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Home Diet Vegetarian
★★★★★ 5 from 1 Reviews

Baked Vegetarian “Meat” Balls

11 mins
VG Vegetarian
Avatar by: Lindsay Grimes Freedman
June 27, 2016 (Updated: September 10, 2021)
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Baked Vegetarian "Meat" Balls
Really hearty and delicious Baked Vegetarian “Meat” Balls made form nuts and seeds! They’re so filling and perfectly satisfying on top of your zoodles 🙂

Ok, so here’s a story I rarely tell anyone because it involves me being super dumb. A horribly misguided decision that literally could have been disastrous. K, ready? I was at the mall, circa 7th grade, doing what tweens do. Shoot, it just occurred to be that I was a tween before the word tween was even invented. Sooo… there’s that. I was with my friend, um let’s call her Nadine to protect the guilty, and we were wandering aimlessly through the mall.

Baked Vegetarian "Meat" Balls

Nadine (is Nadine a real name? I’m sure there are people named Nadine, no?) was one of those people that would literally do anything if it meant a good story or a laugh. It didn’t matter how awkward or bizarre, or out of your comfort zone it was. Nadine was game. And me? I was apparently along for the ride.

So we wandered aimlessly around the mall when suddenly we were approached by a strange man. He was probably early twenties and at this point in my life I remember nothing about him besides his badge and clipboard and eventual outward displays of annoyance toward Nadine. He asked if we wanted to watch a quick movie trailer and answer some questions.

We looked at each other. I assessed Nadine for signs of distress or concern. She had none. We clearly had nothing better to do so we said “ohhhkay,” thinking it would be an immediate, momentary kinda thing.

Nope.

Baked Vegetarian "Meat" Balls

The man proceeded to lead us OUT of the mall to a room in the dark adjacent building. The moment I walked out of the mall I had a million bells and whistles going STRANGER DANGER HELLO WTF ARE YOU DOING. PEOPLE, you have a gut for a reason. In situations like this you should follow it and run farrrr away. I didn’t.

So what happened? He showed us a cartoon movie clip about a cautious adult man that transformed magically to a boy and lived a few days learning to be reckless and carefree again. He asked our impressions of the movie and I thoughtfully said, “oh like that movie Big with Tom Hanks?!” and Nadine said something completely off the wall (cue eye roll from said man) and we finished the few questions and went back into the mall like nothing happened.

So yeah, there it is. A dumb moment of my life that I wanted to share because sure, nothing horrible happened to me. But I think back on that moment thinking how DUMB I was to even agree to it! Guys, if you’re reading this you’re probably old enough to know this already. BUT, stranger danger!! Don’t go with strangers. Listen to your gut. Don’t risk your life for fear of being rude, okay?!

Ok, now that I told you a dumb moment in my life, I think it’s only fair you tell me one of yours in the comments below. It’s takes balls to admit our failures. It takes big ol’ VEGETARIAN BALLS!! Get it get it?! See what I did there?!

I tied the thing back to the thing and now we’re going to talk about vegetarian “meat” balls. Clever, right? So let’s make some balls…

Baked Vegetarian "Meat" Balls

In your food processor, process the whole almonds, flax seeds, hemp hearts, pepitas, and garlic cloves until chunky, about 20 seconds.

Add the sea salt, cumin, onion powder, chili powder, and oregano, and process for another 10 seconds.

Baked Vegetarian "Meat" Balls

Add the egg and coconut oil and process again until everything in combined, about 10 seconds.

Baked Vegetarian "Meat" Balls

Roll the batter into 12 balls, and pace on a lined baking pan.

Baked Vegetarian "Meat" Balls

Bake for 4 minutes, roll the balls to flip them a bit and bake for another 4 minutes.

Remove the “meat” balls from the oven and place in warmed sauce. Keep the balls in the sauce until ready to serve.

Baked Vegetarian "Meat" Balls

Did you make this? Leave a review below and tag me on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest!

Recipe
VG Vegetarian

Baked Vegetarian Meat Balls

Really hearty and delicious Baked Vegetarian “Meat” Balls made form nuts and seeds! They’re so filling and perfectly satisfying on top of your zoodles 🙂

AvatarRecipe by:Lindsay Grimes Freedman
★★★★★ 5 from 1 reviews
Prep: 3 minsCook: 8 minsTotal: 11 mins
Print recipe Rate recipe Pin Save recipe
Servings: 12 1x

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup whole almonds
  • 1/4 cup whole flax seeds
  • 1/4 cup hemp hearts
  • 1/4 cup pepitas (shelled pumpkin seeds)
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 egg
  • 2 tablespoons coconut oil
  • 15 – 20 oz. roasted garlic pasta sauce

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350F.
  2. In your food processor, process the whole almonds, flax seeds, hemp hearts, pepitas, and garlic cloves until chunky, about 20 seconds.
  3. Add the sea salt, cumin, onion powder, chili powder, and oregano, and process for another 5 seconds.
  4. Add the egg and coconut oil and process again until everything in combined, about 10 seconds.
  5. Roll the batter into 12 balls, and pace on a lined baking pan.
  6. Bake for 4 minutes, roll the balls to flip them a bit and bake for another 4 minutes.
  7. Remove the “meat” balls from the oven and place in warmed sauce.
  8. Keep the balls in the sauce until ready to serve.

Tips

Serving (1 ball): Calories 219; Fat 17.7g (Sat 4.4g); Protein 9.4g; Carb 8.3g (net carb 3.1g); Fiber 5.2g; Sodium 167mg

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Enjoy!! xo

Really hearty and delicious Baked Vegetarian "Meat" Balls made form nuts and seeds! They're so filling and perfectly satisfying on top of your zoodles! Low carb + gluten free + paleo :) thetoastedpinenut.com
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  1. Avatarfarah says

    Posted on 6/28/16 at 5:42 am

    I have to try these! I was trying to think of a silly thing I’ve done, but honestly my life is littered with those sorts of things so I can’t even pick one!!
    Farah x
    http://www.vatkinary.com

    Reply
  2. AvatarLouann Kristy says

    Posted on 6/28/16 at 10:23 am

    Oh my gosh my mouth is watering looking at this delicious meal !! I am so happy there’s the recipe !!!! AHHHHH <3

    Yum yum yum
    Thanks for sharing !!!

    Reply
  3. AvatarCassie says

    Posted on 7/3/16 at 2:29 pm

    I used to eat meatballs by the handful! I could eat TEN and not feel full, haha! Anyways, these look so good and so nutrient dense! They would complement a salad or zucchini noodles so well!

    Reply
  4. AvatarC Lowe says

    Posted on 2/18/19 at 9:02 pm

    These are good. Thank you.

    I only used 1/2 teaspoon of chili powder because I was making these for my 3 year old. They were delicious straight out the oven, even before putting them in the pasta sauce.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • AvatarLindsay Grimes Freedman says

      Posted on 10/14/20 at 3:09 pm

      Yay! I’m so happy you guys enjoyed them! xo

      Reply

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Lindsay

Hi Friend!

I'm Lindsay I love sharing simple, better-for-you recipes. When I'm not in the kitchen, you can find me at the beach watching my kids boogie board and soaking in that warm Cali sun (with sunscreen, of course).

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GF Gluten-Free DF Dairy-Free V Vegan VG Vegetarian EF Egg-Free NF Nut-Free P Paleo Browse All

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