This hearty, protein-packed vegan loaf is bursting with savory, smoky barbecue flavors and topped with a sticky-sweet glaze—perfect for holiday dinners or meal prep!
Ingredients
For the Loaf
- 3 cups cooked chickpeas (2 cans, drained/rinsed or 1 cup dry, cooked)
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 2 carrots, diced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1½ cups oat flour (or 2 cups rolled oats, blended)
- 1 tsp mustard (Dijon or yellow)
- 2 tbsp soy sauce (or tamari for GF)
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp tomato paste (or ketchup)
- 3 tbsp barbecue sauce (plus extra for glaze)
- 3 tbsp nutritional yeast (for umami)
- Spices:
- 1 tsp paprika
- 2 tsp dried parsley
- 1 tsp cumin
- ½ tsp each rosemary, sage, thyme
- ½ tsp cayenne (optional, for heat)
- ½ tsp salt + ¼ tsp black pepper
For the Glaze
- ¼ cup barbecue sauce
- 2 tsp tomato paste (or ketchup)
- ½ tsp paprika
(Optional garnish: Fresh parsley or extra glaze drizzle)
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prep & Sauté Veggies
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan.
- Sauté onion, celery, carrots, and garlic over medium heat 4-6 mins until soft.
2. Mash Chickpeas
- In a large bowl, mash chickpeas until mostly smooth (some texture is okay!).
3. Mix Loaf Ingredients
- Add sautéed veggies + all remaining loaf ingredients to the chickpeas.
- Stir until well combined (mixture should hold together when pressed).
4. Bake (First Half)
- Press mixture into the loaf pan. Cover with foil.
- Bake 30 mins.
5. Add Glaze & Finish Baking
- Mix glaze ingredients, then spread over the loaf.
- Bake uncovered 20 mins until glaze is bubbly and caramelized.
6. Rest & Serve
- Let cool 15+ mins before slicing (this prevents crumbling!).
- Garnish and serve with mashed potatoes or roasted veggies.
FAQs & Tips
Q: Can I use a food processor?
✅ Yes! Pulse chickpeas + veggies briefly (don’t over-blend).
Q: How to make it gluten-free?
➡️ Use tamari (not soy sauce) and certified GF oats.
Q: Can I freeze leftovers?
✅ Yes! Slice and freeze for up to 1 month (reheat in oven).
Q: Why is my loaf crumbly?
⚠️ Not enough binder—add 1 tbsp flaxmeal + 3 tbsp water if needed.
Q: What’s a good BBQ sauce substitute?
➡️ Mix 2 tbsp ketchup + 1 tsp maple syrup + ½ tsp smoked paprika.
Serving Suggestions
🍽 Pair with:
- Garlic mashed potatoes
- Steamed green beans
- Crispy roasted Brussels sprouts
🌿 Perfect for:
- Vegan Thanksgiving
- Meal prep lunches
- BBQ-themed dinners
Nutrition (per slice): ~250 kcal | Protein: 10g
This flavor-packed loaf is comfort food at its finest—savory, smoky, and totally satisfying! 😋
Love spice? Double the cayenne or add hot sauce to the glaze! 🌶️
