These lentil veggie nuggets are perfect for the picky toddler in your house. (Or picky adults too!) Dip them in some ketchup, homemade mayo, or tahini!
Kids love dipping, and I find it’s one of the easiest ways to get a toddler to try new things. If you’re looking for lentil recipes for kids, this is definitely one to try.
They don’t even need to know that these nuggets are completely wholesome and protein packed. I gave my toddler some ketchup and he devoured 3 of these bad boys in no time!
Bonus, these lentil nuggets are dairy free and plant based, making them suitable for anyone with lactose intolerance or on a vegan diet. AND they’re oil free, and baked, NOT fried!
To prepare your veggie nuggets
Put your lentils to soak in boiling hot water first. Let them sit for about 30 minutes before draining them.
In the meantime, start prepping your veggies and breadcrumbs. Place your bread slices in your food processor and process until a breadcrumb consistency is achieved. Then transfer to a large bowl.
Next, add the carrot and zucchini to your food processor with all the seasonings, and your drained lentils. Process until broken down and well combined. Then add this mixture to your bowl of breadcrumbs, add the corn and peas to the same bowl if you haven’t already.
Mix everything with a spatula before forming your veggie nuggets. Using your hands, make balls, roughly the size of golf balls and place on your prepared baking sheet. You will form about 20 balls.
Once you’ve used up all your batter, flatten each ball gently using your hands or a spoon, into a disc shape. Use caution to avoid breaking them, and reshape if necessary.
Bake in your preheated oven for 15 minutes before carefully flipping your nuggets. Return to the oven for an additional 10 minutes and let rest at room temperature for at least 5 minutes to allow your veggie nuggets to firm up.
Then go ahead and enjoy! These vegan veggie nuggets will please the entire family, from picky toddlers to picky spouses. As always, let me know what you think in the comments below.
Want more recipes that kids and adults alike, love to dip? Try these!
- Sweet & Salty Baked Pumpkin Fries
- Baked Chickpea Nuggets [Allergen Free]
- Sweet & Spicy Baked Plantain Chips
- Baked Zucchini Tater Tots [V+GF]
- Sweet Potato Fries – Baked not Fried!
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup split red lentils soaked in boiling hot water for 30 minutes
- 1 medium zucchini grated
- 1 large carrot grated
- 2 slices whole grain sliced bread untoasted, gluten free if needed
- 1/4 cup frozen peas
- 1/4 cup frozen corn
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp oregano
- 1/2 tsp paprika
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425 degrees F and line a large baking tray with parchment paper.
- Add your bread slices to a food processor and process until a breadcrumb consistency is achieved. Then transfer your bread crumbs into a large bowl, add the frozen corn and peas to the same bowl and set aside.
- Drain your lentils and add them to the food processor along with your grated carrot, zucchini and all the seasonings. Process until broken down and well combined. Then transfer to the bowl with the breadcrumbs, and mix to combine.
- Form 1-1.5" balls using your hands, and place them on your baking tray. Then press each one down gently, without breaking them, to form your nuggets.
- Bake for 30 minutes, carefully flipping them at the 15 minute mark. Let your nuggets cool at room temperature for at least 5 minutes to help them firm up. Then serve with ketchup, homemade mayo, or tahini.
These look delicious! And what a healthy snack for the kids too, these will go down a treat in my house!
Thanks so much Michelle. A great for kids and adults for sure.
I love the idea of these healthy nuggets! So handy to keep a stock of these in the fridge for a healthy snack or for filling your salad bowls with! Can’t wait to try them.
Thanks Tania, hope you enjoy!
These were outstanding! Easy to make and very filling, probably because I ate so many of them myself, haha! Loved them.
So great to hear Demeter. Glad you enjoyed!
What a clever and tasty idea, not to mention healthy! I will definitely be making these regularly. So good!
Thanks so much Alexandra!
These look so delicious! What a great way to get in some veggies!
Thanks Jaime. I’m all for sneaking in veggies whenever I can. 🙂
These look like little bites of heaven! I’ll have to make these for my kids for an after school snack!
Thanks so much Beth!
I love that these are baked and not fried. Cannot wait to make them. I can see they will be very popular as appetizer. 🙂
Thanks Anita!
Love that these are baked! They sound absolutely perfect paired with the homemade tahini for dipping.
Thanks Tara, they’re such good dippers.
The kids love lentil nuggets and we make them all the time. It’s a great way to get the kids eat more veg.
Absolutely! Hidden veggies for the win. 🙂
such an easy way to sneak in veg! I’m going to put them on wraps for lunches!
Great idea!
Wow Rosa, these lentil nuggets is my idea of snack heaven! Can’t wait to try them!
Thanks so much Tania! Hope you enjoy.
I don’t eat lentils often but I should … there are so many yummy recipes like this nuggets.
I highly recommend them, lentils are so versatile.
I am always looking for healthy snacks! I love how easy these are and that they are baked not fried!
Thanks for the feedback Pam!
I love all the good things in these nuggets. They would be perfect on an appetizer tray.
Thanks Jere!
I have been trying to get my picky eater to eat more veggies! This is a great way
They’re so great for picky eaters!
I’m loving these Veggie Patties! I love that you used Lentils!
Thanks Shanika!
It is perfect for picky everyone and picky everything! 🙂 Delicious nuggets that are great to entertain. I prefer having at least three different dips though to properly enjoy nuggets like these!
The more dips the better! Couldn’t agree more. Thanks for your feedback Elaine.
These look really tasty. You wouldn’t have thought they were meatless just looking at them.
Thanks for the feedback Luci, they certainly are tasty!
Are you saying the bread should be toasted or just sliced bread that one puts in the toaster?
Hi Jim, just sliced bread that one puts in the toaster, but un-toasted. Hope you enjoy this recipe.
Can’t believe my husband enjoyed these nuggets. He is huge meat eater but almost ended up eating them all. Very filling and easy to make.
Hi Stacy. Glad to hear you and your husband enjoyed these nuggets! 🙂