Vegan Chickpea Breadcrumbs Recipe (Grain-Free)

Name: Vegan Chickpea Breadcrumbs
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 45 min
Ingredients: 2 (15-ounce) cans chickpeas (drained and rinsed, or 3 cups cooked chickpeas); Drizzle of olive oil; 2 teaspoons garlic powder; 2 teaspoons onion powder; 3/4 teaspoon ground cumin; 1 teaspoon smoked paprika; 1/4 teaspoon cayenne ((optional)); Salt and black pepper (to taste)

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These vegan Chickpea Breadcrumbs are a grain-free, healthy alternative to traditional breadcrumbs. They're so crispy and flavorful, that you won't believe they're made from chickpeas! Use them as a substitute for traditional breadcrumbs, or as a topping to add more plant-based protein to bowls, salads, or soups.

Golden brown gluten-free chickpea breadcrumbs in a bowl next to a plate with honeynut squash, chickpea breadcrumbs, and green tahini sauce.

Chickpea breadcrumbs can be made with one ingredient – chickpeas. However, they're easily customizable. Add your desired seasonings for more flavor, and while oil is optional, a little goes a long way in getting them even crispier. In addition, you can blitz them as fine or as chunky as you like.

You'll be amazed at how easy it is to make these vegan breadcrumbs. There's very little work involved. It's mostly just waiting for the chickpeas to dry in the oven. And the best part is that these breadcrumbs are good for up to one month.

These grain-free chickpea crumbs were inspired by my Crispy Roasted Chickpeas recipe on this site, as well as these Vegan Wraps with Roasted Chickpeas.

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👩🏼‍🌾 Ingredients
🧄 Variations
📖 How to Make Vegan Chickpea Breadcrumbs
💡Expert Tips
🙋🏽‍♀️ Recipe FAQs
🍽 Related Recipes
👩🏽‍🍳 Made This Recipe?
📖 Recipe
💬 Comments

👩🏼‍🌾 Ingredients

Chickpeas, olive oil, spices in a bowl, and hemp hearts on a white backdrop.

Chickpeas or garbanzo beans are naturally gluten-free. They are a legume and a good source of plant-based protein and fiber. Their crumbly texture is perfect for making plant-based breadcrumbs.
Hemp hearts for more protein (optional)
Seasonings for more flavor (optional)
Olive oil or avocado oil for crispier vegan breadcrumbs (optional)

See the recipe card for quantities.

🧄 Variations

Italian seasoning - add 2 tablespoons dried parsley, 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon ground black pepper, and salt to taste
Smoky seasoning - add 2 teaspoons garlic powder, 2 teaspoons onion powder, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, ¾ teaspoon ground cumin, ¼ teaspoon cayenne, and salt and pepper to taste
Cajun-style seasoning - add 2 teaspoons paprika, 2 teaspoons onion powder, 2 teaspoons garlic powder, 2 teaspoons oregano, 1 tablespoon parsley, ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes, and salt and pepper to taste
For more protein - add 2 tablespoons hemp hearts to the seasoning blend

Note: Add the seasoning blends with a drizzle of olive oil after pulsing the chickpeas, before putting them back in the oven.

For more easy and healthy chickpea recipes, visit my Vegan Chickpea Recipes page.

📖 How to Make Vegan Chickpea Breadcrumbs

Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Rinse and drain the chickpeas in a colander or mesh strainer.

Cooked chickpeas drying between layers of a striped kitchen towel.

Step 1. Transfer the chickpeas to a clean dish towel or layered paper towels. Pat them between layers of the towel to dry. Remove any loosened skins.

Crispy baked chickpeas on a white rimmed baking sheet.

Step 2. Spread the chickpeas onto a large rimmed nonstick baking sheet in a single layer. Bake them for 35 minutes. Set aside to cool for 10 minutes.

Crispy baked chickpeas in the canister of a food processor.

Step 3. Transfer the baked chickpeas to the canister of a food processor.

Crispy baked chickpeas processed into gluten-free breadcrumbs.

Step 4. Pulse them until the desired texture.

Chickpea breadcrumbs, seasonings, hemp hearts, and olive oil in a glass bowl.

Step 5 (optional). For seasoned breadcrumbs, add seasonings and oil to the chickpeas. Toss to coat.

Crispy baked and seasoned chickpea breadcrumbs on a white baking sheet.

Step 6. Bake the chickpeas, seasoned or unseasoned, one more time. Spread the chickpea crumbs onto the same baking sheet. Bake for about 10 minutes more or until the desired crispiness and golden brown. Set aside to cool.

Golden brown gluten-free chickpea breadcrumbs in a bowl with a spoon.

How to use chickpea breadcrumbs: Use them for breading fried or baked foods, as a binding agent for vegan burgers, or as a topping for casseroles or gratins. Alternatively, use them as a garnish for soups, salads, or veggie bowls for more protein and a delicious crunch.

💡Expert Tips

For garnishing: If you plan on using chickpea crumbs as a garnish, pulse them less so they are larger in size.
For traditional breadcrumbs: If using in place of traditional breadcrumbs, pulse the baked chickpeas into fine crumbs. They may clump together, but they will dry out and separate in the oven.
Storage: Store the unseasoned chickpea breadcrumbs in an airtight container in a cool dry place for up to one month. Or freeze them in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Refrigerate seasoned breadcrumbs in an airtight container for up to one week.
To season a portion of the chickpea crumbs: After pulsing in the food processor, remove a portion of the chickpea crumbs and season. Bake the seasoned and unseasoned chickpea crumbs at the same time, on separate baking sheets, for 10 minutes.
To season the plain breadcrumbs before serving: Toss them with the desired seasoning, and a drizzle of oil, and bake at 400ºF for about 7 minutes, or until golden brown.

🙋🏽‍♀️ Recipe FAQs

What are chickpea breadcrumbs?

They are a gluten-free, grain-free alternative to traditional breadcrumbs. They are made from ground chickpeas.

What do chickpea breadcrumbs taste like?

Plain vegan chickpea breadcrumbs have a slightly nutty and earthy flavor. However, they can be seasoned to taste, and quickly take on the flavor of the added seasonings.

Can you make vegan breadcrumbs without chickpeas?

Instead of chickpeas, use navy beans, cannellini beans, Great Northern beans, or butter beans. Be sure to get them really dry before baking.