I do occasionally miss my sausage crumbles! This recipe idea is brilliant and so simple with ingredients I'm sure to have around the house. Other sausage recipes are time consuming and although you mention this isn't a "fake sausage" recipe, it's something that will work very well in my household - I'm not trying to fool anyone here. I'm going to make a tofu scramble with these beauties over the weekend! Exited! Thanks!! Will report back 🙂
veggiesdontbite
Hi Trish! Thank you so much! Yes, we don't buy a lot of that stuff either which is exactly why I created these. The flavor satisfies our cravings without adding extra fat and processed ingredients into our diet! Let me know what you think!