This is THE BEST Chickpea Burger recipe! My Buffalo Chickpea Burger recipe is filled with chickpeas, oats, and vegetables and topped with a classic buffalo sauce AND a Blue Cheese Coleslaw for a flavor explosion.
When I first became a vegetarian EONS ago my Mom came home from the store with a frozen package of veggie burgers. I was an opinionated high schooler who had given up meat cold turkey and she was trying her best to keep me happy and fed.
They were these hard, frozen patties that tried to mimic meat flavors and were just not good at all. They honestly tasted like the cardboard box they came in. I lied to my Mom and told her I loved them so she wouldn't keep trying to get me to eat the beef burgers the rest of the family enjoyed. It's a wonder I didn't stop being a vegetarian right then.
Luckily over the years, packaged veggie burgers have come a long way. There are ones I eat and enjoy occasionally (They actually are tasty now!) but when I really want a GOOD burger at home I make my own.
There are so many easy ways to play around with beans and grains to make a delicious and protein-filled patty without the meat. I love making my Homemade Black Bean Burgers with Guacamole but I wanted to mix it up this summer with a fresh new plant-based burger idea. That's where this DELISH Buffalo Chickpea Burger came into play. It's like a Buffalo Chicken Burger but with chickpeas instead of meat. I topped this Chickpea Burger recipe with my own homemade blue cheese coleslaw for an irresistible combination of flavors.
The Best Buffalo Chickpea Burger recipe
I've had a lot of veggie burgers in my day so I consider myself a bit of an expert into what makes a good one. In my opinion, I don't want a burger that takes like beef. I'd rather let the vegetable flavors in the burger shine... whether it's black bean or chickpeas. I also think veggie burgers NEED something special for the toppings. A good sauce, guacamole, or even slaw really makes the burger feel special.
So what makes this THE BEST Chickpea Burger recipe? Chickpeas are actually the perfect base for adding flavors inspired by buffalo wings like carrots, onions, celery, and lots of hot sauce. This patty it'self if loaded with those flavors including classic Frank's Hot Sauce. And if that's not enough, I brush the entire burger with an extra dose of buffalo sauce before serving. And just to get extra dreamy I made a homemade Blue Cheese Cole Slaw complete with bites of carrots, celery, and generous blue cheese sprinkles.
I had you at blue cheese, right?
Can you make a Vegan Buffalo Chickpea Burger recipe?
This recipe can be easily made into a Vegan Buffalo Chickpea Burger. To make these burgers vegan use 2 flax eggs instead of regular eggs. You can mix 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed plus 6 tablespoons of water to make them.
They also actually make VEGAN Blue Cheese Dressing. Just sub that for your favorite regular Blue Cheese Dressing for a vegan type like this. Instead of using the blue cheese crumbles add some extra veggies and seasoning salt.
Ingredients in Chickpea Patties for a Burger
These chickpea patties may look like a lot of ingredients, but they are made with lots of pantry staples and come together very quickly.
- Canned Chickpeas: Canned chickpeas work great for this recipe. They are full of protein and easy to use. Just rinse and drain the can before starting.
- Old Fashioned Oatmeal: Classic oats are perfect for this Chickpea Burger and give it more substance.
- Shredded Carrots: The carrots add color, flavor, and vitamins to this burger. I love how it compliments the carrots you get with classic Buffalo Wings.
- Green Onions: You could do any type of diced onion with this but I like the light flavor and color of green onions.
- Red Bell Pepper: A red bell pepper adds more flavor, texture, and vitamins to the patty.
- Frank's Buffalo Sauce: These burgers get a hefty dose of hot sauce inside them and they are coated on the outside.
- Egg: An egg is a simple binder that works great for veggie burgers. For a vegan option use a flax egg.
- Spices: Chickpeas and oats need a good amount of flavor added to them. I used a hefty dose of garlic, oregano, onion powder, and celery salt with these.
- Salt & Pepper
Ingredients in the Blue Cheese Cole Slaw
This creamy Blue Cheese Cole Slaw is DREAMY! It's the perfect compliment for homemade spicy chickpea burgers.
- Cole Slaw: I like buying the pre-cut slaw mix in the salad section of the produce department. I like the ones that already has carrots in it!
