Vegan Smoky Chickpea Burger
These smoky, deeply seasoned patties prove that a plant-based burger can absolutely hold its own at the table — no compromises required. The combination of smoked paprika, chipotle chili powder, and cumin gives each bite a bold, campfire-like depth that store-bought frozen patties rarely come close to matching. Tomato paste and soy sauce work together to add savory richness and help the chickpeas bind into a patty that actually browns and crisps in the skillet rather than falling apart. Chilling the shaped patties before cooking is the key step that makes them sturdy enough to flip cleanly and develop that satisfying crust. Piled onto vegan buns with crisp romaine, fresh tomato, and a generous swipe of vegan mayo, each burger is a full, craveable meal. This recipe makes four servings, so it's just as good for a casual weeknight dinner as it is for feeding a small crowd on a weekend.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the patties
- 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- ½ cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- 3 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 ½ tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- ½ tsp chipotle chili powder
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil, divided
For serving
- 4 vegan burger buns
- 4 leaves romaine or green leaf lettuce
- 1 large tomato, sliced
- vegan mayonnaise, to taste
- ¼ red onion, thinly sliced (optional)
- sliced pickles, to taste (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Spread the drained chickpeas on a parchment-lined baking sheet and pat thoroughly dry with paper towels — the drier they are, the better the patties will hold together and crust.
- 2
Transfer the dried chickpeas to a large mixing bowl. Add the rolled oats, tomato paste, soy sauce, smoked paprika, cumin, chipotle chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Using a fork or potato masher, mash everything together until the mixture is mostly smooth with some visible chickpea chunks remaining — it should hold its shape when pressed into a ball.
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