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Close‑up of a single Vegan Chickpea Spinach Patty showing its soft, herb-speckled texture.

30-Minute Vegan Chickpea Spinach Patties

4.86 from 60 votes
These vegan chickpea spinach patties with leek are crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and packed with plant-based protein! Ready in 30 minutes, baked or pan-fried, and perfect for meal prep.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients Method Video Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 can 400g Chickpeas (drained and rinsed – reserve 3 tbsp of the liquid / aquafaba)
  • 1 cup Fresh spinach chopped, or thawed frozen spinach squeezed 100% dry
  • 1/2 cup Leek thinly sliced, white and light green parts
  • 1 small Onion finely chopped
  • 2 –3 cloves Garlic minced
  • 1/2 cup Breadcrumbs plus a bit more if mixture is too wet
  • 3 tbsp Aquafaba reserved from the chickpea can
  • 2 tbsp Olive oil or water for oil-free sauté
  • 1 tbsp Lemon juice
  • 1 tsp Cumin
  • 1/2 tsp Smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp Turmeric
  • 1/2 tsp Salt or to taste
  • 1/4 tsp Black pepper
  • Optional: 1–2 tbsp Nutritional yeast
  • Optional: 1 tbsp Chopped fresh parsley or cilantro

Method
 

  1. Step 1 (Sauté Aromatics): In a skillet, heat 1 tbsp olive oil and sauté the sliced leek, chopped onion, and minced garlic over medium heat for 5–7 minutes until soft. Let cool slightly.
  2. Step 2 (Mash Chickpeas): In a large bowl, mash the drained chickpeas with a fork or potato masher until mostly mashed but still retaining a few satisfying chunks for texture.
  3. Step 3 (Mix Everything): Add the chopped spinach, sautéed leek/onion mix, breadcrumbs, aquafaba, lemon juice, spices, and optional nutritional yeast/parsley. Mix well until a cohesive dough forms.
  4. Step 4 (Rest Mixture): Let the mixture rest for 10–15 minutes so the breadcrumbs absorb excess moisture and firm up the dough.
  5. Step 5 (Shape Patties): Form the mixture into 6–8 uniform patties, pressing firmly so they hold together.
  6. Step 6 (Bake & Crisp): Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Place patties on a parchment-lined baking sheet, brush lightly with oil (optional), and bake for 20–25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and crispy!

Video

Notes

  • Retain Texture: Leaving some coarse chickpea chunks gives the patties a wonderful bite and prevents a mushy texture.
  • Aquafaba Magic: Reserved chickpea liquid acts as a natural vegan binder when combined with breadcrumbs, eliminating the need for eggs.
  • Resting Time: Never skip the 10-minute resting period; it is the secret to getting the patties to hold their shape during baking!