- Blue Cheese Dressing: Use your favorite bottle for a shortcut. There is also THIS vegan option.
- Blue Cheese Crumbles: Be as generous as you'd like with these. 🙂
- Celery: The crunch of celery is perfect in this and is reminiscent of the celery sticks with Buffalo Wings too.
- Celery Salt: Celery Salt is a great way to add a unique flavor punch to the coleslaw.
How do you bind chickpea burgers?
It's really simple to make these chickpea burgers! You actually bind them with an egg or flax egg. Here's the rest of the steps.
- Chop the chickpea and oats in a food processor. You want them to still have some substance and not to be a paste.
- Add the chopped veggies and seasoning to the chickpea mixture. Salt and pepper to taste.
- Add the egg and mix well.
- Divide the mixture into four balls. With your hands roll the chickpeas and flatten into a burger patty.
- Put in the fridge to firm up.
- When ready to cook, heat them on both sides in a pan on the stove.
Can you freeze homemade chickpea burgers?
Yes! You can freeze homemade chickpea burgers. After cooking them, pop them in the freezer on a cookie sheet. Once they are hard, transfer them to a freezer bag for easy storage.
To reheat, bake them in the oven at 400 degrees for 15-20 minutes.
Chickpea burgers without a food processor?
Yes! A food processor is the easiest but you can also hand chop the chickpeas and oats. You just want them to get into really fine pieces. You could also use a blender!
What do I serve with this Healthy Chickpea Burger recipe?
- Greek Yogurt Potato Salad with Dill
- Grilled Southwest Sweet Potato Wedges
- Baked Sweet Potato Chips
- Grilled Vegetables with Whipped Garlic Feta Dip
- Low Carb Cauliflower Potato Salad
- Hidden Veggie Mac & Cheese
- Watermelon Feta Blueberry Salad
These Buffalo Chickpea Burger is SO much tastier and more inspired than those plain cardboard tasting burgers from my early vegetarian days. I'm so glad vegetarian and vegan options have come so far over the years.
Honestly, though, vegetarian or not these plant-based burgers are a delicious alternative to a traditional burger and will please even the pickiest of eaters. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.
Love veggie burgers?
If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear what you think! Leave a comment and a star rating ★ below. Make sure to follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook too!
Buffalo Chickpea Burger recipe
Ingredients
For the burger
- 1 15 ounce can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
- 1 ½ cups old fashioned oatmeal
- ½ cup carrots, shredded
- ¼ cup green onions, sliced
- ¼ cup red bell pepper, minced
- ⅓ cup Frank's Red Hot Sauce
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon oregano
- ½ teaspoon salt and pepper
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
For the slaw
- 2 cups coleslaw mix
- 2 tablespoons celery, chopped
- 2 tablespoons blue cheese crumbles
- 1 tablespoon blue cheese dressing
- salt and pepper to taste
Extras
- Buns
- Leafy Greens
- Extra Blue Cheese Crumbles
- Extra Frank's Hot Sauce
- Ranch Dressing
Instructions
- Add the chickpeas and oatmeal to a food processor. Pulse it a few times to roughly chop the mixture. You want lots of pieces and not a paste. Remove the mixture from the food processor and put it in a medium bowl.
- Add the carrots, green onion, red bell pepper, hot sauce, egg and spices to the bowl and mix well.
- Divide the mixture into four equal parts. Use your hands to shape the burger into a ball. Then flatten it into a burger. Put the burgers on a pan and pop them in the fridge. Allow to chill for 15-30 minutes or up to overnight.
- Make the slaw by tossing the slaw, celery, blue cheese and blue cheese crumbles in a bowl. Store in fridge until ready to use.
- To cook the burgers use a skillet at medium heat. Use the olive oil to cook the burgers. They will need 3-5 minutes on each side.
- Assemble the burgers by topping the patties with extra hot sauce and putting them on a toasted bun. Pile the slaw on top and add any extra toppings you'd like!
Notes
Nutrition
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Karla S Havlina says
Can you substitute white beans for the chickpeas?
JulieWunder says
Hi there! I haven't tested it, but I think it would work! Let me know if it does! Enjoy!
