Aubergine & Chickpea Bites are a flavorful and satisfying snack or appetizer that combine the earthy taste of aubergine (eggplant) with the protein-packed goodness of chickpeas. These bite-sized treats are perfect for serving at parties, adding to a lunchbox, or enjoying as a light meal. With a combination of spices, herbs, and a crispy coating, these bites are sure to please vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike. Plus, they are naturally gluten-free, making them a great option for those with dietary restrictions.
To make Aubergine & Chickpea Bites, start by roasting or grilling the aubergine until it’s tender and slightly charred. This step brings out the natural sweetness of the aubergine, creating a rich, savory flavor. Next, mash the chickpeas with a fork or in a food processor, leaving some texture for added bite. Combine the mashed chickpeas and aubergine with ingredients like garlic, lemon juice, cumin, and coriander to enhance the flavor. Fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro can be added for a burst of freshness.
To bind the mixture together, you can use a little flour (or chickpea flour for a gluten-free version) and egg, which helps form the dough and keep everything together. Once the mixture is well combined, shape it into small balls or patties. You can then pan-fry or bake the bites until they are golden brown and crispy on the outside, while remaining soft and tender inside.
These Aubergine & Chickpea Bites are incredibly versatile. You can serve them with a variety of dipping sauces like tahini, yogurt, or a spicy harissa sauce. They also pair well with fresh salads or can be used as a filling for pita bread for a delicious sandwich. If you want to make them even more flavorful, try adding a touch of chili flakes for a bit of heat or a spoonful of tomato paste for a richer flavor.
These bites can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge or freezer, making them an excellent option for meal prep or last-minute gatherings. Whether served as an appetizer, snack, or main dish, Aubergine & Chickpea Bites offer a healthy and delicious option that’s packed with flavor and texture.
Ingredients
- 1 aubergine large, diced
- 1 can chickpeas drained and rinsed
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 Lemon juiced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- to taste Salt and pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F).
- In a bowl, toss the diced aubergine with olive oil, cumin, and a little salt and pepper.
- Spread the aubergine on a baking tray and roast for 20 minutes or until soft.
- In a food processor, combine roasted aubergine, chickpeas, garlic, lemon juice, and additional salt and pepper.
- Pulse the mixture until combined but still slightly chunky.
- Shape mixture into small bite-sized balls.
- Serve warm or at room temperature as an appetizer or snack.
Nutrition
I’m skeptical about pulsing it into balls—mine fell apart. Still tasted good, but presentation was sad lol.
Oh no 😅 Mine did that once too—what helped me was letting the roasted aubergine cool a bit and then pulsing *less*, so it’s a chunkier mix. Also I gently press the balls so they’re packed tight. Still yummy either way though!
Hmm tasted better than I thought it would. Who knew! 🤔
I dunno, I wasn’t too impressed. The flavor was kinda bland. Maybe I did something wrong?
Yummm! Perfect for my vegan diet! I added some chili flakes for a kick. Highly recommend!
Not sure about those chickpeas, I mean, they’re okay but not everyone likes them. Anyone else struggle with that?
Sounds delicious! I’ll have to try the chili flakes addition. Thanks for sharing!
These bites are AMAZING! I made them for a party and everyone loved them. 5 stars for sure!
I was a little skeptical at first but wow, these bites are amazing! Will definitely make again.
Easy to follow, but my food processor couldn’t handle the thickness.
Sounds like you might have a weak processor. Mine handled it just fine!
I had the same issue! I ended up using a potato masher instead. It worked better for me!
Why do people like this stuff? Tastes weird to me.
I totally get it, they can be an acquired taste. Not everyone likes aubergine, I guess.
I love them! The flavors are unique and delicious. You might just need to give them another try!
Aubergine? Never heard about that before. Can you use something else? Like potato?
Very nice! But next time I will add more garlic, I love it garlicky! 🍽️
These are amazing! I made them for my friends and everyone loved them. Will definitely make again!
Meh. Like it’s okay, but no wow factor. Also, my oven runs hot so I think I overdid them a little—could be my fault.
Easy to make but could use a bit more flavor. Next time, I might add some chili flakes or maybe even cheese.
I totally agree! A little cheese would make it so much better. Or maybe some hot sauce too! Yum!
I made them for my kids, and they actually ate them! Miracle! 😄
Good, but why can’t they just be called eggplant bites? Why all this fancy language?
Not bad, but I expected more “wow” after all the chickpeas. Maybe my oven runs hot because the aubergine got too soft.
Hmm, I get what you mean. With chickpeas I’d expect more crunch too—20 minutes at 200°C can make the aubergine go super soft (especially if your oven runs hot like you said). Next time I’d roast the aubergine a bit longer or cut it slightly larger so it doesn’t melt. Also, if you want more “wow,” you could add a pinch of smoked paprika or toast the chickpeas briefly before blending. 😊
Not bad, but 200°C for only 20 minutes felt short for the aubergine cubes I had. Flavor was there, just needed longer cooking.
Tried this and it was kinda bland. Might be my salt situation? Also I think I forgot the garlic (or maybe it was the oven being too hot—who knows 😅).
Yum! I added some herbs and they came out super tasty!! 🌿
These are surprisingly tasty—kind of like a veggie falafel vibe. I added a pinch of chili flakes and they disappeared fast. Great snack!
Delicious! Too many ingredients for me tho. But I love it.
I followed the steps pretty closely, but mine came out a bit too mushy to roll nicely. Maybe my aubergine was too wet? Still tasty though.
Wait—no eggs? lol. Still, the garlic + lemon combo is 🔥. Next time I’ll add a pinch of paprika for extra warmth.
Yum! Used some chili flakes for extra kick. Everyone in my family loved them!
Hmm, I don’t know. The texture was off for me, and I think too much cumin was used. I’ll stick to my old recipe.
I used less olive oil and they turned out dry. Don’t skimp on the oil! Also, can we add cheese next time?
Definitely agree about the olive oil! It’s so important for moisture. And yes, cheese would be a tasty addition!
Not bad, but a bit bland. I think it needs more spices or something.
Took too much time to prep. I prefer quick recipes.
How many calories in these? I’m on a diet and need to know!
These were surprisingly good! My kids even liked them!
Yum! I dyall love this recipe 🙂 I added some chili flakes for an extra kick. Will do again!
Can I use other beans instead of chickpeas? Never liked them.
You could try black beans or kidney beans instead! They might change the taste a bit but could work!
Not my thing. I don’t even like chickpeas. 1 star.
These turned out way better than I expected—crispy-ish edges on the aubergine and the lemon really brightens it. Great for a quick snack!
These are dangerously snackable. I used a bit more lemon and they tasted super bright—would 100% make again for gatherings.
Ok so I used way too much garlic (oops). They were still good, but I could practically smell them from another room 😅
These are such a great snack—roasting the aubergine first really helps. I made them for game night and they disappeared fast.
Kinda skeptical about using a food processor—mine turned more like paste than chunky bites. Still tasty though, just not the texture I expected.
Ugh, I didn’t like the texture. It was too mushy for me. I prefer my snacks with a crunch.
This recipe is too complicated, what is a food processor??
I totally get what you mean! A food processor can be a bit confusing if you’ve never used one. It’s just a machine that helps chop and blend food faster. You can also mash the ingredients by hand if you want to keep it simpler!
Just google it! A food processor is a kitchen tool. But maybe try making it without one? Just mash by hand!