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4.8 from 5 votes
Tasty Vegan Meatballs Recipe
Tasty Vegan Meatballs (Nut Meat Recipe)
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
5 mins
Optional fridge time
15 mins
Total Time
35 mins
 

Wholesome and delicious vegan nut meat balls!

Course: Appetizer, Main Course
Keywords: Nut Meat, Nutmeat Balls, Vegan Meatballs
Servings: 4 serves (approx 20 balls)
Ingredients
Basic Nut Meat Recipe
  • 1/2 cup pecan nuts
  • 1/2 cup cashew nuts
  • 1/2 cup walnuts
  • 1/4 cup quick oats or oat flour (can use gluten free flour to make these GF, this may change final texture)
  • 1/4 cup tomato paste
  • 2 tbsp tahini (or any nut/seed butter of choice)
  • 2 tbsp ground flaxseeds (flaxmeal) or ground chia
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 tbsp coconut aminos (or tamari/soy sauce if you are ok with soy)
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • pepper to taste
Optional (but highly recommended!) Flavour Add-ins:
  • 2 tbsp nutritional yeast
  • 1/4 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/4 tsp cumin
  • 1/2 - 1 tsp liquid smoke (for a slightly smokey flavour)
Instructions
  1. Add the flax meal to a small bowl then gradually add the 1/2 cup of water, mixing quickly with a fork to stop the flax from clumping. Small clumps are fine. Set aside for 5 minutes.

  2. Add the nuts, oats, salt, pepper and nutritional yeast & spices (if using) to the food processer and process to a fine crumb, or less if you want your nut meat to have a bit more texture.

  3. Add the tomato paste, tahini, flax mixture, coconut aminos & optional liquid smoke, then process until well combined and the mixture resembles a thick dough.

  4. Transfer mixture to a bowl and place in the fridge for 15-20 minutes to set. NOTE: This step is optional and can be skipped if you are time-poor, but it just makes the balls easier to roll.

  5. Roll rough tablespoon-fulls of the mixture into balls and onto a plate.

  6. COOKING OPTION 1: Preheat a non-stick frying pan to high heat (no oil necessary, the oils in the nuts should prevent them from sticking). Cook the balls for 4-5 minutes, rolling them around the pan with a soft spatula until golden brown.

  7. COOKING OPTION 2: Place the balls in an air fryer for no more than 5 minutes on high. I do find this option tends to dry them out a little more, but you may prefer them to be crispier on the outside.

  8. Serve them on sticks with a side of marinara sauce as a yummy party snack, or with your favourite spaghetti and sauce for a plant-based twist on spaghetti & meatballs. ?