Savory Vegan Chickpea Muffins

Vegan chickpea muffins are an easy & savory alternative to traditional breakfast muffins! They are made with chickpea flour and veggies for a filling snack or breakfast.

These eggless breakfast muffins are great for a grab and go meal. Chickpea flour provides protein and makes the recipe naturally gluten free. Add in a variety of sauteed veggies for extra flavor and a nutritious start to your day.

I usually use all-purpose flour for most of my recipes but I recently started experimenting with chickpea flour and was pleasantly surprised. This recipe yields light and fluffy muffins!

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What is chickpea flour?

Chickpea flour is a gluten-free flour made from ground chickpeas, also known as garbanzo beans. It is traditionally used in Indian cooking, where it is better known as gram flour.

Because of its texture, it is also often used in vegan cooking to make vegan egg recipes like frittatas or omelettes.

Since it is made entirely from garbanzo beans, this flour provides 21 grams protein per cup, whereas all-purpose flour provides 13 grams.

If you’re new to chickpea flour and wondering what on earth it tastes like, know that I was wondering the same thing before I tried it. Yes, there is definitely a taste reminiscent of chickpeas in the flour, but only slightly. It has a slightly cornbread-esque flavor which certainly contributes to the savory factor of these muffins.

Ingredients

Chickpea flour: You can usually find chickpea flour in the “natural” section, baking aisle or international aisle of most large grocery stores. I use the Bob’s Red Mill brand. 

Nutritional yeast: This adds a “cheesey” flavor and more depth to the muffins. I love using nutritional yeast in everything from vegan mac and cheese to marinated tofu.

Seasonings: Onion powder, garlic powder and fresh parsley are the main seasonings in this recipe. You can use 1 and 1/2 tablespoons dry parsley in place of fresh.

Vegetables: Mushrooms, red bell pepper and spinach are my go-to add-ins. You can also try adding sauteed kale, leeks or broccoli. Sauteing the veggies releases their moisture and deepens their flavor. 

Baking ingredients: Baking powder, baking soda and apple cider vinegar all work together to leaven, or raise, the muffins. Regular vinegar will also work. 

How to make

1. Heat one tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat (I love my GreenPan skillet for this!) Once hot, add the diced mushrooms and pepper. Saute until often, about 7-8 minutes. Add spinach and let wilt, about 1 minute. Drain off extra liquid. Set aside.
2. Prepare the muffin batter using the traditional “muffin method”. Simply combine the dry ingredients: chickpea flour, nutritional yeast, seasonings, salt, baking powder, soda. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients.
3. Pour in the wet ingredients: vegetable broth, olive oil,  apple cider vinegar. Stir with a wooden spoon until just combined, careful to not overstir. It’s okay if some small dry bits still remain.
4. Fold in the sauteed veggies until just combined. 
5. Lightly oil a 12-tin muffin tin with cooking spray or muffin liners. Use a 1/3 cup measure to divide the batter between 9 tins. Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes. The muffins are ready when a toothpick inserted in the center muffin comes out clean.

Serving ideas

I usually eat one or two of these for breakfast with a handful of berries on the side. They also work well as a snack. Keep refrigerated in a closed container for 3-4 days for best quality.

Looking for more vegan breakfast ideas? Here are a few of my favorites:

• Vegan Biscuits & Sausage Gravy
• Instant Pot Vegan Grits
• Fluffy Vegan Sweet Potato Pancakes
• Easy Tofu Scramble