These Banzo Burgers are the perfect, sturdy, firm, not mushy vegan plant-based chickpea burger. They stick together, are lighter than most bean-based burgers, and so versatile. They can be used in any burger, wrap, sandwich, bowl, etc.
Not only are these delicious but they’re also super healthy. Just a few whole food ingredients and a little spice. No added oil. I cooked them without oil in my new/old cast iron skillet and they didn’t stick a bit.
Psst. By “new/old” cast iron, I mean I got a vintage Griswold pan for Christmas. It’s lovely and this was its maiden voyage. Seriously, these are beautifully made.Simple and Delicious Plant-Based Recipe
Anyway, these burgers are super simple. We got home this afternoon after a busy day and made the banzo burgers, made a video, took pics of the whole process, had dinner, and cleaned up in hardly any time. The actual burger goes together in about three minutes in a food processor and another four minutes cooking time on each side and you’ve got burger perfection.
Healthy and Inexpensive Vegan Burgers
This vegan and plant-based recipe requires just one can of garbanzo beans, a little rice, oats, and spices. We get our organic garbanzo beans at Costco for just over 50 cents per can. The rice, oats, and seasoning add maybe 25 cents more. This made four burgers. The math is awesome. About 19 cents per burger. Can you beat that?
Oh, and did I mention they’re about 170 calories each?
Whir everything up in a food processor for a minute and, voila … perfect.
If you have a small food processor, do this step in batches. If you have no food processor, just mash it all up with a potato masher.
No masher? Use a fork.
#noexcuses
Versatile Burger Recipe
This is a very basic recipe and it’s fantastic just exactly as it is on a bun with lettuce and a few condiments. But it can be used in SO many other ways. So I’ll just tuck this basic recipe here and I’ll have lots of ways to use it in the future. K?
They are so sturdy. Bean and other vegan burgers have a tendency to be mushy in the center and fall apart. These are sturdy and firm. Very easy to handle. Even the large burgers I made with this burger press held together just fine and were done in the center.
Four minutes on each side was just about perfect.
They didn’t stick at all and we didn’t use any oil. The pan is shiny because the seasoning on it was so well done. It’s not so pristine now, but still a beaut.
Done. Tasty, healthy burgers for less than 20 cents and done in less than 15 minutes and about 100 calories. That’s so convenient but so delicious, too.

Banzo Burgers Simple Delicious Chickpea Burgers
These Banzo Burgers are the perfect, sturdy, firm, not mushy burger. They stick together, are lighter than most bean-based burgers, and so versatile. They can be used in any burger, wrap, sandwich, bowl, etc.
Ingredients
- 1 15 oz can garbanzo beans drained well
- 1/4 cup oats
- 1 cup cooked medium grain rice white or brown
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp poultry seasoning
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- pinch red pepper flakes
Instructions
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Place all ingredients in large food processor and pulse and process until well mixed and everything begins to stick together. If you have a small food processor, do this in batches. If you have no food processor, just mash it all up with a potato masher. No masher? Use a fork.
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Form into patties, balls, or loaves and fry with or without oil. Can also be baked or cooked in the air fryer.
XO Lisa

Hello! I’m Lisa, a vegan artist, photographer, author, Vegan Life Coach Educator, and RYT 200 yoga teacher. I love showing others how simple and delicious a plant-based diet can be. I draw and paint, cook, write, take lots of pics, eat lots of chocolate, and practice gratitude daily.