Chickpea Burgers

I wasn’t sure what to call these. I have an aversion to the word “patties” and whenever someone says “burger” they expect it to taste like meat, or at least fake meat. Let me be up front: these do not taste like meat, but that doesn’t mean that they’re not delicious. I didn’t try nutritional yeast before becoming vegan, but they are the key to this recipe. They add a wonderful nuttiness that brings these burgers together. This is also SO EASY to make. Let me say that again. SO EASY. All you really do is throw the ingredients together in the food processor. So what are you waiting for? (Huge debt to Kathy at Healthy Happy Life and her Vegan White Bean Burgers.)

Chickpea Burgers
1 can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
1/4 nutritional yeast
1 slice of bread, toasted and chopped in to 1/4 inch pieces
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
1 tsp garlic
1 tsp chili powder
1 tsp dried basil
1/2 medium onion, thinly sliced
2-3 tbs olive oil for sautéing

Preheat the oven to 400. Combine the chickpeas, nutritional yeast, bread, salt, pepper, and spices in a food processor and blend.

It will be very thick — don’t worry.

Sauté the onions in a medium pan for 5 to 7 minutes or until lightly browned.

Combine the onions with the chickpea mixture. (I like to use my hands, but if you’re more civilized you can use a spoon.)

Place the burgers in a nonstick baking dish (or lightly spray a banking sheet with olive oil) and make 5 medium balls with the chickpea mixture.

Bake for 30 minutes or until lightly browned — and enjoy immediately or if you have leftovers they can be eaten the next day lukewarm.