Cece says
Made these vegan put in a pita w Vegan ranch.. Yummy. New staple meal
JulieWunder says
Yay! Thank you! I'm so glad you enjoyed it and thanks for leaving the review.
Steph says
Can I freeze these raw?
JulieWunder says
Yes! These will freeze well. I'd thaw them in the fridge before reheating them.
Kari says
I love a creative vegan recipe and this is detinitely one. I am growing chickpeas in my yard so I am looking for great recipes for the surplus I am expecting.
Pam Cook says
Made these tonight and they were amazing! The hot sauce really kicked these up a notch. The slaw was a great addition as well and I added some fresh herbs from my garden. Will definitely make these again!
Lathiya says
Chickpea is one of my favorite ingredients to work with. This buffalo chickpea burger looks delicious and yummy.
Alex says
I absolutely love the idea of the flavours in this, especially with the blue cheese slaw. Bookmarking to try this week!
Alena says
I'm with you on the packaged patties - they definitely leave something to be desired. I've been on the hunt for a delicious veggie burger recipe this summer to make for barbecues. This is perfect for that!
sapana says
The buffalo chickpea burger looks so heavenly. Thank you for sharing tips to make it vegan with flax eggs. I am bookmarking this recipe to try.
Emily says
This really is the best chickpea burger recipe ever! And the blue cheese slaw tastes amzing with it too!
Ali Hanson says
I love everything about this recipe. I am a beef eater but I like to shake it up with veggie patties once in a while. These are perfect.
Gail Montero says
That is one luscious-looking veggie burger! Such a yummy and healthy alternative to the usual burgers that's not always wholesome!
Jacqueline Debono says
Chickpeas are a staple in my house but I've never made a burger with them. Def want to try this plus that blue cheese slaw sounds amazing!
Amy Liu Dong says
Oh my goodness, this burger look so delicious and to be honest, seeing this makes my mouthwatering. Deserves to have a 5 stars rating.
Kushigalu says
Healthy, protein packed chickpea burger. Would be great for summer parties. Can't wait to make this for my family who are chickpea lovers.
Marta says
I've been looking for new recipes to add to my meatless Monday meal rotations and this one has officially made the cut!
Shana says
I love chickpeas but I have yet to make a chickpea burger. The added flavor of buffalo sounds very interesting. I’d love to try it.
Jere Cassidy says
This chickpea burger looks nice and hearty and full of flavor. I love the topping you added. This is a must try.
Beth says
I haven't had a veggie burger for a long time, but the combination of oats and chickpeas sounds right up my alley, especially with the carrots and the bell peppers. And I love slaw on my burgers and tacos too!
Alexis says
I love a good vegan burger but they are so hard to find. This recipe is amazing!
Joyce says
This looks delicious! I love trying out a different way of enjoying veggie burgers! Interesting that it has oatmeal in it too! Have to give this one a try for sure!
Stine Mari says
This chickpea burger looks incredible, so buffalo is one of my favorite flavorings ever. Homemade burgers are always best!
Wendy says
I love Buffalo everything. I am so excited to try this Buffalo Chicken Burger. I think I will make it for the 4th of July!
Wendy says
I love Buffalo everything. I am so excited to try this Buffalo Chicken Burger. I think I will make it for the 4th of July!
Natalie says
I haven't tried chickpea burger yet. But this recipe really got me interested. Looks fantastic and flavors are really amazing. I will save this and make this. Can't wait.
Sondra Barker says
I've actually had frozen veggie burgers and know i know exactly what you mean. These look like a great alternative. Super excited to try!
Amy Gorin says
I love that you used chickpeas instead of black beans for a nice change! The slaw and sauce just top it all off!
Lesli Schwartz says
I love chickpeas everything, so I know I would love this "veggie" burger! I love falafels too! The toppings put this burger over the top!
Taleen | Just As Tasty says
I've been wanting to make chickpea burgers FOREVER, and these look incredible. Can't wait to try this!
Deborah Brooks says
Well you know I love the look of these. Extra hot sauce for me thanks!
Maria says
These chickpea burgers look delicious! I'm always looking for flavorful, healthy meal ideas like this. I love that you added celery to the slaw mix. Adds a lovely crunch and flavor! Can't wait to make these.