Chickpea Hemp Seed Sausages

Meatless breakfast sausages made from protein-packed chickpea flour and hemp seeds. Vegan and gluten-free!

Chickpea Hemp Seed Sausages- super healthy meatless sausages that taste just like the real thing! #vegan #glutenfree

Whenever I tell people I’m a vegetarian, they usually respond with one of two things:

1. Wait, you mean you don’t eat bacon?!

2. Oh, you must eat so healthy!

While both of those might be true at this point in my life, I can’t say the second one was always the case. I was twenty-one when I made the decision to give up eating meat. I had no clue what I was doing!

I went straight for the frozen section to stock up on all the faux meat Morning Star Farms had to offer.

Chickpea Hemp Seed Sausages- super healthy meatless sausages that taste just like the real thing! #vegan #glutenfree

It only took a few months of eating like that to realize that it’s extremely easy to call yourself a vegetarian and still eat a bunch of garbage. Not that I’m knocking all of the faux meat out there. I still eat it on occasion.

Like for July 4th, I bought veggie dogs that were definitely NOT considered a whole food. But I think those things are okay in moderation. On a day-to-day basis, however, I try to get my protein from sources that are slightly less processed.

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Hemp seeds are easily one of my favorite plant-based sources. They’re high in omega fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals, and they contain all of the essential amino acids making them ideal for plant-based diets.

They’re virtually flavorless too so you can add them to almost anything for a little extra boost of nutrition. Toast, cereal, smoothies, salads…whatever tickles your pickle!

I chose to use them as a base for this recipe along with chickpea flour and pinto beans to create a meatless sausage that’s a little healthier than what you can buy in the freezer section at the store.

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Now when you scroll down, the ingredient list might seem a little daunting but I promise that you will likely have the majority of them (which are mostly spices and herbs) already stocked in your pantry.

The tamari, maple syrup and liquid smoke are used to imitate that classic smoky sausage flavor but you can always play around with whatever herbs or spices you like for the rest.

To make them, you start by adding all of the spices to a cup of boiling water (I just microwave it until boiling) and then let that sit for a few minutes. Then you warm the beans over medium heat in a skillet along with the spice liquid, using a fork to mash it all together.

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After that you combine the chickpea flour and hemp seeds in a bowl, add in the bean mixture and stir everything together.

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At this point, the smell may begin to allure a few curious faces into the kitchen. They might think it’s real sausage and that’s okay. Let them think it. ;)

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I love that face. <3

The last step is to bake them in the oven for 10 minutes on each side. After that you can refrigerate them or freeze them until ready to eat.

I like to reheat them in a skillet with a touch of olive oil, although that part isn’t necessary if you’re trying to avoid oil in your diet. You can always microwave them, I just think the extra bit of oil gives them more of an authentic sausage texture.

Chickpea Hemp Seed Sausages- super healthy meatless sausages that taste just like the real thing! #vegan #glutenfree

You’ll also notice that I listed cayenne as an optional ingredient. I like the touch of spice it gives them (it’s very mild!) but feel free to adjust that to your liking as well.

I know it isn’t exactly a five minute recipe but considering that you get 20 sausages out of each batch, the payoff is definitely worth it.

They really are great to have on hand for a tasty boost of protein in the mornings. I hope you love them as much as I do!

Chickpea Hemp Seed Sausages- super healthy meatless sausages that taste just like the real thing! #vegan #glutenfree

 

Chickpea Hemp Seed Sausages

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Yield: 20 sausages

Serving Size: 1 sausage

Ingredients

1 (15 ounce) can pinto beans, drained and rinsed

1 cup shelled hemp seeds

1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons garbanzo bean flour

2 tablespoons ground flax seed or ground chia seed

1 tablespoon vegan Worcestershire (or tamari for gluten-free)

2 tablespoons pure maple syrup

1 teaspoon liquid smoke

2 tablespoons dried or fresh parsley

2 tablespoons dried or fresh oregano

1 teaspoon dried or fresh thyme

2 teaspoons garlic powder

1 and 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika

1 and 1/2 teaspoon cumin

1 teaspoon chili powder

1 teaspoon salt & pepper

1/4 teaspoon cayenne (optional)

1 teaspoon olive oil

Instructions

  1. Start by bringing 1 cup of water to a boil. I like to use the microwave by warming the water for about 1-2 minutes in a glass measuring cup. Add the spices to the boiling water (Worcestershire to salt & pepper/cayenne) and set aside.
  2. Meanwhile combine 1/2 cup chickpea flour, 1 cup hemp seeds and 2 tablespoon of either ground flax or chia seed in a large bowl. Mix them together and set aside.
  3. Warm the teaspoon of olive oil over medium heat in a skillet and then add half of the beans. Pour in 1/2 cup of the spice liquid and then use a fork to mash the beans. Stir in one tablespoon of the chickpea flour and then allow them to cook over a low boil for 2-3 minutes so that they absorb some of the liquid.
  4. Place the remaining half of the beans in the skillet along with the remaining 1/2 cup of spice liquid and repeat the process above by mashing them with a fork, stirring the second tablespoon of chickpea flour, and then cooking for another 2-3 minutes.
  5. Pour the bean mixture into the bowl with the flour and hemp seeds and stir until well combined. Allow to cool to room temperature then chill in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours.
  6. Once the mixture is cool and has thickened some, preheat the oven to 400°F and then  take out heaping tablespoons with your hands and form them into small patties. Place the patties on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes on each side.
  7. At this point you can eat them as is or warm them in a skillet with a touch of oil. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 2 months.

Notes

*Time does not include cooling the mixture before cooking.

Adapted from Vegetarian Times Spicy Hemp Breakfast Sausages

https://www.makingthymeforhealth.com/chickpea-hemp-seed-sausages/

Chickpea Hemp Seed Sausages Nutrition