This recipe for VEGAN cauliflower meatballs is made with a mixture of cauliflower, brown rice, breadcrumbs, and variety of herby and warming Italian spices.
We included options to either bake or fry the “meatballs” but we highly recommend frying it because the flavor profile is so much more amazing and delicious.
The outside of the balls sizzle in the vegetable oil, getting crispy and golden brown while leaving the inside soft and tender.
These vegan cauliflower meatballs are similar to our other lentil meatball recipe, just with cauliflower and rice. They tend to be a bit lighter than the lentil version, probably because there’s not so much dense protein in them.
There’s still plenty of healthy goodness in there, though, with the brown rice and the amazing cruciferous cauliflower!
The perfect pairings for these vegan cauliflower meatballs:
- MEATBALL SUBS WITH VEGAN ALFREDO. ♡ Don’t miss out on these delicious meatballs subs with creamy alfredo sauce. Matt and I made these meatball subs while dancing around the kitchen to our favorite soul radio station LOL!! We were sooooo happy this recipe was a hit and we’re super excited to share it with you.
- SPAGHETTI AND MEATBALLS WITH MARINARA. ♡ There’s nothing like a traditional Italian-American classic: spaghetti and meatballs with marinara sauce. 100% vegan, of course. Try this recipe for homemade marinara sauce. Feel free to use brown rice or chickpea pasta to make a wholesome, gluten-free family dinner.
- ITALIAN WEDDING SOUP. ♡ There’s nothing like a hearty, nutritious wedding soup with vegan meatballs to satisfy your cold-weather cravings. We’ve been having a snowy winter in Colorado this year and this soup has made a regular appearance in our home. You can make the meatballs a little bit smaller so they are more bite-sized for the soup. Recipe to come soon!
If you try this recipe, please leave a comment/rating below and tag us on Instagram or Facebook @pastabased.
4.34 from 12 votes
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Vegan Cauliflower Meatballs
Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
40 mins
Bake or fry these vegan meatballs made with cauliflower and brown rice. Easy to make using flavorful, simple, plant-based ingredients. Perfect for pairing with a variety of sauces, sandwiches, and soups.
Course:Dinner
Cuisine:American, Italian, Vegan, Vegetarian
Keyword:breadcrumbs, brown rice, cauliflower, gluten-free, vegan, vegan meatballs, vegetarian
Servings: 16 meatballs
Calories per Serving: 112 kcal
Ingredients
- 2cupscauliflower florets
- 2cupsbrown ricecooked
- 1/2cupItalian-seasoned breadcrumbsgluten-free option
- 2flax eggssee notes for instructions
- 2tablespoonfresh basil
- 2teaspoongarlic powder
- 1teaspoonoregano
- 1teaspoononion powder
- 1/4teaspoonpaprika
- 1/4teaspoonsalt
- vegetable oil*
US Customary – Metric
Instructions
Cut cauliflower into florets and measure out 2 cups (220g). Add to a small pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil for 5 minutes, until cauliflower is soft. Drain and set aside.
In a food processor, add softened cauliflower florets, brown rice, bread crumbs, flax egg (see notes), basil, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and paprika. Pulse until well-combined. You may need to do this in batches to make sure all the ingredients get processed well.
Rolleven portions of the mixture between your hands into golf-ball sized balls (see photo). You should get about 16 balls — or about 46g of the mixture per ball.
To fry (recommended)
Heat a thin layer of vegetable oil in a 10-inch frying pan on medium heat.* Add the balls in small batches, be sure not to crowd the pan and fry, turning frequently with a fork or spatula, until golden brown on all sides.
Once a ball is golden brown, carefully place it on a plate lined with paper towels to soak up any excess oil. Serve warm.
To bake
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Add vegan meatballs to the baking sheet and bake for 30 minutes or until the outside starts to brown lightly and form a crust. Serve warm.
Recipe Notes
- To make 2 flax eggs: in a small bowl, add 2 tablespoons of ground flaxseeds and 5 tablespoons water. Stir to combine. Let sit for about 10 minutes to thicken.
- *Frying tip: Make sure the oil is very hot before adding the balls, otherwise they may stick.
- To store: once cool, place meatballs in the refrigerator for up to 10 days.
- This recipe also freezes very well. Cool first and then add to a freezer bag or tupperware.
Nutrition Facts
Vegan Cauliflower Meatballs
Amount Per Serving (4 balls)
Calories 112Calories from Fat 9
% Daily Value*
Fat 1g2%
Sodium 91mg4%
Potassium 124mg4%
Carbohydrates 22g7%
Fiber 1g4%
Protein 2g4%
Vitamin A 35IU1%
Vitamin C 6.1mg7%
Calcium 23mg2%
Iron 0.8mg4%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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