Crispy Chickpea Patties
A budget-friendly, protein-packed meal made with canned chickpeas and a few basics.
These crispy chickpea patties are the perfect food bank dinner idea—they’re made with shelf-stable ingredients, cost just a few cents each, and are incredibly satisfying. Think of them like little veggie burgers: golden on the outside, soft in the middle, and full of flavor.
Serve them with rice, bread, tortillas, or on their own with a side of veggies or sauce.
🥫 Ingredients (Makes 6 small patties):
- 1 can chickpeas (garbanzo beans), drained
- 1/4 cup oats or breadcrumbs
- 1 small onion (or 1 tsp onion powder)
- 1 clove garlic (or 1/2 tsp garlic powder)
- 1 egg (or 1 tablespoon flour for vegan version)
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp cumin or Italian seasoning
- Oil for frying
🍳 Instructions:
- Mash the chickpeas
In a bowl, mash the chickpeas with a fork or potato masher until mostly smooth (some chunks are okay). - Mix the ingredients
Add oats or breadcrumbs, onion, garlic, egg (or flour), salt, and seasoning. Mix until it holds together. Let sit for 5–10 minutes. - Form patties
Shape into small patties (about 6). If the mix is too wet, add more oats or crumbs. - Cook until crispy
Heat a skillet with a tablespoon of oil. Fry patties over medium heat for 3–4 minutes per side until golden brown. - Serve
Enjoy hot, with ketchup, mayo, hot sauce, or even on bread like a burger.
💡 Food Bank Tips:
- No egg? Use flour, mashed potato, or canned pumpkin as a binder.
- No oats or breadcrumbs? Crush up crackers or cereal.
- Make a meal: Serve with canned green beans, salad, or rice for a full plate.
